Michael and Jesse kicked down the decrepit wooden door with a thunderous crash, their guns drawn and adrenaline surging. Maddie was tucked safely behind Michael, as the group entered the dimly lit room. What greeted them was shocking. Sam and Fi, bruised and bloodied, were cuddled up together on a bed. Fi was wrapped tightly around Sam's waist, both of them huddled together in blankets with obviously no clothes on beneath. They looked disoriented but alive, clinging to each other like their lives depended on it.
"Sam! Fi!" Michael's voice broke through the heavy silence as he rushed forward, holstering his gun.
"Bout time Mikey." Sam whispered, running his hand through Fi's hair.
Michael noticed the far off look Fi gave him. He went to pick her up, and she flinched, curling into Sam more. Michael looked up at Sam.
"They did a number on her, made me watch. When they were done, they practically threw her at me, and forced me to…She's been like this since."
Michael nodded, keeping his voice calm and steady,
"How should we get her out of here then? You can't carry her."
Sam looked down at Fi, his hand brushing soothingly over her hair. Her trembling hadn't stopped, her grip on him unrelenting. He leaned down, his lips close to her ear,
"Michael, Jesse, and Maddie are here. We're getting you out of here."
For the first time, Fi seemed to register Michael's presence. Her teary, unfocused eyes glanced up at him, but the fear in them remained.
"Hey, it's okay . We're here to help you. I'm going to carry you out, okay? Sam will be right behind us."
Fi's grip on Sam tightened, her whole body trembling. She buried her face in his chest. Sam, despite Michael being right there, kissed her forehead.
"Let him carry you to the car, I'm right behind you." Fi nodded, leaning into the kiss.
Michael moved with slow precision, wrapping her securely in his arms, his heart breaking at how small and fragile she felt.
"I've got you," he murmured as he stood, his voice as soothing as he could make it.
Fi nodded, letting Michael pick her up, as Jesse and Maddie got Sam up and out to the car. Once in the car, Michael settled Fi in the back seat, and she immediately reached for Sam as he climbed in beside her. Her trembling hands found his, and she pulled him close, burying her face in his chest again. Michael's chest tightened as he slid into the driver's seat, glancing at the two of them in the rearview mirror. Fi hadn't even looked at him since they left. Maddie was also watching, and she whispered as they started toward the hospital,
"Sam's holding her together right now, Michael. Don't take it personally. She's been through hell, and he's her lifeline."
Michael's knuckles whitened on the steering wheel as he continued driving.
"I'm not taking it personally," he said, though the ache in his chest told him otherwise.