Chapter 12: All Caught Up

February 28th, 1993

11:45 AM

Durango, Mexico

—

John Connor's green eyes were open and staring at the noonday sun peeking from the window. He had been surprised to wake up alone, figuring out that his mother had not yet arrived from her mission the night before. John had tried to convince himself that she would be back but he was starting to grow restless and worried. He reached across the table and grabbed his burner phone, typing in his mother's digits for the third time, praying she would pick up.

When he couldn't connect to her, he slowly pulled the phone away from his face and sat back against the kitchen chair, trying to think of the next step. His mother had said she would be back early in the morning but their interpretation of early was about 4 o'clock in the morning. He had woken up at around 8 and had been waiting ever since. John's gut told him something was wrong as it slowly twisted inside him. His heart began to pound faster as he tried to think of all the possibilities and felt tears begin to burn in his eyes at the thought of her being caught, or worse, dead.

He had always believed that his mother was invincible. There was nothing that could tear her down. It was hard for John to believe that the law had somehow caught up with her. Especially since they had been careful for so many years, trying their best to learn all the skills they would need for the future. Without thinking too much of it, John rushed to his feet and dressed for the day, deciding to wear an oversized camo jacket and Public Enemy t-shirt he had gotten from Enrique Salceda when he was younger. Enrique had always said he would grow into it as time went by.

John shoved his phone, flashlight, extra set of clothes, miscellaneous electronic items, and keepsakes from his years before Durango in his backpack and threw it over his shoulder. He grabbed the keys and walked out of their small flat, locking the door behind him. John drew in a shaky breath as he watched the busy streets of Durango crowded like it always was. He walked through the crowd and down the dirt road toward the main road, hoping he could find his way to the police station.

He had left his pistol and extra ammo behind in the flat because it wasn't good for a child to carry it and if his mother was at the police station or nearby, it wouldn't be wise for him to be armed. Thoughts ran through John's head as he tried to think of how he would find her. What if she wasn't at the police station? What if she was hiding somewhere and waiting until she could come back? What if she was going to be home at the flat while he was at the police station? The latter was the last thing he wanted to happen.

John Connor's heartbeat began to quicken as he continued down the dirt road, suddenly feeling an overwhelming sense of urgency. His speed walking quickly turned into jogging which then turned to sprinting when he saw several marked police cars along with two black S.U.V.'s pulled up at the local police station. John stopped at the entrance of the parking lot and glanced around with fear. What if his mother was already gone and he was all alone in Mexico with nowhere to go?

John stepped into the parking lot and made sure his eyes were constantly moving, analyzing the situation. John's breaths began to grow shorter as he moved closer to the police station, regretting every step he was taking. His mother had always taught him to avoid the law or they would get caught and now he was turning to their biggest enemy. He didn't know all the reasons why he had to be afraid of the law but he had a feeling he was about to figure out why.

John stopped on the sidewalk and glanced all around him, feeling as if someone was watching him. His thoughts began to twist inside his mind making it difficult to think clearly. He dropped his head to the ground, placing his hands on his head as he pulled his dark brown hair, wanting to turn back. He shook his head quickly and decided to face his fear. He had to find his mother. The world was too dangerous for him to live without her. He gripped one strap of his backpack tight as he began to walk toward the glass doors.

As John came around the corner, he gasped and hid behind the wall again, trying to fight the tears that were filling his eyes. An African American man and Latina woman were leading his mother out of the police station and toward one of the S.U.V.s. Without thinking much of it, John ran out from behind the building, running to catch up to them. His heart sank as he watched them begin to step into the van. John shouted desperately with tears on his cheek.

"MOM!"

His mother's wide blue eyes locked onto his and the Latina woman stepped forward, stopping him from getting closer to her. His breaths fell heavy as he looked between the two agents and his mother. He shook his head quickly with disbelief, wishing none of this was real. A single tear fell down his mother's cheek as she looked at him with sadness and love.

"John?"

"Mom…"

The African American man glanced between Sarah and the small boy before he turned to his partner.

"Well, that was quick."

The Latina woman nodded slowly, releasing John and letting him run to his mother's side.

"You promised me, mom. You promised!"

"I'm sorry, John."

John turned on his heels to face the two agents standing behind him, his voice choking with anger and fear.

"You can't do this. You… you… you can't take her!"

"John, look at me."

John turned back to his mother with wide eyes, recognizing her defeated demeanor.

"I'm not leaving without you, mom. We're a team. We work together."

"Listen to me, John. Everything's going to be different now."

The Latina woman placed a hand on John's shoulder, motioning for him to step inside the van. John hesitated to do so but knew that he didn't want to be separated from his mother. John gripped his backpack and stepped inside the van, sitting down next to his mother, resting his head on her shoulder as he began to cry. They had done it… the cops had finally caught up to them. It was a day John wasn't expecting so soon, especially on his 8th birthday.

John gripped his mother's arm and whispered softly.

"What's going to happen to us, mom?"

"I don't know."

"We could get out again. We always do."

"Not this time."

John drew away slowly with a confused expression.

"What do you mean?"

Sarah's blue eyes locked onto her son's as she spoke softly.

"We can't run from them anymore. They… they're going to question us, John, and you have to tell them the truth. You have to tell them everything. You have to warn them about the machines no matter what happens to me."

Sarah stopped and glanced up at Detective Ellison and another agent in front of them, knowing Detective Flores was behind them. She leaned forward, kissing John's head softly.

"You're going to get the chance to live a normal life now and you need to learn all you can about it. You need to learn to understand people; what drives them to do what they do, and what they rely on. I need you to do that."

"I'm not leaving you, mom."

"You'll have to and that will be okay. They're going to try and make you believe I'm crazy but don't let them in for a second. Remember our rules and I'll be with you soon. Fight like hell, John. Fight like hell could show up at any second."

John held onto his mother's arm tighter as he whispered.

"I love you, mom."

"I love you too. Be strong for me. And remember… that no matter what, the future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves."

Sarah rested her head on her son's and tried to breathe in her last few moments with him before she knew they would be separated. She wasn't sure how long or how far away they would be from one another but she would always come back and find him just like he had found her. They both knew that there was nothing that could ever keep them apart and Sarah wished John would cling onto the belief until she would get out. It would be a while but she had faith in her son.