Chapter 36 – Prepare for Judgment

Hello everyone. I felt like cutting this episode into half, because the tone of the second part is a lot more different. This chapter is more like preparation, with chapter 37 being the ultimate flashback - Alexa will remember what happened to her parents the night they died. Then chapter 38 will be how she handles it and the overall response.

It was pretty sweet to have a response to my previous remark about not really hearing from you guys. I'm glad you spoke up, honestly.

Nirvana14 - you were like one of the first reviewers of this story, so it's really nice to see you again ^.^ thanks for your sweet review

To the Guest - I wish you weren't anonymous, your review was kind as well. And yeah, Norman is getting creepy as hell in the show so I really wanted to mirror it here as well.

Anyway, here it is

Alexa biked home. After her conversation with Norman, she felt incredibly awkward about the whole situation. She knew she was in the right – she wasn't being melodramatic, she was assaulted. That being said, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness towards Norman. He clearly regretted his actions. Norman couldn't help himself – it wasn't him.

She knew what that felt like more than anyone.

The vibrating in her pocket got her attention, and she quickly answered without even looking at the ID.

"Hello?"

"Hey kid, it's Norma. Are you still at my place?"

Alexa biked with one hand on the bar. "No, I left. Is everything okay? I thought I saw Norman go downstairs …"

"Uh, no he's fine, he did go down there, me and him talked," Norma hurriedly replied. "Um, how are you and Alex? Have you two talked about me?"

She frowned. "No. Sorry, he hasn't mentioned you at all. You two fighting or something?"

"Something like that," Norma whispered. "We're going through a rough time and he's sort of mad at me and I was just wondering if you could talk to him. Get him to calm it or something."

Alexa couldn't stop the smile from forming on her face. "Jesus, are you two in high school? I thought I was the teenager."

"Damn it, Alexa, please?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm just teasing you," Alexa laughed. "No worries. Are you doing okay?"

"Uh, no I'm – wait, are you biking home?"

"Yeah why?"

"I see you!" The screech of tires invaded Alexa's hearing and she turned her head to see Norma nearly driving right at her. Alexa stopped and shook her head, almost like an adult scolding a toddler. "Get in!" Norma opened her car door.

Alexa peered through. "I have a bike. You have no room."

"Well … let's just talk a little," Norma gave a side smile.

Alexa grinned. "What's wrong, Norma?"

"It's the … the USB. Things have just gotten worse. I should've listened to you about Bob." Norma put her head on her wheel. "He beat the shit out of this therapist I slept with and got information about Norman because that one night I left I sort of kind of told him a bunch of private information."

Alexa widened her eyes. "Like what kind of information?"

"That Norman killed his father. That kinda stuff." Norma gave an anxious smile before throwing her head back. "I'm an idiot."

Alexa shook her head. "So now Bob knows everything."

"Yes."

"And he's going to expose it."

"Yes."

"Unless you give him back the USB?"

Norma quickly nodded.

"And I take my dad – ehem, Alex has it?"

Norma nodded a lot more violently.

She let out a groan before shrugging. "I don't know what to tell you, I don't know where it is. If he's mad at you and doesn't want you to know, he won't tell me. He knows I'll tell you."

"I know!" Norma hit her head on the wheel, a loud honk sounding. "But could you try and get him not mad at me?"

"Uh, well," Alexa let out a deep breath. "I'll try, I guess. Honestly I'm surprised he's mad at you." I really thought he had a crush on her. I guess not.

The only woman he's ever really loved is your mother. He wouldn't break that on Norma.

I suppose so.

"Anyway," Norma sighed. "Thanks. I can try stuffing that piece of shit in the back."

"What, the bike?"

"Yeah."

Alexa shrugged. "Screw it. I don't mind biking home. It's nice exercise."

"You're skinny, what the hell are you talking about?"

"I don't mean to lose weight, just like, stay in shape."

Norma glared at her. "You are nearly 18 years old."

"Y'know what, lay off me, okay?" Alexa got back on her bike. "I just like biking. I've always liked biking."

"Okay, okay, you like to bike!" Norma raised her palms. "Be safe kiddo. There's too many freaks in this damn town."

You're telling me.

"Will do. Stay calm." Alexa waved. "See ya around."

By the time Alexa biked home, Alex was on his way out somewhere. It wasn't totally odd for him to be leaving the house late, but with everything that had happened recently, it sort of freaked her out.

"Dad," she called out.

Alex smiled. He really liked it when she called him that. "Where were you?"

"I stopped by the Bates house. I had to tell Norman something." Alexa parked her bike in the garage. "Where are you off to?"

"Work. You should hang out with Valerie, that girl has been waiting forever to just see you."

Alexa gave a tired smile. "I've been busy with bull, but I'm good now."

"Yeah, good." Alex kissed the top of her head. "Hey uh, there's going to be some important people coming into town. You should take it easy."

She frowned. "Sorry?"

"Just be careful. Keep an eye out."

"Dad, I'm pretty messed up."

Alex rolled his eyes. "Take care, okay? I'm here but you try too."

"I think I have been for a while now."

"Yeah, I do think so, I'm not ignoring all you've done. I think you've come, uh, pretty far." The talk was making him awkward, that much was obvious.

Alexa smiled. "I got an 100 in Biology. First ever. And a 95 in Chemistry."

"Good! I'm really happy about that."

"Me too."

Alex patted her arm. "Stay safe."

"You too."

Alex got into his car and drove off, waving at her as he left. She sighed before getting into the house. Valerie was sitting on the couch, playing with her 3DS.

"Hey."

The girl looked up. "Hey! How's it going?"

"Wanna get some ice cream?"

Valerie grinned. "I'd do anything to get out of here."

The town was pretty boring to Alexa, but Valerie was absorbing everything like they had gone to NYC or something. She asked if they could walk around more the next day, and kept apologizing when she thought she saw an annoying expression flash on Alexa's face.

Of course Alexa didn't feel like walking around with Valerie, because it was like flashing the girl off to Bob. Especially with the secret Valerie had – it wasn't something Alexa wanted the man to ever figure out. And how could she possibly warn Valerie of the man without giving away everything?

As per usual, I have to hide every single detail about my life, even if it means not telling someone they may possibly be in danger.

What a life.

As promised, Alexa took Valerie out the next day. She kept her hair and face covered by a large hat she had bought years ago, while Valerie walked with eyes wide and mystified.

"You don't get out often, do you?" Alexa asked.

Valerie smiled. "No." She tugged at the white dress she was wearing, modestly covering her chest and just two inches past her knees.

"You and your sister are totally different."

"Oh yeah … Cheryl came here all on her own, not afraid for a second. I, on the other hand, reconsidered so many times … but I had to."

Alexa cocked her head. "Why's that?"

"Cheryl and I aren't close. I focused on school and being good. She focused on doing whatever the hell she wanted. You know this. Hell, our whole family does," Valerie whispered the last part.

"But I still love her – she's my sister. I keep thinking she'll come out if she knows I'm here. Maybe not at home, not with my dad there. But maybe here, where it's safe."

She's never coming back. Cheryl is never coming home. Maybe this is my judgment … listening to Valerie talk.

"What would you do if … if she never came back?"

Valerie couldn't help but whimper out before covering her mouth. "I would be … crushed."

Look what I've done.

No, look what we've done.

"Alexa?"

The blonde looked up. "Cheryl was troubled. But she was a good person. I want you to know that the last time I saw her, that she hadn't become something ugly."

"Everyone thinks she is. Because of, because, well you know why but, I know the truth." Valerie took Alexa's hand. "I'm glad you know too."

Alexa smiled. "Yes, I know. As long as we know, well, that's all that matters."

"Of course." Valerie let go of her hand. "Wanna get some lunch?"

"Sure."

She was so sweet and lovely that it killed Alexa. It literally killed her from the inside.

While Valerie was in her bedroom (the laundry room), the phone rang. Alexa was working on some homework, and set it aside to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hi love, it's Will."

Alexa smiled. "Hey Will! How are you?"

"Uh, good, it's alright. How are you?"

"I'm fine … you sound a little weird, what's going on?"

Will sighed. "Do you know of a boy named Dylan?"

Alexa's smile fell. "Yes, I do. He's Norman Bates' brother. Why?"

"I think him and Emma might have something going on. I don't really mind, at least not after this. Clearly the boy is in love with her, I mean how else would he do something like this?"

"Wait, slow down, do what?"

Will sighed. "He just came into my house and gave me 20 grand. 23, to be precise. I don't know where to start with thanks. This is … wonderful."

"I see."

"Is this boy trustworthy? Do you know anything about him?"

Alexa shut her eyes. "He's a good guy. You can trust him."

"Have they been dating for long?"

"No. I don't even think they've started."

Will scoffed. "Jesus, well, what's he going to do when they start?"

He was laughing on the other end, the sound of relief so obvious that it warmed Alexa's heart. He was a good person, and so was Emma.

"What was the money for?" Alexa asked.

"You know she needs a lung transplant, right?"

Alexa murmured a yes.

"To bump her up the list, this is what the money is for."

Alexa nodded. "I'm glad. She needs it. I'd give her the money if I had any. I'm really glad he's doing this for her. He's a good guy, you can trust him. She's in good hands dating him. I know that's hard to think of, but trust me on that."

"It'll be hard but," Will sighed. "I'm starting to think so too. Better then that Norman fellow."

Alexa smiled. "There's only so much Norman can do. Dylan is in a better position."

"I'm a little confused on how he acquired the money."

"Well, that I actually can't say – I have no clue. But I wouldn't ask."

Will laughed. "Like hell!" The two chuckled for a moment before Will let out a deep breath. "Thank you, darling. Come around sometime soon, okay? I haven't seen you for far too long to be normal."

"I actually agree. I've been … going insane."

"Yeah? We all are."

Alexa chuckled. "I'm off, okay? See you around."

"You too, love, bye."

Alexa put the phone down.

Where do I even begin?

Shut up. I don't want to hear this.

Do you hear the way you lied to him? Come on! That was such a good lie. You've gotten better.

Leave me alone.

You can't ask your brain to stop. It doesn't work that way. You and I are you and I and I and you.

That doesn't even make sense. Fuck off!

It really does, babe. Sorry to say, but things up in here aren't clicking.

Shut up.

You can get all the 90s and 100s you want, but it doesn't matter. You are decaying.

Alexa put her hands over her ears.

That won't quiet me.

What am I supposed to do? It wasn't meant to be.

Of course it wasn't. You never showed him much affection or love. You never slept with him. All you did was go with Norma and Norman all the time. Same with Emma!

Because … because …

Why? Because you thought you'd find some answer with them? Because Norman is so much like you, so you thought it'd all make sense with him? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

Stop, stop, stop! Please!

Alexa began crying, shaking her head, falling off the couch and on her knees onto the ground.

I can't go back. He doesn't love me. I don't even love him anymore. So why am I mad? Why are you mad?

Because you lost an opportunity. Like you always do.

It is what it is. Shut up.

Alexa wiped her eyes and stared at the ceiling.

It just is what it is. I'm glad Emma and Dylan are happy, even if it means it comes from them being together.

Sure honey.

A loud bang sounded from the laundry room. Alexa wiped her cheeks more, slowly standing up before making her way to the room.

"Valerie? You okay?"

The girl didn't respond. At first Alexa didn't think much of it, until she remembered that it was connected to the backyard. What if someone got in?

"Valerie, I'm coming in!" Alexa opened the door, before stopping.

Valerie was 'tucking', and she had earphones on. She looked up at Alexa in complete shock, before her face exploded in red.

Alexa turned her body.

"Wait!" Valerie called out.

"I'm doing it for your privacy," Alexa nonchalantly replied. "I heard something fall and I got worried. I'm sorry, I'm paranoid."

Valerie started stuttering. "I, well, I see, I –"

"C'mon Valarie. I already know. No worries."

"N-no worries?"

Alexa smiled. "Valerie, I've known since Cheryl told me a few years back. I don't care."

"You don't?"

"Not at all. You're Valerie."

There was no response. Alexa took that as her cue to leave, but as she left, she heard Valerie's tiny voice call out.

"Thank you."

Alexa smiled as she shut the door.

So there it is. I think it's pretty obvious, especially if you google the word I used. If you're still confused about it, however, it'll be really clearly confirmed soon so yeah no worries.

Next chapter should be out Saturday or Sunday, around 1-4 PM Eastern time. That'll be a continuation of the episode that just premiered (on Monday May 4th). And uh, you'll 100% see why these last chapters are labeled M if chapter 35 wasn't confirmation enough. So yeah, definitely a warning that things to come are very heavy.

I still haven't decided if I will continue onto season 4. I know 100% what the next chapter will be, but I'm not quite sure what chapter 38 will be. It's weird because there's so many ways Alexa can respond to the truth and everything she's forgotten. She'll either totally break or get stronger from it. And if she breaks, there's two ways she can. But if she gets stronger, she'll separate from Norman, and that itself is a death wish.

Anyway, I'll see you guys around. Until next time,

N.D.