Plummet: Act V - The Final Chapter

Plummet comes to a shocking and heart-wrenching conclusion. Find out what happens to Chris Winslow.

            Chris, Tatianna, and everyone else return to the school. By the time they get back school is already over. Chris kisses Tatianna goodbye, then the announcements come on.

“May Chris Winslow please come to the principal’s office, Chris Winslow to the principal’s office thank you.”

Once Chris hears the announcement he heads down to the office. Upon getting there, he meets the secretary who tells him that Miss Applegate wanted to see him in the conference room. Chris begins to wonder what it’s for, fearing the worse.

“Did she find out about what happened with Mike last weekend?” Chris asks himself.

As soon as he walks into the room he sees Miss Applegate, who is taking a look at his records. She turns around and gives him a piercing stare for a few seconds before Chris nervously takes his seat.

“You wanted to see me?” Chris says.

“I did,” Miss Applegate replies. “This morning I told you that we were going to try and have some sort of intervention, because honey honestly, we’re worried about you.”

She continues, “And when I say we, I mean all of us: Me, your teachers, everyone! I mean catching you smoking marijuana last weekend was one thing, but now you’re skipping class and getting into altercations with other students? Well I’ve invited your father to come and participate in this meeting.”

“What?” Chris replies.

“I’m sorry,” she says, “But this is the only way we can get your life back on track.”

“You can’t be serious!”"Chris sucks in his teeth"“What’s getting him involved gonna solve?”

As Chris is talking, suddenly his father walks into the room. He clearly does not want to be there.

“This better be important,” John says.

“Hello Mr. Winslow,” Miss Applegate says. “I’m here to see if we can help your son. He’s been getting into a lot of trouble lately, and"“

“Ha!” John laughs. “This p***y is getting in trouble? What, did he pull the fire alarm or something?”

Chris’ face turns sour.

“Well,” Miss Applegate, “No. Last weekend I caught him smoking marijuana, and not only that he has been getting into altercations with his teachers and other students. Are you aware of this, Mr. Winslow?”

“Nope,” he replies. “Don’t know, don’t care. Now that we here, Chris, you better give me a good reason why there was a Big Texas missing out of that box I bought the other day.”

“Mr. Winslow!” Miss Applegate protests. “What does this have to do with what I called you here for?”

Despite Miss Applegate’s attempts to steer the discussion back to its proper course, Chris decides to answer his father’s question.

“I was hungry,” Chris says, “And I ate it. What about it?”

“Did you buy it?” John asks.

“So?”

“Mr. Winslow please,” Miss Applegate says. “We’re here to help your son get his life together!”

“Do you think I give a damn?” John replies, “What about me? I don’t have a job, my wife’s dead, I’ve got a loser for a son. All the kid ever does is whine about how he gets picked on at school".”

Chris interrupts him, “And what are you doin’ right now? Yea Mom’s dead, yea you don’t have a job. Instead of being a man and gettin’ over it, pulling your family together, you drink your life away!”

There is silence in the room.

“We’re falling apart Dad,” Chris says. “And it’s all because of you!”

“You know what,” John says, “You’re right. But I’ll tell you one thing son, you’re no different from me.”

He continues, “Look at you, you’re a lowlife. Just like your old man, and I’ll tell you what, that’s all you’ll ever be! That’s all we’ll ever be!”

“Mr. Winslow!” Miss Applegate says, “How can you say such a thing? This is your son!”

In a fit of rage Chris grabs his chair and throws it, narrowly missing his father.

“I’m so scared,” John says sarcastically.

Chris grabs his things and storms out of the meeting. Miss Applegate runs after him.

“Chris, Chris!”

“Look,” Chris says, “Just stay out of my life alright? I told you this was going to happen!” Chris goes on his way, kicking over a trashcan and pushing the door leading outside open.

Miss Applegate returns to the conference room where she sees John still standing there.

“I hope you’re happy,” she says.

“Yep,” he replies. “If you’re done wasting my time, I’ve got things to do.”

“You’re dismissed.”

Chris calls Craig to ask him. He does not answer the phone, so he calls Tatianna instead.

“Hey Tata,” Chris says. “Can I stay at your place tonight?”

“Sure,” she says, “But why?”

“I just got into a fight with my dad.”

“Okay,” she says, “You can stay. My mom works tonight so there shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Ok,” Chris says, “Cool. Thanks, love you.”

“Love you too.”

Chris walks to Tatianna’s house from school. Once he gets there, the two of them embrace each other and Chris walks in. He sees Tatianna’s mother and greets her.

“How are you doing ma’am,” Chris says.

“Good,” she says. “Tatianna, I’m going to work okay?”

“Okay,” Tatianna replies, “Bye mama.”

As her mother leaves, Chris and Tatianna lay down on the couch and watch TV. Tatianna tunes in to her favorite reality show on VH1, but Chris wants to watch something else.

“Change the channel,” Chris says.

“No baby,” Tatianna says. “This is my favorite show.”

Chris playfully tries to snatch the remote from her hand.

“Stop!” Tatianna says, laughing.

“Or what?”

“What do you mean or what?”

Chris finally grabs it from her hand and puts it on BET. This upsets Tatianna and she tries take the remote back from Chris.

“What’s your problem?” She asks.

“I wasn’t tryin’ to watch that s"t,” Chris replies.
            “So you’re just gonna snatch it out my hand?” She replies. “This ain’t your house, Chris!”

            Feeling bad, Chris hands the remote back to her and apologizes.

            “My bad,” Chris says. “I’ve had a bad day.”

            “Oh yea,” she says, “What happened with your dad?”

            “I don’t wanna talk about it.”

            “Why you treatin’ me like this all of a sudden?” Tatianna says. “I’m only trying to help!”

            “Treating you like what?” Chris asks. “It’s personal and I don’t want to talk about it.”

            Tatianna gets up from the couch and turns off the television. Chris is confused, and he doesn’t really know what’s going on. Tatianna is fed up with Chris’ coldness towards her.

            “What are you doing?” Chris asks.

            “Get out,” she replies. “I don’t want to see you right now.”

            “Babe you don’t understand,” Chris says, “I have nowhere else to go! I can’t go home!”

            “Why not?” she asks. “Because of your dad?”

            “Yes!” Chris angrily replies. “I told you, we got into an argument at the principals’ office!”

            Tears begin streaking down Chris’ face, “If I try to go home I don’t know what’s gonna happen!”

            Tatianna gives Chris a strange look. She wasn’t used to seeing Chris or any man for that matter cry. Nevertheless, she wraps his arms around his head as he begins crying.

            “It’s alright baby,” Tatianna says, “You can stay at my place tonight if you’re worried about going home.”

            Tatianna goes upstairs to change into something more comfortable. Once she comes back downstairs, she lays back down on the couch where Chris was and the two of them begin talking.

            “I wish you hadn’t seen that,” Chris says.

            “What,” she replies, “You crying?”

            “Yea.”

            “It’s not too often you see a man cry,” she replies. “Men bury their emotions, but you have no problem showing yours. It’s weird but I’m not gonna judge you for it.”

            This puts Chris at ease. He is happy knowing that he can be one-hundred percent real with Tatianna, instead of trying to be somebody else like he does around Craig and Cole.

            Chris kisses her forehead, and the two of them fall asleep on the couch.

The following morning they are woken up by Tatianna’s mother, who had just returned from work.

“Aye,” she laughs, “Mi hija. Next thing you know, we find out you’re pregnant!”

“Mom!” Tatianna says, embarrassed.

            “I’m just playing with you two,” she replies. “Go get ready for school, okay?”

            Tatianna goes upstairs to get dressed and Chris follows her. Tatianna makes him wait outside of her door, and once she is finished, the two of them walk to the bus stop together. The bus arrives and takes them to school. Once Chris arrives, he sees Miss Applegate but refuses to even look at her.

            “Chris!” she calls. “Chris!”

            “I think the principal’s calling you,” Tatianna says.

            “Forget her.”

            Chris and Tatianna head to the cafeteria where they see Craig and Cole. As soon as they come inside, they are greeted by Craig and Cole. Cole doesn’t really say much to them, and even snubs them a little bit, but Craig is happy to see them.

            “Yo Chris, Tatianna,” he says.

            “What’s up yo,” Chris says. “What’s up with Cole?”

            “Don’t worry about him man,” Craig replies. “He’s mad about something.”

            “Alright, But yo,” Chris says, “I called you yesterday, why didn’t you answer your phone?”

            “My bad,” Craig replies, “I was busy. But what’s up wit’ you Tatianna, how’ve you been?”

            “Chillin,” she says. “You?”

            “I can’t complain,” Craig says before Chris interrupts him.

            Chris becomes angry at Craig, not only for his response, but also because of the fact that he was trying to talk to his girlfriend. Chris begins to sense that he can no longer trust Craig, or Cole.

            “What do you mean you were busy?” He asks.

            “Yo chill man!” Craig replies.

            “Yea baby,” Tatianna says. “Chill out, he said he was busy.”

            “Whatever!” Chris says angrily before walking away.

            As Tatianna attempts to follow him Craig calls her back, grabbing her by the shoulder.

            “What’s up with him?” he asks.

            “I’m sorry,” she says. “He’s been going through a lot lately and he needs all the help he can get.”

            “It’s cool,” Craig says. “But I kinda wanted to talk to you about something.”

            “About?”

            “You’ve been goin’ through a lot wit’ him,” Craig says. “Haven’t you?”

            “He’s really emotional,” she replies. “I’m not used to guys like that.”

            “Why don’t you hit me up after school,” Craig says. “Here’s my number…”

            Craig gives her his number. Tatianna leaves the cafeteria and heads out into the hallway where she sees Chris. Chris is very annoyed with her and demands that she tell him what Craig was asking about.

            “So what were ya’ll talkin’ about?” Chris asks.

            “Oh,” she says, “It was nothing.”

            “Bulls"t,” Chris says. “Why would he call you back to talk about nothing?”

            “Look Chris,” she says, “I don’t know what’s goin’ on with you but you’re blowing me!”"she sighs"“I don’t want to talk to you right now!”

            Tatianna walks away to her homeroom, leaving Chris standing there by himself. Chris feels bad about what he had done and attempts to call her back, but to no avail.

            “Wait, Tatianna,” he says. “Hold up! I’m sorry!”

            She just keeps walking. Depressed, Chris decides to skip school and head to downtown Edgewood. It’s almost desolate, filled with boarded up houses and storefronts; signs of a small city past its prime. Looking at the city made Chris even more depressed, and all he could think about was Tatianna.

            “I don’t wanna lose her,” Chris thinks to himself. “What do I do?”

            As Chris continues to walk down the street, he notices the only store open: Ronnie’s Groceries, it was run by an older man named Ronnie Reynolds. The store has been open for many years and is a landmark of Edgewood. Chris plans on buying Tatianna flowers in order to apologize for the way he’s been acting, and stops by Ronnie’s to see if he has any.

            “Excuse me sir,” Chris asks, “Do you sell flowers?”

            “Sure,” Ronnie says as he heads to the back of the store. “These for the lady in your life?”

            “Yea,” Chris says. “Something like that.”

            “You sound troubled youngblood,” Ronnie says. “Everything fine?”

            Chris finally cracks, “No, I got into an argument with my girlfriend and I think she might break up with me.”

            “Wow,” Ronnie says. “I remember those high school days. Well, you just gottta let her know you sorry for what happened. I hope this is a good start. That’ll be $3.”

            Chris hands him the money and takes the flowers.

            “Thank you sir.”

            “No problem youngblood,” Ronnie says. “Good luck with your girl, be safe and stay out of trouble.”

            “I’ll try.”

            Chris leaves the store and walks back to school. Edgewood may be a small place, but it takes almost forever to walk through. By the time Chris heads uptown, school is already over; so he instead heads to Tatianna’s house. With the flowers in his hand, Chris heads to Tatianna’s house and as he approaches the front door, he hears strange noises. He puts his ear in closer and, instead of ringing the door bell, he simply opens the door.

Once he opens the door, he finds Tatianna and Craig together. They were making out on the couch. Tatianna simply looks at him, while Craig continues kissing her neck. Chris is speechless. Almost immediately, tears begin running down Chris’ face; he drops the flowers at her doorstep and runs away.

“I knew it!” Chris thinks to himself, running with tears pouring out of his eyes. “That triflin’ b"tch!”

Chris runs to the woods and begins crying. He pulls out a blunt he had rolled up in his pocket and begins smoking it. His depression and sadness turns into anger.

“Why does all this s"t have to happen to me?” Chris ponders.

Chris begins to think about how much he hates his life. Between his alcoholic dad, getting pushed around, his hatred of school, an unfaithful girlfriend, and fake friends; he doesn’t have much to be grateful about. As far as he’s concerned, his life is a meaningless world of pain and suffering.

            It’s eight o’clock at night. After a few hours in the woods, Chris decides to go home. Not because he wants to, but because he has nowhere else to go. He leaves the woods and walks back to his house. On his way home he spots Chris, Cole, Tatianna, and a group of other kids hanging out at a shopping center parking lot.

            “Should I just mind my own business?” Chris asks. “Or should I go over there? Naw, forget that, he took my girl! And he was supposed to be my friend!”

            Chris walks over to the parking lot. He sees Craig with his arms around Tatianna. Everyone is in complete silence, and no one really knows what is going to happen.

            “Look at this lame a*s n***a,” Cole says, laughing. “Yo Craig, beat his a*s before I do!”

            Craig takes his arm off of Tatianna and approaches Chris. Chris stands still, as Craig approaches him.

            “What’s up b"ch?” Craig asks. “You gotta problem? Yea I took your girl!”

            “Why are you doin’ this man?” Chris asks. “I thought we were homies?”

            “I don’t give a f"k about you, kid!” Craig says. “You ain’t useful to us no more. Now get the hell out of here, before beat yo’ a*s!”

            “Say that again?”

            “I said get the hell out of here!”

            With that, Chris looks around at everyone: Cole gives him a mean look, Tatianna looks at him with concern, and Craig continues to stare directly at him.

            Chris jabs Craig dead in the eye, stunning him. Craig feels his eye for any swelling, and notices a nice little bump, before returning fire with a punch of his own; proceeding to viciously assault Chris. Chris curls up in a ball as Craig punches and stomps on him.

            “Beat his a*s!” Cole shouts.

            When Craig feels as though he’s had enough, he lets Chris get up.

            “Get up kid,” Craig says. “And walk yo’ b"ch a*s home!”

            Chris struggles to get back up. His nose is bleeding, his entire face swollen, and pain shooting all throughout his body; though he isn’t defeated. In fact, he gets back up and gets into a fighting stance.

            “You hit like a b"ch!” Chris says.

            Craig charges at him again, striking him across the jaw and sending him to the floor. As Craig gets ready to beat him up some more, Tatianna feeling sympathy for her former boyfriend, intervenes in the scuffle.

            “Stop it!” she begs, pulling him off.

            “Yea,” Craig says. “I’m done! You ain’t worth my time, b"ch!”

            Chris struggles and staggers to his feet, while Tatianna runs up to him and tries to help him; showing some show of concern for her former boyfriend. However, Chris pushes her away.

            “Get off me b"ch!” he yells, pushing her off. “Get the hell away from me!”

            “Forget you then!” she replies. “I don’t want to be with your crazy a*s anyway!”

He turns to Craig, “This ain’t over Craig, you’re dead! You hear me! You’re dead!”

            Beaten and crushed, Chris takes the long walk back to his house. He knows he will have to confront his father, but he has nothing left to lose so he goes home anyway. Once he opens the door he finds his father sitting on the couch, drunk as usual. In a drunken stupor, his father immediately gets up and staggers towards him.                                                      

            “Hey tough guy,” he says, his words slurred. He holds Chris by the arm, pushes the door shut, and shoves Chris onto the sofa. “So what’s that crap you were saying in the principals’ office, huh?”

            “Screw you,” Chris replies.

            John backhands him across the face, “You wanna fight me son? Huh? You wanna fight me?”

            Chris holds his face in pain, the bruises from his earlier fight with Craig opened up and he begins bleeding. Clenching his fist, he stares into his father’s eyes.

            “Come on kid!” John shouts. “Make your move!” He grabs Chris by the neck and begins choking him. Chris begins grasping for air, as his father’s grip becomes tighter and tighter. He becomes lightheaded, and he feels as though his life is slipping away from him. With his free arms, he throws a flurry of punches at his father; knocking him down. He kicks his father in the face while he’s on the floor and runs upstairs to his room. His father gives chase, but staggers and trips up the stairs.

            Once Chris gets in his room, he slams the door shut and locks it. He grabs clothes and other random things and throws them in front of his door, in order to prevent his dad from kicking down the door. Once his father comes upstairs he begins screaming and banging on his door.

            “Come on out you punk!” he shouts, banging loudly on the door. “Come on!”

            Chris reaches under his bed and pulls out the pistol that Craig gave him. He examines it and c***s it, aiming for the door in case his father is able to barge in. Minutes become hours and eventually the screaming and banging stops. John, a drunken mess, falls down the steps and staggers to the couch.

            Chris the points the gun to his head, as far as he was concerned, death was better than the situation he was currently in now. Then, he reconsiders.

            “No,” he thinks, “Not until I take some people with me.”

            He then goes to bed in his clothes. He places the pistol on the other side of his bed. Throughout the night, Chris is unable to sleep as he is overwhelmed with rage and malicious intent; he wants nothing more than to see the people responsible for all of his problems dead. He simply lays awake in bed, tears rolling down his eyes and hyperventilating.

At six o’clock that morning Chris gets out of bed. He does not change his clothes, he doesn’t take a shower, or groom himself in anyway. He simply gets out of his bed and grabs the pistol. He goes downstairs looking for his father, but he is nowhere to be found. He then goes into his father’s room, he sees him sitting on the floor at the side of his bed crying. Seething with rage, Chris points the gun at him.

            “You wanna shoot me son?” John asks, as tears roll down his face. “Go ahead, do it! You think I have anything left to live for!”

            Chris hesitates.

            “What are you waiting for?” John shouts. “Do it!”

            Chris raises the gun back at his father and shoots him in the forehead, killing him instantly. It was the first time he had ever used a gun, much less killed someone. Suddenly, he feels a rush of power come over him; he now has power over all of his enemies, and was going to use this power ruthlessly. He walks downstairs, puts the gun in his hip, and walks to school; having missed the bus.

            Upon arriving to school, he heads straight into the cafeteria where Craig and everyone else is eating breakfast. Cole is laughing and telling jokes as usual, Tatianna hanging out with all her friends, and Craig sitting around with his cronies. They all sit at the same long lunch table, and once they see Chris, they all stand up. Craig turns towards him.

            “What’s up kid?” Craig says. “You want another a*s whoopin?”

            Chris simply pulls out his gun, as Craig looks at him with shock. Craig never thought that Chris would actually use the gun he gave him. Chris shoots him in the chest twice, killing him instantly. There is complete pandemonium in the cafeteria, kids and teachers alike rush out in fear. A teacher attempts to charge at Chris and pays the ultimate price as well. Chris sees Tatianna, Cole, and the rest of the gang trying to leave. As they try to escape through an exit leading outside, Chris shoots two of Craig’s cronies before grabbing Tatianna and throwing her to the floor.

            “Chris I’m sorry!” Tatianna cries. “Please! Think about…”

            “I loved you!” Chris shouts.

            Chris kills her. He has four more bullets left. He sees Cole trying to run away from the school, and chases him into the tree yard in front of the school. Once he gets he gets a good shot, he uses it; hitting him in the leg. He walks up to him.

            “Yo what the hell man!” he shouts. “I ain’t do s--t to you! I ain’t beat ya a*s, Craig did!”

            Chris points the gun at him and shoots him. Chris runs back into the school from a side entrance, as police cars rush into the main driveway. Two teachers try to block him from entering, but he simply shoots them as well. He now has one bullet left. He sees Miss Applegate holding a walkie-talkie and directing people out of the school. Once their eyes meet, she tries to reason with him. However, Chris aims his gun at her.

            “Chris,” she says. “Please, don’t do this!”

            He c***s the gun and advances towards her. He backs her into a corner and she crouches, continuing to reason with Chris.

            “Why are you doing this?” she asks. “This isn’t you! The real you, the sweet and intelligent kid I taught at Edgewood Middle is still in there somewhere!”

            She begins crying, “I know you’re better than this! Don’t do this, please!”

            Tears start rolling down Chris’ face as he slowly lowered the gun; he couldn't kill the only person who has ever cared about him. He puts the gun back in his waist. He hugs Miss Applegate and begins apologizing.

            “Oh my gosh,” Chris says, panicking. “I went crazy, I lost it! What am I doing, I"“

            Hysterical, he falls to the floor and begins weeping profusely. Miss Applegate grabs Chris, and the two of them embrace each other.

            “I’m so sorry!” Chris says, crying.

            “It’s okay!” she says. “But honey, you made a bad choice. It’s time to turn yourself in.”

            “No,” Chris says. “Sorry, but I can’t do that.” As a SWAT team rushes into the building, he runs to a nearby restroom and locks the door.

            “Wait, Chris!” Miss Applegate tries to call him, to no avail.

            The SWAT officers see Miss Applegate and escort her out of the building.

            “Where is the suspect?” one of the officers asks.

            “He’s in the bathroom,” she replies. “Please don’t hurt him!”

            As the SWAT team surrounds the door outside, Chris is inside thinking of what to do. He feels awful about his actions. Even though he planned on killing himself anyway, there is definitely no way he can live with himself after doing the things he’s done. Too many people have died: His dad, Craig, Cole, Tatianna, the three teachers; now he has to die in order to make it even.

            “…But don’t be a dumbass with it. Don’t ever use it unless you have to, once you pull that trigger you can’t bring that bullet back. You understand?”

            Craig’s words from that day haunt Chris, as he holds the gun in his hand. He points the gun to his head and…

            Pulls the trigger.

The SWAT team bursts open the door, only to find Chris’ lifeless body lying in a pool of blood.

“Damn it!” one of the officers says. “Tell the ambulance to come in here! The suspect committed suicide!”

While Miss Applegate is being escorted outside by police, she is approached by news reporters who ask her questions; which she for the most part ignores. Until a reporter asked her questions, she honestly could not ignore.

“What led to the events of today?” the reporter asked.

She stops.

“I watched a student plummet into darkness,” she says, “And there was nothing I could do about it. In the twenty years I’ve been in the education field, I have to say that this is my biggest failure.

“No more questions,” one officer says. “Please, she’s had a long day.”

The End.