innocent // prison break

9. Near death

R O S A

I stood against the wall by the large window, watching Michael and Lincoln talk about Lincoln's son, LJ, who is now a teenager.

As they talked about how many times Lincoln made blueberry pancakes for LJ, the warden came in, telling us it was time.

They didn't cuff any of us, knowing none of us would cause any trouble, since we never really have.

We followed Lincoln out of the room, two CO's in front of us along with the warren.

Michael found my hand quickly, squeezing it.

I looked up at him to see his eyes already starting to swell with tears, and I couldn't help but fall for him, seeing this venerable side of this criminal.

The walked seemed long but not long enough, I don't think any walk could've been long enough to prepare yourself with such heartache and loss.

We stopped as the Warden told us that this was as far as we could go, so it was time for goodbyes.

The attorney went first, who happened to be Lincoln's ex girlfriend, Veronica Donavan, who confessed that she still loved him, right before he's about to die.

I squeezed Michael's hand as I wiped under my eyes, watching the two hug tightly.

I let go and hugged Lincoln for a minute, "I'm so sorry." I whispered before we broke apart, he gave me a small smile.

I backed away, giving the two brothers a minute.

I wish they could've escaped, even if it meant that I rotted away in my cell, I wish they could've run away.

They hugged tightly, both of them breaking down a little bit.

I didn't know Lincoln as well as Veronica or Michael, but the times I've talked to him, he seemed like such a nice, genuine guy.

I heard Michael repeatedly apologize, but Lincoln just smiled as he held his little brothers head, they hugged one last time before we were separated from him.

Michael stood there for a second, his hands shook as he placed one of them on his forehead before he turned towards me.

He walked over, his lip trembled as he hid his face in the crook of my neck.

I held him as tightly as I could.

We were taken to the viewing room, Michael held my hand tightly, our fingers interlocked.

Veronica sat down but Michael wanted to stay standing, so I stood beside him.

Lincoln was brought out, he was placed in leather and wood chair, they started tying him down, his feet, his hands, arms, even his forehead.

They strapped a wet sponge to his head, he jumped as he breathed raggedly, we couldn't hear him but we could see it all up close.

They covered his face with a black cloth bag.

Michael rubbed his face, getting antsy before he suddenly stepped in front of me.

"I-I can't watch." He whispered.

I placed my hands on his face as he looked down at me, he lightly held my arms.

"Don't look, okay, I'll watch." I breathed shallowly because I felt light headed just thinking about witnessing someone's death.

Suddenly the curtains closed and my breath hitched, Michael looked at me with worry.

"What's going on?" I turned towards Veronica, she stood up, slowly shaking her head because she had no idea either.

Michael's hand held my waist as he saw the black curtain covering the whole sleet of glass.

A CO came into the small room and told us that the warden wanted to speak with us.

Michael pulled me along, a glimmer of hope keeping his hopes high.

We got in there and waited for a few minutes, Michael paced as we all stayed quiet.

None of us had any idea what was happening.

The door opened and we all stopped with our nervous habits, Lincoln walked in before the Warden followed him in.

Michael nearly cried at the sight of his brother.

They hugged again, Lincoln was still partially in shock from being so close to death.

We all asked questions about why his sentence was pushed back, but the warden didn't have many answers.

There was some new evidence, so his death was delayed at the time, which was good.

After only a few minutes of being reunited, we had to return to C-Block.

Michael seemed quiet as we walked back, he was probably already planning their escape, again.

I went straight into my cell, not saying a word to Michael.