Insanity (Sequel To Madness)

The Biggest Betrayal

I meet Josh outside where he had been pacing in the street while waiting for me. I feel my eyes crusting from all the tears that had gathered and frozen on the edges of my eyes. I wipe them with the back of my hand before Josh engulfs me in a tight embrace that surprises me slightly.
"What are you doing?" I ask him in an annoyed tone. Josh releases me and looks down at me looking confused.
"What happened in there?" He asks me in return. I think for a moment, remembering the promise I made and how I just longed for it to be done already, but that goes all against my promise. I shake my head and place my hands in the pockets of my slightly scratched jeans. They used to be clean and completely new looking, but now they just look damaged like the rest of me. I look up at Josh and then back down at the ground below me.
"I made a promise, and I'm going to try to keep it." I state while nervously fiddling my fingers over the cloth of my jean pockets.
"What promise?" Josh asks me, his curious expression still present. I look up at him and simply shake my head in response.
"It is between Jack and I." I tell him in a hushed voice. Just saying his name runs chills up my spine, I just can't help it yet, since I've lost him so recently. I begin walking away, towards the front of the compound so I can go talk to my husband. Just because I'm upset doesn't mean that I've forgotten what Josh had told me earlier, and I have a conversation to have with my dearest Shane. I know he has secrets, and he most likely knows that I have some as well. We have just ignored it, but I need to know what Shane has been hiding, exactly. Just because it is a fake marriage doesn't mean that his past won't come up and affect me.

***

I arrive once again at District 6, now with Josh following me with 5 of his "finest men" behind us. I have had my arms crossed while my legs carried me all the way to the compound without any breaks. Even though Josh had insisted, multiple times, that we stop to take a break, I ignored him every time.
"Stop there and identify yourself!" A soldier behind the walls of District 6 calls towards me.
"I am Violet Lancaster and if you don't let me and all my friends here inside, you will speak to my husband Shane Lancaster, owner of the Main District and every other one, including this one." I call back fiercely. I keep my arms crossed and holding onto myself tightly with all the internal anger inside me attempting to burry itself away from the surface.
"Open the gate!" I hear a familiar voice demand sternly. The large, metal door is pushed open in front of me and I am instantly greeted by Shane's arms around me.
"Where did you go?" He hisses at me sternly with his arms are holding onto me tightly.
"I have to talk to you about that..." I whisper back in a demanding tone of voice.
"Well, its nice to see you, Shane." Josh speaks from behind me. Shane slowly releases me and pushes me behind him.
"Joshua McNeal. I must say, I didn't expect to see you again so soon. Since I believed that you had left my cause quite a while back." Shane declares in his intimidating and strong tone.
"Shane... Stop it..." I whisper while grabbing his shoulder.
"No, I want to hear why this man has decided to come back to see me." Shane demands, shaking me off him.
"I still have the same intentions as before. And the only thing I care about is Violet." Josh states while he slowly goes towards Shane.
"Don't." I say, grabbing Shane's arm before he can raise it like I know he will I I didn't stop him.
"Violet, not now." He demands, once again shaking me off him.
"Yes, now. Don't be stupid by doing something you'll regret. Go in to 6 and let me talk to you." I demand while grabbing him once again and dragging him towards me.
"Fine. But he stays out here until I deal with this personally." Shane states as he turns towards me and we drag each other inside.
"Keep him there until I return. Do not let him inside these walls without my personal word." Shane demands to a guard by the door.
"Yes, Mr. Lancaster." He responds. Shane nods and continues walking with me, his grasp on my arm intense and possessive.
"What happened with him?" I question while we walk.
"He betrayed me in the very beginning. Once I had gotten to the highest point of power I could get, he attempted to take it all from me. He said that there was a woman he desired, and I tried to convince him that it was not worth it to get everyone killed over a single woman. Building walls around our property, protecting our families, our people, that was more important. But, he refused me. He took all of our resources and tried to find this woman, but he failed. Because of this, every single one of my friends, my family, and my adopted daughter... All killed because of his stupidity and... I'm sorry, I've gone on in too much detail." Shane admits while he wipes his eyes of tears that had been sliding down his cheeks.
"You never told me you had a daughter..." I whisper while looking at Shane and slowing our walking pace.
"I had adopted her since I never wanted to marry. She came to my compound and demanded that I give her a home, but she was only 10 years old at the time. I couldn't say no to her, so I gave her a home in my own. She became my daughter, my most beloved... Until she was killed right outside my mansion. It was only a small bite, and I thought it wouldn't affect her if I treated her right away. I called every doctor, every resource I had to fix her. However, nothing I tried could save my darling Angie..." Shane stops entirely with his legs shaking almost as much ad his voice does. I wrap my arm entirely around him and lead him to the sidewalk to sit him down.
"Angie is a beautiful name." I comment as I grab his hand in my own. Shane laughs to himself and nods.
"She insisted on that being her name. She said that Angie Lancaster had a ring to it, but I never could hear it like she did." Shane chuckles as tears begin to slide from his eyes.
"You did everything you could, Shane, and I'm sure she was grateful of that." I tell him quietly.
"Yes, she was. It was much better than her abusive home that she lived in for those 10 years before she met me." He responds in a hushed tone.
"I'd think you'd be a great father, since you're so smart, and caring, and you do anything for the Ines you love. I'm sure that's why she went to you for help." I explain while leaning my head against Shane's hand that is locked with my own.
"I'm sure it is... But, the one other thing I'm sure of, is that Joshua McNeal is never welcome in my life again. You know the loss of a child, and he killed mine, and he will never hurt anyone in my life ever again. That man damages everything in his path, and you will not be next, not now, not ever. Whatever lies or promises he gave you, they are just that. I can truly protect you, Violet, and even if he says he can, I'm not willing to risk you or any of our friends." Shane states sternly, his grief turning to anger in a single second.