No Pulse Inside of Me
Chapter 1
Synyster Gates POV:
“There has got to be someone here good enough to play lead.” I said as probably the 50th person to audition for my house band left. In case you’re wondering my name is Synyster Gates, and I’m part of the notorious Avenged Sevenfold gang. I was currently holding auditions for a lead guitarist for my house band that will play weekly at my club I am opening. I already had a lead vocalist, who is also the rhythm guitarist Ian, a bassist Justin, and a drummer Jason. They were here as well as the rest of the gang. Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan our tech annalist, he could hack into any system regardless of the security, and find anyone with minimal information. Johnny Christ boy genius at 25 already has a Medical PHD and a major in psychology, he is the gang doctor. Zacky Vengeance our weapons and explosives expert. Jason (JB) and Matt Berry our lawyers and they do a lot of the bitch work. And of course our leader M. Shadows, born into the life, as well as Johnny, fearless, smart, and never made any of us feel like we were lower than him. As for me, well I’m his right hand man.
“Can’t you just play lead?” I asked Ian. He chuckled “You would still have to find a rhythm guitarist.” he said. I sighed “How many more people do we have left to audition?” I asked JB. “Just one.” he said. “Didn’t you say you had a friend that was really good?” I asked Justin. “Yea, a coworker. Thought for sure she would be here. I told her about it. She seemed interested.” he said. “She?” I asked cocking a brow. He just nodded with a smirk. JB walked out into the waiting room to retrieve the last person for the night. He returned moments later a smug smile on his face, my jaw dropped. Following him was probably one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, though she looked oddly familiar. She stood not much shorter than me about 5’8, long auburn hair, big hazel-green eyes, full lips that were wide with a beautiful dimpled smile. She wore jeans that hugged nicely to her legs and ass, which was just….Damn. She wore a black Pantera shirt with a white long sleeved shirt under it, the sleeves pulled down over her hands her middle finger on each hand stuck through holes in the sleeves to hold them down. The shirt wasn’t form fitting, but you could tell she was hiding some curves. I looked around at the guys they too a little in awe. “That would be her.” I heard Justin. “What’s your name sweetheart?” I asked as she plugged in her guitar. “Tammy.” she said with a slight smile. “Got a last name?” Shadz asked. “Nope” she said simply as she took a seat and got ready to play. We looked at each other a little confused as to why she wouldn’t give a last name. “Ok well the floor is all yours.” I told her. She nodded and gave Justin a small wave that he returned. “Is it ok if I sing too?” She asked “Of course.” I said. She smiled again and began to play, and what we heard to say the least surprised the shit out of us.
Wish I was too dead to cry
My self-affliction fades
Stones to throw at my creator
Masochists to which I cater
You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds
Wish I was too dead to care
If indeed I cared at all
Never had a voice to protest
So you fed me shit to digest
I wish I had a reason;
my flaws are open season
For this, I gave up trying
One good turn deserves my dying
You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds
[Solo]
Wish I'd died instead of lived
A zombie hides my face
Shell forgotten
with its memories
Diaries left
with cryptic entries
And you don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds
You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on:
I'll never live down my deceit
“Told ya.“ I heard Justin. We all smiled wide when she was finished. What a voice she had, and she was so much better on that guitar than anyone else that tried out. “Looks like you found your lead guitarist.” Jimmy whispered to me. I nodded. “That was amazing. Guess we saved the best for last.” I said to her the others agreeing. “I think her and Ian would harmonize nicely together.” Shadz said. We agreed. “Did you write that?” I asked. “Yea a few years ago.” She replied “Its so sad.” Johnny chimed in. She just nodded her smile fading.
I introduced her to the rest of the band and discussed pay, practice times, show times, and when we would be opening. They won’t be performing every night just weekends. They soon left and it was just the gang and I. “How fucking hot was she?” Zacky said with a smirk. We chuckled and agreed. “Wonder why she wouldn’t give a last name.” Shadz pondered. “Don’t know, don’t care, but I will definitely be getting me some of that.” I said grinning. The guys chuckled a few of them shaking their heads. “Don’t be stupid Gates she’s an employee and you know the rules.” Shadz warned. I sighed and put my hands up in defeat. “Fine.” I said. It’s a stupid rule anyway. Can’t sleep with the employees it might complicate things, blah, blah, blah. Doesn’t mean I’m not gonna try.
Tammy’s POV:
I left the club Gates of Syn he called it. I was so excited. I finally got my dream job. After the life I’ve had I was beginning to wonder if my dreams would ever come true, and sure enough never giving up I landed my dream job. Can’t wait to get started. We even get to write our own songs. I was on cloud 9 right now as I walked the short 5 blocks to my apartment. I know, how convenient. I need to remember to thank Justin for telling me about this. Now we can get away from that diner. Not that I didn’t like working there, I just don’t want to be a waitress the rest of my life. It was probably around 10pm when we left. Ian offered me a ride home, but I turned him down since I didn’t live that far. If I had known what was going to happen I would have taken him up on that offer.
I suddenly realized I wasn’t walking alone. I heard footsteps, whispers, and laughter around me. I looked around, but saw no one. I continued home when I saw a shadow pass by my peripheral vision. I stopped to look again not seeing anyone. Chill out Tammy your mind is playing tricks on you. God how wrong was I. Turning back in the direction I was headed I came face to “face” with him. The mask hiding his face, but I knew who he was. Number 8 the leader of Slipknot. I don’t know his name, but I’ve heard about him and his gang of masked men.
I started to back away when he slowly strolled to me. So many thoughts running through my head. What did I do? I stay away from the gangs around here. I never did business with any of the them, that’s the best way to avoid them. What does he want?
I started to slide my guitar case, Its one of those soft ones, down my shoulder so I could grip the neck in my hand. I was going to smash it across his head if I had too. He continued towards me not saying a word as he pulled a syringe out of his pocket removing the orange cap off the needle. I continued to back away. What the fuck? How did a brick wall get behind me? My wrists were grabbed, and my guitar hit the ground. Shit. I nervously looked up behind me to see another man in a mask only he seemed to tower over me like I was 3 feet tall. He held both of my hands behind my back in one of his. Just as I was about to scream his other hand covered my mouth yanking my head to the side exposing my neck. I noticed the word SEVEN tattooed down his forearm.
I focused my attention back to 8 who was pretty much in my face at this point. “Nighty, night” he said as he plunged the needle into my neck. I tried to struggle but 7 was just too strong. Seconds later blackness.
“There has got to be someone here good enough to play lead.” I said as probably the 50th person to audition for my house band left. In case you’re wondering my name is Synyster Gates, and I’m part of the notorious Avenged Sevenfold gang. I was currently holding auditions for a lead guitarist for my house band that will play weekly at my club I am opening. I already had a lead vocalist, who is also the rhythm guitarist Ian, a bassist Justin, and a drummer Jason. They were here as well as the rest of the gang. Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan our tech annalist, he could hack into any system regardless of the security, and find anyone with minimal information. Johnny Christ boy genius at 25 already has a Medical PHD and a major in psychology, he is the gang doctor. Zacky Vengeance our weapons and explosives expert. Jason (JB) and Matt Berry our lawyers and they do a lot of the bitch work. And of course our leader M. Shadows, born into the life, as well as Johnny, fearless, smart, and never made any of us feel like we were lower than him. As for me, well I’m his right hand man.
“Can’t you just play lead?” I asked Ian. He chuckled “You would still have to find a rhythm guitarist.” he said. I sighed “How many more people do we have left to audition?” I asked JB. “Just one.” he said. “Didn’t you say you had a friend that was really good?” I asked Justin. “Yea, a coworker. Thought for sure she would be here. I told her about it. She seemed interested.” he said. “She?” I asked cocking a brow. He just nodded with a smirk. JB walked out into the waiting room to retrieve the last person for the night. He returned moments later a smug smile on his face, my jaw dropped. Following him was probably one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, though she looked oddly familiar. She stood not much shorter than me about 5’8, long auburn hair, big hazel-green eyes, full lips that were wide with a beautiful dimpled smile. She wore jeans that hugged nicely to her legs and ass, which was just….Damn. She wore a black Pantera shirt with a white long sleeved shirt under it, the sleeves pulled down over her hands her middle finger on each hand stuck through holes in the sleeves to hold them down. The shirt wasn’t form fitting, but you could tell she was hiding some curves. I looked around at the guys they too a little in awe. “That would be her.” I heard Justin. “What’s your name sweetheart?” I asked as she plugged in her guitar. “Tammy.” she said with a slight smile. “Got a last name?” Shadz asked. “Nope” she said simply as she took a seat and got ready to play. We looked at each other a little confused as to why she wouldn’t give a last name. “Ok well the floor is all yours.” I told her. She nodded and gave Justin a small wave that he returned. “Is it ok if I sing too?” She asked “Of course.” I said. She smiled again and began to play, and what we heard to say the least surprised the shit out of us.
Wish I was too dead to cry
My self-affliction fades
Stones to throw at my creator
Masochists to which I cater
You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds
Wish I was too dead to care
If indeed I cared at all
Never had a voice to protest
So you fed me shit to digest
I wish I had a reason;
my flaws are open season
For this, I gave up trying
One good turn deserves my dying
You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds
[Solo]
Wish I'd died instead of lived
A zombie hides my face
Shell forgotten
with its memories
Diaries left
with cryptic entries
And you don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds
You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on:
I'll never live down my deceit
“Told ya.“ I heard Justin. We all smiled wide when she was finished. What a voice she had, and she was so much better on that guitar than anyone else that tried out. “Looks like you found your lead guitarist.” Jimmy whispered to me. I nodded. “That was amazing. Guess we saved the best for last.” I said to her the others agreeing. “I think her and Ian would harmonize nicely together.” Shadz said. We agreed. “Did you write that?” I asked. “Yea a few years ago.” She replied “Its so sad.” Johnny chimed in. She just nodded her smile fading.
I introduced her to the rest of the band and discussed pay, practice times, show times, and when we would be opening. They won’t be performing every night just weekends. They soon left and it was just the gang and I. “How fucking hot was she?” Zacky said with a smirk. We chuckled and agreed. “Wonder why she wouldn’t give a last name.” Shadz pondered. “Don’t know, don’t care, but I will definitely be getting me some of that.” I said grinning. The guys chuckled a few of them shaking their heads. “Don’t be stupid Gates she’s an employee and you know the rules.” Shadz warned. I sighed and put my hands up in defeat. “Fine.” I said. It’s a stupid rule anyway. Can’t sleep with the employees it might complicate things, blah, blah, blah. Doesn’t mean I’m not gonna try.
Tammy’s POV:
I left the club Gates of Syn he called it. I was so excited. I finally got my dream job. After the life I’ve had I was beginning to wonder if my dreams would ever come true, and sure enough never giving up I landed my dream job. Can’t wait to get started. We even get to write our own songs. I was on cloud 9 right now as I walked the short 5 blocks to my apartment. I know, how convenient. I need to remember to thank Justin for telling me about this. Now we can get away from that diner. Not that I didn’t like working there, I just don’t want to be a waitress the rest of my life. It was probably around 10pm when we left. Ian offered me a ride home, but I turned him down since I didn’t live that far. If I had known what was going to happen I would have taken him up on that offer.
I suddenly realized I wasn’t walking alone. I heard footsteps, whispers, and laughter around me. I looked around, but saw no one. I continued home when I saw a shadow pass by my peripheral vision. I stopped to look again not seeing anyone. Chill out Tammy your mind is playing tricks on you. God how wrong was I. Turning back in the direction I was headed I came face to “face” with him. The mask hiding his face, but I knew who he was. Number 8 the leader of Slipknot. I don’t know his name, but I’ve heard about him and his gang of masked men.
I started to back away when he slowly strolled to me. So many thoughts running through my head. What did I do? I stay away from the gangs around here. I never did business with any of the them, that’s the best way to avoid them. What does he want?
I started to slide my guitar case, Its one of those soft ones, down my shoulder so I could grip the neck in my hand. I was going to smash it across his head if I had too. He continued towards me not saying a word as he pulled a syringe out of his pocket removing the orange cap off the needle. I continued to back away. What the fuck? How did a brick wall get behind me? My wrists were grabbed, and my guitar hit the ground. Shit. I nervously looked up behind me to see another man in a mask only he seemed to tower over me like I was 3 feet tall. He held both of my hands behind my back in one of his. Just as I was about to scream his other hand covered my mouth yanking my head to the side exposing my neck. I noticed the word SEVEN tattooed down his forearm.
I focused my attention back to 8 who was pretty much in my face at this point. “Nighty, night” he said as he plunged the needle into my neck. I tried to struggle but 7 was just too strong. Seconds later blackness.
Notes
Here it is the first chapter! Kind of slow, but things will pick up
Quick reference for the next couple of chapters Slipknot names and numbers:
Sid-0
Joey-1
Paul-2
Chris-3
Jim-4
Craig-5
Shawn-6
Mick-7
Corey-8
Yes Paul will be alive, and even with recent news of Joey's departure he will be in it too
Song Credit: Bother: Corey Taylor (Not Stone Sour)
I would be interested in a rewrite if that’s what you feel like you wanna do. I would read the new version too, even though I don’t find anything wrong with the original.
9/27/19