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.

the door, leaving us in

me, and he motioned weakly for

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

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

he'd been in here? The conversation I just had with Vincent that left me in a pit of

you, Sofia, don't think you can't just because I'm stuck in here..." Daryl said

Daryl I had always appreciated, the approachable Daryl who always had my back... and

a shaky breath,

want to forgive him, 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

he of

look at what you've been through! Just tell me to shut up! My problems are minuscule compared to yours!" I babble out suddenly, pushing my

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 with me. You have every right to

Daryl and I had spoke on good terms like this, with our friendship

the fact that we almost lost him made us all realise that none of that actually mattered now. Sure, Daryl had

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those you care for... so perhaps forgiving Vincent actually doesn't seem

best to just forgive and forget about what

with my father now being so hot on

forget him... never... and

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 and it

know, and 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 want to." His voice had that familiar strength I knew so well, even as he lay there

took a deep breath, gathering

the one thing I'm still worried about most is that my father now knows where I am... or at least, who I'm with. He's going to find me soon..." I lick my drying lips, my voice quiet when discussing my father out in the open. Daryl takes a second to digest my words, nodding

to take this time to apologise to you for how I treated you

Daryl I never wanted to hurt your feelings,

didn't want to accept it. But I have now, and I'm prepared to get over it as