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...

crossed the road towards the bright light, pushing open

dim lighting inside made it difficult to see at first, but as my eyes adjusted, I noticed the bar area was relatively

Missy! We ain't open yet!" A stalky guy from behind the bar hollered over at me

with a shaved head and a tight black t-shirt eyed me intensely, giving

hear?" he asked, his voice deep and gravelly as I swallowed the thick lump which was quickly forming in

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

a questioning brow,

out and the bar gets in to serious trouble? Maybe I'm better just being

add the last part out of desperation, as he shocks me with a

continue our conversation out of boredom, as I shuffle from foot to foot and

can clean, serve drinks, take orders.... what would you be looking for?" I rush out, feeling the weight of desperation in my words as I was grateful for the man even giving me

Dance?

I slowly crank my head around to take in the entirety of the large room around me for the first time

Oh...

maybe make it work?" I wet my drying lips, my

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

head, seeming amused with my pleading, as he places his two hands on

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 on the low though, yeah?" He rushes the words out at me, as my eyes widen when

it! It may not be my first choice,

you three hundred dollars every week and you can keep any tips that you make on top of that." He explains, as I open and close

needed this job way more than you even know! Uh... sorry what is your name? Are you the owner?" I rush out, reaching across

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