Slap yourself out of this!
He knows what to do, he knows people who can find those bastards…but right now. She needs him.
Monday, early in the morning he'd wake up to run some tasks around the neighborhood as usual.
When he'd find his way to a bakery. There, a young lad could be seen sweeping up the front porch.
"Oh hey! It's Mr. Simone!"
Again the neighborhood knew him by Simone, not Norman. He'd thought his name may bear certain consequences… and keeping it low, for him, was pretty mandatory.
"Hey Kite!"
The young gentleman seemed in genuine awe "Wow! To think it's Monday already, time flies, doesn't it old man?"
He had an expression that mirrored smug but…different "Oh come on, not you too. What's with the kids calling me old these days?!"
"I'm 20" Kite claps back
"And I'm 9!" Norman whispers mockingly
"9 decades old." A snappy reply
"Oh damn, I'm sorry."
"What's with the accent?" The lad physically reeled "Dad's at the back…"
"Alright, alright" Norman waves him off, his voice back to normal.
He'd enter the shop and there through the window of the kitchen, he could see his friend Zack cooking something up, the place smelled immaculate. There really wasn't any other person that could bake up a storm like Zachary.
Either way, He was keen to help him out. Monday never spared anyone. Especially not those places known for their delicious pastries.
Enlisting help, for them wasn't much of a big deal, an extra pair of hands could work and work they did.
"Hey Simone, mind if ya man the store today? I seriously gotta go attend Kite's tryouts! It's gonna be a big day. They say scouts are coming over, you up for it again?"
"Don't worry about it"
"Good! I'll pay you extra as always!"
As soon as this had been said, Norman stumbled… thankfully he wasn't holding anything.
"Oh damn, you good?" The baker was concerned.
"Yeah it's, the feet…" His injury was still healing after all.
"It might be best to see yourself home? No?"
"It's fine…"
"Uhh… hm… suit yourself" The guy crossed his arms "Don't push it" and with a light chuckle "I learned that the hard way!" He'd hint at the burn scar etched into his forearm.
Usually Norman would only help out until noon, but this little request of Zack's probably meant his stay was to be extended till afternoon.
It's alright, he'd just sit and greet people. He's done it a couple of times before, there isn't any harm in staying here.
The day waned and lasted, cloudy, as the autumn afternoon grew burdened. Norman sat behind the counter, and felt like dozing off, but that wouldn't be right, as there was quite the steady flow of customers.
Chiming, door rings once more, this time, a kid…, he was short, and wore an old jacket.
"a-"
"Oh no way! It's Mr. Norman." The child exclaimed!
"You again?!" Forget about sleeping "Oi! I told you not to call me that!"
"Yes! It's the mighty Brooke! Can I get some bread?"
Norman would look at the little one, skeptical.
"Ha——" Zack gave this kid a whole heap of bread once. Well, who was he to judge what other people chose to do with their own money? Zachary even reminded, to just give the kid whatever he wanted.
"Sure g-"
"If you don't, I'll tell Mr. Zack, your real name!"
"I said go pick out your ten pieces!" He scratched his head "Where'd you learn words like that?! Blackmail's crazy work…"
The kid could be seen picking out bread with a pair of tongs, placing each one on the tray he'd carry with conviction.
"Crazy work means crazy money!" The kid looked so proud of himself
"Ha- a word for a reason. Wait?! Why should a kid like you be thinking about that kinda stuff" Norman would put the bread into a paper bag.
"Don't be thinking too hard, except for in school, yeah, but… don't spread yourself out too thin, alright?"
He'd ruffle the kid's hair, The little one had quite the grin.
"You sound like my brother!"
"Yeah, well? get lost! Go go go!" He said this in a light manner
The child laughed as he bade him farewell
"Don't forget my tab! I promise to put in a good word for you! Wouldn't Ms. Diana care to know about her generous husband!?"
"…"
The door closed, and alas the chimes sounded.
"What kid talks like that…huh" He spoke to himself. Looking down at the floor…
Time flew…
'Please wake up… no, she will…she.'
It was evening, as he sat by Diana's side, thoughts racing. Two weeks pass in nothing but a flash. There she stayed, motionless but breathing.
"Gran… what's happening…?"
"Hmmm" She pondered "I may be experienced, but if anything. I've never had an elf under my custody, so… unexpected things can happen. I might have to increase her dosage, or look to the market for better alternatives, but don't worry since I'll tread lightly. And…well… till she gets better, I'll keep her alive. That I can do."
He couldn't speak, but one clear thing occupied his mind. Everything seemed so… slow…