372 PROVE YOURSELF, LUCAS

After Lucas made that promise, the two men locked eyes. An unspoken agreement passed between them as Henry stared deep into Lucas's soul through his eyes. Henry stood up and extended a hand to help Lucas to his feet. "You have three months, Lucas. Don't make me regret this decision," he said sternly. "Trust me, this isn't mercy or forgiveness. It's only an opportunity to prove yourself to all of us," he said. Although he was beyond stern, Lucas felt relief, for he could almost taste his freedom. With a grateful nod, Lucas accepted Henry's hand. Their physical contact sealed their agreement as Henry pulled him up. Although given a chance, he was painfully aware of the weight of his promise. More importantly, he was mindful of the consequences of failure. As such, he was determined not to fail. Henry directed one of the gang members to bring Lucas his belongings and food. As Lucas ate his first proper meal in days, he couldn't help but feel the enormity of the task ahead. The gang ha