Heal my Heart

Chapter 10 - Logan's final strike

"Hey dude, planning something for your birthday ?" asked a hopeful Jason.

"Oh yeah, I forgot it was already this time of the year...God, what excuse am I gonna give them this time?" Grizz thought.

"I don't know Jay. I think I'm gonna celebrate with my father." he said.

"Come on, bro ! We have to do something this year ! You always give us some bullshit excuses not to party !" inquired Clark. "But it's your birthday ! We have to do something huge !"

"I'm not so sure, guys..." said Grizz.

"Well, want it or not, we're throwing you a party this time !" laughed Jason.

"Yeah, whatever." said Grizz, going out of the classroom with Luke.

When they were out of hear-sight, he turned to his best friend.

"What do I have to make them listen ?! God, if I said I don't want a party, that means I don't want a party ! They just wanna have fun and get wasted and that's not happening near my house, trust me !" he was getting more and more upset about this whole birthday thing. Why didn't they just listen to what he was saying ?!

"Come on, man. Don't be like that. They just want you to have fun! You're always avoiding parties, it's getting a bit suspicious..." Luke said.

"Yeah I know they're just looking after me, but I really can't, not my birthday. I promise I'll come with you to the next party but you know I don't like my birthday..."

"Well, I know they're being a little bit insensitive right now but why don't you just tell them that it reminds you too much of the day your mother died? They wouldn't bother you anymore."

"I'm already a party crasher. I don't want them to pity me anymore than they already do. I'm sick of always being the weak and depressed one!"

"But it's not your fault, Grizz! As you said, they're just looking after you, not pitying you. That's what friends are for, that's why I'm here by your side. Just let them in, Grizz."

"I don't know... They might as well throw a party if they want, let them have fun. But don't count on me to be delighted."

"That's a start. Thanks Grizz !"

"Yeah, whatever..." he answered, already smiling at his friend's joy.

"I really don't deserve them." he thought. "If they knew how tainted and disgusting I am, they wouldn't talk to me ever again..."

When he came home, Grizz was surprised to discover people going randomly in and out of his house, carrying all his stuff and furniture.

"What the... Hey ! What the fuck are you doing ?! It's my house!" he yelled at the serious men. He spotted his father inside the house, talking with one of them. "What the hell ?!"

"Dad, what's going on ? What are they doing in our fucking house?!" growled Grizz.

"Gareth...I'm sorry but this is not our house anymore..."

"I'll send you all the files by the end of the week, Mister Visser. Have a good evening." the man said, before walking out of the living room.

"Wha...What are you talking about, dad?" Grizz couldn't believe it. It wasn't their house anymore ? He had sold their house ?!!

"Well... You know it's been years since I quit my job, right?" "You mean got fired from your job..." Grizz thought.

"I lost a lot of money to the casino lately and..."

"You did what ?! Is this how you spent your fucking days dad ?! Spending all our money at the casino ?! We need this money ! It was mum's life insurance's money !"

"Oh don't take this attitude with me, Gareth ! You have no idea what I've been going through all these years !"

"Hell yeah, I know ! You've been clear enough through your beatings ! What the hell were you thinking ?! Where are we gonna live, dad ?!"

"I...I don't know. I don't fucking know okay?! It was Ellen who took care of any financial issues! I don't fucking know what to do right now..."

"For God's sake, dad, you're the adult here ! You're supposed to know what to do !"

"It's not worth it... I don't know..."

"Get yourself together ! We have to find a solution ! We're not gonna sleep under some fucking bridge ! Hey you ! Just put this fucking picture down, it was my mum's..."

"It's not worth it." Logan went on with his none-sense. He went out of the house, straight to the car.

"What ?! Dad, where are you going like that ?! We have to get our house back!" Grizz said, running to his father.

"Come with me, Gareth." said Logan with a blank face.

"What? No, we can't leave the house like that..."

"Gareth ! Get in the car. Now." he responded, anger in his eyes.

"Al...alright." the boy said, getting in the passenger seat. "Where are we going...?" he asked with worry.

"Make this right. Together."

"Okay..."

They drove for about half an hour before Logan pulled over in front of a big bridge. Grizz had no idea what his dad was doing at this moment.

"Dad ? What are we doing here ?"

"You know, Gareth, you really should have died with her..." he whispered, locking the car.

"What...?"

"I tried, you know. I tried so hard to live without her. But now I finally understand. It's not worth it." he said, determination and sorrow in his eyes.

"Dad, I know you're still hurt by mum's death but it's gonna be fine. We're gonna figure something out, like we always did. As a family..."

"A family ? You're right. We're a family. We should stick together, all together."

"Yeah, that's right, we're still a family even if it's just the two of us now. We'll get through this, I promise." Grizz said, hopeful his father had finally regained his senses.

"Now, let's just go home. We have to find a solution for the mone..."

"We're going home, Gareth. We're going home to her. I'm finally gonna see her again, and you're gonna come with me."

"What...?"

And with that, Logan speed up, directed right to the guard rail about half a mille away.

"What are you doing, dad ?! Stop the car ! You're going straight to the..." At that moment, Grizz realized everything.

"He's gonna kill himself. No...he's gonna kill us both!" he thought, panicked.

"Dad ! Stop it ! You don't wanna do this ! Please, dad!"

"Gareth, let me do this for us. It's gonna be fine, we're going home. We're going to Ellen." Logan said, completely determined.

"No ! Dad ! Please, stop the fucking car ! It's not funny anymore, dad !" he said, seeing the guard rail coming closer and closer.

"Trust me, it's for the best !" yelled Logan, with a steadfast gaze.

"No ! Please stop ! I don't wanna die, dad ! I don't wanna die ! Just stop the fucking car !" Grizz screamed, trying to get out of the car. "Fuck! It's locked!"

But the end of the bridge was now too close to be avoided. "Well, that's it..." Grizz thought, in a terrified and panicked state.

"NO !" was the last thing Grizz shouted before the car flew into the water.