Shadows In Durango

Chapter 122

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

I could feel my pulse quicken as Vincent's text message to Emma's phone repeated over and over again from within my head:

'Daryl's doing better. We should probably talk today. I'll meet you when you get to the hospital later?'

Was this it?

It was direct and straight to the point giving nothing away?

That was Vincent's style...

Was this whole meet up lining itself up to be the dreaded conversation where he's going to tell me it's all over? Whatever spark we had together, now gone? That I was too much of a liability for him, for everyone around me? Most likely.

My mind spiraled with every possible outcome as I finished drying my damp hair, and none of them felt good. Still, I knew I had to face reality sooner rather than later in order to move on in any way I can...

Whatever he had to say to me, whether it be good or bad, I would have to hear it in person, to my face.

I glanced across the room at Emma, who gave me an encouraging smile as she pulled on her peach coloured sweatshirt. "You've got this, Sofia. I can practically hear your thoughts. You need to just talk to him, clear the air, you'll both feel better for it after."

I nodded, even though my stomach continued to do flips. "I know, we should probably go there soon, it's getting closer to the afternoon visiting slots. I'll be ready in two minutes." I announce, sighing once more as I drag the brush through my well conditioned hair - grateful to look somewhat normal again despite the remnants of bruising, but I looked way better than what I had done when I first freed myself from Ashtons grubby basement...

Emma quickly hammered out a message on her phone, probably sending it to Reid since he had offered to come pick us both up, as I placed the brush down on the nightstand.

Everything seemed to move quickly from there, which I hadn't exactly wanted it to, growing more nervous by the second.

Reid turned up, we both climbed in, and thankfully he seemed to have more colour to his cheeks today compared to last night - seeming more back to his usual self.

"Did you sleep?" Emma questioned him, as I chose to remain quiet in the back.

"Yeah Vincent and I managed to take turns during the night, they gave us a small room with a bed when they realised we weren't leaving any time soon which was good." He explains, as I feel relieved to hear that Vincent had managed to sleep a little bit too.

by having all of us rested now, it would help diffuse things a

flash, even though it was just a short drive from Emma's place - I had hoped that it would feel longer today. Emma helped to fill the silence with firing random questions at Reid, clearly trying to distract us all, but I could barely focus

stuck on what Vincent might have to say to me, what his face might look

the hospital parking lot, my palms were sweaty, and my heart was pounding so loudly that I imagined I could hear it echo up in to my ears. My head maintained a dull ache, one that hadn't seemed to fully leave me alone since my encounters

the car, allowing for my body to enter autopilot, as we walked up the

remember the last time we were here only hours ago, the fear, the

thankfully, he was doing good now, at least that was the last

of the chairs over by the vending machines and hadn't noticed us

towards him, he turned, his expression hard

the tension between us was still very much there, remaining buried beneath the surface. "Hey," he greeted, his voice low. "I'm glad you're both back." He states politely, as I push

Is he sleeping again?" Reid questions, as he clears his throat

she's in there all over him like a bad rash. Amelia came back not too long ago though so at least she's in there with them." Vincent tells Reid who rolls his eyes knowingly. It was then that I only

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Mom shining through when he speaks

amongst the building silence. "How's Daryl

eased a little more at hearing me speak for

first meal this morning but it wasn't much. He's still groggy, but the doctors say it's a good sign." His tone was lighter when he talked about Daryl, as if the progress was

weren't here just to talk about Daryl... and that he wanted to address

was hoping you'd come with me, Sofia. We do need to talk." Vincent stands from his position, as I catch Reid and Emma locking eyes - both of them probably feeling caught

suddenly twisted tighter as I

This was it...

nod, sensing my hesitation. "I'll stay here with Reid and

smile, thankful for her. "O-Okay." Turning to Vincent, I added,

took off in large strides as I followed after him to leave the

that hadn't been said yet

hands locked together in my lap, fidgeting with the hem of my black sleeve as we pulled out of

to wonder if he had plotted on giving me the silent treatment as a form of

know," he said quietly,