♕✿~♕✿~Chapter 6//: A Traitor Will Always Be A Traitor♕✿~♕✿~

Madison's POV

Once Damon is done explaining to Lucas why we need his help, Lucas' eyebrows are furrowed.

"Will you help us?" Damon asks, his eyes intensely focused on Lucas. I do the same, holding my breath in anticipation for Lucas' answer.

From what Lucas had said before about being willing to do anything to gain my trust again, I would have expected Lucas to immediately agree to help us. Everything would work out then; Damon and I would have an escape plan, and we could get out of here in a couple of days. But Lucas stays silent, not answering immediately or looking at either of us.

Finally, Lucas opens his mouth to answer. But he doesn't give the answer that I expect. "I don't know if I can help you guys escape."

My face slackens. All I can feel is a sense of hopelessness. Our only chance at having a guaranteed escape just flew out the door. Just like that. Maybe it's my own fault for feeling this way because I allowed myself to get ensnared by Lucas' words of promises. I let myself believe. And it was a foolish mistake.

At my sides, my fists clench. "What do you mean you can't help us? Didn't you just say you would do anything to gain my trust? Well, here's your chance." I try desperately to change Lucas' mind. But for some reason, he's intent on not rethinking his decision.

Lucas looks at me, his eyes filled with regret. "I'm sorry, Madi. I really wish I could help you. But there are risks to your plan, and if Nathan finds out I was involved..." Lucas breaks off, and shudders slightly. "I can't take the risk. I just can't."

Anger fills me. "So you're not helping us just to save your own skin?" I ask, my voice coming out softly. But instead of making me sound weak, it makes me sound more dangerous.

Lucas flinches. "No, it's not because of that-"

"If it's not because of selfish reasons, what's the reason why you can't help us?" I ask.

Lucas swallows. "I just can't take the risk," he repeats quietly.

I'm silent for a minute. The hopelessness starts to turn into desperation and anger. Then, it turns to determination. I'm not going to be stuck here. I needed to get out, and Lucas was our best chance. Even though I'm still wary of Lucas, I need him to help us. Damon's freedom, as well as mine, hangs on the line here. If we escaped, if I got back to Ahren, I could help everyone down here. The Rogue Dawn would go down. The threat would be gone.

There was a lot hanging on the line. And Lucas was a big part of the success of Damon and I escaping.

"Lucas, please, we need your help to escape." It hurts my pride to have to resort to begging, but I needed to convince Lucas to help us.

I look at Lucas, trying to convey just how desperate I was through my eyes. Lucas holds my gaze, until he finally looks away.

He sighs. "I already told you, Madi, there's too many risks."

I finally snap. "Is this how you'll always be? Will you always just be looking out for yourself instead of trying to help others? Was this how you thought when you helped the Rogue Dawn kill the queen and king and kidnap me?" A traitor will always be a traitor. Lucas is living proof of this statement.

It was a low blow, and I knew it as soon as Lucas winced at my words. He staggers away from the cell I'm in. "Madi, no it wasn't-"

"Ok, that's enough, Madison. You don't know the situation he might be in," Damon finally cuts into the conversation. He looks at me firmly, warning me to not guilt trip Lucas any further. I remember the words he told me before. It's really easy to control people when you have something over them, Madison. I breathe in, trying to understand this from Lucas' point of view. Damon was right. I didn't know Lucas' situation and if Nathan has something over Lucas to force him to do his dirty work.

I stay silent in shame for what I did. I was harsh to Lucas, calling him out on the murders of the king and queen and my kidnapping. Although I couldn't be so sure of his innocence, it didn't give me the right to judge him harshly.

"It's my sister." I look up as Lucas says this softly. His eyes are on the floor. I wait for him to elaborate on what he just said. He looks up at me, his eyes soft. "Nathan has my little sister, Elenora. She's only 16 and Nathan has her under his will. Every time I do something wrong, he punishes her," Lucas explains, choking up at the end.

I freeze up at the words. Suddenly, everything makes more sense. Nathan had Lucas' sister, and that was the reason why Lucas was always obeying Nathan's orders. If he didn't, his sister paid the price. I remember when Damon was explaining how Nathan has a lot of things over the Silvers. I shudder. I didn't realize the blackmail that Nathan had over the Silvers were their family members.

Nathan is dangerous, and willing to do whatever sadistic thing to get his way. I feel goosebumps on my arms. How many Silvers have their family members kidnapped and tortured by Nathan? I didn't want to know.

"I'm sorry, Lucas," I blurt out. "Both for your sister, and for judging you without knowing your situation. I shouldn't have assumed you were just a compliant supporter of Nathan," I tell Lucas, genuine. It must be terrible to be forced to do things you don't want to do because if you don't do those things, your family gets hurt.

"And I'm sorry for calling you selfish. Your reasons for not wanting to help us escape...it's far from selfish," I apologize with a sheepish look at Lucas, embarrassed at how quick I was to judge.

Lucas gives me a small smile. "It's alright, Madi. If I was in your situation, I would assume so as well." His smile falls from his face. "I'm sorry that I can't help you guys escape. I really wish I could. But I've already made too many mistakes. I don't know how much Elenora can handle anymore." Lucas is silent for a bit before speaking again.

"I won't tell anyone of what you guys told me. I hope you guys find another way to escape. I wish you guys luck." Lucas looks at Damon, then me. His eyes are full of hope and strength.

"I hope you guys get out of here and destroy the Rogue Dawn for all the terrible things it has done."

♕✿~♕✿~♕✿~♕✿~♕✿~

Hello everyone!

I hope you all have had a good week. So, now we know why Lucas did what he did. But does this information allow us to forgive him, or is it more reason to not trust him because of how easily he bends to the will of Nathan? What do you guys think?

I am honestly so tired because we have to do summer reading at my school, and then do an assignment on it. Le sigh. I have become so lazy this summer, it's bad😂

Have a good week!

Glass_Sword