Missed Steps – Episode 4: The White Chip

A FaceThyFear™ Psychological Thriller Series

⚠️ Disclaimer:

Missed Steps is a fictional work that explores the struggles of addiction, recovery, and psychological tension. While inspired by real emotions and experiences, all characters, events, and locations are entirely fictional. This story does not glorify substance use, violence, or illegal activities but rather serves as a raw, unfiltered exploration of the mental and emotional battles that come with recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available:

📞 SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

💻 Find resources at www.Facethyfear.com (http://www.Facethyfear.com)

What Happened?

The night is already a blur.

Zay steps out of the bar, his heart hammering against his ribs. His hands dig into his pockets—maybe out of habit, maybe looking for something solid, something real.

Then his fingers brush against it.

Small. Smooth.

He pulls it out under the flickering streetlights.

A white chip.

The kind they hand out in recovery circles.

But this one?

This one has a lipstick stain smeared across it.

And scrawled across the back—a number.

Her number.

His stomach flips.

Did he take this? Did she slip it in?

Did something happen?

His jaw clenches. He shoves the chip back into his pocket and keeps walking, his footsteps too loud in the silence.

Then, he feels it.

Someone’s eyes on him.

She Saw.

His ex.

Across the street. Sitting at a table.

Not alone.

The guy next to her? Not one of Zay’s boys, but someone familiar.

And she’s looking at him like she knows something.

Not hurt.

Not mad.

Interested.

Zay forces himself to keep walking. Doesn’t break stride.

Doesn’t check his pocket again.

Doesn’t react.

Even though everything in him is screaming.

Drive. Breathe. Pray.

The van door slams shut.

Zay exhales. Shaky.

He doesn’t know what the hell just happened tonight.

But he can’t let it own him.

His hands tighten around the wheel. He prays.

Not for answers.

Not for peace.

Just for the strength to keep going.

Then—music.

Linkin Park floods the van.

Loud. Heavy. Drowning everything else out.

Zay hits the highway.

The city lights blur past him. It should feel freeing.

But it doesn’t.

Gas Station Ghosts.

He pulls into a gas station. Grabs an energy drink.

Normal. Simple. Routine.

Then—a shadow shifts in the corner of his vision.

Zay glances outside.

Behind the dumpsters, a man sways unsteadily.

Drunk. Barely conscious.

Mumbling to himself.

Zay looks away. Fast.

Because that?

That could’ve been him.

Shuffle. Fate.

Back in the van.

Key turns. Engine hums.

He taps shuffle.

The first song?

‘Indigo’ – NXCRE, The Villains.

Zay laughs.

A real, from-the-gut laugh.

This f*cking universe.

He starts singing along.

And as the beat kicks in—

He pushes the pedal to the metal.

(Legally.)

End of Episode 4.

⚖️ Copyright & Trademark

“Missed Steps – Episode 4: The White Chip” is an official copyrighted work of FaceThyFear™ and is protected under intellectual property laws. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or adaptation of this work is strictly prohibited.

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