Shadows In Durango

Chapter 119

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

At first, I thought I was fully imagining it...

That my mind, desperate for any slight sign of life, was playing tricks on me...

But no- the faintest twitch of his fingers in mine was real!

My gasp caught up in my throat, and I held still, afraid to move, afraid to break whatever fragile connection had just been sparked.

"Daryl?!" My voice barely escaped as a whisper, my heart thudding loudly in my ears.

For a moment, there was nothing. The machines kept their steady rhythm, the silence closing in on me again. I gripped his hand tighter, willing him to give me another sign, anything to show me that he was still in there, fighting to come back. Then, just as I was about to lose hope, his eyelids fluttered. It was so small, so quick, that I almost missed it, but it was definitely there.

A flicker of life!

My heart sprung up into my throat next, and I stood up so fast that the chair tipped over behind me with a loud clatter.

"Daryl? Daryl, can you hear me? Whatever you're doing, keep doing it! It's working!" I leaned over the bed, my face inches from his, my hand still gripping his tightly.

"C'mon, man, give me something else..." I plead, not wanting the momentous moment to die out.

His brow furrowed ever so slightly, and I watched, holding my breath as his chest hitched, a faint groan escaping his lips next.

He's responding! He's finally waking up!

The machines around him beeped a little faster, reacting to his movements and sudden change in demeanour, and I felt a surge of hope crash through me like a tidal wave.

I reached for the call button beside the bed, smashing it with more force than necessary as I called for a nurse - pressing it again and again as if that would make them move faster outside.

Dropping it, I rush to the room door, opening it and seeing a half asleep Amelia looking up at me - suddenly startled.

"What's going on Vincent?!" Amelia stammers, leaning forward and dreading to hear any more bad news.

The rush of nurses come speeding down the hallway, as I motion for them all to hurry up...

"He's waking up!" I shouted, my voice shaking with a mix of relief and disbelief all at the same time. "He's waking up, come quick!"

Within moments, the room was a flurry of activity. Nurses rushed in, checking his vitals, adjusting the machines before a doctor arrived shortly after.

a reassuring nod,

she said, her tone professional but warm. "His vitals are improving rapidly. This

back, allowing myself to catch a breath, letting them work, but my eyes never left

has left - just to come back to us, and for the

came to my side, lacing her arm around mine as she held on to me, breathless, her eyes wide with hope as we both stood back

doctor inject something

smile breaking out across my face. "He's fighting hard, Amelia. He's coming back

clasped her hands over her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked down at

his progress in the moment, as they offered us gentle smiles on their passing leaving just one more nurse

hours... but just press the button again and the nurses will be with him when he's awake and needs anything. When he wakes up, he will feel exhausted and will probably fall back over

as he nods and heads for

room, but it no longer felt as ominous

was life in the sound now

beside me, as though we were both glued to the spot and scared

the one who managed to pull him back."

always been stronger than me. I just..."

my arm, her grip firm yet trembling with emotion. "He needed you here, Vincent.

was fighting for his life because of decisions I had made - decisions that led him straight

the beeping of the machines now a strange sort

was still here,

It wasn't over.

Not yet.

between Amelia and me as we just took the time

like we were holding our

groan, sent my heart racing

silence, her voice soft. "I think... I think I'll go and get some air, I feel a little nauseous in here, maybe you can try to talk him round again?" she said, her voice thick with exhaustion. She gave me a gentle pat on the arm. "You stay here. He'll want to see your face

as she quietly slipped out of the room, leaving me

my spot. I stayed by Daryl's side, watching him, silently urging him to fight just

eventually reached down for his hand, finding it to be still limp in mine, before

"C'mon, man," I whispered, leaning closer. "You can do this." I encourage, assuming he could hear me

flexing against mine. "That's it! Keep doing what you're

dreaming, he slowly, very painfully, cracked open his

but it was enough for me. He was in there, coming back to

now, my emotions swirling as I

groaned this

but it was incoherent words