Immaculate Misconceptions Motionless In White

Epilogue

Chris took his time shimming into his tight black skinny jeans in preparation for the end of their tour. He knew his friends were watching him get dressed... They always did.

They didn't mean to really. It was just hard not to. Rather out of pure curiosity or amazement. But none of them could erase the memories of what Chris looked like during his recovery. Even now the tattoos and thousands upon thousands of dollars of reconstructive surgery, skin graphs, and even some laser plastic surgery could not hide all his scars.

So what happened?

If you're asking... Yes, Chris did die but was resuscitated successfully. This did not mean he would live though... the damage was done.

But no one was willing to give up.

Chris slipped into an artificial coma while doctors worked on his much deadlier internal wounds. Life support kept his heart pumping and by some miracle his brain was still active.

After 2 CDs, several EPs, 2 years at Warped Tour, thousands of dollars in medical treatments, all sorts of rehabilitation therapy, pins, needles, implants, and years of psychiatric therapy; Motionless in White gathers together for the closing of their Infamous Tour.

In the early years, Chris found that body paint was the best way to hide all his imperfections until enough money was raised to hide the atrocity that became of his skin. Although the treatments and surgeries weren't perfect, Tattoos proved to be his best friend with hiding any unwanted scars. There wasn't much he could do about the branding on his neck though... A part of him didn't even mind and a new neck piece was sufficient enough to hide the mark from anyone who wasn't going to intently study the vocalist's neck.

His rehabilitation was a blur but all he truly remembers is the conversations with his grandfather he had while under. They were the best he's ever had and often times, inspired him.

He'll never forget what happened to him though... Or of the people he's met.

At least not everything gained from the experience was negative.

City Lights was recorded for the band's album Creatures and yet only Chris knows the secret meaning behind it.

Troy and Cassie. Faces that still tended to haunt his nightmares no matter how many therapy sessions he went through.

Their bodies were recovered no far from where Chris was. Chris was still under so he wasn't able to attend the funeral but whenever they're in the area, he makes the effort to pay his respects alone.

His whole ordeal would prove to be the fire that lit the fuse for the album Creatures and the inspiration for their hit song Immaculate Misconceptions who's music video did little to secretly depict exactly what Chris had to go through. The making of it was hard, often bringing Chris to tears from flashbacks but he knew that if he was ever going to move on, he had to pull through.

"Sound check in 30 minutes guys." Their roadie banged a fist against their bus.

Josh would clasp a hand on Angelo's shoulder, causing him to jump. "You ready?"

Angelo grinned, "Ready as I'll ever be."

"We're gonna miss you buddy." Ricky chimed in, bumping fists with the drummer.

Angelo chuckled before making eye contact with Chris, pulling his shirt over his head from the bunks. They smiled softly at each other, not saying a word but simply nodding their head.

Chris was not the only one who had to go through therapy. All members went through some kind of session but Angelo's continued for almost as long as Chris' and because of that, they created an invisible bond.

But this would be Angelo's last show.

Angelo was the shield to all the sadness he tried to prevent Motionless in White from having while they continued their tour without Chris so many years ago. He was so busy being concerned for everybody else that he forgot about himself... And now the suppressed emotions were taking a toll on him along with the slight trauma of shooting someone. It was a mutual decision he should leave since the tour life did little to improve his condition. If he ever wanted to get better he had to leave. He'd miss his friends but they all knew they wouldn't be too far from each other.

Ricky, Devin, Josh, and Ryan went through similar therapy sessions. Ryan takes anger management while Ricky and Josh had had successful treatments and have learned to remain calm and think of the better times and the futures that await them. Devin has kept to himself which was understandable and respectable. To try and ease some left over tension, Chris tried his best to joke around with all of them and show them that he wasn't broken. He stayed brave for them.

Mike Kuza made the experience his own as well. After working a couple more years as a roadie and working merch booths for his friends Vampires Everywhere! Michael Vampire helped him write his own music all inspired by past emotions and built up rage. He was never one for the therapy but music spoke to him. Even now he's bubbling with thoughts after From Hell and Hate was released. He's looking for members, some people he could call his friends and start his own experiences with on the road.

"10 minutes guys. Let's go!" The banging interrupted the bands conversations again.

Chris put down his pen and closed the notebook he was writing in. He glanced at himself in the mirror one last time and smiled to himself. You would've never thought that he would've been tortured for over a week, crucified, and almost killed. He brushed his fingertips against his forehead, feeling the small but unnoticeable indentations that the "crown" left him.

"Come on Chris!'

"Coming!" He grabbed his jacket and followed the boys off the bus, Angelo clasped his shoulder and gave him a knowing smile.

"Motionless! Motionless! Motionless!" Hundreds of kids screamed from where they stood on a long line outside of the venue. Another sold out show that put the biggest smile on Chris face as he waved at fans enthusiastically while they rushed inside to get out of the cold.

"We should buy them hot chocolate or something." Josh inquired, rubbing his hands together as they bustled about the venue.

"You think our manager would let us?" Ryan smiled slightly, thinking about how nice the gesture would be.

"Wouldn't hurt to ask." Josh shrugged already looking for the older man.

The light heartedness of the room caused all the boys to forget their earlier thoughts. Pictures with VIP fans put huge smiles on their faces and made them swell with pride whenever one would be brought to tears about how much of an inspiration they were to them or how much they had effected their lives.

If only they knew how much they effected Chris'.

"You guys are on in five!"

The boys were jogging around in place with enthusiasm as they scurried up the narrow steps that led to the stage.

"You ready for this?" Chris smiled at Angelo.

"You already know man." The pulled each other into a tight hug, each member taking their turn to do the same.

"On the count of three," Ryan began, placing his hand in the middle of the group.

The boys followed the gesture and together they chanted, "One, two, Three, MOTIONLESS!"