Hey everyone, I am so sorry for the long wait. Please read this and leave me a review, let me know what you think and what you want. Also, this is off topic but the reason I haven't had the motivation to write is because of *sigh* YouTube videos, I know I know, I am viral trash. But I have to recommend the two channels I have been binge watching religiously for the past three weeks, Angry Grandpa is one and McJuggerNuggets is the other...please check them out if you haven't already and enjoy. I know I have been. But, I will try my hardest to resume my original writing MOJO...I swear, scouts honor. Love you all, wishing all my readers the best, enjoy - MJ123 :)

The next morning, no one went their separate ways, going to sleep was hard enough navigating was going to be even harder without the buddy system enforced throughout the day. Everybody stood in the kitchen, cups of coffee and tea being passed around like a joint at a college party.

"So," Dylan's voice broke the fear in the room, "What exactly is the plan for today? Y'know with this so-called psychopath on the loose." The question wasn't poised to anyone in particular, he just threw it out there and expected an answer. He would never share it but deep down he was afraid too, if something happened to anyone of his family members it would be pretty damaging.

Alex, of course, was the one to pipe up, "Everyone is gonna stay put. Except for me...I have to go to work. And I'm gonna warn everyone to search for Steven until he is caught."

"I guess that makes you the hero or something, then?" Dylan replied with no other alternative than to be a complete smart ass. He couldn't help the attitude, it simply ran in his blood.

Norma's head snapped up then, "Dylan," she warned, her voice stern and sleep ridden as she looked at her son in utter hostility.

"What? He just seems so damn cocky about the whole thing-"

Alex immediately cut him off, it was this way the majority of the time, the attitude was obviously there to stay, disrespectful little shit, "Look, I'm just trying to help everyone make it through the day without any blood splattered on the goddamn walls."

He put a hand up to stop his sputtering, "Yeah, yeah, okay. I get it. I appreciated it. Thanks. Now, what happens if he comes here and you're nowhere to be seen? You can't be a hero if you're not present to save those in distress."

"Yeah...I'm well aware. I'm gonna have my best officer patrol this house until I get back tonight. He will be here within the next hour or so everyone will be safe, okay?"

No one said a word, they just nodded, still scared out of their minds. Everyone had a life and they were all on the line, Steven didn't seem to be that vicious at first glance but deep inside was a monster that wasn't afraid of a tooth and nail fight for survival.

X

Once Alex went to work, his persona changed into that of the stoic sheriff that everyone had questions and speculations about. He walked to the front of the department and held up a flyer, it contained Steven's picture and all possible information he could dig up on him.

"I need everybody's attention for a few minutes," he said, his voice strict, almost showing how much power he actually held in his job. Instantly, every officer stopped what they were doing and looked at him, ready for any grizzly case that might have been offered up.

"We have someone out there. I'd considered him most wanted right now, he is dangerous and is likely out for blood, I want everyone to take a flyer, pass them around, observe them, and get out there to catch him. We clear?"

Most nodded and took the papers he passed out, except one, a new officer, young and fairly handsome who just had to raise his hand. Alex hated newbies, they were all showoffs who just wanted his position in the long run. "What?" this day was already giving him a headache, if this guy pissed him off, he could snap.

"Uh, so...how dangerous is this guy exactly? Like on a scale from one to ten?" he asked, the tone of voice reeked of utter stupidly and everyone around him just shook their heads subtly, they knew how the job worked.

A one to ten scale? Did this guy need him to rip off his shirt so he could see the bullet wound? "There's no scale for this type of thing, alright? Just believe me when I say he is most likely armed and dangerous and looking for a fresh target."

Just then, another man in the office stood up, his name was Ridgway, he'd worked there for 30 years and was about to retire, Alex nodded his way and awaited the response.

"Sir, I can't help but realize the last name Bates. This wouldn't have anything to do with that yuppie girlfriend of yours now would it?" he asked, his voice cocky and arrogant. Alex had half the mind to slam his head on the desk and watch the blood spill, but he'd already had his morning coffee and besides anything that rash would just be over dramatic. His blood however really started to boil when those in the office started chuckling lightly.

"My personal life is none of your business, I'd suggest you keep the arrogant questions to yourself before I fire your ass, and if you ever refer to Norma Bates as anything other than a citizen of this town I will bash your head against the wall. Now is everyone clear on their job?"

No one else chose to voice their opinion, the best part was watching Officer Ridgway drop back down to his chair with a huff and a foreboding smile. He wanted so badly to smack him, but smartly walked back into his office dead set on finding more information on this piece of scum.

X

It was later on that night, everything had gone smoothly at the house. Everyone followed directions and stayed put, while the house was patrolled. Alex had let his officers search all over for Steven with no luck so far, but that didn't mean the search was over, as a matter of fact it was far from being over. His deputies were ordered to search all night until they found something and not to contact him until the job was done.

Now, they all sat in the living room, multiple cans of soda and bottles of water resting on the table along with a bowl of popcorn. Some random romantic comedy was on the television, something of Norman's, a black and white one from 1950 something.

It wasn't long before some fell asleep, Norma was already passed out on Alex's shoulder, his arm resting around her waist. Katie and the baby were both drifting off to sleep and everyone else was struggling to keep their eyes open. That was until the gun shot. It didn't hit anyone, it was simply a warning shot. Everybody jumped up then, and of course Ella started wailing at the noise.

They all turned to see Steven, disgruntled, dirty, and full of ultimate range. His mouth opened up as he pointed the gun at various people in the room.

"I'm not done here."

Leave a review if you want more. Thanks - MJ