The Invisible Man

It took them about an hour to get back to me, but I finally got all stitched up and medicated so I couldn't feel the throbbing telling my brain to try to make a run for it. Then Cooper strolled in and said, alright Gabe come on let's get you home. Cooper looked paler than usual, but if I were him I'd probably be too. Knowing your friend had almost died would freak just about anyone out. That thought rang a little bell in my head saying that it was important detail in what had happened, but I just ignored it and walked over to Cooper. I was a bit disoriented at first, but the longer I walked the easier it got. The smell of disinfectant filled that halls we walked through to get out of there. As I checked out the lady at the front desk said, the doctor said your scheduled for a check up every week until your all healed, so we'll see you in seven days. I thanked her and Cooper an me walked to the car that was parked not to far away.

The drive home was silent besides the buzz of the radio. I thought to myself that sooner or later we'd have to get that fixed. When we got home Cooper helped me get back to the apartment, but once to the door I made my way to my room. Once next to my bed and pondered just falling onto it, but I thought better of it. Especially with the whole small concussion thing. So I just slid gently onto the bed and laid my head down. Immediately everything drifted to darkness.

For the next seven days I got in a routine of waking up, taking the painkillers, then going back to sleep. I couldn't stand Cooper treating me like delicate chinaware, but today instead of laying back down I walked out of the room to kitchen where Cooper was sitting at the table like that day. Cooper looked up cautiously and I pulled out the chair at the table. I thumped down into it and looked Cooper straight in the eyes saying, alright Scrimble lets make a deal, okay? Cooper looked at me still so I continued, you stop looking at me like I'm gonna break and start treating me like your best friend again so we can put this behind us, deal? Cooper cracked a faint smile at what I said. He said, okay deal. I got up and walked to the fridge. I grabbed the Captain Crunch box and shook it. I turned to Cooper saying, what the hell man still no Captain Crunch I thought you went shopping a couple days ago. Cooper just smirked and said, I did. I grumbled stingy bastard over a loud breath and turned to toss the box in the trash. I asked him what time we were heading to the doctors office. Cooper replied sounding a little tight throated saying, in about an hour. Then his tone got light saying, enough time to get your stinky ass in the show. He even threw in a smirk and covered his nose. I shook my head at him and said, your just jealous that even with this aroma I can still get more chicks than you. Cooper said, switching off between hands doesn't count Gabe I thought we had this talk already, plus only in your dreams can you get more ladies than the Scrimble. I shook my head at this and closed my bedroom door and headed to the bathroom in my room.

It only took me a couple months to get better and everything seemed to finally be getting back to normal. I woke up one morning and someone was in my room. I sat up very slowly and tried not to draw attention. I came up behind them and swung as hard as I could. To my surprise I missed and he was still sitting there, but he turned to look at me. I put my fists up and asked, who are you and how'd you get into my room. He just turned and looked around the room, but when he didn't find anyone else he turned back to me with a weird expression like he was excited, surprised, and hesitant. He pointed to himself confused I repeated my question. At this he jumped up and started dancing a little jig hooting and hollering. When he finally calmed down he asked, so you can really see me? His voice had a Texan accent. I looked at him and said, of course I can see you what do you think I am blind. He said, Gabriel I been here for a very long time and you've never seen me before. I replied, I'm sure I would've seen you cause your kinda hard to miss. He sighed and moved forward. Out of surprise I swung again aiming to hit him in the gut. My hand went straight through him and hit the wall behind him. I pulled my hand out of him nursing my bruised knuckles. He chuckled at my startled expression and right then Cooper burst into my room. He was saying, what's going on in here Gabe, I heard yelling and you hit the wall. I looked at him and the man in my room. Cooper followed my eyes and asked, what do you keep looking at? I looked at Cooper and said, you don't see him? Cooper looked at me worried. Then said, I'll tell the doctor we are heading his way okay. I just nodded wondering what the hell was happening. I walked out of the room and the man in my room followed. Cooper had just hung up the phone and said, get your shoes on Gabe I'm taking you to the doctors.

On the drive to the doctors I looked out the window and saw a lot of people walking about. I looked at the clock and it said 7:30 A.M. I turned to Cooper and asked, why are so many people outside right now. He looked worried and said, Gabe there are that many out there. I sat back and thought what's going on. The man from my room leaned forward and said, your seeing ghosts, the souls of the dead that didn't make it to what comes after. I turned to look at him and said, what do you mean? He said, that's what we are. I sat there a little shocked at what this man said. We turned into the parking lot of the hospital. We got out and walked in. We went to the waiting room till they called me. I walked with them to a small room where I saw for an hour or so. The nurse came in and gave me a full examination. Once she was done the doctor came in and the nurse handed him her clipboard then proceeded out the of the room. The man skimmed the notes and then he looked up saying, I'm Dr. Apoli, so what seems to be the problem. I looked at Dr. Apoli and said, well I'm seeing people who I guess aren't actually there. Dr. Apoli proceeded to ask, are there any other people in this room? I shook my head and Dr. Apoli it seems as if your physically all fine, I understand you had a concussion within the last couple months? I nodded and he looked up at me saying, well let's start with a cat scan why don't we? I nodded saying, sure. I got off the bed I had been sitting on and followed him through a maze of hallways till we stopped in front of a door. We walked in and it had two rooms connected like you usually see in the movies. He lead me towards the other room with the machine and I laid down where he directed. Once I was settled he said, alright now don't shift about to much and we can finish quicker sound good? I just raised my hand and gave him the thumbs up.