'Defying the Odds' - Michael Scofield x Reader // Prison Break Fanfiction

Chapter Twelve

The prison yard was buzzing with the usual activity, but Y/N felt out of place, her mind swirling with guilt. She was supposed to be doing PI work in the yard. But all she could think about was Dr. Remington. The weight of her manipulation pressed down on her, crushing her insides. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to push the thoughts away when she noticed Michael approaching.

"Did you do it?" Michael's voice was low, a sharp edge of urgency. "Did you tell Remington about the plan?"

Y/N glanced at him, guilt seeping into her expression. She wanted to lie, to protect herself, but her heart was heavier than it had ever been. She sighed, her voice weak. "I don't know. He slammed the door in my face."

She turned, walking away from Michael as the doubt and regret washed over her. This was supposed to be her fresh start, a way to escape everything – the mob, Sebastian, her old life and murders. Instead, she felt she was back to her old habits, pulling strings, manipulating people, and causing harm...she might as well murder someone and write her note in lipstick.

Michael caught up with her again, sensing her turmoil. "Y/N, what's going on? Talk to me."

She stopped, biting her lip as she looked at him, tears threatening to surface. "I promised myself...I promised myself I wouldn't manipulate or play with an innocent man's emotions," she whispered, her voice shaking. "I swore to the courts that I would never twist the truth to get what I want or harm another person. I told myself I would never hurt anyone ever again."

Michael frowned, confusion clouding his features. "You didn't hurt anyone. What are you talking about?"

Y/N met his eyes, the sadness in hers pulling her further into her guilt. "I didn't hurt him physically, Michael. But emotionally...I did. Mentally...I did. I used Remington. I toyed with his feelings, and made him think I cared more than I did, all so we could get into the infirmary. He trusted me, and I shattered that trust."

The realisation hit Michael as he absorbed her words. He could see how torn she was. This wasn't the same woman who had fought to survive in prison. She was grappling with her own morality, with the lines she'd crossed.

"Y/N," he said gently, stepping closer. "You did what you had to do. This is life or death. You can't let the guilt eat you alive. We all make sacrifices in here."

"I know," she whispered, but the weight of her actions still sat heavily on her chest. "But it feels like I'm just falling back into the person I was...the one who ruined lives for survival. I don't want to be that person anymore."

Michael's eyes softened, and he took her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. "You're not that person, Y/N. You're doing this to survive, yes, but also to save an innocent man and yourself. You're not manipulating for power or money; you're trying to get free."

She nodded slowly, though the guilt lingered. "I just...I don't want to hurt anyone else."

Michael gave her a small, reassuring smile. "We'll make it out of here, and then you can start fresh. No more manipulation. No more lies. Just freedom."

Y/N looked up at him, the conflict in her heart still present but slightly eased by his words. She nodded again, though a part of her wondered if she could truly escape the person she once was or would become if she kept going down this path.

-

They were in the locker room. Y/N was sitting down, glancing over at her nails before wishing to have some hand cream. The extraneous labour work took a toll on her soft hands. Michael came in and said, "Put your blues on over your PI gear."