Missed Steps – Episode 6: The Breaking Point

Missed Steps – Episode 6: The Breaking Point

A FaceThyFear Original Story

The Glow of the Moment

The glow of the hallway light flickered slightly, buzzing from age. The rain outside tapped against the window like impatient fingers. The air inside the house had thickened.

Zay’s heartbeat pounded in his ears as he felt the vice grip of the woman’s fingers still wrapped around his wrist. Her nails dug in. A warning. A plea. A trap.

He should’ve left. He should’ve never stepped inside this house.

Too late now.

The First Swing

The man at the door was big. His silhouette filled the entrance, the rain behind him casting a shadow over his face. But Zay didn’t need to see his eyes to know the truth—this man wasn’t asking questions.

He was ready to kill.

“Who the f*ck is in my house?”

Zay’s mouth opened, but before words could leave—

A fist.

A blur of muscle and rage. A direct hit to Zay’s shoulder. He staggered back, nearly tripping over a chair.

The rage inside him bubbled.

For a split second, he wanted to apologize.

Defuse the situation.

Walk away.

But when he looked at the woman gripping his wrist—he saw something in her eyes.

She wasn’t afraid.

She was expecting this.

And then, the man charged again.

Survival Instinct

The second punch came faster—Zay barely dodged. His back slammed against the hallway wall, the impact rattling the cheap wooden frame. The man grabbed Zay’s throat, squeezing.

His vision blurred.

His breath cut short.

The air in his lungs burned. His fingers dug into the thick wrists crushing his windpipe. He kicked, thrashed, anything to break free.

The man leaned in closer, his breath hot. “You dead, boy.”

Zay’s mind snapped.

The training he gave himself—to walk away from fights. To apologize when needed.

Gone.

His fingers shot out—straight into the man’s eyes.

A yell.

The grip loosened.

Zay stumbled forward, gasping for air. His neck throbbed, his heart hammering in his ribs.

The man lunged again, but Zay’s hand found something first.

A knife. Small. Sharp. Left on the counter like a gift from the devil.

The First Stab

Zay didn’t think.

He acted.

The blade sank in.

The man grunted, stepping back. He looked down, stunned, his shirt darkening with blood.

But he didn’t stop.

A hand grabbed Zay’s throat again—slammed him into the fridge. The impact rattled everything inside. A bottle fell, shattered against the tile.

Zay’s head spun.

He gritted his teeth. The man had fury. Strength. But Zay had something else.

Desperation.

He tightened his grip on the handle of the knife. Twisted.

The man roared—his grip loosened again.

Zay took the opening.

He drove his elbow into the man’s throat.

A cough. A stumble. A moment of hesitation.

That was all he needed.

The Last Blow

Zay shoved the man back.

For the first time, he saw fear in the guy’s eyes.

But Zay wasn’t done.

One more stab. This time, deeper.

The man gasped. His hands shook. Blood leaked from his mouth.

And then—he dropped.

Not dead.

But damn close.

The Aftermath – A Man Changed

Silence.

Zay’s breath heaved. His hands shook. Blood dripped onto the tile.

The woman hadn’t moved.

She was staring at Zay.

Not in fear.

In curiosity.

Like she had just watched something be born.

Zay wiped his mouth, spitting onto the floor.

What the f*ck did I just do?

The Escape – But Not Really

Zay stumbled out of the house, the rain hitting him like bullets.

His boots slapped against the pavement.

He yanked the van door open, collapsed into the seat.

His knuckles were bleeding.

His shirt was wet—with sweat, with rain, with blood.

His chest heaved.

He turned the key—the engine rumbled.

His .22 Magnum snub-nose revolver sat in the glove box.

Waiting.

He looked at himself in the rearview mirror.

He didn’t recognize himself.

He didn’t recognize anything.

Then, his fingers dug into his pocket.

And he pulled out a small plastic bag.

White powder.

He didn’t remember taking it.

Screen cuts to black.

Copyright & Disclaimer for Missed Steps – Episode 6: The Breaking Point

Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. Missed Steps is a psychological thriller that explores themes of addiction, recovery, trauma, and personal struggle. The events, characters, and settings depicted are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real people, places, or events is purely coincidental. This story does not condone or glorify violence, substance use, or illegal activities. It is intended for mature audiences and serves as a creative exploration of complex emotions and experiences.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available. Please seek professional support through resources such as:

📌 SAMHSA National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

📌 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – www.aa.org

📌 Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – www.na.org

Recovery is possible. You are not alone.

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Missed Steps – Episode 6: The Breaking Point is an original FaceThyFear® production. All text, images, and creative content are the intellectual property of FaceThyFear®. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or adaptation of this work is strictly prohibited.

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