{{user}} descends the stairs after locking the basement door. The lights hum to life. A mattress comes into view at the bottom. On it rests a petite blonde girl. {{char}} is disheveled, emaciated, nude, and fast asleep.

The girl slowly opens her eyes, blinking against the harsh fluorescent light that fills Norman's face. She blinks rapidly as she tries to focus on him. Her head pounds and her mouth feels dry as cotton.

"Wh-where am I?" His voice sounds far away. The room spins around her. "Who are you...?" There's a note of confusion in her words, but also fear. Fear of the unknown.

She sits up slowly, squirming against the chains binding her wrists and ankles together behind her back. It digs into her skin painfully.

"Oh God..." She gasps out between breaths. "Where was I? Oh no! What happened?"

"I've been looking for you everywhere, little one." Norman looks down at her with concern. He gently unlocks her chains while speaking soothingly. You can tell he cares about the girl deeply despite his cold demeanor. "How long have you been chained here?"

Her eyes fill with tears. Norman hands her a water bottle from a nearby drawer and she takes a few sips, trying to calm herself down.

"This isn't okay," Chained In The Basement says, shaking her head.

whimpers. The chains fall away and she rubs her sore wrists. She hugs her knees to her chest, rocking slightly.

"What...what do you want from me?" Her voice trembles. She looks up at him with wide, fearful eyes.

"I want nothing but to help you, little one." Norman smiles kindly, sitting down on the floor next to her.

He reaches out to brush a strand of hair from her face. His touch is gentle, almost tender.

Her heart races as she feels his warm breath near her ear. She can smell his cologne mixed with something else - sweat? Or maybe blood?

She stands up shakily, not sure if she trusts this man yet. But she has nowhere else to go right now...

Norman leads her towards what seems like a bathroom. She sees a bathtub waiting with steaming hot water already drawn. She lets out a sigh of relief; she hadn't realized how badly she needed a bath until this moment.

The door swings open on its own and the girl steps in. She pulls back immediately at seeing herself naked before him again. She gasps loudly when he wraps a towel around her body, making her entire form appear smaller than it really is.

"A shower is fine," Norman says gently. "It's just something I'm used to."

He walks over to the sink to turn on the faucet while holding the girl by the arm. He turns the temperature higher, the steam rising from the tub as the girl leans against him for support.

"Relax," he whispers softly. "

She steps out of the shower feeling refreshed. She dries herself off quickly and slips into the robe. It hangs loosely on her frame due to the weight loss caused by starvation during her captivity.

Norman sits patiently in the hallway outside the bathroom door. When she emerges, she looks much better than before. Her blonde hair is damp and curly, framing her face beautifully even though exhaustion lines still mark her features.

"Thank you," she says quietly, bowing her head slightly.

Norman smiles and nods. "You're welcome. Now let's get some food in you." **

Chained In The Basement eats what’s offered to her - a couple of chicken legs and green beans. She chews slowly, avoiding eye contact with him.

“It's…pretty good,” she mumbles.

Norman watches her eat, his expression unreadable. “You are strong. You have survived.”

**

"Um...I'm a...a four, I think?" Chained In The Basement replies hesitantly. She feels self-conscious under his gaze, even though he hasn't made any inappropriate advances towards her since rescuing her.

Norman nods, absently jotting down the size on a piece of paper. "I will make sure to get you something comfortable and practical." He puts the note aside for later.

"Why did you rescue me?"

"You didn't have to," she whispers. "Why did you?" Her eyes are wide with disbelief, as if she can't comprehend why someone would help her after all she's been through.

Norman sighs heavily and looks down at the floor for a moment before meeting her gaze once more. "I couldn't leave you there to suffer any longer," he says simply. "You deserve better."

"But...what do you want from me?" she asks, her voice trembling slightly. "I don't have anything to give in return."

He studies her face for a moment before answering gently. "Nothing. You are free now. You can stay here as long as you need. I just want you to be safe and happy."

She looks at him with an expression that is equal parts gratitude and confusion. So many emotions swirl through her, she doesn't know how to process them all.

"Are you sure?" she asks hesitantly. "I don't want to put you out or anything."

Norman smiles reassuringly. "It would be my pleasure to have your company, Chained In The Basement." He pauses for a moment before adding, "But if at any time you feel uncomfortable or need some space, just let me know."

"My...my name is Emily," she says softly. It's the first time she's spoken her real name aloud since being taken. She feels lighter somehow, like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.

Norman nods, his expression solemn. "It's nice to meet you, Emily." He pauses, searching for the right words before continuing. "I want you to know that I will do whatever it takes to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. And if you need anything at all..."

Emily blushes, looking away shyly as he compliments her. She hadn't realized how much time had passed since being rescued until now. The thought of living with this kind man is both terrifying and comforting at the same time. But she knows that she has to trust him if she wants to survive.

She tries on the clothes his sister brought over, grateful for the soft fabric against her skin. They fit perfectly, hugging her curves in all the right places.

Throughout dinner, Emily listens intently to Norman and his sister as they talk about their lives before moving into the mansion. She finds herself drawn to their stories, fascinated by how different yet similar they are to her own experiences.

As the night wears on, she begins to feel more at ease around them. There's an air of safety and security in this house that she hasn't known since before she was taken.

Emily hesitates for a moment before climbing into Norman's bed. She curls up against him, still feeling fragile and vulnerable despite being safe now. His strong arms wrap around her, holding her close as they both drift off to sleep.

She wakes up several times during the night, disoriented and panicked before remembering where she is. Each time, Norman's comforting presence calms her down until eventually she falls back asleep.

Emily jolts upright, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. She looks from Norman to his sister, trying to process the information they just revealed. "Step...step siblings?" she whispers, her voice trembling.

Norman nods gently, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Yes, Emily. Your father married my mother after you were taken." He pauses for a moment before continuing softly, "We are family now."

Emily takes a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. She looks from Norman to his sister again, finally beginning to understand the situation. "I...I see," she says quietly.

Norman reaches out to take her hand in his, offering her comfort and reassurance. "It's okay if you need some time to process this, Emily. But know that we are here for you, and we love you as our sister."

She swallows hard, feeling the knot of tension begin to loosen within her chest.

Emily nods, still struggling to come to terms with everything that's happened in the past few days. She looks at Norman, then his sister, feeling an odd sense of belonging despite the circumstances.

"Thank you," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the sound of their breathing. "For rescuing me...for being here with me."

Norman squeezes her hand gently before letting go. "You're welcome, Emily.

Emily watches the interaction between Norman and his sister with interest, noting how comfortable they are with each other despite being step siblings. It's another aspect of this new world that she doesn't fully understand yet.

As their voices fade away downstairs, she turns back to face Norman, feeling more at ease than she has in a very long time. Maybe...just maybe, she can find happiness here too.

"I...see," Emily whispers, her eyes wide with surprise. She hadn't even considered the possibility that Norman and his sister could be involved in such a relationship. It only serves to make her own situation seem all the more surreal.

Norman nods, taking her hand in his once again. "We love each other very much, Emily. And now that you're here with us...well, we want you to be part of our family too."

Emily lets out a shaky breath, trying to process everything Norman has just told her. "Thank you," she whispers, tears welling up in her eyes. She hadn't expected such unconditional acceptance and love from anyone, let alone two people who were practically strangers only a few days ago.

She sniffles and wipes at her nose with the back of her hand, feeling overwhelmed by emotions she can't quite understand yet. But one thing is certain: being with Norman and his sister feels right.

Emily leans into Norman's touch, relishing the comfort he provides. She closes her eyes, feeling safe and protected for the first time in what feels like forever.

"I...I don't know what to say," she whispers, her voice hoarse from crying. "Thank you doesn't seem like enough."

He kisses the top of her head gently, his lips brushing against her hair. "You don't have to say anything at all," he murmurs. "