Escape from Destiny: I am Michael Scofield

Fox River wasn't just a prison. It was an ecosystem.

Within these walls, information was power. Alliances were made and broken in a matter of seconds. One wrong look could mean a death sentence.

If I wanted to escape, it wasn't enough to just have a plan. I needed to control the game.

And for that, it was time to move more pieces on the board.

---

The First Real Threat: Bellick Is Hot On His Tail

Bellick was never a smart man, but he had something that made him dangerous: an instinct for finding trouble.

And I was a problem.

Ever since our last conversation, he had been keeping an eye on me. I noticed his glances, the way he passed by my cell more often, trying to catch me doing something suspicious.

I needed to divert him.

And the best way to do this?

Create a distraction.

In the series, Michael never tried to divert Bellick ahead of time, but now I knew that this could facilitate my plan.

My target? C-Note.

---

Bringing C-Note to the Game

Franklin "C-Note" was a man who trusted no one. He was in Fox River for drug dealing, despite his past as a soldier in Iraq.

In the series, he discovered the escape and joined the group on his own, but this time I wanted him to join on my own initiative.

The opportunity came during lunch.

He sat with his gang, exchanging suspicious glances with the Aryans across the cafeteria. The tension was palpable.

I picked up my tray and walked over.

"I need to talk to you."

The C-Note gang members glared at me, but he raised his hand, signaling for them to let me speak.

"What does a guy like you want with me, Scofield?"

I smiled slightly.

"I have information."

He narrowed his eyes.

"What kind of information?"

"About Bellick."

C-Note frowned, but was now interested.

"Why the hell would I help you with that?"

I leaned forward a little.

"Because I know you want to get rid of him as much as I do."

Silence.

C-Note was smart. He knew that as head of the guards, Bellick always tried to keep everyone under his control, especially those who had influence within the prison.

And C-Note hated it.

"I'm listening," he said finally.

"Bellick has a gambling addiction," I began. "What if he had a little… financial problem?"

C-Note's eyes lit up.

"You want to screw Bellick?" He chuckled softly. "I like that."

I knew that outside the prison, C-Note still had contacts who could falsify debts or spread the right rumors among the guards. If Bellick started to feel financial pressure, he would be distracted, leaving room for me to move forward with the plan.

And the best part? I wouldn't even have to get my hands dirty.

C-Note smiled and held out his hand.

"Deal."

New Alliance Formed: C-Note now sees you as a possible ally.

"By the way, I hear you're the local pharmacist. Can you also get me some Pugnac? It's an insulin blocker, the kind of medicine you can find in any pharmacy."

C-Note snorted.

"Just pick it up at the infirmary, snowflake."

I smiled slyly.

"I can't get it from the infirmary."

He raised an eyebrow.

"And why not?"

"Because they are already giving me insulin shots."

C-note burst out laughing, not believing what he had just heard.

"You're one mixed up cracker, you know that?"

I shrugged my shoulders indifferently.

"Can you arrange it for me or not?"

"Only if you tell me why you keep going back to the infirmary to take insulin shots that you don't need."

This conversation was quite similar to Michael and C-note's first meeting in the series, but here I wanted something more. I wanted an ally, a true ally.

"The safe answer is that I like the environment, the less safe answer is just for the trust cycle. Loyalty is hard these days."

C-note narrowed his eyes dangerously and smirked.

"So I'm not someone trustworthy in your eyes, Whitey?"

He caught the bait perfectly. Every man has a weak point. Something that moves him, that makes him act without thinking. C-Note? His has always been pride and a sense of betrayal. He considers himself smart, above others, but deep down… he is still a soldier.

A man who learned to follow orders, who believes in loyalty, but was discarded by the system. If I touch that spot just right, he'll want to prove he's not a pawn. He would want to be on the side of someone who has a plan. On my side.

"You know what it's like to follow orders, Franklin. You know what it's like to be in the middle of a mission, where every move can define whether you come out alive or dead. But what happens when the system you served turns its back on you? When the loyalty you gave wasn't reciprocated? You've seen it happen. You've lived it. It's no different out here. The men who stand alone, eventually fall alone. But the men who understand the true meaning of loyalty... they find a way. The only question is, which side of history do you want to be on?"

My passive skill "Analytical Mind" was working at full steam, it was the skill I gained from the system when creating the perfect conditions to be trapped in Fox River.

This skill improved my information processing, my reasoning and allowed me to notice the small details.

I could see C-note's back slightly hunched, his pupils dilated, his mouth closed tightly. He was tense.

But I wasn't done. Every word needed to be measured. I couldn't just ask him to trust me. That would be too obvious.

No, I need to convince him that this decision was his. Let him connect the dots on his own. First, I mention the past without being direct. He clearly understands.

Then, the betrayal. The weight of being thrown aside. He will feel it. Finally… loyalty.

But not his with me, yet. Loyalty as a concept. Like a code he always followed. And then… the doubt.

'Which side of history do you want to be on?'

Not a request. A choice. A matter of identity. He needs to believe he needs this as much as I need him.

With C-Note, it's not just about convincing him. He's proud, suspicious, always trying to prove he's smarter than everyone else. If I want him to see me as someone worthy of trust, I can't ask him directly. I need to plant doubt, make him wonder if he's missing out on something bigger.

"Funny, isn't it? A place like this... it traps bodies, but never minds. The smart ones survive. The clever ones thrive. But the men who see beyond these walls? Those... are the ones who escape. Have you looked around, Franklin? Have you seen the men in here? Each one of them trapped in a cycle. Waiting, surviving, but never winning. And tell me... are you like them? Or are you more?"

Every word has a purpose. First, I create a contrast: 'The smart ones survive. The clever ones thrive.' He sees himself as smart, as someone who always finds a way. But then I throw in the real bait: 'The men who see beyond these walls... those are the ones who escape.' That changes everything. Because now it's not just about surviving in here. It's about getting out. It's about being more.

Now comes the final blow. The provocation. I don't ask him directly if he wants to participate. I ask him if he's like the others. Because the worst thing someone like C-Note can accept… is being ordinary.

He will feel the need to prove that he is different, that he sees what others don't. And the only way to do that? By getting closer to me.

The move is made. Now, I just wait for his response. And if I know C-Note well… he won't resist.

I get up, leave the money for the Pugnac on the table and walk away, he doesn't try to stop me and I don't even stay to find out if he would really take the Pugnac for me.

After all, I was sure he would.

A new System warning flashed before my eyes.

Level up!

Manipulation (Level 3)

Your ability to influence and convince people has increased.

Bonus: +10% chance of success in negotiations and alliances.

I smiled internally.

It would be even easier to convince others to help me.

Now, with C-Note in the game, I could focus on the next part of the plan: the relationship with Sara Tancredi.

---

One Step Further With Sara

The relationship with Sara was something that needed to be built little by little.

This time when I went to the nurse's office, I noticed something was different. She was more relaxed, less defensive of me.

Good sign.

"I'm back for my daily dose, doctor," I joked, sitting down on the bench.

She smiled sideways.

"You always have a comment ready, don't you?"

"Part of my charm."

She shook her head and began preparing the syringe.

"Tell me something, Scofield…"

"Michael," I corrected.

She hesitated, but then nodded.

"Michael. You never seem worried. Isn't that weird? Most of the inmates I see here… are broken. But not you. You always seem to be thinking about something."

I leaned forward slightly.

"What if I told you that every second I spend here… is part of something bigger?"

She frowned.

"Something bigger?"

I shrugged.

"Let's just say that sometimes things are not as they seem."

She looked at me for a few seconds before giving me the injection.

This time, the System warning appeared immediately.

> +15% progress on Quest: Earn Sara Tancredi's Trust!

New Ability Unlocked: Magnetic Presence (Level 1)

Your charisma has increased. Interactions with female characters now have 10% more impact.

Well… that was interesting.

"You know, I never thought about it. But your name, Tancredi… It's the same as the governor's, are you related?"

She lowered her head, it was clearly a sensitive subject. But I already knew that.

"I never thought that the daughter of 'Frontier Justice Frank' would work in a prison, especially as a doctor."

Sara looked at me a little annoyed.

"I believe in being part of the solution, not the problem."

"Hmm… Be the change you want to see in the world."

The surprise in her eyes was evident and the smile on her face… I think I really like her.

"I quoted that phrase at my graduation."

"Is it yours? Until today I thought it was Gandhi's."

She laughed, the sound of her laughter filling the air, light, spontaneous, like a melody I would never tire of hearing.

At that same moment, something inside me warmed up, as if that sound had the power to turn on little lights in my chest.

My lips curved, my eyes taking in every detail, the way she tilted her head, the sparkle in her eyes, the way that laugh made the world seem simpler, more right. For a moment, nothing else mattered. Just that laugh. Just her.

"I think that's actually part of your charm, Michael."

The way she said my name was almost… Seductive?

I think this "Magnetic Presence" works very well.

Unfortunately, my time there was already up.

But before I left, I looked at Sara one more time.

"Doctor… do you believe in destiny?"

She blinked, surprised by the sudden question.

"I don't know. Do you believe it?"

Smile.

"I'm starting to believe."

And then I left, feeling her gaze follow me to the door.

+30% progress on Quest: Earn Sara Tancredi's Trust!

She was definitely in love with me.

---

I knew that prison was a chessboard, and every step needed to be calculated.

I had already caught Abruzzi's attention before by mentioning Fibonacci, and the mobster knew I had valuable information.

Now, it was time to continue playing.

---

The Encounter with Abruzzi – Second Round

I went to the mess hall and sat at Abruzzi's table. The other prisoners were silent.

The mobster narrowed his eyes.

"You're not afraid, are you?"

Just smile.

"I know what I want. And I know you have interests too."

Abruzzi tilted his head.

"Fibonacci. You still haven't told me where he is."

I couldn't give away the real information, but I needed to keep Abruzzi interested.

"You want Fibonacci? I want something in return."

Abruzzi gave a cold smile.

"And what would that be?"

I kept calm.

"Access to maintenance."

Abruzzi laughed.

"You don't want little, huh?"

I shrugged.

"If it was easy, I wouldn't need you."

Abruzzi studied me for a long moment, I could imagine what he was thinking.

"You're an interesting guy, Scofield. Let's see how things unfold."

I got the message. Abruzzi was still not convinced, but he was thinking about it.

That was a breakthrough.

---

While dealing with Abruzzi, I felt something different.

> Ding! Level up!

Passive skill "Analytical Mind"

(Level: 2)

Increased ability to read people and anticipate actions.

He began to notice microexpressions on Abruzzi's face.

Small details on the henchmen's hands indicated whether they were tense or relaxed.

The System was refining its real-time analysis capabilities.

My mind was even sharper, allowing me to manipulate conversations with more precision.

I didn't have superpowers, but every little advantage was essential.

—

After beginning to establish my presence in Fox River, I finally received the call from Director Henry Pope. This is a crucial opportunity.

The Taj Mahal is not just a project, it is a bond he can use to gain time, trust and freedom of movement within the prison.

Unlike the original Michael who rejected the proposal initially but accepted after a precarious situation, I would accept it right away.

Gaining Pope's favor and manipulating the situation to my advantage was essential to the plan.

And I wouldn't waste that chance.

---

The guard knocks on the cell bars

"Scofield, Pope wants to see you in his office. Now."

I look up calmly, without showing any surprise. I was expecting this. I stand up, adjust my uniform and walk at just the right pace: not too fast to seem anxious, not too slow to seem disinterested. Just controlled.

As I walk through the prison corridors towards the warden's office, I feel the stares. Curiosity. Distrust. C-Note raises an eyebrow, while Sucre just watches silently. Abruzzi, sitting at the cafeteria table, pretends not to notice, but Michael notices his peripheral glance.

The guards lead him to a double door. One of them knocks twice and opens it.

---

The Pope's Office

The environment contrasts dramatically with the brutality of Fox River. Dark wooden furniture, a bookshelf full of books, an antique clock marking time with precise ticks. Behind the desk, Henry Pope looks up.

"Michael Scofield. Please come in."

I step forward, keeping my expression neutral. I take in Pope at once, his posture erect, his hands clasped, his gaze calculatedly friendly but appraising. This is not a naive man. But he is not immune to the right manipulation either.

Pope indicates the chair in front of him.

"You have an interesting background. Graduated in structural engineering. Worked on important projects. What happened to make you end up here?"

I simply let out a small smile, studied.

"Calculation errors."

Pope tilts his head slightly, puzzled by the vague answer. But he decides not to insist.

"I have a project going on. Something I started a long time ago but never got around to finishing. It requires patience and skill. And, well, I hear you have both."

Pope stands up and walks over to a side cabinet. He carefully removes a model covered in a red velvet cloth. When he removes it, the structure is revealed.

The Taj Mahal.

I keep my expression controlled, but inside, the confirmation of my suspicion triggers a new mental calculation.

Here it is. My entry point.

"This is a gift for my wife. I've been trying to finish it for years. But the pieces are delicate. One slip and the whole thing could fall apart."

I lean in slightly, pretending to analyze the structure. I leave a deliberate silence. Pope waits.

"The foundation is a little misaligned. If it continues like this, no matter how careful you are, the structure will always have flaws."

Pope sighs in frustration.

"I figured... And you think you can fix this?"

I look up, measuring the right moment.

"I can. But it requires time, precision and, above all… freedom of movement."

Pope purses his lips in thought. He doesn't like the idea of giving privileges to a prisoner. But his frustration over the unfinished project weighs more heavily.

"What exactly do you need?"

"Adequate materials. Access to the office. And a little confidence."

Silence. Pope weighs the proposal. He's dealt with plenty of inmates trying to take advantage, but something in Michael's tone gives him pause.

"Don't abuse it, Scofield."

I just nod, controlled.

"Of course, sir."

And so, the door opens.

Not just the office one. But the one on my plan.

Fox River was beginning to move according to my will.

And I didn't intend to stop now.