Fandom: Prison Break – season 1

Genre: Vignette – Angst

Summary: Micheal's thoughts when Lincoln is taken to the electric chair.

Breaking to Pieces

Keeping things bottled up inside is never a good thing, or so I've heard.

But how could I speak aloud, tell you what's on my mind. I'm standing here in the same room as you and I know this is the last time I will see you; the last time I can talk to you. And yet, no words make it past my lips.

There are so many things I'd like to tell you. How sorry I am for all this, how much I tried, how much I wanted things to be different. How much I wish I had taken this damned phone call. But we are not alone and I have to keep these thoughts to myself.

I feel tears burning my eyes and I do my best to force them back inside. I can't break, not now, not in front of you. Veronica embraces you and I know it'll soon be my turn. I fear this moment as much as I long for it. I take a few steps towards you and pass my arms around you for the last time. Waves of warmth and comfort hit me and suddenly I feel like a kid again, when life was so much easier and I thought everything was possible. The thought makes me smile for a second but then the reality bites back hard and it hurts a little more.

Linc, you've done so much for me, and I so little for you. It's because of me that you've ended up here and I- I wasn't even strong enough to get you out.

It's time to go, I know - and still, no word is said. But suddenly I feel there's no need to speak. You've read through me like you always do. And I can read in your eyes that you forgive me. But it is all to bittersweet for I know I will never forgive myself your death. One last glance, the blink of an eye and you're gone. I'm alone and my heart breaks a little more.

I would like to scream but my lungs lack of air. I would like to hit something but I'm frozen. I feel disconnected, I feel… dead. Can I break now?

Veronica is looking at me. We have to go to the other room - one last dance before the curtain falls. My feet start walking without me really wanting them to.

I'd love to be a million miles away from here, anywhere but here. And yet I seat down, right in front of you. I try to keep my bearings, steady my breath and keep the tears from falling. A few more seconds and it'll be over. Thoughts and feelings are rushing into each other and I feel like my head is about to explode. A few more seconds and it'll be done.

And then the impossible happens.

The telephone rings and the curtain falls.

My heart misses several beats and tears burn my eyes. What now? Can I break?