#chc

So, Inviso-Bill—

Phantom. My name's Phantom.

Really? It's just, everyone calls you- you know?

The only people that call me by that name are the hunters who came up with it and the news for whatever reason. I've said that my name is Phantom multiple times.

It's just a rather sill- simple name, Inviso-Bill is—

About 10 times worse. And I don't really care if it's simple, that just makes it easier for people to remember, right? Like Lance Thunder, or Tiffany Snow, or Amity Park News, Or Action News or whatever you're called.

I see. Well, is it okay if I still call you Inviso-Bill? For posterity's sake. We've always referred to you as that and our viewers might get confused.

No, you may not. Even if you had assumed it to be in the past, that is not my name. In fact, I'd say that's even more reason to start using my actual name going forward. Your audience expects the truth, do they not? Shouldn't you be working to correct simple misinformation like this? Unless that's how you'll be treating the rest of the interview? Asking me questions and then inserting your own conclusions for posterity's sake.

Don't you think you're being a bit harsh? I know that you ghosts may see things differently from us humans, but-

So you just regularly call all your interviewees by the wrong name and play it off as dramatics when they correct you? Is that the human way? Because we ghosts have a certain amount of tolerance for disrespect and most don't roll over and take it if they feel slighted.

Is that a threat?

It's me saying that if you can't even get something as simple as my silly name right after I've been correcting you guys for years now, then I don't think this interview is worth my time nor attention.

Blue Bird. Josh Helm's 1967 Pontiac Firebird was built by Chris Holstrom Concepts, debuted at the 2023 SEMA Show, and was featured in 2024 at Fuel Curve. It's powered by a 6.2L Lingenfelter LS9 mated to a Bowler Performance Transmissions-prepped Tremec T56 6-speed manual transmission and rides on an Art Morrison Enterprises chassis, Strange coilovers, Wilwood disc brakes, Continental tires, and 19x9.5/19x11.5 Forgeline forged three piece RB3C wheels finished with Titanium centers & Satin Black outers! See more at: https://www.forgeline.com/customer-gallery-josh-helm/cgk2849 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

"You're hard to love. But harder to hate."

The words echoed in the empty hallway. Janus could almost feel them tickle his cold skin. It was dark, too dark for him to see. Shadows encasing everything but not enough so for Janus to lose his orientation. He knew where he was. He also knew why he was here.

The suffocating lies from within Patton's room had gotten quiet a few minutes ago. They had been violent, louder, more convincing than he had ever heard them coming from Patton. What exactly had triggered them he didn't know. The way Logan had shouted at Remus, how Roman and Virgil had shot him down at the outing with Nico. It could have been that or something entirely else. Patton's list of regrets was long enough at this point.

It should be pathetic. Janus should think badly of the morale side. He shouldn't feel pity for him. No sympathy when the lies whispered that he was a bad friend, a bad morality. He had been bad. He had talked over Logan, patronized Virgil, and Roman too. He had failed in his job as morality as he let himself be tempted to fall into an extreme that became unsustainable for Thomas to uphold.

You shouldn't wait for me.

Janus' eyes went wide. Patton's voice. No, his lies voice. It was directed at him.

"Pardon me?" he tried to say nonchalantly. "Since when do I answer your calls?"

Right. I overstep. I command, even though you don't need a commander. I'm bad.

"No, Patton isn't bad. He's flawed. There is a difference," Janus insisted while slurring the 'c' in 'difference'. "He can be pushy and judgemental but he doesn't demand to be in charge."

Too many mistakes have been made. Too many times I have hurt them. Hurt you. You said there is a point where there is nothing left to repair, nothing a sorry could fix. That point has come.

Janus went to open the door. He pulled at the doorknob. Pushed at it. It didn't budge. His breath began to speed up and he knocked at the door. Knocked and shook the wood as hard as he could.

"Sstop that! Let me go to him and get him back to his ssensess!"

It's okay. Now you'll have peace. You'll be able to move on and- And everything will be just fine.

Patton's room was completely silent now. Cold air was emitting through the door cracks and Janus tried to rip the door open. Tried to sink inside. Tried to somehow reach Patton.

But he couldn't.

One door down the hall opened, and the light was pragmatically switched on. Janus knocked harder on the wood.

A second door opened and the chaotic sound of clanging accessories filled the air. Janus bit back the whine in his throat.

A third door opened almost soundlessly and socked feet shuffled towards Patton's room. Janus fell down on his knees in defeat.

A fourth door opened.

"What's happening?" Roman asked clearly out of it.

No one answered. They just stared at the door which wouldn't open and Janus sat miserably in front of it.

Then the last door opened. An orange wave of light shot through the hallway and a voice boomed through the air.

"Why are you still sitting there, Survival?! Get your ass up or get out of the fucking way to let the big boys do their job!"

***