Christmas Eve, December 24th - 7:42 am.
Norman opened his eyes, his vision still blurred from last night. He ran his hands over his face, groaning in pain as he felt a painful twinge in his back, a bullet lodged in his leg without understanding how he was still alive and still inside his apartment, without understanding what the intruder wanted with him and how he had gotten in there without anyone seeing. He sat down carefully and avoided the shards of glass on the living room carpet, gritting his teeth in pain. Norman didn't know if it was safe to remove the bullet on his own, he felt the sharp pain but could still move it normally, a coldly calculated shot that certainly wasn't a spur of the moment; the intruder clearly didn't want to kill him. No names seemed to come up, and even less did they make sense, and the audio that the intruder played on the recorder sounded like an alert, so it was nothing more than a simple threatening message. He slowly assimilated the facts as he examined the bullet hole in his thigh, he wouldn't be able to walk properly, but at least he could move it, and that was a relief in itself.
"...Right...I need to get the phone..." It was inside the coat thrown on the ground, just a few feet away, so he turned his body to the right and slowly crawled to the garment, fiddling with the pockets. "...Shit." the intruder had taken his phone away, the pockets were empty.
He closed his fists, throwing his coat away and leaning his head against the couch, taking a moment to breathe. Although he was still alive, it didn't look like he would last long, every step seemed to contain a trap, and if he wasn't careful enough he would meet the same fate as his former partner had met years ago. He didn't want to admit that he was scared of what had happened last night even though he had been through worse, but getting shot in the leg was new - this time he was the target and had already been taken down before he could rip the hood off the invader and play the hero again. This time, he was no fucking hero. The only alternative he had now was to reach for the phone that was in the kitchen, on the wall next to the refrigerator; Norman held tightly to the couch, squeezing his eyes shut and using all the strength in his upper body to stand up, managing to sit down on the couch. A little blood began to leak from the wound, so he quickly grabbed his jacket from the floor, stepping over the back of it with his other foot and pulling the arm of the garment, ripping it open.
"...I can't imagine how I'm going to explain this to the doctors..." he said, using the torn piece to bind his thigh just above the wound to slow the bleeding. He groaned in pain again as he felt the bullet sink slightly into his flesh with the movement. Not even Scott Shelby had left him with that much pain in his body. "...fuck… fucking hell..." He pulled in air through clenched teeth, tears streaming over his face as he tried to calm himself before walking over to the phone.
The anger, frustration, and all that backlash from yesterday with Ethan hadn't been erased from his chest so soon either, it looks like he was suffering some kind of karma for something from the past, something unresolved that needed him to close up so that things could flow naturally again - maybe it was all just a conspiracy, or a consequence of fame or something said as in that audio that may have offended someone. Norman couldn't understand how serial killers could get so many followers, admirers for years on end while people like him, who work for good reasons, get enemies and fall into oblivion within a few months. "That's what real-life heroes get...a bullet in the leg." He thought, drying his left cheek over his shoulder and picking up the tube of Tripto, opening the cap slowly and inhaling the drug - it was the only recourse at the moment to forget the pain and be able to walk to the phone. The FBI had created that drug especially for their agents with the sole and main purpose of keeping them active during cases and never feeling tired or distracted by negative feelings, so it had the effect of causing happy emotions and numbing any pain inflicted, for a few hours - but it was also designed to counter the effects of the ARI glasses, which if used for a long time could cause hallucinations and even brain damage. The drug itself was not as dangerous as the ARI, but it was certainly more addictive, and that created a certain sense of shame - if not even fear - for having inhaled that again. "It's for a good reason.", he thought, trying to justify himself. Like magic, his shot leg ceased its pain although it was still bleeding a little; Norman tried standing up again and felt firm as he kept his leg completely straight toward the ground without losing his balance. Of course, he would soon feel it all over again, but it was enough to go to the hospital and manage to at least remove the bullet from there before his captain, Erinna, called on his stolen phone and found out what had happened. Anyway, he would have to explain what happened and probably come up with some lame excuse to avoid commenting on the attack by a possible serial killer - a stalker - who just wanted to take a "friendly" warning shot.
Slowly he managed to reach the phone, dialing the non-emergency number, after all, he wasn't bleeding to death, just enough to need to stay in a bed for a few hours. He left the tube of Tripto on the kitchen counter, hiding behind the microwave and making his way to the door, unlocking it before collapsing to the floor - as much as he was under the effects of the drug, his leg was still not in good condition and he noticed that he left a trail of blood from the living room to the kitchen and from there to the door - if it was an extremely dangerous situation and he needed to hide he would already have a bullet in the middle of his forehead before he could even scream for help. There weren't many options now other than waiting for the ambulance, so he was preparing a mental script of how to explain what it was all about without making it seem obvious that he was being stalked, for sure the FBI would be reported and he would have to leave Philadelphia for security reasons.
Soon he heard footsteps coming from the hallway, the door opened abruptly making Norman jump with fright and soon the staff tried to immobilize him and take him to the ambulance - while a nurse asked him questions and analyzed his facial injuries and wrote everything down on a clipboard - he had just enough time to invent that a thief had tried to break into his apartment and when he had a chance to stop him he was knocked out, the woman offered him help from the police team but he promptly refused, saying that everything was fine, and he just heard the vehicle doors being closed and sirens blaring as he was taken to the emergency room.
Madison had just left the beauty salon, bags in hand and nails painted red, making her preparations for Christmas Eve dinner, the streets were covered with snow and the families were all doing their last shopping for food and decorations. Some streets were blocked because of the amount of snow and some machines were operating to remove the excess, so she decided to go in the opposite direction, passing again the salon she had just left and taking a shortcut that was a bit long but without any construction or blocking. The strong wind of last night had stopped and only a quiet rain of snow remained, creating a beautiful view which she took the opportunity of her walk to observe; a few flakes fell on her hair and shoulders, while one sneaked inside her coat, below her neck, causing goosebumps.
"Brr, how did you get in here?" she whispered, patting it lightly and melting the flake on the fur of her coat. "This year feels colder than Christmas last year, how weird."
A few steps ahead she bumped into a woman with long black hair, wearing a white sweatshirt and light jeans, Madison turned around and recognized the woman's face: it was Lauren.
"Oh, I'm sorry - I didn't see you!" Lauren scowled when she realized who it was. "...Madison? Madison Paige?! Oh my God! You look so different!"
"Lauren, I almost didn't see you after that conversation!"
The two hugged, exchanging smiles as Lauren picked up the bags she had knocked over, one of them had a rope. Madison looked up quickly and looked at the woman again.
"Uh..." Lauren put the bags behind her back, smiling. "Yes, yes! I'm glad your book was a success! I haven't had a chance to read it yet, I've been very busy since I got a new job."
"Thank you! And really? What are you working on?"
"Waitressing! It's at a bar near the club downtown. I work long shifts but they pay well!"
"Oh, that's great, Lauren! You really deserve to keep going, after everything that's happened, really." Madison said sincerely, touching her shoulder gently.
"Madison..." she replied, sweetly. "Thank you, if you hadn't found out who the killer was, maybe... I wouldn't be here anymore. After I lost my son it seems like nothing made sense anymore." she paused. "Of course I wasn't the best mother in the world, but I at least tried my best."
"Deep down he knew you are..." she pointed to the bags. "Are you preparing the decorations too?"
"Yes, although it's just me tonight." She said with a mirthless laugh. "Anyway, it was good to see you."
"I say the same, I hope you have a good evening and enjoy it a lot!"
And as soon as it was said, the two turned their backs to each other and Madison looked over her shoulder, seeing the rope in the bag and frowning, and going back to her apartment to get ready for dinner.
Christmas Eve, December 24th - 11:17 am.
Norman was in bed, with his leg already bandaged, and drinking some water - the feeling of being in a hospital so early since the fight with Scott was not exactly comforting - it was actually intimidating. The Tripto had worn off, but at least the pain wasn't as unbearable as it had been in the morning, being in a place as regimented as the FBI made him vulnerable - not that the organization was as authoritarian as a hospital, but at least he could get up and go home whenever he wanted. The training there was intensive, Norman entered early in his 20's because he was a prodigy student in psychology school and soon at 24 received his badge as well as the ARI prototype, which he wore unmasked before leaving it behind when he moved to Philadelphia.
"Hello, Mr. Jayden, how are you feeling?" a doctor entered the room, approaching his bed.
"Pretty cretinous question for someone who's been shot in the leg, isn't it?" he said, sarcastically and making the doctor laugh lightly. "...I'm fine, sorry for the rudeness. It's just that this shit stings like a motherfucker."
"I thought FBI agents were used to that kind of injury."
"Oh, believe me, we're not!" he said, laughing nervously and putting the glass on the nightstand.
"You'll have to use a crutch for the rest of the week until you feel more steady enough to walk on your own."
"Damn... it's okay, I can handle it... in fact, the shot..."
"Yeah?"
"...Do you think it was just a random shot or did the person...really know where to aim?"
"Well, the bullet didn't hit any vital parts or cause any serious injury, so my hypothesis is that you faced a robber who was quite experienced with firearms."
Norman looked at his leg silently, thoughtfully, then looked at the doctor and nodded with a smile.
"Thank you, am I cleared to arrest bad guys now?"
"Sure, but first we should get a prescription for painkillers to keep that pain from increasing."
"Perfect." the doctor brought the crutch, handing it to Norman who slowly managed to stand and walk with less difficulty than the other time, accompanying him to the other room.
On the way, he found Madison sitting on one of the benches, looking impatient, and with some bags on the seat beside her, the two of them exchanged glances for a millisecond before he turned his head to the opposite side as if he hadn't even noticed her, but the woman soon stood up, running to him with a panicked expression at seeing him walking with crutches and a bandaged leg.
"Jayden, is that you? What happened?" she touched his shoulder lightly as if the two had known each other for years, but that was not the case.
"Madison! Geez, the more scares I'm going to get this week..." he fixed the crutch under his arm, lifting his leg off the floor. "Someone tried to rob my apartment yesterday, I went to defend myself and...well, the result is this one."
"My God, what a horrible situation! I didn't imagine seeing you here, to be honest."
"Me neither." Norman said, in a curious tone. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, Ethan called me when I was going back home, Shaun got a high fever after catching the wind yesterday."
"..." Norman sighed, scratching the top of his head and rolling his eyes. "It's my fault, they came out in that wind to invite me to dinner tonight… I ended up turning them down."
"...I see..." she looked into his eyes, smiling to give some comfort. "Look, I shouldn't give my opinion in this situation, but it would mean a lot to him if you participated, he really wanted to thank you for everything you've done."
Norman bit his lip, looking at her with a pained expression, the doctor stood in the doorway waiting for him to enter and he sighed again, running his hand through his hair. He looked at the floor, shaking his head.
"Tell him to meet me in the lobby, I'll talk to him."
"Fine, I will." She watched him enter the room and peeked through the gap in the curtains, returning to sit in the waiting room.
The minutes ticked by, Madison watched the profiler pass unhurriedly into the gatehouse with a paper in hand; Soon, she saw Ethan leave with Shaun in his arms. She straightened her coat and walked over to him, stroking Shaun's back, who was sleeping.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, the doctor said the fever will go down soon, it was just a body reaction to the heat shock." Ethan breathed a sigh of relief, kissing his son's forehead. "Want a ride home?"
"Sure, I'd love to! I just didn't come with my bike because I just had my nails done... ah, by the way - " She touched Ethan's shoulder. "Norman's here, he wants to talk to you."
Ethan looked around briefly, then turned his attention back to Madison, raising an eyebrow. "Here? What happened?"
"Someone robbed his apartment yesterday, he got shot in the leg."
"Oh, no...can you hold Shaun, please?"
Madison placed the bags on one of the chairs, picking Shaun up carefully. "He's outside in the lobby."
"Thanks, Madi!" Ethan put his hands in his pockets and walked to the automatic door, waiting for it to open and looking for Norman, who was standing near a streetlamp. He came close to the agent, raising his head high to watch the falling snow, then ducked to look at him. "I was told you were here…"
"Hey, Ethan...good to see you again, even if in a place like this." Norman was holding the streetlamp while resting his arm a little with his crutch.
"Madison told me what happened. Is it true?"
"Hm..." he shook his head, laughing nervously. "Journalists, always spreading things around."
"Well, it's not every day you get shot in the leg, is it? By the way, you tried to be a hero again, you seem to enjoy getting into trouble."
"Holy shit, I'd really give anything to stay out of trouble! Look, I'll be blunt... Madison insisted that I accept the dinner, but to be honest, I'd better stay away from you, or everyone else," he finally said, swallowing dryly.
"Norman... you don't have to feel obligated to go, but... if there's any way I can help you..." he brought his hand closer to his shoulder and Norman quickly pulled away.
"There's someone..." he paused, biting his tongue and closing his eyes. "...There's a person following me, they clearly want something from me, but I don't know what it is yet."
"What? So...so it wasn't a thief?" Ethan frowned, looking into his eyes. "Norman, since when?"
"No, Ethan. I don't want you involved, I don't want anyone participating in this whatever it is! If you want to help me then leave me alone." Norman raised a hand to chest level, trembling, while keeping a serious look on his face. "I shouldn't have even met you here in the first place!"
"No - Norman, look, I don't want to turn on the TV tomorrow and find out that you're dead. That would be too hard...you know, you saved Shaun. You saved me. It's not fair for you to pay the price."
"Ethan - " Norman took a few steps back, his hands shaking. "Please, just go home..."
"...I just want you to not feel alone."
Norman froze, staring at the man as the snow fell on his face as if everything around him had stopped moving and only the two of them were left standing there, staring at each other in silence. His hands were still trembling as his stomach churned, while everything seemed smaller and smaller. Norman shook his head in denial briefly as tears formed in his eyes, not having the courage to let them fall. He couldn't show that he needed someone, help, or some answer to what was happening. He didn't want to cause a tragedy, he didn't want to see Ethan dead, or his son, or even Madison, as much as he had no connection to them and was just an acquaintance, but the man's insistence was such that he no longer knew how to avoid him, how to close the door for good - Ethan actually seemed to be wanting to break the locks anyway.
"...You must be very foolish to think I'm alone." Norman said, in a sarcastic tone and making a huge effort to keep the tears in place.
"If that's true, then tell me...why do you seem to be really lonely and don't want to admit it?" Norman cracked a shaky smile, maintaining a defensive posture as smoke billowed from between his lips, evaporating into the frigid air. Ethan stepped closer, offering her his hand. "Let me help you."
Ethan, please, stop…
His pupils dilated at the sight of him approaching as if they were saying it was okay, but his cold, rational part said it was wrong to accept that, to accept a helping hand at that moment. Norman raised his hand briefly, not having the courage to face him.
"I don't want to kill you," he said, whispering. Ethan retracted his hand, touching his right shoulder. "I don't want to..." Norman paused, letting a tear fall slowly. "..." both their hands touched and Ethan squeezed firmly.
"It's going to be okay, I guarantee it."
"Don't promise me anything, please." Norman let go quickly, turning away from him and drying his tears, trying to pull himself together.
"...Forgive me, I just want you to be calm, whatever it is we'll find out soon enough. Did you come with your car?"
"No - I had an ambulance to pick me up, I can't drive with a bad leg like this."
"Then I'll make you come with me and Madison, I'll drop you off at home."
"You're extraordinarily stubborn, uh?" Norman walked past him and yelled halfway. "Let's hurry before I regret it!"