Shadows In Durango

Chapter 121

*****Sofia's POV*****

"I feel shitty being back here when Daryl's still laying in a hospital bed..." I trail off in a whisper, not wanting Emma's parents to overhear any of the details regarding what had happened to Daryl. Emma hadn't wanted to worry them more than what was necessary, simply making out that Daryl had just caught a really nasty bug that left him in the hospital.

I went along with her wishes but knew that deep down, it probably wouldn't be long before they would hear the truth around town for themselves...

"At least now we know he's doing ok... Vincent wanted us to leave only to rest up." Emma confirms, as we both remained under her duvet having not long woke up from a much needed sleep. Vincent told us to go home and to get some rest after we were eventually let through to see Daryl, but I figured that it was also just to help put some space between us.

Seeing Daryl, although he had been asleep and snoring when we had, at least we could stand and watch him groan and stir around in his sleep briefly to confirm that he was alive and doing way better than what he was before...

"I don't think Vincent cares what I do, not after everything that's happened. He's acting cold towards me, and I don't blame him either." I sigh, deciding to admit how I felt.

Emma turned on her side to face me, her brows knitting together in sudden concern. "He's just... dealing with it all in his own way, you know? I mean, he's scared for Daryl. We all are. But I seriously believe that he likes you way more than to just ditch you so don't sweat it!" She encourages as I feel my lip wobble ever so slightly but I push to hold it together.

I stared up at the ceiling, lost amongst the many 'what ifs' moving forward. "I know, but I can't shake the feeling that he blames me for all of this, just like I blame myself... maybe if I hadn't gotten so involved in his life... then none of this would've happened to begin with... Daryl wouldn't have got shot!" I breathe out the last part, feeling the ache of the event very much still present.

Emma sat up at that, tossing the duvet aside as she looked down at me. "Sofia, stop this. You didn't ask for any of this. Ashton is the one to blame, and him alone, not you. Daryl got hurt because of that psychopath, not because of you. Vincent just needs time to process what's happened and he will come back around."

Her words made sense, but it didn't ease the dread gnawing at me from the inside. I had never felt this way about anyone before, and the thought of Vincent never forgiving me, hurt my heart to the core.

all were, and to think that

time Vincent looks at me, I can see it in his eyes, the pain, the dread, the tension... the damn resentment! The anger! It's like I'm a reminder of what almost happened to Daryl... and I feel so awful

shook her head to disagree with me, running her fingers back through her messy bed hair. "You're going to drive yourself crazy if you keep digging holes for yourself Sof! You just have to wait and see what happens next and I'll be right here, by your side, no matter what! I sent Reid a text to tell him we would come by again this afternoon, maybe you should send Vincent a text too? See if

wasn't so sure about the idea, but agreed that I had to at least do something... I couldn't just

Ashton did to mine the night he took me... I was just getting used to having

belongings would be recovered from the crime scene, including my phone, if he hadn't completely broke it that is... and I also wonder what happened to the old lady upstairs? Was she alive?! Emma reached

screen as I thought about what to say. What if Vincent didn't even respond? What if he

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know what to write," I admitted, my voice barely reaching the air. "What do I say after everything

Emma suggested, sitting cross-legged beside me. "Just ask how Daryl's doing, or if they need anything brought up to

deep breath, I eventually started typing, trusting that my friend knew best in this scenario

right now so I thought to send you a quick text using Emma's. Just checking in to see how Daryl is doing today and to see how you are feeling? Let me know if you need anything later, we will be coming back to visit

tighten before I turn the screen around to face Emma who skims over it for

deep breath from myself, I hit send, before giving the device straight

before I could to maybe inform me if it's a bad one or not... and that's if he even decides that

right? Now you just wait and see what happens, one step

still felt that sending the text had been just as bad as I had imagined it to

he likes to pretend that he is. He knows you didn't mean for any of this to happen and that you couldn't have controlled Ashton or his actions. You just need to give him some space,

really did. But doubt still clung to me like a dark