Dylan came downstairs just as Emma was letting Mercy inside. Her curls were pulled up into a ponytail and she was wearing a pink dress that fell to her sandal-clad feet.

He had to give it to her, the girl cleaned up well. She looked like a goddess. "Hello Mercy. I'm so glad you could join us." Norman said from atop the stairs. The girl looked past Emma and Dylan and flashed a million dollar smile at him, "I am too, Norman Bates." Norman smiled back at the girl and met her at the bottom of the flight, "Come, I hope you enjoy turkey."

Mercy rested her hand on his forearm daintily, "I'm sure if you and Norma made it, it will be delightful." Dylan watched the two suspiciously as Emma smiled and told Mercy that she'd practically be begging for more of Norma's cooking.

Sitting down, Mercy smiled at the blonde woman at one head of the table, "Dinner looks delicious, Norma. Thank you, again for inviting me." Dylan studied the girl for the thousandth time that night. She didn't seem like the same girl he'd given a ride home just earlier that day. Now she seemed sweet, impeccably charming.

Once Mercy was sure Dylan was finished suspicion-staring her, she observed everyone around the table. They were a... strange bunch.

Norma kept her flitting gaze between Norman and Mercy. Emma was holding hands with Norman beneath the table, but was smiling and giggling at Dylan, and poor little Dylan, he seemed oblivious to Norman and Emma's relationship as he charmed and wooed the young girl.

And then there was Norman. Every once in a while, when Dylan said something that obviously irritated him, his eyes would get this dark look to them. This almost terrifying dark look that would leave in an instant and in it's wake, would leave no obvious marks save for the shock of any witnesses.

"So, um, Mercy. What brings you to White Pine Bay?" Norma asked, seeing her quiet observations and wanting nothing more than to put a stop to them. "Oh, well, I just needed to get away, I guess. Family can drive you insane sometimes. I just packed up my stuff, drove forward, and stumbled across this little place. I've never heard of it before, so I thought I'd stop. Stay a while."

Changing the subject so no more questions about her past came up, Mercy turned towards Norman, "But, enough about me. Norman, Emma, are the two of you in school?" The two answered the question, finishing sentences and chuckling at each other. Meanwhile, Dylan was watching Mercy again, noticing the quick change of subject.

At the close of the evening, Mercy and Emma wished Norma, Dylan, and Norman a good night as they exited the house. "Catch ya later. DeCody." Mercy called over her shoulder as she quickly made her way down the stairs and to her room.

She showered quickly and stepped out for a cigarette. As Mercy was making her way to the side of the building, she saw Norman, staring into a bathroom window. Before she could comment on the creepery, Norma spotted him and threw him back up to the house.

After that scene, Mercy decided it was best to go back to the front of the motel to enjoy her cigarette. This place was already weird, the last thing she needed was to put suspicion on herself.

As she lit her cigarette, Dylan walked up to her, "Smoking isn't good for you." He said as he stood in front of her.

Rolling her eyes, Mercy blew out a cloud of smoke, "Thanks for the advice, weed farmer. Lusting after your little brother's girlfriend isn't good for you either, so it looks like we're both in for it." Dylan winced at her remark and decided to approach the easier part of the burn.

"How, how did you know I had a farm?" He asked as he scratched the back of his neck. Mercy blew out another puff, "Despite popular belief, my ears have pretty sufficient listening power. You said 'the farm' at least a million times a minute, and people around town talk. This place runs on the money from the weed industry. I know that and I've been here for less than twenty-four hours."

Dylan watched her closely, "What...what made you say that thing about..." Mercy rolled her eyes, "What, Little Lady Oxygen? Yeah, you should give up on that. Your brother would kill the both of you if he found out  about that. He's a loose cannon. Now that - socially mainstreaming him - that's unhealthy."

Dylan decided to not even say anything about Mercy's comment about Norman. That was a different can of worms entirely. "What makes you think I - that I even - that I'd ever want to... uh, Emma?" Mercy rolled her eyes and flicked her cigarette to the ground and stepped it out, "I don't - I never - who would have - blah blah blah." Mercy mocked Dylan, pushing her curls away from her face, "I'm a girl, and an observant one at that. If I can see you like her, she most definitely can. Soon people around are gonna start noticing, and they'll tell Norman. Your end's already comin' Lover Boy, don't speed it up, babe. Now, no more questions, I'm tired."

Before Dylan could wish her sweet dreams, Mercy's door closed and left Dylan with his heart beating wildly, with an unknown reason... to him.

AN: Okay, so I'm putting this up in every story because this reader is awesome, so I want to give a shout out of gratitude to @Chocolate_Essence. Thank you so much for reading and voting on my stories. You've made so many of my days. I am thankful for such a great reader. Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you.