Michael's life hangs by a thread after a brutal attack. Can Sara find him before it's too late?
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Prison Break. This was written purely for enjoyment purposes.
Broken Wings
Chapter 1
Michael gazed out the window into the passing town of Gila, New Mexico. He rested his right arm on the door of the passenger seat, as his eyes scanned the various stores and street signs in the late evening light. Face lined with the sadness, yet hope for making it across the border in the next day, he couldn't help but feel the immense guilt of having involved so many that weren't supposed to be. Most of which he was sorry for was Sara. She would never forgive him after what he'd caused her to go through and he knew that she had every right to turn her back on him and walk away.
Noticing his face brooding with concentrated thought, Sara let her eyes drift from the road ahead and fall upon the face of Michael Scofield. Entranced in his own tortured thoughts, he didn't see her turn to look in his direction. Shifting to look at her watch, she read the hands point to 8:00. They'd made it without incident to their destination, and for that she was grateful.
There was a silence in the air that refused to lift. She was lost and confused, resorting to the one comfort she knew in her heart would be there for her, yet truly knew little about. He was pained with the knowledge of what his very actions had produced and was facing the fact that he had destroyed every aspect of the life of the one he loved more than anything. Lost souls in an angry world, neither could look at the other without a longing to comfort them from the shattered walls of their broken world. With this however, came a sense of distance that could only result from the still raw feelings that lingered from previous events that now shaped the exterior of their fragile relationship.
"Sara," spoke Michael, eyes fixed on the set of unfolded paper cranes he'd been reading over as they drove. Those simple fixtures had brought them back together after a series of obstacles generated from the escape.
"Yeah," replied Sara, momentarily turning to capture a glimpse of his solemn eyes fixed to the ground.
"I'm sorry," Michael whispered. "For everything I've caused you to go through. It wasn't supposed to happen this way, and I'm truly sorry that you had to be involved like this." Pausing to focus on Sara's unmoving face watching the road before her, he took a breath. "It means a lot to me that you came. I know it hasn't been easy for you, but know that I'm here and I won't leave again. I promise."
Blinking back the moist threatening to glaze over her green eyes, she continued concentrating on the road before her.
"Just a few more blocks and we're there," said Sara a couple minutes later in a barely audible voice. She pressed her foot to the brakes and the car slowed to a stop at a stop sign.
"We haven't eaten all day," said Michael softly. "There should still be some restaurants open at this hour."
"As much as I would love grab a bite to eat Michael, we should keep a low profile, especially right now. We're spending the night here and it's probably best we don't risk having someone on our tail at this hour."
"Let me go grab us something," said Michael. "We're only a little ways away from the motel anyway. I have my hat and shades, plus with the darkness it's unlikely that I'll be recognized. It's the least I can do."
Knowing in her heart that Michael was an expert at being careful of concealing his identity, she did not doubt his ability to stay low and be invisible. She couldn't help but shake the hollow sensation she felt in her gut at the idea of separating from him though.
With a gentle sigh, she stopped the car. "I can wait here with the car, it'll be safer this way anyway," she said.
Michael fixed his eyes on hers as he gingerly took her hand in his. "I want to bring something for you. It can be like we're really dining out. I'll pick up something good and bring it back as a surprise. Go back to the motel and relax. I'll be fine, I want to do this for you Sara, plus the walk will help take my mind off things."
Entwining her fingers in his, she hesitated and then gently squeezed his hand once before letting go. "Keep your cell on just in case. Please be careful Michael."
With one last gaze toward her, Michael eased open his door and stepped out into the cool, clean air. She turned her eyes back to lay on the road before her as the door closed behind Michael and pushing down on the gas, sped off toward the motel with a grim feeling of doom still declining to let go of her tormented heart.
Michael surveyed the street before him that was engulfed in night's embrace. It was deserted at that end of town, and though Michael was grateful for the lack of wondering eyes he'd have to shield himself from, it still contributed to an eerie atmosphere around the area. He could make out a faint glow of the neon lights of a mini-mart open up ahead, but he was looking for something more. While they were driving in, he'd spotted a small café just a block or two away from where he was then. Remembering it's homely and warm look, he knew it would be a decent place to pick up a good meal to share with Sara, plus being one of the few restaurants in that end of town, it was certain to still be open at that hour. Heading back towards the way they came, Michael walked slowly along the silent, barren sidewalk.
A while later as Michael turned a corner, he wondered what Sara was doing back at the motel. He hoped she wouldn't worry that he'd taken extra time for an extended walk in the peaceful night. A part of him wanted to get back to her and never leave her side, but he knew he needed to give her distance. After all, she realized he was a fugitive and that it was a dangerous game being played with high stakes. The truth was that he wanted nothing more in the world than to be with her, but the chance of her ever rejecting him now was one too big that he was willing to take. He felt that if he got too close, she might repel, especially following the traumatic events of the past few weeks.
Michael finally spotted the tiny café ahead, it lights glowing like a soft candle in the distance. Adjusting his cap to fall over his eyes, he studied his surroundings once again. He'd walked a couple blocks from where Sara had dropped him off and was now further from the motel.
Suddenly becoming eager to return to Sara with the promised meal, he hurried in the direction of the café when he thought he heard the faint sounds of footsteps behind him. Quickening his pace, he casually bent his head to sneak a glimpse behind him. Nothing. Shaking off his suspicions, he rubbed his tired head as he headed to pass by an alley ahead.
Michael never saw the hooded attacker creeping out from the shadows behind him, nor did he hear the sound of a briefcase buckle snap open and a hand reach in to retrieve a rusted dagger. As the attacker swiftly bolted forward, Michael instinctively arched his neck backward to face the impending assailant, only to be met with sharp blow on the side of his forehead. His body crashed to the pavement from the force and he was plunged into darkness.
The attacker observed the unmoving form of his prey now lying unconscious in a fallen heap before him. As Michael bled freely from the wound on the side of his head, his blood stained the pavement and the predator's face twisted into a cruel grin.
Author's Note: And there you have the first chapter! This is my very first fic, so I hope it wasn't too painful! Should I continue? Reviews are greatly appreciated!