Shadows In Durango

Chapter 104

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

The weight of his words press down on me like a lead blanket, suffocating the breath from my chest. I stare back at him, my heart pounding in my ears as the cold reality of what he's just said settles in. He's serious. He's actually dead ass serious.

A prison. He's turning this place into my own personal prison.

I blink rapidly, trying to suppress the panic that rises up in my throat, threatening to overwhelm me fully. My vision blurs for a second, and I squeeze my eyes shut, forcing myself to take slow, deep breaths to stay awake. Think. Think. What can I do here?!

I glance around the room again, hoping for some sort of escape, but it's just as grim as it was before. The bare bulb overhead flickers slightly, casting a sickly light on the sparse furniture - nothing promising that it could help me to get out of here.

Nothing I can use to even fight back.

My mind races, desperate for a plan, anything. But the cold knot in my stomach tightens with each passing second.

The silence between us feels heavier now, his eyes on me, waiting for my next move, his body leaning against the wall, casual and calm like he's made peace with what he's doing. "How long have you planned to do this?!" I breathe, as he all but shrugs.

"Not long. I knew that I had to do something extreme when I saw you at school and you didn't text or call my number when I gave it to you. I was certain you would have text me almost immediately after the initial shock. But then I seen you running off in Daryl's damn car at the end of the day, and I just lost it!" He grumbles out his reasoning, furrowing his eyebrows at the memory.

This is fucking insane! Does he forget that he supported my father's plan to marry me off back when we were actually a couple?!

Now he claims to be fully obsessed with me?!

He doesn't care for me, he never did! He's just a cancer that I tried so hard to cut out of my life: he's sheer narcissistic evil.

I take a step back, instinctively putting some distance between us, but his gaze never wavers.

"So, what now?" I ask, my voice shaking, but I force it to stay steady. "You want me to just stay here? In this... this... place? For how long?!"

I can hear the tremor in my words, but I don't care. I need to sound strong.

Ashton watches me closely, his lips curling slightly. "As long as it takes I suppose. You'll stay here, get used to it, and we'll work things out. You'll see. It'll be better this way, Sofia. Once you get back out, we will be the perfect couple!" He claims. I can't believe this.

He really thinks this is for the best.

exclaim, my voice rising with sudden frustration. "How can this be better for anyone, Ashton?! You can't just keep me locked up like this. I'm not your prisoner! This

was too

almost pitying, like he's

Let me make it right. You're just not seeing the bigger

enough. I almost forgot about you until I seen you in school - I can't help that all of my old feelings came rushing back. I need you in my life again, one way or another!"

Don't cry...

Don't cry...

in front

growing as my thoughts spiral. He really believes that this stunt is ok. He thinks this is for my

what we had before... that I'll somehow leave here madly in love with him after

this before... he was normal before my

must have well and truly

trapped down here with him, in this dark, tiny, suffocating space - fills me with instant horror. But I can't let him see how terrified I am. I can't

not staying here," I say, my voice quieter now,

chuckles, low and cold, as if my words are nothing more than

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calm. "In time, you'll see things my way. You'll understand to listen and to trust in me - and only me - not guys like

hadn't met Vincent yet, explained why he seemed to obsess over my fake relationship with Daryl

he know that Daryl wasn't a threat to him at this point at all, maybe a week or two ago, but not anymore. In fact, I was pretty sure that Daryl didn't give a shit about me anymore, not after

and I aren't a thing..." I whisper, as he seems to blow air out in

point I know there is no use in trying to win this fight:

just want to scream at

ridiculous this whole thing is, but the rational part of my brain tells me that would be pointless. It would only make things worse for me. So, I

accepting this, he'll let me out. Maybe I can find a way to slip past him and to run when the doors

footsteps echo behind me as he moves closer, creeping in on

flinch when I feel his hand brush up my arm slowly. "Come on, Sofia. Let's just sit down. I'll make you something to eat upstairs and then we can talk more." He coos, as I almost gag

want to pull away from him, but I don't. I keep my gaze fixed ahead, forcing myself to move toward the

maybe I can buy some time to

the air thicker. The reality of what's happening crashing over me again, and I can barely breathe,

I have to.

down here, the more desperate I'll become, but for now, I have to play along. I have to keep him calm, so

find a