Hey guys! So I know there was some confusion in the last chapter. I said Sara couldn't leave Panama even if her name was cleared because Michael was buried there, but I meant that his tombstone was there. Since Sara had to leave Michael behind in order to get out of the prison, it would have been impossible for her to retrieve his body and give him a proper burial. I've made some changes to the previous chapter to clear this up. Sorry about that!
Chapter 4: Time to Think
"So what do you say," Jeremy repeated for the second time that day, "partners?" Michael's response included a whole lot of silence. He sat there and stared blankly at Jeremy. How in the world was he supposed to work for the Company; the very same people who destroyed his and his entire family's life? But if he didn't do as they asked, he knew the consequences would be unbearable. He knew there was no choice to be made, but Jeremy didn't know that. I just need to stall him until I can figure out how to get myself out of this. That way, everybody wins, Michael thought.
"Listen Jeremy," Michael began, "this is a big decision. You can't honestly expect to decide something this big in only a matter of minutes, can you? I need some time to think, and being the understanding man that I know you are, I assume you will happily give me said time," Michael smartly finished. "After considering my options thoroughly I will get back to you with my answer. I hope this is okay with you."
Jeremy stared blankly at Michael. He said nothing for what felt like an eternity. Michael became a little bit nervous, afraid that his demands had been too far-fetched and Jeremy was about to make a call to certain guards in Panama that would shatter Michael's whole world. Michael imagined the worst possible fates for his loved ones, and when he couldn't bear to think of the possible tragic outcomes, he knew he needed to take back his previous statements and lessen his demands.
Just as Michael was about to make the deal, Jeremy finally spoke. "I understand your need for time with these kinds of serious, life altering decisions. However, know that if you refuse, we will let you go, but only to watch us kill each one of your family members one by one, before finally killing you. However I do understand your need for time, and will therefore give it to you. Yes Michael, take all the time that you need," Jeremy finished with a knowing smirk. It was almost as if he knew Michael would accept the deal considering the new circumstances.
There was so much at stake surrounding one decision. Michael knew that the choice was already made for him, but he couldn't accept it. He would rather die than work for the Company, but he knew that if he tried anything, his family would be as good as dead. He couldn't risk that. No, he knew his answer. As unwilling as he was to accepting his new fate, he knew that he had to for the sake of his family. He hoped that one day, he could see his family again, or at least know and take joy in the fact that they had finally found peace and happiness. And although he missed Sara terribly, he wasn't worried about her fate. He knew Lincoln was taking great care of her and their child. My gosh, he thought. His child will be born any day, and he had no way of knowing when or if Sara and his child were healthy. This was the worst thought of all. He would never know his child.
As Michael thought of all the possible outcomes of his current situation, he knew that there had to be a way out of this mess. He grew more and more exhausted. It had been an eventful day, and he had been awake for just a few hours. Even though he had just woken up from sleeping for seven months, he felt like he hadn't slept in years. He returned to his cot, and decided to get some rest. He would need a clear head if he wanted to figure out a way to get himself out of this. With thoughts of Sara, his unborn child, Lincoln, LJ, and even Sofia on his mind, Michael finally drifted off to an anything but peaceful sleep.
Sorry it's such a short chapter, but it's meant to be a filler more than anything else. Hope I still have a few readers out there. Let me know! :)