Chapter 10 - Heartbeat

December 13, 2022

Norman and Emma have been hitting it off well, he's been spending more time with her as he has no more negativity in him; he's yet to see the real her.

They currently are in a Salvation Army thrift store as they look through the clothing.Norman is wearing a baseball cap as he tries to hide his face.

"This looks good right ?" Asked Emma as she shows him a black dress, he gives a glance as he nods.

She put it back as she saw the next aisle, the physical media aisle.She looked through it to see different dvd's in the racks.Norman stood behind her as he kept his head down, he looked depressed.She skimmed through them as she saw a copy of "The Breakfast Club ",

"Oh I love this one, let's get it …" she demanded in a cutesy way.He nodded again as he said "alright "

She felt bad as she asked

"What's wrong ?" He fixed his posture and replied

"Nothing- nothing Im good, we almost done ? "

She had the dvd in hand as she looked around one more time as she saw some framed pictures and paintings in the back of the store.She sees one of Elvis, one of Sean Connery and lastly; one of Marilyn Monroe.

"This one is cute …." She said as she showed Norman the Marylin Monroe framed painting.She posed next to it in a flirtatious way as he chuckled,

"Yea it looks good, you wanna get it ?" He asked as she smiled and asked

"Really, can we ?" She said it in a manor of a child asking her parents for a toy at the dollar store.

"Yea if you want it- let's get it …" he said in a somber tone as she carried the dvd and framed painting as he followed behind her.They reached the register as the clerk rang them up.

"Need a bag ?" She asked as Emma replied

"Nope, we're good " she was in a cheery mood, Norman walked away as he looked out the window as Emma paid.He noticed a homeless man walk in discomfort, he looked drugged out of his mind.

"Norman, Norman !" Yelled out Emma as he turned,

"Can you carry this ?" She asked as he walked back and took the dvd and painting.

"Thanks …" said Emma to the clerk as they exited the building.

Emma saw the homeless man as she felt bad, she approached him as she got out some money.

"Sir, excuse …." She said as the man turned to her in a frantic state,

"Hey- eh what ?" He asked as she handed over twenty dollars,

"It's for you…." He jumped with joy as he happily accepted the money and replied

"God bless you darling…" he pocket the money as Emma said

"No problem and stay blessed sir .."

Norman stood there in a stubborn mood as she started to walk to her car, he followed.

She popped the trunk as he put the painting inside, he decided to carry the dvd.

"That was real nice of you …." Said Norman as the homeless man had already walked away.

"It's only fair …. She said as he closed the trunk and she was about to enter the car.Norman felt offended of what she said as he walked up to the passengers side.

He got in as she began to drive, they were out of the parking lot as they got to a red light.Norman looked in the rear view mirror as he felt awful about his face and how bruised it was.She felt it right to ask as she said

"Okay dude you have to tell me what happened, I can't just ignore it ?"

He looked at her as he replied

"Nothing-" she cut him off as she said in frustration,

"Oh bullshit, I know something happened….what you fell, got in a fight -what ?"

Norman sighed as he said

"It was nothing Emma please let's not start …"

It got quiet as she remarked

"Alright but i don't want to find out you got your ass beat; can't be with a man who can't take care of himself …" they both laughed a bit as they continued driving.

They get to Norman's home as he gets out,

"Alright so I'll see you tomorrow, around 2 ?"

He asked as she parked on the street,

"Yup, I pick you up ?" She asked as he replied

"Yea, alright bye now " he got out of the car as she said her goodbyes and drove off.Norman waved goodbye as he walked inside his home, he was still in a gruesome angry mood.

Now let's get back a couple days to December 7, 2022; Norman was on a mission.Susan was busy so he had to do this alone as he searched for his next victim to be.He walked a quiet suburban neighborhood as he was on a thoughts of Emma and life.

"Can life really be so simple, is she even real ?" He asked himself as he made it to a stop sign.He looked into the distance as he was approaching a supermarket parking lot.He noticed a homeless man sleeping as Norman smiled in excitement.

Norman slowly approached as he watched his surroundings to see it deserted.He had his eyes set as he walked with confidence, the man snored as Norman was a few feet away from him.

"Hey, hey wake up- wake up …"

Said Norman as the man awoke slowly as he noticed him.

"Huh- what, what the hell ?"

Norman quickly looked around again as he looked back the homeless man.

"Look I want to help you …" said Norman as the homeless man repositioned himself and yelled

"Who the hell are you, fuck off ! "

Norman tried to silent him as he said

"Shush- calm down !-shut the hell -"

The homeless man quickly punched Norman in the mouth as Norman fell over.

"Ahh- fuck …." Said Norman in pain as the homeless man got Him by his jacket collar and began to swing on Norman.

Each punch connected good as Norman tried to block his face.

"You bastard- I'll kill ya - I'll kill ya !" Said the homeless man as Norman splurged in his own blood.Norman is being beaten and degraded as the homeless man had no idea of what's occurring; he just knows he has to attack.

"Ahhh, you die now !" Said the man as Norman, with any will left in him; got out his switchblade from his jacket pocket.Norman quickly stabbed the man in the gut, the man backed away with the blade still in him.He let out a scream for sheer pain as Norman tried to catch his breath.

Norman now truly feels how his victims have, the homeless man was still in a rage.He quickly got the blade out as he tossed it;

"You coward scum !" Yelled out the man as Norman had prepared his second pocket knife.Norman lured the man as he said

"Come on you ugly bastard- kill me !"

The homeless man pounces as Norman approached the knife to his stomach again.

He stabbed him once more as Norman push all his strength to overpower him.He homeless man was on his knees now as Norman had gotten up.

As the man got lower, Norman got higher; he stood above him as if he was god on judgment day.

"You old miserable- piece of shit; you fuck !" Yelled Norman in a rage as he punched the man in the face as he fell over.Norman grunted as he beat in the man repeatedly, he only stopped when caught his step as he nearly fell over.

"Christ you sack of shit, you deserve this- you hear me !?" He screamed as he kicked on the man.

What he wasn't aware of now was the noise he was radiating as the neighborhood was awakening.A man walked as he heard the commotion,

"Hey- hey; leave him alone !- hey you !" He yelled as Norman looked then quickly ran for it.He ran as the man ran to the homeless man's help,

"Come back here you dipshit !" Yelled the man as he came to his aid as Norman ran like hell.

Norman ran like a football player as he was in a panic as the neighbors peaked their heads as they see him zoom by.He had too many thoughts going in his head,

"Fuck fuck Fuck !"

"They finally got me now- oh fuck !"

"What will my parents think, what will Emma think !?"

"Fuck !!l

All these thoughts splurged together as Norman didn't keep track of his step as he tripped.

"Shit -" he said as fell on his stomach, his face felt burned as his hand was damaged as well.He quickly got up and began to run again.

He's made it a few blocks as he's ran a mile and half in about 10 minutes as he was winded when hd stopped.He put his arms on his hips as he caught his breath, he walked as he made it to Emma's neighborhood.

He called her as he was less tired and more in a panic, a quiet but rambunctious panic.

"Hey- hey; I'm outside …" he said calmly as she replied

"What- why, what the hell you doing outside; are you nuts ?- it's late …"

He laughed nervously as he tried to persuade her to let him in.

"Please Em- just at least talk with me on the phone; can you do that ?"

He asked as he walked casually now as he turned around and walked towards the streets that led home.

"Uh- alright but only for a bit; mom doesn't like me up this late …."

She said as Norman felt comfort, any panic just went away.

"Well how are you feeling today ?" He asked as she sighed and replied

"Just tired …."

He knew she felt something but didn't have that push to let it out.

"Come on now, you gotta be feeling more than tired in life….what is it really ?" He asked as she felt a big annoyed as she said

"Nothing in serious it's nothing but high school drama but it's whatever man …"

Now Norman felt curious, still worried he'll be caught any minute these talks kept him at ease.

"High school drama?- is it that bitch McKeyla you mentioned before ?"

He asked as he was heavily interested in the drama and knew too much already.

"Yes her and her fat ugly friends- god I just hate em !" She said as Norman was at a red light, he waited for it turn green as he said

"Yea McKeyla sounds just like fat girls name- I mean what have they been doing; just talking shit ?"

The light was green as he was off he was just minutes away from home as he walked quickly.

"Yea but it's just stupid rumors they hear and I just can't fucking wait high school to be over so me and you can just run away; go to Europe or Japan- somewhere nice "

She said as what she said really hit norman hard, the reality of life had set in as he felt happy that another person could feel this way towards him.

"Yea… yea we definitely will …" he stood in the center of road of stop sign area as no cars were visible.He looked to the sky in joy to what he's heard as it really stuck with him.

"Oh Christ, Norman I have to go I can hear my mom coming into my room right now- bye love you !-"

She hanged up quickly as he couldn't say it but meant it,

"I love you too …."

December 14th, 2022

Now let's go back to this, Norman is sitting in living of Emma's home, he finally to meet the family.He looks around to see it looking very modern but lacking style in decor.

"You want something to drink ?" Asked Emma as she entered,

"Uhh a water …." Said Norman as she hurried to get it.Their Bichon frisé approached Norman with such a stride as Norman called to it,

"Oh, come here bud ….come on…"

The dog allowed Norman to pick him up as he sat on his lap, Norman pet it gently as Emma returned with a water.She Gave it to him as she sat aside him on the couch,

"Thank you …" he said as She turned on the television.

They watched The Breakfast Club as the dog slowly laid on Norman as he enjoyed it very much so.So the night went on as Emma parents appeared to not be home as her and Norman cuddled up.

"I'm going to be honest, I don't see the whole appeal of this movie Em…." Said Norman as Emma felt offended as she replied

"I mean why not, it's such a good movie and it's meaning is still amazing don't you think ?"

Norman fixed his composure as he knew he had to argue this without getting Emma mad but being proven wrong.

"Well I've always said this movies a bit too cliché nowadays- I mean in 202; no one's really like this anymore, am I wrong ?"

He asked as she scoffed and said

"That doesn't make sense, these labels those characters have are still here but just shown differently- look no matter what someone will relate to one of those characters …."

They both stayed silent as the film played, Norman felt as he's made her comfortable but still feels he lost this argument.Either way the night went on as she fell asleep as she laid on his shoulder.Norman stayed awake as he had changed the movie to The Strangers as he was very intrigued with this concept.He pictured it now, him and Susan going into the house they still assume is hers.What's disturbing is the demented and sick things Norman imagines as he caresses Emma.

He slowly got up as he still laid her still on the couch so she can rest well.He was initially suppose to spend the night but it seems he has other plans.The dog was asleep as he gently put it next to her as he put on his shoes.He walked slowly towards the front door as he tried not to make a sound.

He was successfully out as he could roam freely into the night.He walked out of the area as he made it a few miles out to a neighborhood known for violence.From what he's heard, Susan is around here somewhere as he feels an urge to talk to him about what occurred a few days ago.

He's still in panic of what happened to him and how somewhat feels he got away with it.He's been walking the quiet side of the area as he's still to find him, he searched for hours.

He finally stopped by a local burger spot as he entered in a hurry to the restroom.He pushed the door but it wouldn't open, he was frustrated by this as he walked to the counter and asked

"Hey can you open the bathroom for me man ?"

The employee replied

"Sure " with a smile as he walked towards the restrooms, what you can also hear is "Less Than Zero" by Elvis Costello playing in the P.A. System.

"There you go " he said as Norman got in quickly,

"Thanks …" he replied as the worker got back to the front.

Norman peed quickly as he went to wash his hands, he aggressively applied soap as he rubbed his hands vigorously with water as he looked down for a moment as he saw his hands.They were bruised and beaten as he had cuts all around his arms, some self-made and made from the anger of others.

"Christ kid, you keep doing this you'll end up dead .." said a voice as Norman knew exactly who it was.

"You son of a bitch …" he replied as he looked at the mirror to see Susan in the reflection.He continued to wash his hands as Susan asked

"Heard you've been looking for me, what's up ?"

Norman finished as he got paper towels to dry his hands.

"Well, I need advice…" said Norman as he threw the paper towels in the trash can.Susan was intrigued as they both exited the bathroom.

"Let me guess, it's that girl again ?" Said Susan as they walked out of the place,

"Have a good night man !" Said the worker to Norman as they both waved goodbye.

"Well yes and no, like I miss her a lot but I know it's selfish of me to feel that way."

Susan felt offended at Norman's feelings as they went for walked to finish the night.

"That ain't selfish man, it's Man's greatest disease …." They walked all night around the "Violent " neighborhood as Norman felt ashamed to be feeling so hungover for a girl who could careless for his existence.

"So like I've been telling you kid, just be at peace and keep feeling happy with Emma…" said Susan as Norman said

"Okay …"

It was silent as they got to a stop sign as Nicely asked

"Aye uh, how's Emma's sister ?"

Norman laughed as he replied

"She's fine and she ain't been asking about you …"

They night ended with both of them ending up at a random home in the quiet side of the neighborhood."who's house is this ?" Asked Norman as Susan simply replied

"My friends …."

Susan let himself in as he opened the door to see four men chilling in the living room.

"Susan, how you been ?" Said a man as they all greeted him.

"Good, fellas this is my friend Norman I've been telling you all about …." Said Susan as Norman waved hello, they all checked him out as one man said

"Want a water ?" The two walked into the living room as Norman sat in between the two men on the couch.

"He'd love one and get me a beer while you're at it " said Susan as they all laughed as Susan added on

"Matter fact, nexts rounds on me !" They all cheered as the man went into the kitchen to get the drinks.

"The humble host is Tim, those two idiots beside you are Solomon and Bruce …"

Norman quickly asked

"Bruce, like Bruce Willis ?" As Bruce said jokingly

"More like Bruce Lee…"

They laughed as Susan introduced the last of them all,

"This poor excuse for a man over here is John Bastard … " they laughed more as they all were smoking weed and eating like pigs.

"Bastard his real Surname ?" Asked Norman as Susan said

"No no- it's Smith but he's called Bastard because he is one …."

The all laughed even more as Tim arrived with the drinks,

"Oh there it is, thank you Tim …" said Susan as they all got their beers, Norman got his water.

They spent the rest of the night talking as it went from deep conversations to comedy shows to John dancing to "Sugar Town " by Nancy Sinatra to them finally ending it with them all singing

"Tallahassee Lassie " by Freddie Cannon together in a drunken way but only Norman was sober, still wasn't good.Tim and John began to dancing together in joking manor as the rest cheered them on.

This type of feeling, the enjoyment of being around others in a fun setting.This way of living hasn't been with Norman in months.He'd remember times he'd hang out with Dexter in his house as all they'd do was listen to music but never get this intimate about it.Norman sat down as they continued to hand fun and get more plastered and high.The food was just an immaculate delight.They ate chicken wings, popcorn, potato chips and for fun; they had pink lemonade if someone was feeling peckish.Norman looked at his phone to see it being 1:34 am as he was in a panic, he got one miss call from his father at 11:45 pm as he immediately called back.He quietly excused himself as the men were too distracted with John dancing.He exited the home and waited for his father to answer,

"Hey dad- hello ?" He said as his father angrily said

"Where the hell are you, look at the time ?"

Norman quickly walked as he said

"I'm on the way right now- I'm real sorry …."

His father furiously said

"You're lucky your mother didn't call the cops again- how far are you, where are you ?"

Norman looked around as he still didn't know his streets well as he said

"Well I don't know exactly but I know I'm not far from home- like 20 minute walk I'll be home quick …"

His father was silent as he said

"Well your mom was worried sick- hell she fell asleep out of stressing too much- alright get here fast but hey …the hell kept you out so long ?"

Norman was hesitant but said a small lie with a bit of truth.

"Dad I can't lie to you- I was with a girl …."

He chuckled as his dad said

"Oh shit- okay well uh- you didn't- don't have - I mean; well shit, is she your girlfriend?"

Norman was speed walking now as he replied

"Well uhh kind of but I don't really want to get into it right now- "

His father understood as he felt proud of Norman as he said

"Yes yes yes- right okay Goodnight- I mean- get here fast…."

He hanged up as Norman felt happy to have a better connection with his father as he did get home on the time he promised.He is at an innocent state but it's frightening to what's about to occur.