Chapter 25: The Knot Family

                                    

                                          
Sallie surveyed her knuckles. She could still see the wounds remaining on there from her fight with Jodie, but she was amazed at how her body managed to recover from something like that. For once, she woke up today not feeling any pain, the agony subsiding at last. Her knuckles were healing, almost completely new with a hint of red, but there was no sign of abuse or assault.
                          
The little Brit was amazed. She never seemed to notice how amazing the human body was until now, how it self-healed with the assistance of science. But just the sheer fact that even her own body seemed to have forgiven her for her erratic act and was now trying to gift her the healing of itself, she appreciated it so much.
                          
30th October. The day before her birthday, the day before Halloween, and she was finally getting discharged from the hospital. Her doctor and nurses congratulated her for her recovery and bravery throughout the last week, and she felt so proud of herself. She had gathered her belongings, spoke to her doctor and was now waiting for the elevator to get officially discharged from this place. She sent a text to Corey telling him about her being discharging today and was just eager to leave this place and return to an empty house. And for once she was looking forward in coming back home.
                          
The elevator doors opened, and she stepped inside, looking at herself in the mirror. Her face wasn't so mangled anymore. It had recovered rather well. She ran a hand up her chin and cheek, stroking it and feeling how smooth her face felt. Her eyes were still slightly bloodshot, but after another day she knew they would fully go, and she would have returned to normal. She was freshly washed, her messenger bag slung over her shoulder, her phone in her hand, eagerly waiting for a reply from Corey.
                          
The elevator door opened, and suddenly Sallie jolted to hear a roar coming from the main lobby. She swiftly turned around, and her heart swelled at the sight.
                          
Startingly distinct against the white and beige theme of the hospital, she saw a gathering of six men, all donned in black, all their arms raising up in celebration of the return of Sallie. Sallie covered her mouth in surprise, staggering back into the elevator's corner and watched as her friends clapped and cheered. Shawn was holding a small banner, black leaking paint stating:
                          
WELCOME BACK, VIRGIN.
                          
That was Corey's doing!
                          
As Sallie inched out of the elevator, feeling all attention drawn onto her, her face flushed madly in red blushes, smiling so widely it hurt her cheeks.
                          
"Guys..." She whimpered emotionally, her adoring eyes looking at Mick, Shawn, Corey, Jim, Paul and another male. He was the same height as Sallie, matching her long hair, except his hair was black with a pair of red streaks that ran down each side of his head. A slender face with deep small eyes. He was clapping his hands, smiling at Sallie as if he had known her for years. She didn't know who he was, but she knew she would be introduced to him very shortly.
                          
Visitors and nurses were staring at the scene, and while many of them were simply smiling at the warm welcome of a recovering patient, a few people scowled and shook their heads, scrutinizing their attire, the blacks of their clothes, the chains that dangled from their baggy pants, their dirty shoes and freakish variety of appearance, height and presentation.
                          
Satanists, they thought, despite observing the very touching scene of humans gathering and celebrating the recovery of another. Their appearances were more disturbing than the act itself. Narrow-minded.
                          
But the friends paid no attention. They were all too wrapped up in themselves, a sense of companionship and a band of brothers together, a family gathering from misfits and destructive childhoods.
                          
Sallie trembled on the spot, both hands holding against her face as her tears welled up in happiness, a beautiful display of touching appreciation.