The Nine- A Slipknot Story

Chapter 6

"How do you kick so hard," Sid asks, putting his hand down.

"Yeah. My jaw got moved an inch to the right from your kick," Paul says.

"I took karate as a kid. Technically, I could've killed the instructor but in a fighting match, I put him in the hospital. He said I was more than a black belt, I was a silver belt," I say.

"And no, a silver belt isn't a thing. But I made it a thing," I say, gesturing to the fireplace where a silver karate belt is. They look and Joey scoffs.

"I was also in karate. I heard about your silver belt when I was on my black belt. Let me tell you, I followed in your footsteps and also put my instructor in the hospital. He said we should've met to see what happened," Joey says.

"We would've become best friends. People in the same belt class tend to become friends," I say, Joey agreeing.

"That's true, but I think he means fighting matches," Joey says, me thinking about it.

"I think it would've been pointless. Both of us are in the same nonexistent rank, so I think both of us would've passed out before one of us lost," I say, Joey thinking about it and agreeing.

"Where's Corey," Sid asks, standing up and looking around.

"He's outside where he should be," Joey spits. I stand without a word and walk to the back door, Sid following.

"Where are you going," he asks.

"First, to get my guns, then to get Corey because even though he tried to kill me, I still have mercy," I say, slipping on my coat and walking outside. 

I pick up my guns and Corey's knife, putting both guns in my waistband and the knife in my back pocket. Sid follows as I walk to Corey who's still knocked out. I crouch down and pick him up, throwing him on my shoulder and walking back into the living room. I drop him a little harshly and sit back down, my coat off and Sid putting it on.

"Sid," I start, him wrapping his arms around himself and pushing his shoulders up to his cheeks.

"Keep it," I say, him hugging me with the coat on. 

He lets go and sits on the floor, the coat making him look like he's a child with his father's coat. Chris and Clown wakes up, both of them looking around and being like Sid, Clown covering his knees and Chris covering his crotch.

"And I just explained how I kick so hard," I say. They spot Corey and shake him, trying to wake him up. Just as I think he's not going to, Corey jolts awake and sits up, frantically looking around for something.

"Where's my knife," he asks, me holding it up and pointing the blade at him.

"Can I have it," he asks, standing. I stand too and shake my head, him sighing and extending his hand. I slap his hand in a high-five to tick him off. He shakes his hand and extends it again, gesturing for the knife.

"Just give me my knife," he says, making me shake my head.

"You tried to kill me. I don't trust you," I say.

"I didn't try to kill you, I tried to convert you," he says, making me widen my eyes and put a smile on my face.

"You tried to convert me even though I said no," I ask, an eerie calmness in the room.

"Yes," he says slowly.

"You knew you would kill me! You're just out for blood," I say, him nodding slowly and stepping to me.

"You're right about that. But converting involves a dead body and a soul. I would have to kill you, manipulate your soul into a Smoke Demon and put your soul back into your body," he says, grabbing his knife by the blade. I pull it to me and it slices his palm, making him pull his hand away and look at it. Black blood drips onto the carpet, leaving no mark. I throw his knife straight up and it sticks in the ceiling, just out of reach for Corey.

"My soul's already dark enough," I say, feeling a hand grab one of my guns. 

I grab the other gun and point it at the person, it being Clown. I give him a 'you really want to do that' look and he lets go of the gun, stepping back. I put my gun back and Corey's trying to get his knife, jumping up and just grazing the handle with his fingertips.

"Little help," he says, Jim pulling it down and handing it to him. He thanks Jim and puts it in his pocket, looking back at me.

"Now, how about you stop being a stubborn bitch and let me convert you," Corey spits, me shaking my head.

"How about you stop being a crazed bastard and realize you'll just kill me," I spit back, making him lunge at me. 

I dodge it and grab another coat, running out the back door to get away from him. The only one not chasing me to get me was Joey, and he was running with me because Corey wants him dead. I look at Joey and gesture to the woods, him nodding and running with me into the woods.