Chapter 1 – M.I.A
"Sam… I'll see what I can do"
Michael gave him a comforting smile, nodding. He had asked Michael to help out with another friend of his, Once again. Michael could never say "No". He knew Sam would never do so to him. It wasn't the fact he felt he had to help him either. He wanted to and at times needed to. He never looked down on Sam for asking for his help; he knew Sam could possibly do it himself; at times he began to wonder if Sam asked just to be with him at times. Who really knew what his motives were at times. Sam hid his deep feelings with Michael, just like Michael tried to with him. They could see right through each other most of the times, but left the words trapped inside. They didn't need to express them; they knew their friendship was strong, like Brothers. Every time Sam would call Michael "brother" in a sentence, or randomly throwing it in instead of his usual nicknames for Michael. He knew he meant it; it wasn't just a name to him. It had meanings, very strong meanings. Sam would give his life for him. It was the same for Michael for him, but he never showed it.
Sam returned Michael's smile with a large grin. Turning his back to him and heading out the door. Calling out over his shoulder, raising his arms and waving out to him.
"Thanks Mikey… "
The door is slammed shut. Leaving Michael to his thoughts.
…..
"Mike, give me a call back"
Sam vexed ending the call. He shoved his phone back into his pocket as he bellicosely opened up Michael's door to the Loft. Moving inside; he looked around for an ephemeral check, but he found Fi lying on Michael's bed. Lazing about and sighing out loud; she darted up and glanced straight to the door..
"Oh.. It's you… I was hoping it'd be Michael…"
She scoffed. Raising an eyebrow at him. Rolling over and grunting loudly. Showing just how exasperated she was that it was in fact him that walked into the Loft. Sam rolled his eyes at her as she flopped back into Michael's bed and gave out a long dried out sigh. Ignoring him.
"Waiting on Michael?"
He roughly asked, digging his head into the fridge grabbing a beer. Leaning out he took a brief look at her, she just laid there in her own world. Her mind elsewhere. Even though he knew she was, he cooked up a conversation with her to avoid any awkward silences or still air. She shook her head at Sam, who else would she be waiting for? She jumped off the bed and headed over to the work bench. Leaning over it she eyed Sam deceitfully…
"Who else would I be waiting on?"
Shrugging her shoulders, a hint of a smile across her lips. She watched Sam for a moment, she noticed a hint of concern crossing his face as he sipped his beer; small sips.. He was barely touching it. Something was wrong. Not only that; he didn't have a comeback…
"What's on your mind, Sam?"
She rested her elbows on the bench, her hands clasped together under her chin holding her face upright. Waiting him carefully. He looked at her for a moment; his eyes drew back to his bottle.
He knew Fi had an idea that something was troubling him. Exhaling loudly he placed his bottle down and gave her a puzzled look.
"I've been trying to reach Michael for around two hours now –
He was interrupted instantly by Fi scoffing and grunting…
"Oh so I'm not the only one who he's ignoring then?"
She growled at Sam before taking her phone in the hands and dialling Michael's number. Shortly after, she slammed her phone on the bench, grunting and turning away from Sam. Pissed off.
"Message bank…"
Obviously she has had the same response more than once. She took a look at Sam, a sense of guilt rushed over his face. She could see he was beating himself up about something related to Michael's disappearance. She scoffed and had to ask, but he looked at her carefully,
"I asked Mike to meet up with an old friend of mine at The Carlito's … for a job"
She listened. Raising an eyebrow before placing her hands on her hips and studying him carefully..
"When was this?"
She asked softly. This wasn't his fault.. yet… as far as she was concerned. Although she could still see the rush of guilt and fear clouding over him, fast.
"Two hours ago"
He bluntly replied. He had been trying to reach him to see how the meeting went with his friend. He was concerned and curious, but now he was just worried. His mind racing, uncertain of his choice to get Michael involved. Roughly running his hand through his hair, restless.
"… This friend, do you trust him?"
She cocked an eyebrow, she started to feel the vibe. She began to wonder where he was, why he wasn't answering his phone.. Before he could reply, the loud screech and bang of Michaels' door is reverberated through the loft. Drawing Sam and Fi's attention. Looking over to see Madeline bursting in. Screaming as she scanned the room, finding Michael missing at the scene.
"Where is Michael?"
She yelled at them, starting for them. A lit cigarette in one hand dangling from her fingers. She cocked her eyebrow at Sam; the almost full beer startled her immediately. She could see the utter concern written all over his face. Fi too… she studied them for a moment. She was distraught herself; looking down at the work bench for a moment. Fi noticed and stepped closer to Madeline, somewhat comforting her, she didn't know why she was. But she felt she needed it.
"I need to speak with him, we had an argument last night… and … I feel terrible!"
Madeline shook her head, her voice somewhat shook with her. She was distraught of their argument. She felt she was wrong and worded her sentences wrong to him that he got the wrong idea. They both left it hard headed and angry. She felt it was all her fault.. But at the same time, he didn't listen to her as usual.. and it angered her..
Fi cleared her throat and turned to Sam, searching and waiting for her answer. Clearing her throat, she lowered her voice…
"Well Sam?"
She reminded him quickly of her query. Curious and determined to know exactly what and who this person was. Sam licked his lips, his hand rested on the bottle before him. He still hadn't taken anymore sips. So Hesitant and uncertain. They all could have been restless about nothing; but there was a burning feeling inside that something wasn't right, something was wrong.. very wrong.
"Her? Yeah we go way back…"
He looked at her; he knew his response wasn't going to fix her concerns whatsoever. He wasn't going to lie about it either. Nothing he could have made up or said would fix any of their thoughts and anxieties.
"How many times have you used that line to describe an old friend of yours, Sam?"
She sighed deeply; not convinced anymore. She turned to Madeline who watched them closely and quietly. Her hands rested on her hips, a puzzled look upon her face.
"How about you give her a call?"
Nodding, Sam dug into his pant pockets to receive his cell phone. Dialling his friend's number. He growled loudly as he again received a message bank, frustrated even more he spat and slid his phone across the work bench. Both contacts were out of reach. This was becoming extremely odd to him; both of them never missed a call and always got back to him.
"I'm going to go down to the Carlito's and see if anyone had seen him"
Sam growled before storming out, heading towards the door in a frantic rush. He was filled with so much guilt and adrenaline; he couldn't shake this horrible feeling off. It was glued to him, sticking to him. He hated it.. He knew something was wrong, very wrong and he wasn't sure what he could do.
Fi and Madeline tailed Sam and rushed out of Michael's loft, right behind Sam.. Wanting to speak to Michael for their own personal reasons.
….
Madeline, Fi and Sam split up and roamed the Carlito's grounds. Fi asked the waitresses and cooks who knew of Michael and had seen him more than once. Sam did the same and asked regulars who shook their heads in response of seeing him. Sam dashed around and almost asked everyone… his eyes darting around the tables, looking at every person who remotely resembled Michael or his lady friend. Fi aggressively jumped from corner to corner, even sneaking into the male's bathroom. She came back out and scouted the outside.. Like Sam; she narrowed her eyes on everyone who had any resemblance to Michael.. She wanted to punch him if he had his phone off and flirting with this lady friend of Sam's… She hated the thought; but at the same time wanted it to be just that… just to spite him.
Her eyes narrowed the roads until she spotted Michael's charger, parked just out on the side close by. She darted for it instantly, running towards it. She searched it, looking for any evidence of where he could have gone or who he was with. Grunting out loud, she threw her hands about and rested against the driver's side door. She wanted to scream of frustration… How sloppy was Michael being!
Sam and Madeline closely turned up at Michael's abandoned car. Madeline took out a fresh cigarette and lit it instantly after stopping next to Fi..
"So I take it, he's not here?"
She eyed the black beauty before her, taking a close look at it before taking a large puff of her cigarette. Exhaling loudly, a large puff of smoke escaping her lips. She held in her concerns and tried to think logically and positively. As did Fi and Sam.. There must be a simple explanation for this.
"Where is…. Michael?"
Author's Note:
Dreams are amazing, guess where this fic came from? This will be a short fic. Not near as long as "Carry Me" in which I am taking a break from; since my last chapter hadn't had much feedback at all (to those who had, I thank you intensely)…. We'll see if I continue this one; depends on the feedback R&R. So please, keep them up and let me know if you're interested in where this is headed and want more etc. Please.. They are what keep me writing, if I get none… I don't get any inspiration or motivation to write, at all. It may be rusty at the moment and I apologize, I'll patch it up next chapter – if there will be one.
