Shadows In Durango

Chapter 87

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

I bounce down the steps behind Emma, us both still giggling at a story she had just told me about Reid falling over when they had gone ice skating on Monday night...

We stop at the bottom step, before seeing Vincent walk out of the living area from down the hallway with Daryl and Reid following out from behind his back. "Where are you two going?!" Vincent deadpans, as I eye him weirdly, wondering why he had an attitude all of a sudden.

Wasn't it obvious?

"School? Where else?" I state the words as though he should have known that already, as Emma sniggers slightly from beside me.

I mean, we were both stood in front of him at twenty past eight with backpacks on? It was a no brainer?

Vincent looked troubled, and I had hoped that he would have calmed down after a good nights sleep but it didn't seem to be that easy...

We were back home now in our comfort zone, surrounded by our friends and far away from the city that posed so many threats... so why was he still on edge?

Had he perhaps found out more about the people who posted the envelope through the door? There must be something that he isn't telling me, but my mind could only work overtime to think up the endless possibilities of what it could be. "I'll drive them there." Daryl offers, as Vincent seems to think on it for a split second, as though Daryl needed to get his permission first to take us to school.

What is seriously going on with them?!

"Are you three not coming in to school today?" Emma squints, as they all just seem to stand around like fish out of water - creating a bubble of awkwardness around this whole conversation - with none of them knowing what to do or say.

"You two go, and I'll just stay here to catch up on some work stuff today." Vincent's eyes are telling, as Daryl and Reid seem to know exactly what he meant by that as they both nod nonchalantly and sigh.

make a move to fetch their bags and keys, as

wrong?" I question him, as he instantly shakes his head

out a tight smile, but I can tell by the way his eyes had darkened that something deeper was going

Or at least I hope he will to save this awkwardness from

I nod once and head for the door with Emma at my back without another

I agree with her, feeling suddenly relieved that I wasn't the only

air hits my face, but it does nothing to shake off the uneasy feeling that had settled in after that strange encounter. Emma and I exchange a glance, and I can tell she's just as confused as I am. "I swear they're hiding something," she murmurs,

and his mood seemed to darken with each passing minute which made him almost

know what was going on,

attitudes a little more relaxed compared to Vincent's, but the tension was very much still there, lurking beneath the

asks, unlocking the car as Reid climbs in to the front beside him and we follow in to the

that Daryl would get over

my thoughts, my phone screen comes to life, gaining my attention as I look down to see that

curiously, I swipe to open

Reid is acting off with me...

eyes scan the message, before I look to her and shrug

Vincent is being weird after everything that happened but I don't get it with these two! Maybe we just need some time apart at school for everyone to think straight?'

final nod from Emma, the drive is filled with nothing but the sound of Daryl and Reid's forced small talk about going to look for

and chooses to look back at the road. "Alright, what the hell is going on?" I finally blurt out, unable to take the tension anymore. "You guys are acting so weird, and Vincent's... I don't even know what he is today. Something's off with everyone

glancing over at Reid as if he's waiting for him to take the lead but Reid just shrugs, clearly

us for the complete

us can discuss it yet, but I'm sure he will

to our apartment and putting the envelope through the door so why doesn't he just tell me the rest? How bad can it be?!" I press on further, my frustration bubbling to the surface for the first time in a long time. "I can tell something's wrong, and it's not just 'work stuff' that he's staying home to fix!" I conclude, folding my arms over like a stubborn child as the car falls silent with the school