Shadows In Durango

Chapter 1

*****Sofia's POV*****

"Your keys Miss, rent is due in a month - and remember to make it cash!" The grumbly caretaker tosses the metal towards me carelessly as I fumble to catch them, swallowing to wet my drying throat. "Thank you..." I manage to say, with my voice barely audible, but he nods nonetheless as though he had heard me before making his exit.

He was a stout man, who didn't pride himself much on his appearance by the looks of things, but who was I to judge anyone in this state?

I had managed to land this little apartment for only $350 per month, and although that doesn't sound much to the average person, it really was a lot for somebody who was new to town without a job...

Not to mention my new school that would be taking up most of my time during the week. I would need a night time job no doubt, something convenient to help me make some money - and fast.

I sigh, hearing the front door creak before finally closing over, giving me a proper moment to view the apartment for what it was.

It had nothing in it, no furniture, and the place looked as though it had seen over a thousand crack parties in its time.

I was already wary of my neighbours too who I had passed by on my way inside here. Two men who both stood out in front of the building seeming to smoke something that evidently wasn't normal nicotine or tobacco.

I peered out of the broken blinds, seeing one of them wobble slightly in his high state, before rebalancing himself and going in for another puff - this time from a small pipe that I could see...

Unfortunately, it seemed that one of the men was the top floor resident and the other was the bottom floor - sandwiching me in between them like some cruel prank in our block of three.

I had no choice though, this was the cheapest place I could find and I chose this life for myself... this was my burden to carry and I had to make the most of it at this point because I knew I would never go back home.

I walk towards the tiny kitchen, finding nothing in the cupboards other than some soup tins and so I quickly go back over to my bags which were left in the centre of the floor.

I unzip the one which contained my last small puddle of cash in order to scrutinise just how much I had fucked up thus far...

I had used most of what I took now, and this was my last chance to settle somewhere without them finding me again... and so this has to work!

I pull out my small pink zip purse, opening it to reveal some notes and coins as I slump down on the hard wood floor and tip the contents out. Taking a second to start counting it, I chew my lip in anticipation for how bad my situation really was this time around... fifty... seventy... ninety... Pointing to each coin for it to count towards my total, I slump my shoulders slightly and breathe out.

$137...

it's something to get me

I push all of my money back inside

to explore

getting further West,

was a wild animal, and this time around I knew that I had to try a different tactic. A smaller town would be harder to find and hopefully they would just bypass the place assuming

there being better housing options, but I couldn't grumble - at least I have a roof over my

over my shoulder and head back out -

in to the bright sun, silencing my two neighbours who eye me curiously with

they both snigger and mutter between themselves - their words inaudible and I wasn't sure if I would have wanted to

that my street seemed to be filled with addicts and drunken people as I passed by, but I didn't mind - as long as they were peaceful and left me out of it that is... The town itself was gorgeous, far different to the city life,

find that a couple of blocks away from my own apartment, the streets were lined with

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step, slightly embarrassed to be walking by the residents who sat out on their front porches to enjoy the sun - with

on my first day of school which I didn't want nor need on top of everything else that I had going on. Plus, nobody

restaurants and coffee

I walked in, but quickly forced

I had never let myself get this unkept... but this was nothing more than a result of travelling for eight

to put my pride first, I granted myself permission to spend what I had to spend in order to freshen up completely for my first day of school

sponge, toothpaste, a toothbrush, deodorant and a razor to shave with. Calculating

somewhat guilty, as she scanned each one,

low place sometimes but you'll pick yourself back up again... I'll cover your total." The woman's words shock me, as my lips part and my eyes widen. "N-No I can pay!" I push,

money to something else, there's a great little thrift store across the road, you could have a look in there? I'll get this." She pushes, bagging up my products

was embarrassing, but I couldn't help

feet." I nod quickly, realising that she probably thought I was an addict of some

bag with a

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