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.

long time, they all were, and to think that there was a chance that nothing would be the same now,

is going to fix this. Every 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 about it!" I push myself to sit

and see what happens next and I'll be right here,

but agreed that I had to at

don't know what Ashton did to mine the night he took me... I was just getting used to having it back too!" I grumble,

be recovered from the crime scene, including my phone, if he hadn't completely broke it that is... and I also wonder what

screen as I thought about what to say. What if Vincent didn't even respond? What if he said something I wasn't ready to hear? What if he just straight up tells me

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I ready for

voice barely reaching the air. "What do I say

suggested, sitting cross-legged beside me. "Just ask how Daryl's doing, or if they need anything brought up to the hospital when we visit. You don't have to pour your

started typing, trusting that my friend knew

phone 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

tighten before I turn

a deep breath from myself, I hit send, before giving

she could see his response come through before I could to maybe inform me if it's a bad

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

text had been just as bad as

arm around me, pulling me in for a side hug. "Vincent's hurt, but he's not a cold-hearted person, although 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, and I'm sure he'll come around and

to me like a dark cloud preparing to rain all over my