Chapter 37 – This Is It
Hello! I was really worried I wouldn't have time to upload this chapter since I have work in an hour, but yay for actually being determined and sticking to a schedule ^.^
It's suddenly super hot where I live so I spent the weekend enjoying the weather, leaving me to finish off this chapter last minute. Ironically I'll have a lot more time when the season is over, so that's not very helpful ...
BTW anyone have any good shows/films/novels to fanfic? I feel like doing something this summer but I don't know what because there's so many I love lol. Any suggestions would be nice.
Without further ado ~
OH AND yeah don't forget this chapter is M as well as the one before this and before that. So y'know, reader discretion is advised lol.
The next day, Alexa stopped by the Bates house to pick up a sweater she had left behind. She didn't intend on staying too long, especially when she heard yelling coming from the basement.
The moment she found it beside the couch, under the piano, Alexa grabbed it and fled. Norman, who was on his way to his bedroom upstairs, spotted her and stopped her in her tracks.
"Hey."
She kept her hand around the doorknob. "Hello."
"When'd you get here?"
Alexa shrugged. "Like, 5 minutes ago. I just wanted to get my sweater."
"Did you hear me and mother?"
"Just the sound of you two yelling."
Norman nodded, walking down one step. "She's decided to take away my tools for taxidermy."
"Oh … that really sucks," Alexa genuinely replied. "Why though? It calms you down."
"That's what I tried explaining."
Taking away one of the only things that keeps him calm isn't exactly the best idea … Especially with how he's been as of late. There's more to this then he's saying.
"Anyway, I've gotta go."
Norman took another step towards her. "Listen, Alexa … I just, um … never mind."
"Norman, are you hiding something from me?"
He looked up at her with a glance that said yes, but of course he replied with no. "Of course not. What's there to hide?"
Maybe it's about Bob. Maybe because he knows too much, Norma doesn't want to give him anything else to use against her and Norman.
"You wouldn't be able to hide it from me anyway. I'd figure out."
Norman cocked his head to the side. "Really?"
"Oh yeah. I have my ways." Alexa meant for it to be silly, but the expression on Norman's face showed he felt otherwise. There was this anxiety so thick it surrounded him, and she could tell it was killing him. He was changing, and it was taking a hold of him violently.
"I'll see you around," Norman smiled, going upstairs.
Alexa watched, gripping onto her sweater. "Take care, Normy Norms."
His smile became genuine. "You haven't called me that in a while."
"No. Things have been … heavy, y'know?" Alexa's smile was nostalgic. She found herself wondering how she could already be so sad about things at such a young age.
"Are you hiding anything from me?" Norman asked in curiosity.
Alexa looked up at him. "It's my birthday in two days."
Norman widened his eyes. "Wow. Why didn't you say anything?"
"I've never really liked the idea of turning 18."
"And why's that?"
Alexa only smiled in response. She knew exactly what it meant. The decisions her father had once made were no longer up to him. It was her turn. She could do whatever she wanted.
"Bye," Alexa spoke out, walking out the door.
Alexa had stopped at a few shops with Valerie, who gleefully agreed to go out the moment Alexa came back home. The girl really was obsessed with the town – she found it remarkably stunning, and as time went on, Alexa was beginning to see what she could see. White Pine Bay was beautiful; the water, the mountain, it was a visual meal. But the people in it stained the town beyond repair, and a lot of its beauty was lost on Alexa because of it.
They walked down the streets, eating ice cream. It was getting late, but Valerie would rather spend the whole night out then stay home watching television. Alexa found it endearing; watching Valerie enjoy herself made her enjoy herself.
"Can I ask you something personal?" Alexa asked. Valerie looked at her with anxiety, but nodded nonetheless. "Have you ever thought of getting surgery? To make it official."
Valerie looked at the ground. "I can't afford it."
"Right … Sorry, I should have guessed." Alexa bit her nail. "I hope you can, one day. To make it easier … Do you use hormones?"
Valerie nodded. "But it's also expensive, so it's been hard."
"I hope one day you can get surgery."
Valerie smiled at her. "Thanks."
The two were quiet for a while. Then Valerie made a little sound, and Alexa looked over at her questioningly.
"Is it too late to get a haircut?" Valerie shot a shy look to Alexa, who burst out into laughter.
"Ah, well it's like 8 pm, but we can see if there's any hair salons open. There's this one place that also gives you tea and snacks when you get your hair done." Alexa led the way, speeding up her walk. Valerie had to run to catch up.
"I'm thinking of dyeing my hair."
Alexa turned her head slightly. "Oh yeah? I knew you weren't a brunette."
"Heh," Valerie chuckled. She bumped into Alexa when they finally reached the salon and Alexa grinned. "S-sorry!"
"It's fine. Come in." Alexa opened the door and waved at a few people before going to the head desk. "Hello. Do you have any openings?"
The lady had a blue Mohawk and bright green eyes. She looked through a binder and pursed her lips in surprise. "Actually, yes. But it'll have to be for right now."
"That's fine!" Valerie spoke up.
"She wants to dye her hair. Is that okay?"
The blue woman nodded. "No bleaching, right?"
"Just the roots and a haircut," Valerie explained.
"Okie dokie. Come on in."
Alexa grabbed Valerie's arm. "Do you have a cell phone?"
"No," Valerie bit her bottom lip. "Why?"
"Do you mind if I go home for a sec? Alex doesn't know we'll be staying out longer."
Valerie shook her head. "I'll see you in a bit," she grinned.
By the time Alexa got home, Alex was pulling up into the driveway. She waved at him and set her bike down.
"What's up?"
He shrugged. "Long day. Where's Valerie?"
"She decided to get her hair done. I know it's kind of late, but …" Alexa ran her fingers through her hair. "She's really excited about being here and I like to treat her."
Alexa nodded. "Why didn't you text me?"
"I left my phone in my room."
"Yeah, you should bring it with you." Alexa followed Alex inside, only to see the house clearly broken into. Alex immediately pushed Alexa behind him, taking out his gun. "Get out of the way."
Alexa grabbed his arm and looked inside. "Like hell I'm leaving you here. I told Bob I'd murder him if he tried to kill you again."
"Seriously? After everything?"
"Sorry," Alexa shrugged. "Hello?"
Alex pushed her back. "Don't call out."
"Whatever," Alexa pursed her lips.
"Put the damn gun down."
The two looked over at Norma, who was effectively trashing the place as she snooped around.
"What are you doing?" Alexa asked.
"Trying to find the damn USB." Norma looked over at Alex. "Where is it? Show me."
Alex put his gun back into his holster. "I hate you."
"Yeah, I hate you too!"
Alexa rolled her eyes. "Okay, I'm gonna go get my cell phone while you two bitch." She walked past them and to her bedroom. Her phone was on Valerie's, ironically, and she decided to take both of them just in case. Yells started erupting from downstairs, and Alexa slowly made her way to see Norma hitting Alex. She was aggravated that Alex was just standing there, letting her, but Alexa realized the only way to combat it would be by hitting Norma back, and he would never do that.
Then suddenly Alex was pushing her back, getting close to her. So close, close enough to let Alexa know.
He cares for her. I think he might be falling in love. Or already have fallen? Either way, it is evident.
Alexa walked out of the house, getting on her bike and trying not to focus.
But all she could do was think about her mother. The fact that things were changing. That Alex was in fact getting over her mother – already over her mother. And for some reason it made her so uncomfortable, so goddamn disturbed.
I think it's time you go home.
Yeah, maybe it is time I go home.
Alexa biked faster, going impressively fast with a determined look. She took all the shortcuts possibly – lanes she knew no car could go through. If Bob's men were following, they'd be getting one hell of a workout.
Alexa finally got to the grounds her house was burned down at. She crashed into the small cabin in the corner – the remainder of the house that once was.
The family that once was.
Alexa put her bike inside and stepped in. It was dark, and the only light was emitting from the moon outside. There wasn't anything in the cabin either, just cobwebs and a few pieces of logs.
Dad used to stock all his logs in here for bonfires in the summer. It was nice.
Yeah, it was nice. Zach Shelby was there, and Alex Romero too – they were friends of Donald. Acquaintances of Elizabeth – though they seemed oddly closer to her then Donald.
There was always something weird about everyone's relationships.
There was always – something
About everyone.
Maybe that's why I'm like this.
Sad to say, but probably.
Yeah.
Probably.
Alexa was watching TV, eating chocolate covered pretzels. There were yells coming from downstairs, but she ignored it. Mom and dad frequently fought, so it didn't faze her. Little Alexa had a talent of accepting things quickly. She ignored a great deal.
"I know you slept with him! Is she his daughter?"
"Please! Just listen, Donald!"
"I asked you a fucking QUESTION!"
Silence. Finally.
"Yes … she is … I'm so sorry! Please, don't hurt her!"
"Hurt her? Hurt HER? Why would I? Do you even realize what you've done?! I thought she was mine! I bonded, I loved her – I love her! You … you're taking away my life!"
"I'm so sorry!"
Donald yelled out, and then a slap sounded in the air.
"She deserves a better mother then you. And she deserves a better father then me. I'm so angry right now, I could fucking rip your skin off!"
Suddenly there were loud bangs, and Elizabeth was running through Alexa's bedroom door.
"Mamma?"
Elizabeth put a chair under the knob and smiled. "Hey honey. Mommy's here, we have to go."
"Why?"
Elizabeth grabbed Alexa's face into her hands. "Honey. Your father and I aren't doing so good."
"Why?"
The woman let go of her face. "Oh honey … Your father doesn't love me the way he used to. He got some women from a man named Jake … and his friend, Zack. He didn't pay in time. He almost got you and I killed."
Alexa was confused. And Elizabeth knew, so she grabbed her and chuckled, hugging her tightly. Elizabeth knew Alexa didn't understand – couldn't understand. She just needed someone to talk to.
"Your father is re-writing his will. You will get all his money when you're 18. That's only in 6 years." Elizabeth shook her head in disgust. Tears were beginning to fall down her cheeks. "He's doing it because he knows the pressure it'll cause you. He hates you. Because … he … knows you aren't his …" Elizabeth started sobbing.
Alexa began understanding what was going on.
Elizabeth ran to the window and tried opening it, but found the drop was far too high to be safe. She went to the door and put her ear on it, only to be pushed back by the sheer strength of the knocks coming from it.
Donald was trying to burst the door open.
"Hide!" Elizabeth commanded, looking at Alexa with fear. The young girl went to the closet and shut the door, hiding inside and looking through the crack.
The door finally burst open, and Donald pushed Elizabeth back. He was punching her in the face, smacking her head against the floor. Donald was yelling that'd he'd tell everyone, that'd he find Alex and kill him with his bare hands.
Then he started taking off Elizabeth's clothes. His own clothes. Alexa watched through the crack, watching as he violently entered her over and over. Watching her mother crying and screaming.
It was being seared into her memory.
Donald was having sex with her – raping her, while strangling her at the same time. Alexa was covering her ears, trying to ignore the noises – all the loud noises. Every time he entered her, her body hit the floor violently. The bangs were getting louder, closer to her in a way.
Then finally, Elizabeth wasn't making anymore noises.
Donald got off her, taking some matches and walking around the house. Alexa got out of the closet and stared at her mother, looking at her open eyes. They looked back up at her.
"Mamma." Alexa shut her eyes, holding onto her. "Mamma …"
Suddenly there was a light flashing, off and on, and Alexa couldn't keep her eyes shut. It was the main lighting – it was like the power was about to go out any second.
"Alexa!"
She looked up at him. Blood all over him, a dangerous look in his eyes.
"Dad?"
He glared. "We're going for a ride with your mother."
Donald held his arm around Alexa as he dragged Elizabeth. Alexa kept staring at her mother, watching as her head hit the stairs in an ugly fashion as they walked downstairs.
Donald put Elizabeth in the trunk, and then Alexa in the front with him. She looked at her dad and realized …
This is wrong. This isn't going to end well for me.
Then end him.
As Donald attempt to back out, Alexa put the car out of reverse and into drive, using all her strength to push on his knee – making him stomp on the gas pedal.
And they burst into the house.
She was the only one –
Alex found her, found a heartbeat.
"She's alive," he called out to the firemen. "She's the only one."
Alexa knocked on Bob's door. He opened it after a few minutes and smiled. "Hello there. What can I help you with?"
She had dirt all over her face and her hair was a mess. "I wanted to give you something. I just want to check if you're interested."
A smile fluttered on his lips. "What do you want to give me?"
"Money."
Bob frowned. "Money?"
"I want to give you all my money. All my father's. If you want to have it."
"Why?"
Alexa shrugged. "So you can control everyone even more. I thought you'd like it."
Bob grinned. "You know me well."
"Yeah." Alexa spun on her heel. "In a while, I'll come by again."
Bob grabbed her by the waist and put his lips close to her ear. "Hey there. I know who I'm talking to. Elizabeth."
She turned. "No." Alexa grabbed his throat with her hands and pushed him backward. "This is Alexa."
Bob widened his eyes and watched as she walked away.
Looks like Alexa isn't okay and doesn't really need 'mamma' to be crazy anymore. That's not alarming at all.
Next episode looks like just a bunch of crazy shit happening at the same time. And yeah, next chapter is going to a shit storm of shit. Fo reals.
I have a better grasp of what I'd like to do with this story, and I will expand more in the next chapter. It may be split in half depending on what happens in the actual show.
Thank you for the follows and favourites, thanks Nirvana14 and Guest.
And until next time,
N.D.