Shadows In Durango

Chapter 129

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

Seeing Daryl awake, hearing his voice - it was something I'd longed for since that night, after Ashton landed him here in that hospital bed...

But I had to admit, now that it was finally happening, the nerves were hitting me hard.

Emma opened the door quietly, and I stepped inside behind her, my heart pounding as I saw Daryl propped up in bed, his eyes half-open, a faint smile tugging at his lips when seeing the pair of us. Relief washed over me at the sight of him, more awake and alert compared to the first time we had both visited his room...

"Sofia," he rasped out, his voice weak but warm.

His gaze met mine, his eyes filled with that familiar mixture of warmth and strength that had always been Daryl since the day we first met.

I swallowed back a wave of emotion, forcing myself to stay steady as I walked closer to his bedside. "Daryl... you have no idea how good it is to see you awake again."

He managed a chuckle, though it sounded more like a soft cough. "Good to see you too. From the look on your face, I'm guessing you didn't think you'd see me awake like this, huh?"

"Not after what happened," I admitted, my voice shaking slightly. "Daryl, I... I can't even begin to say how sorry I am. If I hadn't have "

"No, stop." His voice held a faint edge of authority that only he could pull off, even now. "Whatever you're thinking, don't. I'd do it all over again if it meant freeing you from that nutcase." My chest tightened at his words.

Daryl had always been a person I could count on like a true brother that I had always wished for, unlike what I had actually got...

But seeing him lying there, his face pale and exhausted, brought a thick sense of guilt to me that I couldn't quite shake.

Regardless of what he said, I would still blame myself for him winding up here like he did...

Emma, sensing my nerves, cleared her throat and gave my shoulder a comforting squeeze. "I'll give you both a few minutes alone," she said softly, which I nodded, thankful for.

leaving us in a silence that was

he motioned weakly for me to

of it? It looks like you've been to hell and back." He comments, as I laugh dryly at the truth of his statement

say that. It's been... a lot to recover from." I hesitated, not knowing where to

to explain everything that had happened since he'd been in here? The conversation I just had with Vincent that left me in a pit

think you can't just because I'm stuck in here..." Daryl said gently, watching me with an understanding that made it easier to open

who always had my back... and to think that he almost lost his life

a shaky

but I just feel like he's put me in so much danger. My gut is telling me to run away from here and to never look back but physically, I can't. I don't

offload, feeling that he of all people somehow deserved to know the truth

up! My problems are minuscule compared to yours!" I babble out suddenly, pushing

his hand lifting slightly before dropping back down, the movement slow but filled with resolve. "Sofia, don't do that," he said, his voice soft but steady. "Your problems aren't minuscule, and I don't want you holding back

a long time since Daryl and I had spoke on good terms like this, with our friendship having been

that none of that actually mattered now. Sure, Daryl had his moments, but that

you might be missing

life is far too short not to move on with those you care for... so perhaps forgiving Vincent

forgive

forget with my father now being so

me forget him...

know where to even start," I admitted, meeting his gaze. "It's like every time I think that I have a grip on things, something else just... spirals. I've only ever wanted to be happy Daryl

none of this is fair on you, but you will be happy one day. Let's talk about it and maybe you'll feel better? Just start wherever you

breath, gathering

with contacting my father... and to cut a long story short, I'm really hurt over it all and I don't know what to do about it. He's apologised for it way more times than I can count but the one thing I'm still worried about

from a good place - I'll at least give him that. I also want to take this time to apologise to you for how I treated you that night at dinner. Truthfully, I was only pissed off because I finally realised that you chose him over me." Daryl explains, which

in to defend; "W-What?! Daryl I never wanted to hurt your feelings, b-but at that time, I really did think

I've known that for a long time but I just didn't want to accept it. But I have now, and I'm prepared to get over it as long as we can stay good friends... and you know where I am if you ever get sick of him too!" He jokes with a wink,