Shadows In Durango
Chapter 105

*****Vincent's POV*****

It's 8am now and still no fucking sign of Sofia anywhere.

The worst thing was, that Daryl had called Reid back to say that no buses had left town last night after nine which ruled out that possibility...

I don't think she would have hitch hiked her way out of here either so the most probable explanation was that she was still here, somewhere in town. So where the fuck did she go?!

We had returned back to my place before Emma's parents could get back - not wanting to upset or worry them with what was going on.

Emma currently lay on the sofa battling sleep as I remained wide eyed and alert. I was far too worked up, having drank around eight coffees in the passing hours, with my mind doing overtime on where Sofia could be and what might have happened to her.

"What the fuck has happened to you three?! Vincent you look like you've just crawled your way out of hell!" I turn to replace my father entering the living room, fully dressed in his shirt and slacks for the day as he eyes each of us suspiciously. Reid remained seated, his eyes blood shot red, as I all but sigh heavily - thankful that my mother hadn't followed him downstairs - at least not yet.

I need her to stay out of my way today...

With a brief shake of his head, realising that none of us were going to answer him, he walks off in the direction of the kitchen - probably to fix himself a coffee.

As soon as he gets out of ear shot, Reid turns to me, "Maybe you should go and speak to him? He could help us replace her... it's not like our guys have found anything yet." Reid states the obvious as I turn my head to glance in the direction that my father had just walked off in.

I hated seeming needy and weak to him.

Hated asking for his help at the best of times.

But I suppose that he did have better connections to look in to this further and he did also have my back over how Daryl and my mother had acted last night at dinner... which was unusual from him.

I continue to stare at the spot where my father had disappeared into the kitchen, the silence in the room thick and suffocating. Reid's words hang in the air, tempting me to act, but I push them down.

The problem was, I couldn't shake the feeling that if I asked for his help, it would be admitting to how much I didn't have things under control.

And that, more than anything, makes my jaw tighten.

"Maybe," I mutter, my eyes darting over to Emma, who's still curled up on the sofa, her face a picture of exhaustion. Her worry over Sofia hasn't left her even in her half asleep state.

"You don't look too good either, you know," Reid says, voice low but laced with concern.

I give him a sharp look, but he just raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying the 'I'm fine' routine.

"I'm fine," I growl, running a hand through my hair, the rough bristles scraping my fingers.

Reid doesn't argue, just sighs and rubs at his tired eyes. "We need a lead. Something. Anything. We're running out of time - she could be half way across the country by now for all we know."

The weight of that statement crashes into me. I know it. Hell, we all know it. But every second that ticks by feels like it's sinking us further and further into the dark. The uncertainty, the not-knowing, gnaws away at me. This is all my fault...

"I'll talk to him," I finally give in, my voice thick and irritated. "But don't expect miracles from him if he's in a bad mood."

I stand, my legs feeling like lead, as I make my way toward the kitchen, the sound of my footsteps echoing off the walls. My father's already at the counter, eyes on a black coffee mug he's holding, the steam still rising from it like it's the most interesting thing in the room.

For a moment, I just watch him, feeling the distance between us grow, even though we're standing in the same space.

"Dad," I start, my voice rough, not sure where this conversation is supposed to go.

He doesn't look up, just takes another sip of his coffee, his movements deliberate and calm. "You're all wound up. You need to chill out. What is the issue, none of you can replace her I assume?" He asks, hitting the nail on the head straight away. He knew what was going on just from looking at the state we were all in...

"I don't have time to calm down," I snap, the words leaving my mouth before I can stop them. "She's gone off somewhere, and I need your help to replace her. She doesn't have anywhere else to live!" I admit, as he nods slowly.

Finally, my father meets my gaze, his eyes sharp, taking in the desperation I can't fight to hide.

"What exactly do you want me to do then, Vincent? I would much prefer that you just asked me out right instead of dancing around it?" He pushes me, as I breathe out heavily.

"Have people look through the towns camera footage? I know you've done that once before to replace out who stole from your warehouse so why can't we do that again for Sofia? Maybe something will pick her up and we will have a lead. Right now, we have nothing! I already have people out searching and it's useless." I rant, as he only stares back at me and continues to take agonising sips.

My father eventually sets the mug down with a clink, his gaze hardening, eyes searching mine like he's weighing the options. The silence stretches out, but then he finally gives a small nod.

"Alright. I'll get some people in on it." he says, his voice low, almost detached. "But you better be ready to follow through on this shit when her father calls back for an update. If you're going to drag me into your mess, you better not back off when it gets messy for me. Seeing how the girl reacted to the news last night didn't seem like she would be willing to go through with the marriage plan... and Frazier won't be happy about that." He explains, as I roll my eyes next. "Fuck Frazier right now, who cares?! Just don't say anything to him yet until we know where the hell she is! I just need Sofia back to at least talk to her about it. She's scared, and I don't blame her. Her father's a little bitch from what I know!" I spit out my distaste for the man as my father chuckles next and looks down to the floor.

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"Yes he is a little bitch, but he's persistent, I'll give him that." He shakes his head with a smile, as I don't even want to think about Frazier right now.

He is the least of my worries with Sofia being somewhere out there - alone!

"Just do whatever you can," I say, turning back toward the living room, but then I pause. "And keep it quiet. Don't tell anyone. Not even my mother. I don't need her trying to piss me off any more than what she already has." I conclude, somewhat praying that she decides to stay in her room for the rest of the day.

"You got it, but remember you'll owe me one for this..." he says, already reaching for his phone as I ignore him and leave.

He'll hold me to that alright...

I head back to Reid and Emma, the new hope of what we're about to do next bringing back some energy in to my veins.

I glance at Emma as I sit back down, her eyes fluttering open, confusion clouding her face. She's trying so hard to hold it together, but I can see how badly this is eating her up.

"Sofia's out there, and we'll replace her, he's going to help..." I mutter, the pair of them listening intently. "It should take a couple of hours but hopefully one of the cameras around town has picked her up last night and we can hopefully track her from there..."

Reid doesn't say anything, too exhausted to engage, as Emma looks somewhat relieved by the news.

"You two should get some sleep, you won't be any use to me if you're like zombies!" I state the obvious, as Emma yawns as if on signal.

"You should too." Reid retorts, forcing himself up to his feet before going to help Emma up, but I only shake my head.

I can't sleep and I won't. Not when I don't know where Sofia is and how she's feeling...

I won't rest until I replace her and have her back here...

Back where she belongs!