Breaking Point: A Man’s Last Stand Against Injustice
The morning light did nothing to warm the bitterness in Sam’s gut. Roy stood before him, relentless as ever.
“Beautiful day for it.”
“For what?”
Roy’s eyes narrowed. “No need to be coy, Sam. We both know today’s the day you take control of your destiny. Define yourself as someone not to be trifled with.”
Sam felt the weight of those words pressing down on him. “Oh, that. Yeah. Today is the day we remove Will as an obstacle to your happiness once and for all, and you can move forward and live the life you deserve.”
He tried to slip away. “Maybe I need to get my bus.”
“There’s no maybe about this.” Roy’s voice hardened. “What’s your plan?”
“I don’t really have one, Roy. I’ve been a bit busy.”
“Busy, busy.” The mockery stung. “What affair could be more urgent than liberating yourself from your oppressor? He will not stop.”
Sam’s defenses crumbled. “I know. I know.”
“I just—” Roy finished the sentence for him, dripping with contempt. “I might have known you’d lack the stomach to do what needs to be done.”
“That’s not true.”
“I’m not scared. It’s just not as easy as your present life is.” Roy leaned in. “Are you really going to allow Will to destroy you and not lift a finger to prevent it?”
The words hung in the air like smoke.
“I don’t want to hurt anybody.”
“But it is imperative for your survival. Therefore, wholly justified.”
“Not to me it isn’t.” Sam’s voice trembled. “That’s not who I am.”
Roy pulled back, a cold finality in his posture. “Well, if that’s your final word, you and I have no more to say to one another.”
“Roy—I don’t want to fall out. You’re the only friend I’ve got.”
“Only friend you had.” The correction was clinical, surgical. “A natural reluctance to act decisively is one thing. Outright cowardice? Quite another.”
The scene shifted. A digital clock glowed. Numbers blurred.
“Who’s winning?”
“You are.”
“Is there competition between you and that coffee?”
Sam’s voice was hollow. “I’m just tired.”
Then another room, another voice—sharp, accusatory. “You want to turn that down?”
“Sorry.”
“Is he really got to be on that as soon as he gets out of bed? Really? That’s ridiculous.” The words came like a whip. “We should have nipped it in the bud before he did his exams last year, he might have done a bit better.”
A softer voice intervened. “That’s not fair.”
“Well, you know what? Life’s not fair. And the sooner that he caught on to that—” The threat hung unfinished. “I think I see you tonight.”
“That was out of order.” The softer voice again, now defensive. “What’s his problem?”
“He’s just under a lot of pressure at work, that’s all.”
“So we need to take it out on me?”
“No, I know. I know. He didn’t mean anything by it, though. We are so proud of you.”
“Whatever.”
“Okay. Can’t have been easy getting back on that track again. Well, you know, at least to feel in control there until, you know, someone passes me.”
“Not today, though. Those other losers will be coughing in your dust for a week, son.”
“Although, it’s not all about the finishing first.”
“Yes. Well, you know my motto. It’s not about the winning. It’s the tearing people apart.”
“You’re as bad as each other. Right. Go on. Get gone. See you at 5.”
“Yeah.”
“Have you got your water bottle, babe?”
“Yes, I’ve got it. Got it.”
“See you, son.”
A hospital room. Sterile. Cold. Hopeless.
“I asked a couple of nurses I know to look in on you.”
“Yeah, they have. Everyone’s been so lovely.”
“Hey, you’ll be home in no time.”
“Will I?” The laugh was hollow, broken. “The police seem so convinced that I’m guilty. I’m starting to wonder myself.”
“You got to hang in there. I’ll keep fighting.”
“Not sure I have any fight left in me. I’m dreading going back. I’m frightened all the time. I mean—I don’t want to wake up in the morning.”
“Everything is going to be all right.”
“I’m so sorry, Todd. I didn’t mean to do this to you.”
“Look, when you’re feeling low, you need to