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

difficult to see at first, but as my eyes adjusted, I noticed the bar area

yet!" A stalky guy from behind the bar hollered over at me as I quickened my pace to approach him,

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

voice deep and gravelly as I swallowed

new to town so it's pretty hard finding something." I asked gently, my voice

raised a questioning brow, as I diverted

bar gets in to serious trouble? Maybe I'm better just

out

what position are you wanting exactly?" He seems to continue our conversation out of boredom, as I shuffle from foot to

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 a chance to speak

Dance?

I slowly crank my head around to take in the entirety of the large room around me for the first time - instantly spotting a number

Oh...

years, I could maybe make it work?" I wet my drying lips, my mind racing to comprehend what

agreeing to work as a pole dancer? Would

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

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 realising he was actually giving me

may not be my first choice, but

pay you

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

of the staff." He nods, as I smile - appreciating that one of