a short drabble written for my Demon!Norman AU
if you don’t know about this AU yet, then please check out the masterpost
Every morning, Vincent sat in his chair and read a book as he awaited their arrival. And just like everyday, the scientists prepared him for his daily IQ test. There was a routine to this solitary lifestyle that he lived. And it served as his way of life ever since he had arrived at Lambda.
So nothing seemed amiss on that particular morning and Vincent sat reading his book -- like he always did. But suddenly there came muffled voices from outside his room. Expecting the scientists, he closed his book and set it to the side. But when no one came to retrieve him, Vincent began to expect something peculiar was occurring.
His thoughts were interrupting by loud slamming on the door, quickly followed by a bloodcurdling scream. The screaming lasted for a moment before silence replaced it. It was a deafening silence that shook Vincent to his core and chilled his blood. He almost didn’t want to know what might have been waiting for him outside his door.
But he didn’t have a choice as whatever was waiting for him... began forcing its way in. The metal door groaned as someone or “something” began ripping the door away from its foundation. The hinges quickly broke apart and the door fell to the floor, making a clear entrance inside Vincent’s room.
On this morning, it was not the scientists who had come to retrieve Vincent...
Where once a door had stood... had now become a large gap in the wall. And it bore witness for Vincent to see what had come for him. Obstructed by the dust that was quickly settling, Vincent could see that the figure was absolutely huge and stood nearly taller than the gap. But as the dust cleared, the figure suddenly grew smaller in size until it was able to fit into the hole. And when Vincent could finally see the figure clearly, he was shocked.
It was nothing more than a child like him.
And around him were dead scientists.
“Vincent,” the child spoke in a cold tone. But instead of replying, Vincent felt his throat tighten. How could a child do damage like that? That was impossible.
“You’re Vincent, correct?” The child repeated without hesitation and finally Vincent found his words return to him. “Y-yes!” He stumbled to say, tripping over his response. His thoughts raced. There was no way this child had actually been the one to inflict the terror that he saw before him.
When Vincent replied, he saw the features soften on the child’s face.
“Oh thank goodness,” a small smile greeted him. “I was worried that I would never meet you. Now we can escape.”
“Oh I’m sorry... its me. Norman. We talked and--” recollection lit up Vincent’s face. “You’re the kid that I was sending messages too!”
The child, Norman, nodded. “And I promised us that we would escape.”
Holding out his hand as he gestured to the doorway, Vincent stared at it for a brief moment before smiling back. “Let’s get the hell out of here!”
Together, the two of them ran through the facility and quickly unlocked the doors of other children who were being held captive. It took all day but they successfully pulled it off. As night began to fall, Norman and the children exited the facility.
“Its not over yet.” Norman lit a match and gave it to Vincent.
Vincent looked at the flame and back at Norman. “What is this for?”
“It was your birthday last month, wasn’t it? Sorry I couldn’t get you sooner but hopefully this will make a good present.” And that’s when it all clicked.
They exchanged a series of glances and the silence was all the answer he needed. Throwing the match down, the facility lit aflame due to all the oil that had been poured in the wake of the children’s escape. It was not long before the whole place was on fire.
Under the light of the flames, Norman looked almost as if he were glowing. His blue eyes shone brightly but they seemed distant. He didn’t seem amused or concerned with the sight before him. It was almost like nothing would phase him.
The shadows of the children seemed to dance as the flames grew. But Norman’s shadow stayed still; larger than all the others. A solid entity affixed in place.
He seemed almost ethereal.
Indeed a child couldn’t have saved them-- but maybe Norman wasn’t a mere “child.” Maybe he was something more. He remembered how the figure in the doorway seemed bigger than him when it first appeared. How it had pulled the door off its hinges. How it had left a trail of blood and fear in its wake.
Norman wasn’t a mere child.
He was something beyond his comprehension.
“Vincent?” Norman’s voice brought him back to reality and he blinked a few times to clear his head. “Y-yes?!” he almost squeaked out the reply.
“Well what do you want to wish for?”
Oh right, his birthday present. He had almost completely forgotten. But as he thought about it, Vincent found his thoughts still lingering on Norman.
The light of the flames danced upon Norman’s skin and Vincent could see his expression reflected in Norman’s blue eyes. “I-”
Silencing his nerves, Vincent finally responded.
“I want to stay by your side!”
It was not the answer that Norman had expected but Vincent knew that it was the right thing to say as he watched his companion begin to smile.
“Well... I think we can make that work.”
It all the confirmation that Vincent needed.
