Shadows In Durango

Chapter 118

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

I barged into the ICU like a mad man possessed, not caring who I had to bulldoze through in order to get to Daryl.

My breathing was becoming more erratic with the closer I got to him, the sterile smell of the hospital making my skin crawl. The fluorescent lights overhead began to flicker just enough to irritate me even more... "Where's my friend? I need to see him right now, his names Daryl, he's in with a gunshot wound!" I growled at the first nurse I spotted standing behind the counter, leaving no room for argument.

In order to get through, I needed a card, and so I wasn't prepared to be rejected on this one. I feared it would send me totally over the edge if she said no...

Her wide eyes blinked up at me as if I was speaking another language, but I didn't have time for her hesitation.

"He's not long out of surgery," she stammered, her voice too calm for the storm raging inside me. "Only family can—"

"I don't care about your fucking rules. I need to see him! He is my family!" My voice came out more like a snarl as I slammed my palms down on the counter, the pressure building inside threatening to boil over. Why won't they just make an exception on times like this?!

"You're going to let me in there right now." I warn, as she suddenly stands, looking around for what I'm assuming was some extra staff support.

I saw her hand hover over the phone, probably ready to call security on me, but just as I was about to lose my temper entirely, I heard a familiar voice.

"Vincent?! Oh dear lord!"

I turned sharply, my vision blurring for a second before I saw her - Daryl's aunt Amelia - standing behind the glass door in the ICU unit. The moment our eyes met, the fight left me, leaving only raw, gnawing emotion. I can't be seen acting deranged in front of her, not when she's probably beside herself with worry already over Daryl!

She looked tired, like she had been carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her normally sharp eyes were red and swollen from crying, but when she saw me, she softened and took a step forward. Without a word, she motioned to the nurses, and I saw the silent conversation they had with the receptionist.

A few seconds later, the same one at the desk nodded and allowed me to pass through shakily handing me a card as I suddenly felt terrible for intimidating her like I had.

But I'll apologise for that later... at least I was getting in!

As soon as I stepped through the doors in to the back, she pulled me into a tight embrace, and I couldn't stop myself from collapsing into it. My chest felt heavy, my throat raw as I forced the words out. "I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice breaking against her shoulder. "I'm so fucking sorry about all of this."

She held on tighter, her hand running through my hair like I was still the kid who'd spend weekends at their place growing up. "It's not your fault, Vincent, what that young man done to him is none of your fault!" she murmured, but the words felt hollow in my ears.

How could it not be my fault? Daryl had taken that bullet because I involved him and sent him over there to look for Sofia without backup...

would have just stopped him from going in

been there for him. He " I couldn't even finish the sentence, the guilt

boards haunted every thought, every breath I took.

she said gently, her thumb brushing away a tear I hadn't even realised had fallen. "He's alive, Vincent. And right now, that's what matters most. He could pull through to consciousness any minute now." She

inside, I couldn't shake the

alive, but he was fighting

the ICU, past the heavy doors that separated us from Daryl's

he does wake

there, I called his Dad but... you know?" Amelia trails off in a sigh, as I

Dad was a drug user, residing somewhere in LA the last we had heard... and if this wasn't enough

to prepare myself to enter the room where my friend

in the doorway for a moment, unable to move. The beeping of the machines was the first thing to hit me, followed by the sight of him lying there, pale and still, surrounded by

Daryl I knew the one always quick with a joke, full of life and energy. This person lying

the bedside, each step dragging me further

I reached him, I collapsed down into the chair next to his bed, my hands gripping the armrests like they were the only things keeping me

down at him his skin was too pale, the bruises around the edges of the bandages stark against his usually vibrant complexion. His chest rose and

wouldn't come. What could I even say? That I was sorry? That I didn't mean for this to happen to him? That

those words felt

that Daryl was lying here

forward, my elbows resting on my knees, and buried my face

so sorry, man," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I should've been there...

Daryl could actually hear me that he knew I'd never forgive myself if

But there was nothing.

me that he was still

felt like hours, my mind racing with every "what if"

loudly against the tiled

reached out to him, hesitating for a second before I gently placed my hand on Daryl's arm. It was cold,

have to. I can't-" My voice cracked, and I swallowed hard, forcing myself to continue. "I can't lose you like this. Not after everything we've faced together over the years." Tears

turned to see Amelia standing there,

She placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch warm and comforting, but it didn't lessen the weight

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softly, her voice barely