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.

I'm not your prisoner! This is what

feel real, it was too god damn ridiculous to actually

even flinch at my outburst. His expression remains eerily calm, almost pitying, like he's dealing with a child who doesn't understand

Let me make it right. You're just not seeing the bigger picture yet, but you will."

that all of my old feelings came rushing back. I need you in my life again, one way

Don't cry...

Don't cry...

front

my thoughts spiral. He really believes that this stunt is ok. He thinks this is for my own good. For the good

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

he was normal before my mother died... so what the hell

have well and truly

suffocating space - fills me with instant horror. But I can't let him see how terrified I am.

voice quieter now,

if my words are nothing

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You'll understand to listen and to trust in me - and only me - not guys like fucking Daryl." He confirms, as though I would just

hadn't met Vincent yet, explained why he seemed to obsess over my fake relationship with Daryl that he had well and truly

two ago, but not anymore. In fact, I was pretty sure that Daryl didn't give a shit about me anymore, not after how he had treated me lately... If only he knew that it was actually Vincent that I was discussing a twisted marriage with only some time ago... he would lose his damn mind

seems to blow air out

that point I know there is no use in trying to win

want

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

like I'm accepting this, he'll let me out. Maybe I can find a way to

as he moves closer, creeping in

down. I'll make you something to eat upstairs

but I don't. I keep my gaze fixed ahead, forcing myself to move toward

I can buy some time to think of an

smaller now, the air thicker. The reality of what's happening crashing

I have to.

for now, I have

will find