I'm Sorry- A Slipknot Story

Chapter 70

-morning-

I wait for the guys to get up again. I'm wearing low-rise shorts that stop at the third mark of my thigh, a t-shirt that I finally found that says 'shh, no one cares' and my cross shoes. I put my shoes beside my concentrator and I put on my nasal cannula, feeling the oxygen going into my nose. I see a ghost sit in front of me and hug me, so I try to hug them. I do and they let go, starting to talk to me.

"How's that wound," she asks.

"It's better. Today's the last day I have oxygen, so that's a plus," I say.

"That's good. Can I see it," she asks. I lift my shirt and there's no wrap on it, letting me show the healing wound in all its glory. It was still red in the middle, but the outsides of it was pink.

"Looking good. Hey, I heard they're going to do an interview with you and a few other guys on the whole fiasco," she says.

"That's great. Hey, I gotta go. Ghost things," she says. She disappears into thin air and I rake a hand through my hair, wishing one guy would wake the fuck up to braid my hair. Preferably Sid because he can braid kind of fast.

"How's the stab," Joey asks. He sits next to me and crosses his legs, looking slightly up.

"Better. Today's the last day I'm on oxygen, so that's good," I basically repeat.

"Who do you talk to? Do you have imaginary friends," he asks.

"Ghosts, Joey. Ghosts," I say. I pull a thin handful of hair away from the rest and start braiding it, really fucking bored.

"What do you mean ghosts. They aren't real," he says.

"You think ghosts aren't real? A shame," I say. 

"It's true. There's science to back me up," he says, making me smile.

"And there's science to back me up too," I retort.

"Okay, you want to play this game," he says, nodding as he looks away.

"Why do you think ghosts exist," he asks.

"There are things in our world that can't be explained. Like when you feel a sudden cold breeze in a place where there's nothing that could do that," I say.

"Why do you think there isn't ghosts," I ask.

"Because all things can be debunked. Like what you said before, there could be a crack in the wall or someone walked past," he says. I could tell he's getting irritated at me always giving an answer.

"What if you're by yourself and there's no cracks? What then," I ask.

"An opening. Like a mousehole in the ceiling or floor," he says.

"What if there's no breeze," he asks.

"You can also feel a cold spot. Or, if it's something darker, a hot spot," I say. I rake my hands through my hair and keep braiding, the guys still sleeping.

"Darker? Like a-"

"Don't say it. You don't know how powerful saying a name is until you say it wrong," I warn. My voice went low and dangerous, like a mom mad and disappointed at you at the same time.

"Okay," he draws out, looking at me like I'm crazy.

"Look Joey. You may not believe me now, but one day you'll say their name and regret it deeply. I did as a joke and it clung to my friend. He had scratches and bite marks all over him. He was bleeding badly, but that... that thing wouldn't let go. My friend..." I trail off as I remember his lifeless body laying on the ground in the woods.

"He died that night. I've blamed it on myself ever since," I finish. Joey puts a hand on my shoulder and I restrain myself from pushing it off. I don't like people touching me when I've told them something bad. It makes me feel like they're faking sympathy.

"It wasn't. You may have said the name, but it was the thing's fault," Joey says.

"Maybe you're right," I say. I lean my head on his and I can feel his frustration, but his lack of caring coming through and taking it back.

"What's going on in here? Is there a new ship happening," Sid asks.

"Shut up and braid my hair please," I say without looking up.

"Okay, jeez. No need to be that rude," he says.

"I said please," I retort.

"I hope you heard my eyes rolling," he says.

"Keep rolling them, you might eventually find a brain," I say.

"Roasted," Joey says, making all three of us laugh.

"Says you. You're so short you could use a pillow as your bed and still have wiggle room," I say.

"Damn, glad I came in," Corey says.

"What's with you today? You start your period," Sid asks, grinning.

"Bitch please. It's impossible for me to do that," I say.

"But you're a girl, right," Joey says.

"Yeah, but I have something called Ovulatory Dysfunction. It's where I wasn't born with eggs," I explain.

"And no, I can't get pregnant. That means no childbirth," I add.

"You live, you learn," Corey says.

"Especially in the weirdest times," Sid says.

"Yeah. Hey, try to roast me. I dare you," Corey says. I lift my head, but Joey pulls it back down.

"When you look in the mirror, say hi to the clown you see in there for me, would ya," I ask.

"You summoned me," Shawn asks, appearing beside Corey. The three of us on the floor are facing the couch, and the other two sit on it.

"Nah," I say.

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I think Joey's a skeptic in real life. In an article Corey talked about paranormal stuff going on, and Joey just kinda brushed the haunted part off. I don't know if he didn't notice it, or if he doesn't believe the equipment was acting up because of the activity. Here, the link: 

https://www.loudersound.com/features/slipknot-i-would-drink-from-the-moment-i-woke-up-until-i-passed-out

And there's more of this coming! Don't worry!