RICHMOND VA. On Monday night, an entire street took part in a 3 a.m. shame session when the ghost of confederate Jefferson Davis showed up to haunt one family.
The Johns family awoke from their slumber because the Godawful smell of something, or someone, was filling the air. Mr. and Mrs. Johns along with their two daughters were so offended by the putrid smell that they got out of bed to investigate the source.
Mrs. Johns said, “So there I was, my titties hanging out, smelling an unearthly smell when I saw this Confederate bitch in my kitchen. It’s one thing to see a ghost in your home. And it’s another thing to see fucking Jefferson Davis in your kitchen looking to take more of what isn’t his.
Once I realized who the ghost was, every ounce of fear left my body because I realized, while I couldn’t physically beat him up, I could verbally abuse him to obliteration. I called the whole family down so we could all participate. My girls were so excited.”
Apparently, the ghost of Jefferson Davis was crying in their kitchen because his wittle statue was torn down. The Johns family, who were very aware that Confederate soldiers and generals deserved to rot in hell, took it upon themselves to really give Jefferson something to cry about.
13-year-old Grace Johns said, “I told that racist sack of shit I would stick my boot where the sun don’t shine if I could. Since I couldn’t inflict physical pain onto his ghost, I chose psychological torment. To do this, I showed him a video compilation of other racist statues being torn down. Enya played in the background, and boy, was it a work of art. Of course, Jefferson sobbed and sobbed. I haven’t cried like that since I was what… maybe ten months old? How embarrassing for him.”
The neighbors of the Johns family apparently heard the sound of wild laughter and pathetic tears coming from the home, and gathered out front to join in. The Johns family, realizing they’d caused quite a stir, opened their door and used their liberal, witchy powers to drag the ghost of Jefferson Davis into the street.
Within a matter of ten minutes, eighty Virginia residents had gathered around the ghost to laugh at him, show off their black excellence, and generally shame everything Jefferson Davis stands for.
Mr. Johns said, “After five minutes of being ridiculed, the ghost of Jefferson started sobbing again. Then Satan himself rose from beneath us and declared, ‘How did you get out you stupid bastard? Your buddy Robert E. Lee misses you. Back to hell we go.’ And then they both disappeared. I can still hear Jefferson’s screams of agony.” Mr. Johns proceeds to laugh.
Once he composed himself after the giggle attack, Mr Johns concluded, “Whenever I need a pick me up, I just replay his screams in my head and tears of joy come to my eyes. It’s foolproof.”
The youngest Johns member, Lucy Johns age 6, concluded the interview by saying, “Man, fuck that guy.”
“But Brannyk,” you may be thinking, “what am I supposed to do now that I am no longer a real being? How shall I spend my days?”
Unfortunately, the government has not released a handbook for this occasion, so I thought we could brainstorm together.
BECOME A GHOST
There are some benefits to being a ghost, for sure.
No rent or insurance payment. No corporate job, no cleaning cat litter, no AT&T trying to sell you another line after repeatedly telling them that you just want to make sure that your autopayment is on, but they’re all like, ‘Why would you pass up such a bargain on a second line? Are you an idiot?Why wouldn’t you need another phone line?‘ and so you have to tell them, “Because I’M DIVORCED, ASSHOLE, THANKS FOR REMINDING ME OF THAT!”
Or, my absolute biggest pet peeve, when you’re practicing for the ghost speed chair-stacking championship and the normies just don’t appreciate your cool skills.
The cool thing is that they come in all shapes and sizes.
Monsters are generally misunderstood. Some have their fans. Others are hated.
So basically, just like people, except with more tentacles.
The only downsides are that you might be too big or too “ick” for some people (these can also be pluses), you may have a taste for human flesh (no judgement), or the biggest issue – there are too many choices.
You could get stuck trying to figure out what kind of monster you are. If you’re not into labels, it’s an absolute nightmare. Or if you’re like me, it’ll be like standing in Subway for 15 minutes trying to figure out what toppings and dressings you want while the “sandwich artist” is openly judging you.
(4 / 5)
I like the customization, but it can be a bit too overwhelming.
BECOME A CRYPTID
Hear me out. I know it seems a lot like the monster category, but it’s not quite.
Cryptids are weird and mysterious. They keep to themselves. They have people who are fascinated by them and post on Reddit about them. Some have people making documentaries about them.
They’re like monsters’ quieter cousin who reads books in the corner at family gatherings. They collect shiny things they find by the side of the road. Sometimes they’ll steal a peanut butter sandwich or two.
Each one kinda has their own goals and priorities. Their own hangouts and interests. But unlike monsters, they’re not looking to rock any boats-
Never mind, I stand corrected.
(5 / 5)
I like the freedoms of being a cryptid and also dig the cottage-core vibe I get from them.
CONCLUSION: LET’S BE REAL FOR A SECOND…
I know it’s hard right now. It’s going to be hard. You may not exist to some assholes, but you are real. You have real feelings and thoughts and dreams. You have a real future. You have real decisions. Real actions that affect this world.
You have the real ability to wake up tomorrow and choose to exist. And for whatever reason you choose. Use it. Ghosts and monsters and cryptids are powerful, just like you are, even when you don’t feel like it. They have a place in our human world, just like you do. You make this world interesting and important.
You are part of this world, you are real, and you are not alone.
The horror community is one of acceptance, diversity, creativity and passion. In these times, it needs to be. We need to rely on each other. We need to cultivate and protect each other, as much as we need to protect ourselves.
And it looks like I’ll be coming out of my own cryptid hovel I’ve spent the past few years in to remind you that. My job isn’t done. Not by a longshot. And neither is yours.
Work is letting you go. Amidst all of the layoffs, you just didn’t make the cut. Well, I’m sorry to say, but it behooves you to go quietly. And quickly. Because you don’t want to stick around for the Firing Squad…
In fact, if your HR department is outsourced to one of those Eldritch contractors like so many are nowadays, get outta dodge NOW. Like seriously. Leave the lunch you brought in the fridge; leave the personal items in and on and around your desk. Hell, leave your coat and purse if you are not near them. You can get new ones. Maybe one of your ex-coworkers can help you retrieve your stuff later. Because you need to get out while the getting is still good.
The Firing Squad is coming.
And if they so much as see a pink slip anywhere in your immediate vicinity, it is complete and total annihilation…
Be sure to follow these simple library rules to ensure that you don’t end up victim to some Cthulhoid Lovecraftian nightmare. Because all of those books in one place can only mean one thing – certain doom!
Artwork description: A bloody female face with metallic crystalline eyes stares blankly at you from her strange ensemble of splattered fur trimmed weirdness. She leans against front of an overflowing bookshelf, guarding its contents.
Image text reads: Welcome to the library. Please follow these simple rules to ensure your safety and the well-being of those around you.
1.) Be quiet. the Eldritch horrors are sleeping. Do NOT awaken them. Ever.
2.) Do NOT open any portals to any interdimensional voids while here at the library. Please check out any such books and do so at home at your own risk.
3.) Do NOT recite any spells, hexes, or incantations in any books found herein, even accidentally. Again, do so at home at your own risk if you must do so at all.
4.) Do NOT smile at the librarians under any circumstance. Doing so will invite terror beyond mortal comprehension.
5.) Do NOT burn or deface any of the books. This incites otherworldly wrath.
6.) The library will NOT be responsible should you awaken any Eldritch horrors, open any interdimensional portals, cast any spells, smile at the librarians, or burn or deface any of the books. Any attacks to your person, belongings, soul, or next of kin are solely your responsibility; you are NOT entitled to legal, medical, monetary, spiritual, or any other compensations on behalf of the library or any of its affiliates, either here, extraplanar, and/or beyond.
Kristin Cleaves
June 23, 2020 at 4:43 pm
This is hilarious! I agree, fuck that guy.
Brianna Schullo
June 23, 2020 at 4:50 pm
Thank you! Amen to that.