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.

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

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

means I can go to the

what happened, would you prefer to

visit my friend at the hospital." I confirm with a stiff nod,

walls of the police station gradually gave way to the dim lighting of the reception. The steady hum of murmured

mind was fixated on one thing:

I spotted my parents waiting for me. My mother rushed towards me, her

painted with makeup and faux concern, her arms outstretched

thick with emotion as she threw her arms around

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

I shrugged her off,

this was all

making sure the officers nearby were watching her display of motherly concern. The same officers that had no doubt bedded her in

I was so worried when they

cut her off, stepping past her

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one for emotional outbursts, not like my mother. He had always been the

son," he said, his voice

was probably the only father in the world proud to

to the officer who had escorted me out, he added with a warm smile, "Thank you, Bill. We appreciate

chief 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 -

they knew each other. My father knew

course, Mr. Walker. Just doing my job

my skin crawl. It was a reminder of how different my world was from

to pull the strings that needed pulling. But none of that

I said, my

brow but nodded. "Of course.

word, he led the way out to the car, his arm casually resting on my shoulder like we

nothing about

Not for me.

friend had just been shot and could very much die

the hospital was

only gave her short, clipped