The Overdue Escape

Chapter I: An Unexpected Surprise

It all began with a knock on the door and a plain white envelope...

"Michael, I think someone's at the door." Sara yelled from the bedroom, dressed in a robe and towel drying her hair. Michael stepped out of the bathroom, holding a wrench, looking incredibly frustrated, with water dripping off his nose and down his shirt. Sara couldn't help but laugh slightly to herself, which didn't go unnoticed by Michael.

"Plumbing in old houses can be difficult. It's as if the pipes refuse to give up." Michael said as he walked by Sara grabbing the towel she was using to dry her hair, causing her to laugh louder.

"I hope you enjoyed your shower, because if I don't get this plumbing fixed, it may be days before you get another one." He threw her a wink before he walked out of the bedroom.

Drying his hands on the towel Sara was just using on her hair, Michael heard another knock at the door. As he approached the door, Michael could see a green delivery van parked in front of the house and it's driver standing on their front porch. The driver had his back turned away from the door and his eyes focused on the van. Michael could not see his face, which set off precautionary alarm bells inside his head as his first thought was Sara and keeping her safe.

"Can I help you?" Michael said a little more aggressively than necessary. The sound of Michael's voice caused the driver to snap out of his daze and turn around quickly. "Phil", as the man's name tag read, was an unfamiliar young man not much taller than Michael. He had short dark hair and was dressed professionally in his delivery outfit of a green shirt, khaki pants, and a baseball hat. Michael studied the man thoroughly, and tried to determine quickly if he was a legitimate courier service employee or if he was "Company".

Before Michael could make his final determination, Phil spoke, "I have a delivery for Michael Scofield." Michael just stood there with his arms crossed. "Are you Michael Scofield?" Phil followed up louder, speaking as if Michael couldn't hear him or didn't understand.

The way Phil asked "Are you Michael Scofield?", sent chills up Michael's spine. In that moment he was back in Chicago being confronted by police about his identity, while talking to Bruce Bennett on a pay phone about Sara.

Michael was unsure how to answer. He and Sara were trying to start a new life together without any interference from the past. They just wanted a fresh start and to be left alone to live their lives. Michael tried to remain calm, but the past came flooding in.

"Yes, I'm Michael Scofield."

Phil then handed Michael the envelope and said "Sign here, please". Michael grabbed the pen cautiously and began to sign his name, mentally wondering if he was making a huge mistake.

When Michael finished signing he handed over the clipboard. Phil said, "Thank you, have a nice day," and left quickly taking his van with him. The whole thing was over within a matter of minutes, but Michael's uneasiness continued to eat at him as he shut the screen door.

Sara came up behind Michael and put her arms around his waist and her chin on his shoulder. To ease his apprehension, she gave him a gentle squeeze.

"What was that all about?" Sara asked, looking at the large envelope in Michael's hand.

"It's a registered letter, with a signature confirmation. I guess someone wants our attention." Michael said as he started to tear open the outer package in which a smaller letter was contained.

"Does it say who it's from?" Sara asked as she continued to hold onto Michael's waist.

"I'm not sure," Michael said as he studied the nondescript small envelope in his hands. The letter was in your usual run of the mill envelope, plain white and business sized, nothing special. Michael and Sara's names were typed in a beautiful font across the front, attention grabbing for sure and made Michael smile. But the font seemed a little too sophisticated for such a mundane envelope. Uneasiness continued to creep into Michael.

Upon further examination, Michael realized there was not a return address on the envelope. Bottom line, someone had found out their identity and location leaving Michael's skepticism solidified. Michael was heading down a slippery slope as he imagined running, endless running, sleepless nights and burner phones all over again. It was too much.

"Michael, does it say who the letter is from?" Sara asked again as if reading Michael's anxious thoughts. She unconsciously removed her hands from around Michael's waist and began rubbing soothing circles on his back as if to ground both of them back down to earth.

"This can't be happening again," Michael said silently as his thoughts were spiraling. Both he and Sara had been exonerated of their crimes and were given immunity if further testimony was needed against The Company. They were promised that if they both kept their noses clean they would be left alone. Michael stepped away from Sara and slowly started to pace with his hands on his hips.

Michael's pacing was not lost on Sara as she knew that he was thinking and processing. She had seen him do this in front of the wipe board when they were staying in the warehouse while in California. When Michael was like this, it was best to just give him some space.

As Sara moved toward the couch next to the wall, she saw Michael turn the small envelope over.

Immediately, Michael stopped pacing and brought his hand to the bridge of his forehead and started to rub his fingers back and forth. Now, THAT gesture did alarm Sara as she went to his side and led him to the couch.

"Michael are you alright?" Sara said with her voice full of concern, helping Michael to sit down.

No answer...

"Michael please answer me." Sara repeated.

Michael looked up at Sara with his intense blue eyes and lifted the letter up between his first finger and thumb and showed the back of it to Sara. Hand written on the back flap of the envelope, was a message that said, "Don't come home for dinner." Sara looked confused.

"I know who sent this letter." Michael said as he stood up from the couch and walked several steps.

After taking a deep breath, Michael exhaled slowly, turned around towards Sara and whispered, "It was Lincoln."

To Be Continued. . .