Shadows In Durango

Chapter 106

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

Groaning loudly, I flop back down on to the crummy sofa in the centre of the cold hard basement.

There was absolutely nothing in here from what I could see that could help me get out. Nothing decent to even defend myself with.

It was as though Ashton had already thought this whole plan through to the end - proving himself to be a master criminal at the mere age of eighteen. What a fucking asshole!

I was so upset, so angry at myself for landing myself in this mess. The second he had pulled up in his car I should have ran for the hills...

All I could think of was that I should have told Vincent all about seeing Ashton at school when I had the chance. He was smart, he would have looked in to him right away if anything like this happened to me, but he didn't even know about him being here...

I hoped that Emma would think to tell him all about me running in to Ashton at school, maybe from there he would somehow be able to find and save me?

But I doubt it, I'm being extremely hopeful and extremely unrealistic. For all I knew, Vincent had let me run off in my childish meltdown, not bothering to chase after me like he had done before in the past.

I straighten up immediately, hearing the door unlock from the top of the steps, it creaking open and shining a brighter light down in to the darkened space.

My best chance here is to play along for now...

Make him believe that I'm really trying to work on 'us' and maybe he will trust me enough to take me outside?

Once I can get outside, somewhere public, I'll be able to find help...

"Here we go! Toast and beans!" He announces, as though it were a gourmet meal he had just whipped up, as I crank open a tight smile - with it failing to reach my eyes.

He was dangerous...

But I had to play nice...

is there, any water?" I ask, watching him reach the bottom step before

as he closes in on me,

revealing a full stock of bottled water filling the

thought

he planning to hold me down here? If he had stocked up on so

He demands, pulling up a stool as he sits much

slowly, I lift my trembling hand to reach down for the tray, using my other to lift one of the bread slices - biting down

he just watches me, almost mesmerised by my actions as I fight back the feelings of dread

know how I'm going to get through

questions for you, since I haven't saw you in so long..." He announces, leaning his elbows on his thighs, reaching closer to me as I shift in the chair ever so slightly. "O-Ok..." I respond, unable to hide

leave me as I take another bite, the food almost tasteless in my mouth. It's hard to focus on anything but the looming sense of insanity that fills the space between us. The more I try to keep my composure, the more it feels like

eyes down, focusing on the toast,

leans in even closer, his breath warm against the already heavy air of the basement. "So, Sofia... What's it been like for you? In

adventure continues. Join us for

for a slip-up of some kind, like he already knows the answers that

dry despite the water bottle he had handed me. "It's been fine," I lie, forcing a smile that feels like a mask,

doesn't react immediately. He just watches me, his eyes narrowing slightly as though he's dissecting every little word, every little movement. The silence stretches out, thick and burning, as he studies me like I'm some

to get away from me and from everything here." His hand reaches out, almost casually, brushing against the back of my hand, and I fight

refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me react. If I show him any fear, if I

my voice trembling slightly despite my best efforts. "I just... needed some space that night, that's all." It's a weak excuse, but it's all I can

"Space, huh?" He seems to mull over my words, a dark smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'll give you all

words, a sickening realisation sinking in. I was like a mouse that had just been caught by

relationship - he wants to

how far he's

to keep my focus, trying to hold it together long enough to figure out

why I was on the run Ashton..." I say carefully, glancing at him briefly and

me with those unnerving eyes of

understand your father's ways. Neither did I after spending some more time with him believe it or not, I realised he was crazy..." he trails off, before carrying on in his self amusement, "But I wonder how he would feel now after knowing that I had managed to catch his daughter when he couldn't?" He reaches out and brushes a strand of hair back from my face, his fingers lingering on my skin in a way that makes my blood run cold. Is he going to tell my father he has me here?! Is that it?!

him that I'm here..." my voice suddenly croaks, breaking finally