Shadows In Durango

Chapter 5

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

I wandered around town after school, scoping out the different stores to find anywhere that could potentially be hiring.

The bustling streets were filled with a mix of trendy boutiques, cozy cafes, and the occasional dive bar as my stomach tightened with anxiety after each rejection.

The first place I tried was a quaint coffee shop with a warm, inviting atmosphere that unfortunately would have been the perfect fit for me. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and pastries filled the air as I stepped inside, hopeful at first. I approached the counter, where a barista with a friendly smile greeted me, only before my prayers were quickly crushed.

"Hi, are you hiring by any chance?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady and positive.

"Sorry, we're fully staffed at the moment we just hired two new girls," she replied kindly, though her words felt like another punch to my gut. "You can leave your resume though, and we'll keep it on file just in case anything changes." She suggested, as I nodded and forced out yet another disappointed smile.

I thanked her quickly and left, feeling a bit defeated but determined to keep going knowing that I had no choice but to find something - anything at this rate.

I continued on down the street, checking out every store window for 'Help Wanted' signs that didn't exist and even proceeding to ask a few more shop owners directly.

But the results were all the same no one was hiring.

As the evening approached, I found myself on a less busy street, one I hadn't explored before. The neon lights of a bar called "Intensity" caught my eye almost immediately as I swallowed hard and huffed out a breath.

It was a stark contrast to the serene coffee shop and cute stores I had tried earlier on that was for certain... but maybe this place was my last hope?

The sign flickered, giving off a slightly seedy vibe, but I was desperate at this point. Perhaps I would be too young to work in there... or perhaps they would overlook it and give me something small like a cleaning job at least? There was only one way to find out...

breath and crossed the road towards the bright light,

dim lighting inside made it difficult to see at first, but as my eyes adjusted, I

hollered over at me as I

with a shaved head and a tight black

I help you? Or can you not hear?" he asked, his voice deep and gravelly as I swallowed the thick lump which was quickly forming in the back

was wondering if you were hiring anybody? I really need a job, and I'm new to town so it's pretty hard finding something." I asked gently, my voice almost drowned out by the soft music due to how quiet

age are you?" He raised a questioning brow, as I

But what if he finds out and the bar gets in to serious trouble? Maybe I'm better

eighteen!" I add the last part out of desperation, as he shocks me with a

boredom, as I shuffle from foot to foot and watch him wipe down the bar

for?" I rush out, feeling the weight of desperation in my words as I was grateful for the man even giving

Dance?

around to take in the entirety of the large room around me for the first time - instantly spotting a number of platforms

Oh...

see, uh... well I did take dance lessons for years, I could maybe make it work?" I wet my drying lips, my mind

work as a pole dancer? Would I have to remove clothes like a

amused with my pleading, as he places his two hands

to dance. I could maybe have you behind the VIP bar upstairs, if you don't tell anybody your real age, that way you won't be serving the majority of freaks that come in here either. I'll pay you in cash to keep it

did it! It may not be my

you weekly... we open at 8pm and close at 2am and I'll pay you three hundred dollars every week and you can keep any tips

than you even know! Uh... sorry what is your name? Are you the owner?" I rush out, reaching across to shake his

but I'm the manager so I'm in charge of the staff." He nods, as I smile - appreciating that one of the scarier guys in