Through Their Eyes

PROLOGUE Somewhere out there -- while I was running through the trees with tears streaming down my face; while I was fighting for my life to get away; while my mind was practically shutting down; somewhere -- he had just gotten done announcing his surrender. The guards didn't wait long before surrounding from every side, making sure he couldn't escape; not again. His eyes were narrowed in anger, hiding all the fear that was present in his mind. His posture was that of a sergeant, straight and tall, untouchable. All emotion was hidden. He didn't budge -- on the outside -- when the guards stepped aside to let a certain guard walk through. “Michael, Michael. We meet again, now don't we?” said a familiar voice, one that would be forever etched into Mike's mind. He grit his teeth, saying nothing else but, “I suppose so” in a curt, short tone. The guard frowned, placing a hand over his heart and pouting his lip. “Is that any way to greet an old friend Michael?” the guard asked, feigning hurt. It was difficult to bite back the words any longer. “You are no friend of mine!” Mike growled angrily, turning his hands into fists. This action looked very threatening and his hands were quickly yanked together behind his back. He clenched his teeth in frustration. “Now, now. Watch your temper Michael. We wouldn't want for me to lose mine now would we?” Mike looked up at the guard who smiled evilly back at him. “Where are they?” he asked suddenly. “Who Michael?” “You know who!” Mike shouted, earning the guards to yank him back harder. The guard laughed in shock. “You really don't know? Isn't it obvious?” “I just need to know for sure,” Mike said, quieter this time. “Please.” The desperation was now clear in his voice. The guard sighed. “Let's just say, I took care of them.” All hope that was left faded. He had always known, just needed the closure. He could feel the pain, could feel the tears rising, but from all the practice that he had, he was able to hide them away. He could hide his feelings from anyone; those who he loved, including the one who he recently fell in love with. “Did you really expect any different Michael?” “From you? Of course not,” Mike replied bluntly. “Any creature as heartless as you would do the same!” The guards tightened their grip, one of them twisting his left wrist in warning. He growled under his breath, falling back against the guards who were holding him. “Please,” Mike begged, the desperation practically leaking from his tone. “If you are going to kill me, please just do it!” “Really Michael?” “The wait is more painful than the blow,” Mike said. “How poetic,” the guard chuckled. “Alright guys, let go of him. He's become ever more spineless than I remember him. He won't touch me.” “Damian,” the woman holding his right hand started. “Are you… sure?” The other guard twisted Mike's left wrist a bit further and he clenched his teeth in pain. “Yes,” Damian responded, the sly glint in his eyes shining brightly. The guards released Mike's hands, giving him an extra push and he stumbled over to the ground, his balance thrown off. Damian made a movement towards his belt and Mike closed his eyes, knowing what was coming. “And Michael?” Mike opened his eyes just in time to see the flash from the gun before he felt something pierce through his arm. He growled out loudly in pain. “You didn't think I'd let you get out of this that easily did you?” Damian asked, talking to him as if he were a kid. “Any rule that is broken deserves a punishment. If I were to let you just die then you would have it way too easy.” Mike was lying on the ground, clutching his arm, doubled over in pain. His mind was barely able to think of anything but the throbbing ache that seemed to spread throughout his entire arm. But his mind was able to process one thing, something that nobody else seemed to notice or hear. He could have sworn he heard a scream.