Chapter Ten
He scanned the area with panic-stricken eyes. Heart beating rapidly, he began to jog towards the motel. Michael's strides grew longer and faster. He ran past the front room, not seeing her there. Pausing at the side of the motel, he heard light crying and he immediately looked behind the motel. He ran and saw Sara, hands over her face, crying. The image tore at him sharply. Fighting back tears, he tried to calm her down along with himself.
"Sara, I had no idea," he said quietly, slowly reaching one hand out to Sara. Her crying simmered down and she put her hands down to look at Michael. "Honestly, I'd never intentionally hurt you. I … I'm sorry for being an idiot!"
"Michael…" she cried out silently. He looked at her as she came up and hugged him. They stood there for a moment, tears seeping through their eyes, clutching each other tightly as if they never wanted to let go.
"I hate seeing you like this, it tears me apart. I love you, Sara," he whispered. Her grip on him tightened. He waited for her reply, but decided that her silence and grip around him was proof enough – she needed him, and he needed her.
After a few moments, Sara spoke.
"I don't know if I can go with you," she said to him. "I don't think I can ever forgive Paul for what he did to me."
"He knows he can't lay a finger on you without dealing with me first. I'll make sure he doesn't ever hurt you again. I don't want you to be alone in this, and I know you don't." Sara took a few seconds to take his words in, then nodded. They let go of each other and walked around the building and looked toward Paul's car. Paul was sitting in the driver's seat with the door open, a rag on his left cheek, talking to Lincoln.
"I suppose I should apologize to Paul," Michael said.
"That would probably be best," she said to him. They began their walk to the car.