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...

gotten there sooner, if I would have

burning eyes. "I should've been there for him. He " I couldn't even finish the sentence, the

on the floor boards haunted every thought, every breath I took. I don't know how I would continue to live without having him

mattered," 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 encourages me, adding more hope to the air than

but inside, I couldn't shake the dread

alive, but he was fighting for every

doors that separated us from Daryl's room, I made

does

called his Dad but... you know?" Amelia trails

we had heard... and if this wasn't enough to pull him

I nod, before taking in a full breath of air to prepare myself to enter the room where my friend lay

moment, unable to move. The beeping of the machines was the first thing to hit me, followed by the sight of

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

to walk to the bedside, each step dragging

collapsed down into the chair next to his bed, my hands gripping the armrests like they

was too pale, the bruises around the edges of the bandages stark against his usually vibrant complexion. His chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, aided

wouldn't come. What could I even say? That I was sorry? That

words felt

the fact that Daryl was lying here in a hospital bed

on my knees, and buried

voice breaking. "I should've been there... I

could actually hear me

But there was nothing.

monitor, reminding me that he was still here,

for what felt like hours, my mind racing with every "what if" I could think

the chair scraping loudly against the tiled

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

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 pricked at the corners

creak open behind me and turned to see Amelia standing there, her eyes filled with the same sadness and hope that

to me. She placed a hand on my shoulder,

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asked softly, her voice barely above a