Shadows In Durango

Chapter 116

*****Vincent's POV*****

The cold, damp walls of the cell seemed to swallow in around me, making it hard to think straight.

The adrenaline that had fueled me through the chaos was gone now, leaving behind an aching body and a racing mind that wouldn't quite quit. Daryl's bloodied body kept flashing in front of my eyes, his labored breaths and fading consciousness haunting me with every second that passed.

I sat on the edge of the narrow bed, hands still trembling despite the weight of the handcuffs having long been removed.

My head pounded, not from the lucky punch Ashton had managed to land, but from the anxiety gnawing away at me.

Was Daryl even still alive?

The paramedics had worked frantically over him, but I didn't get a chance to know if they'd gotten him to the hospital in time or not...

I had tried asking the officers when they threw me in here, but no one would tell me anything. One of them had muttered something about "waiting for statements," but none of that mattered until I knew if Daryl was going to pull through. My best friend, regardless if we fought all the time, we were like brothers.

The guy who would've taken a bullet for me - who basically did take a bullet for Sofia, being the first one to charge in there to try and help without waiting for backup, probably not even knowing that he had a fucking gun waiting for him! I ran my hand down my face, feeling the sting where Ashton's punch had connected. A small price to pay considering the damage I'd left him with.

He deserved every single hit given and if I could have had things my way, I would have locked him up to torture him for the foreseeable myself for what he had done.

I should've acted faster. I should've been there sooner. I should have told Daryl to wait for us at least...

But it was too late now...

The heavy clang of a door opening broke through my thoughts.

I looked up and waited, hearing the keys jingle momentarily before I see the same officer who had processed me step inside.

His face was unreadable, a clipboard in hand as he glanced down at me. "Vincent Walker?" He recites.

"Yeah," I muttered, rising to my feet, tension tightening in my shoulders. "Any news on my friend? The guy they took to the hospital? Is he good?" I basically beg for information.

He hesitated, eyes flicking up from his notes. That brief hesitation made my heart plummet into my stomach.

"Is he " I started, but the officer raised a hand.

"He's still in surgery, nobody knows his condition yet," he said, and my knees almost buckled from the relief that hit me. Still in surgery meant he was still fighting. "They're doing everything they can. That's all we know for now." I nodded, swallowing hard, feeling the weight of it all crushing down into me again. "Thanks," I said, though the words felt empty.

officer nodded, before continuing on with whatever reason he had showed up to my cell

Your girlfriend confirmed this story too. We found evidence that he was also holding her captive in the basement - also matching up to her statement - and so for that, you are free to go, at least for now. It looks to us that you all acted in self defence." He explains,

can leave now... which means I can go to

need an official statement from you on what happened, would you prefer to do that now or

confirm with a stiff nod,

of the holding area, the cold walls of the police station gradually gave way to the dim lighting of the reception. The

fixated on one thing:

stepped through the door into the lobby, I spotted my parents waiting for me. My mother rushed towards me, her heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor as I wanted to scream

face was painted with makeup and faux concern, her arms outstretched as she

emotion as she

I could feel the stiffness in her touch too practiced, too perfect. It wasn't real. Not for me. Not for anyone but the audience

her hug me for a second before I shrugged her off, stepping back.

this was all

officers that had

I was so

stepping past her and towards my

story. Share the joy of reading with others

like my mother. He had always been

he said,

world proud to

officer who had escorted me out, he added with a

officer, Bill, gave a slight nod, a glimmer of familiarity passing between them. I hadn't missed the way my father used his first name -

each other. My father knew everyone worth knowing

job for my citizens." He winks swiftly, as my father

skin crawl. It was a reminder

knew how to manipulate the system, how to pull the strings that needed pulling. But none of that mattered to me right now. All I cared about was

Daryl," I said, my voice coming

brow but

led the way out to the car, his arm casually resting

nothing about this was

Not for me.

friend had just been shot and could very much die in

drive to the hospital

how Sofia was doing as if she cared, but I only gave her short, clipped answers. She was a