The smell of burnt toast filled the hallway and floated toward her nostrils. Bree only had time to count down to eight before a loud thunk came from the apartment next door.

"You burnt my breakfast again, Gaius." Kate shrieked at the top of her lungs. It must've taken all her will power to refrain from strangling her husband at that point.

Bree wasn't sure if everyone else could hear them as clearly as she could but she was hoping they couldn't or it would be disturbingly sad to hear poor Gaius whimpering from three storeys down.

She pushed the crayons and the books off her lap and jumped off the bed, scooting close to the wall to press her ear on it. She couldn't tell if Gaius was crying or whimpering but it sounded like a mix of both. Each time Kate hurt Gaius, it made her angry but she couldn't butt into their affair.

It was none of her business.

Kate hated gossipers and so no matter what transpired between her and her husband that Bree managed to witness or overhear, she kept shut about it. Living in Oakwood was equivalent to living in a private compound. Everyone minded their business here - everyone except for Norman.

Norman!

Bree sighed and went back to her bed. Two days had passed since Valentine's and she hadn't seen nor heard from him. She felt sad and guilty. He had literally moved from Grand Parrish to Oakwood because of her. She should have found it creepy but instead she thought it was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her. Despite all the times he'd annoyed her, sidetracked her and made her late for work, tried to kiss her or even stalked her down to the mall, Bree couldn't help feeling that was the most attention she'd gotten from any guy in town. People blatantly ignored her everytime except for a few ladies she'd come to consider as "friends".

She wasn't as attractive as Lizzy or as elegant as Amy. She wasn't even as pretty as Delilah. She thought herself to be plain Jane and yet Norman followed her around like he was shot by Cupid with a thousand arrows.

It was raining heavily and she couldn't go out so she stuck to copying images from The Little Mermaid and drawing them on a piece of paper to pass time.

She sat still admiring her sketch of Flounder. She discovered it was much easier to draw the animals than the humans. She had initially attempted to draw King Triton and ended up erasing almost five times because with each attempt his tail came out looking like an oyster's, a shrimp's and a broken letter V. Frustrated, she finally settled for the mer princess's friendly fish.

Underneath the book, there was another sketched drawing. Bree reluctantly pulled it out and tried hard to gaze at it without her skin crawling. It was the ugliest most horrible creature she'd ever seen and no amount of color crayons and paint could make it look better.

She highlighted its horns with a dark pen and added more blue underneath its bushy eyebrows. Bree could've sworn the monster had blue eyes even though she hadn't seen it- electric blue in fact. It was only a glimpse but she had caught a sense of calm in them or maybe it was just a monster's way of distracting its prey like hey, keep staring while i rip your insides apart.

Bree added darker shades of brown to its fur. If those were used to make clothes, a lady could have eight fur coats in her closet. Its legs were like normal bear feet but the monster had crawled on all fours when it made to attack her. She was adamant that it had walked into the pen and that was strangely how she never found any footprints, because it basically tiptoed around. She wondered how it could hold its own body weight.

She glared at the sketch, her mind going haywire. She thought of how she'd broken an arm and how the monster had raised its own to strike then suddenly retreated. What prompted it to do so? Why didn't it snuff the light out of her with one big hit?

She thought she should be grateful it didn't flatten her into a human pancake but a part of her had grown too curious for her own good.

She wanted to know where this monster came from and why it ate pigs. She wanted to know how it walked and didn't leave any footprints behind. She wanted to confirm if it truly had blue eyes. But most of all, she wanted to know why it said the word "Beasley".

Was that its name or where it came from? And how did it manage to speak? If Bree remembered correctly, animals weren't supposed to talk, well except for Marmaduke but still...

The monster's voice sounded like the loud rumble of a dozen earthquakes and when it roared, it sounded like a bull and a lion at the same time.

Chills traveled up her spine as she recalled the sound of its chewing and the way it had turned. She'd had the sick feeling that it was aware she was hiding there but had chosen to ignore her and walk away.

The previous day, she made a call through to Bruno telling him the thief was called Beasley and he had unexpectedly replied saying he was immediately organizing a quiet search for anyone with such a name. He also ordered her to stay clear of the pen as it would be emptied until further notice.

She knew what he meant by that but still....

It brought her twisted thoughts of the monster's reaction when it would return and find the pen empty. What would it do? Eat poor Jonas? Throw a thousand pound temper tantrum and bulldoze the Pendulum again?

She pushed the freakish thought aside. She had to stay put until she had the chance to get back to work. She had visited her mother twice and explained her near-death experience with the monstrosity.

"No one believes me, mom. They all think i've gone crazy." She said quietly while holding her mother's hand.

Melinda slept still - a heart monitor beeping next to her and fluids in soft plastic bags attached to her veins through pipes.

Bree felt a huge wave of depression overcome her. Regardless of how quiet Bruno had been over the phone, she could tell he was giving that smile that clearly translated to mockery. Even Pauline had looked at Bree like she needed help back at the farmhouse.

Although she had been kind enough to call the next day and ask how Bree was faring, Bree couldn't help being offended when Pauline suggested she saw a doctor or let go of the books she clung to. She believed Bree was only seeing things and so did Lizzy.

She couldn't take the sketch to Herb. She would only make a complete fool out of herself and by the way, she already told Bruno that the thief was a person and didn't want to contradict her story. If anything, she had to save herself from being paroled as "insane".

She arranged the crayons into its rainbow colored packet and placed them in the middle of the book then closed the book and laid it on her chest while she rested.

It was noon and yet the weather had turned seriously gray that it now looked like nighttime. She ordered pizza about an hour ago and was getting impatient when the doorbell rang twice. She forced a grin and stood up, remembering she had a doorbell. Everyone had gotten used to knocking here in Oakwood that whenever someone used the doorbell, it was considered strange.

She put the book on the couch, slid on her jacket and pulled the door open but it wasn't the pizza delivery guy.

"Norman." She called in surprise. He stood there soaking wet, his brown hair slushed all over his face and his blue shirt and black jeans dripping with water. Despite his chattering teeth, he forced a wide happy smile.

"Hello." was all he managed to say.

Bree rushed in and grabbed her biggest towel then came back and placed it around him, ushering him inside. "What happened? You don't have an umbrella?"

He pointed aimlessly, a little disappointment in his eyes . "It broke."

Bree found herself laughing lightly and he joined her. Afterwards, he explained how he got caught in the rain.

"My mother paid me a surprise visit, well, it wasn't really a visit. She had a business engagement here and decided to let me know. I bought her to the airport and on my way back, the car broke down and we had to push it about 30 kilometers with no luck. We ended up waiting in the rain for half an hour before help came. I got off just past Berg and my dang umbrella broke."

Bree smiled at him. It was difficult to talk when your teeth shattered but Norman managed it. His skin had gone pale like he'd been swimming for hours and up close, Bree could see his eyes dance around the room like he'd walked through her door and ended up in Thailand or Narnia. He was always on alert and that was how he caught up to her time and time again whenever she tried to sneak out of the building. Maybe the dude could smell with his eyes.

The doorbell rang again and Bree was sure it was the pizza. She patted him and stood up."That's probably lunch. Good timing, hey."

She lumbered to the door and took the pizza, complaining to the delivery man that he had taken too long which he didn't care about. She paid him and he left.

"Pizza with cheese toppings, you in?"

"Like any normal person would say no to pizza." Norman replied rolling his eyes.

They ate and talked about the weather which didn't feel awkward at all for Bree. She felt quite comfortable instead. After their last meeting, Bree was certain she'd never be able to look at him the same way again. She didn't see pesky, annoying Norman anymore, all she saw was, well
. . . Norman.

Bree put away the pizza box and the glass cups she'd served juice in. As she came out of the kitchen, she suddenly froze - her drawing book was open on the couch next to Norman and he held her sketch in his hand staring at it with knitted brows.

It's okay, he hasn't heard the story. She said to herself. She suddenly felt at ease. It was stupid that she even bothered about what Norman would say considering how he found no fault in anything that concerned her.

"Hey uh, what you got there?" She asked going to sit next to him.

"Did you draw this?" Norman's voice was oddly quiet and Bree suddenly felt all the tension rushing back. Before she could answer, his eyes lit up.

"It's amazing." He said, shaking his head in awe. Bree let out a breath - typical Norman.

"I don't think i've come across anything like this, what's it called?"

Bree's brain worked overtime within a split second and she spat out an unintended name. "Edward!"

For a minute, Norman accessed her with his dancing eyes then laughed out of nowhere. His laughter was so contagious, Bree couldn't stop herself from joining in.

"I get it. He's a monster." Norman said and placed the drawing down.

Bree hummed in agreement.

"Where'd you get the idea from anyway?" He asked clutching the towel. He was slowly drying up but his hair still spilled droplets of water down his neck.

"Uh...well, duh, Ed's face of course. I mean, have you seen what he looks like in the morning?" She lied.

Norman shook his head and chuckled. "I can't even disagree."

Bree silently prayed he would drop the subject and talk about something else. Luckily he did but Bree wasn't prepared for the next subject.

"Have you thought about what i said to you on Valentine's day?" He asked, his tone low and serious.

Bree knew she suddenly turned as blue as his shirt. Had she thought about it? A little maybe but whenever she did, she shoved the thought away. She didn't think he'd want her opinion on his feelings or maybe expect her to reciprocate them. She didn't know if she loved him and she wasn't going to lie about that.

Immediately, Norman's face crumbled and she feared he'd read her mind. She took his hand but it was as cold as an iceberg.

"Sorry." He muttered when she flinched on contact.

"Norman, i uh....i don't know what to do." She blurted.

He turned to face her, his brows knitting in confusion. "what do you mean?"

Bree stared at her own hands as if a movie had suddenly began to play on them. "No one's ever said that to me before and it's really overwhelming."

Norman's brow almost went as high as his hairline. "Wait...." He dragged the letter w for emphasis. "...you mean, men have been walking around completely oblivious to the fact that you exist?"

He looked like he just managed to cut to the front of the line at Disneyland.

Bree didn't understand why he suddenly looked excited but she nodded in agreement.

"I am so lucky." He chuckled.

"What?" She asked with a nervous laugh.

"Uh oh, don't get me wrong. You're very beautiful like, really really beautiful and all this time i've been afraid i had competition but it's strange that nobody actually pays any attention. . ." His voice began to drop. ". . .wait, are you serious?"

Bree nodded in affirmation.

"They're all fools then." He concluded then took her hand. Bree could smell his cologne that had been dulled by rain water but he still smelled great. "Please Bree, be my girlfriend. I promise i'll make you happy. Just say yes to me."

His eyes held so much determination and his tone was utterly convincing. Bree felt like she had been hypnotized and found it difficult to speak, her own mouth threatening to betray her and say yes. Norman took that as his cue and carefully kissed her cheeks - both of them.

If she hadn't been able to think before, now her brain had shut down completely. She felt like she was standing under the rain and the cold was seeping through her bones and then someone had covered her with a big blanket.

"Say yes, Bree. Please." This time, Norman was definitely begging but not in a helpless manner. He was staring at her like say yes but you're also free to say no as well. It's just that yes would be a better option than no but hey, no pressure.

Bree struggled to think. If the other girls found out she was Norman's girlfriend, they'd throttle her before she made it to the lobby.

"Um..."

Bree's phone suddenly vibrated from her mother's work table. As Norman released her hand, she realized it was no longer icy cold. It had grown warm.

She answered the phone and Bruno's voice came from the other end.

"I found a couple people with the same name but i need you to come down here and identify which one of em Herb would be dealing with."

He spoke so casually and without pity that Bree suddenly felt stupid. She'd just endangered a couple of innocent people and now because of that Herb was going to bury the culprit in sand, let his head stick out and play golf on it. Bree shook her head and assured Bruno that she was on her way.

She put the phone down and got so lost in her thoughts that she forgot Norman was still in the living room.

"Oh my!" She gasped as she realized he was still waiting.

She rushed out and when he saw her, he stood up letting the towel fall to the couch. She went to stand in front of him - big mistake, he caught her arms and was about an inch away from her face.

"Norman, i have to go now...i have to deal with something at the pet shop....we should talk about this later...."

With each sentence, Norman hummed in agreement but he wasn't even listening. He began to lean in, tilting his head.

"N-Norman.....don't do that...."

Too late. He kissed her.

Bree froze then suddenly felt warm. She shouldn't be enjoying this at all. She didn't love Norman but it was all very new and she was tempted to try new things.

snap out of it!

Bree wriggled out of his grip but she didn't look offended instead, she made a face.

"I'll see you tomorrow, princess. I'll be expecting an answer then." He said with a small wink.

"Don't ever kiss me again." She threatened but even she knew she sounded like a kitten in distress.

"I'm sorry, what? Kiss you again? Oh, i'm on it." He joked and tried to come close but Bree suddenly turned stiff and he took that as a warning.

"Goodbye, Norman." She said shaking her head and he threw his arms up in surrender.

"Fine. I'll go." He said in a dejected tone but Bree knew it was fake.

"Out!" She pointed at the door when he gave a sad sigh and looked at her with a pout.

"I said...out!" She repeated with raised eyebrows.

"Alright fine, i'm going." He agreed and held the door handle making one last attempt at the sigh and pout.

Bree groaned and marched toward him, opened the door and pointed. "Move!"

Norman finally gave up the act and left.

Bree hurried to change clothes. The rain had turned to a light drizzle. She could manage a drizzle.

The more clothes she put on, the quicker her heart seemed to beat. What would she say when she finally got there? Could she look an innocent man in the eyes and pin him as the pig snatcher? Could she watch Herb play golf on his head?

Stop it, no golf.

Right!

She put on a pair of boots and a lime green tie-dye hoodie before locking up her apartment. With each step she took down the stairs, her boots seemed to grow heavier as if trying to stop her from going any further.

Don't do it, Bree. Her mother's voice came from nowhere.

She stopped and thought about it. What other alternative was there? Frame someone?

She cast the terrible thought aside. What was she thinking?

She counted to ten and took a deep breath, hoping it would clear her mind but instead it made her brain go zzzzzz like it just fell asleep on her.

She blamed Norman. It was his fault. He'd kissed her and wiped her head clean. Now she couldn't think straight. She turned to go back up the stairs then groaned and hurried down.

Nobody believed a monster was stealing pigs so she would give them what they wanted to believe.

She opened the gate and luckily a cab had driven by. She yelled "taxi" and got in the backseat.

No turning back now.

Bree gave her destination and the cab sped off, heading for Bruno's house.