Shadows In Durango
Chapter 42

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

"Oh jeez! I totally forgot about school today! We missed it!" I panic loudly, as Vincent scoffs at my words.

"Is that seriously a concern of yours right now?" He grumbles, as I shrug and widen my eyes once more.

I forgot about Emma too! She will be worried sick!

"I have to text Emma!" I tell him, before turning to fetch my phone from the upstairs bedroom I had slept in last night.

I race up the steps towards the door, grabbing it from the bedside table from its charger before unlocking it with the passcode.

Two missed calls and six texts... two from Daryl and four from Emma...

Clicking on to Emma first, feeling guilty for leaving her alone at school today I read over the messages slowly:

'Let me know how work goes tonight, good luck!'

'Hey did you get home ok tonight? You said you'd text!'

'Morning! Meet you at the front entrance again today?'

'Ok seriously Sofia you're scaring me... you can't ignore texts and then not show up to school, I'll report you missing you know!!! Text me back...'

Feeling terrible, I quickly hammer my fingers down against the keyboard to respond to her, seeing that it was nearing lunch time and knowing that she would be able to check her messages then.

'Hey I am so so soooo sorry! I had the craziest night I'll have to call you when you finish school to tell you all about it... things kicked off at the bar and it all went down hill from there. I slept in today but I'll fill you in later: I promise!!' Hitting send, I breathe out a sigh of relief knowing Emma would replace some comfort in hearing from me again.

At least she cared...

Remembering I had two other messages, I click away from my chat with her to switch over to my texts with Daryl:

'Hey I'm out of town visiting my grandparents for two days... I haven't forgot about you or our kiss incase you worry... I'll be back for more as soon as possible sweetheart!'

'Don't ghost me Sofia... I'll be forced to drive back early to track you down Imao (but seriously though, text me back?)'

Feeling another wave of guilt crash through me, I hammer my thumbs down yet again, almost cackling at how unaware Daryl was with everything that had happened. Little does he know I might be living with him if Vincent gets his own way!

'Hey Daryl, sorry I had a really rough night at work and slept in this morning... there's a lot to catch up on, maybe call Vincent and he will explain? I'll see you when you get back!'

I send it, deciding I had worded what I wanted to say as best I could. Vincent would be the best person to tell him about my situation, saving me the shame or embarrassment of it.

Locking the phone with a final groan, I turn to go back downstairs to replace Vincent, feeling as though he was guiding me through this whole ordeal seamlessly.

He would never freak out or panic about things which brought me comfort... although he did have a wicked temper that I saw as a result of things not going his own way at the bar last night, but we all can't be perfect. Walking towards the kitchen, I can hear his loud voice talking but don't replace him anywhere to be seen, before I notice some patio doors leading outside to the back yard.

Following the voice, I finally step out to replace his back facing me as he holds a phone up to his ear.

"Will you chill out? She's staying here with me because she needs help! Stop acting like a little bitch, this isn't about you!" He scolds harshly, as I wonder who he was talking to on the receiving end.

Pausing to evidently allow the other person to speak he suddenly laughs, his head rolling back with whatever they say in amusement.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

He's seriously bipolar...

"You think this is about fucking her?! Get a grip Daryl, I'm not so fucking heartless that's not my intention with this - Sofia needs to stay here and that's final." He states clearly, causing me to audibly gasp - as Vincent whips around to face me. He eyes me for a moment as Daryl rages in his ear and I stand there awkwardly waiting for them to finish their dispute.

"Yeah, yeah, sure-bye." He mumbles, before hitting the red button to end the call.

"You heard that huh?" Vincent scoffs, as I nod slowly before he smirks and offers for me to have a seat with him outside.

I do so reluctantly, eyeing the back garden around us and how spacious and secluded it is. It was a peaceful sanctuary for me during this time - one in which I could hide in forever.

The gentle breeze brushed against my cheeks, as the sun shone down on us (although the heat today didn't seem to join with it).

"Daryl called." Vincent informs me, as if I already hadn't figured it out.

He moves quick considering I only just text him upstairs about what happened.

"Yeah I told him to talk to you, he text me." I mumble, playing with the hem of the tee he gave me.

"So he has your number and I don't?" Vincent hums, arms folded and his gaze questioning.

I suddenly felt like a child being interrogated for misbehaving, the way his tone would remain steady but his face egged me to test him.

"Uh well yeah?" I respond, the statement coming out as more of a question as I couldn't fathom what he was hinting at.

"Why did you never offer me your number?" He continues on, as though I was supposed to know to approach him and say 'by the way Vincent do you want my number?' like a weirdo at school.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

I didn't even think he liked me until last night!

"You didn't ask." I shrug and mumble, which seems to amuse him.

"Well then I want your number." Vincent takes a more direct approach as I look up at him to see if he was joking but rightly so, his hand was stretched out towards me. Feeling as though I had been captured under a spell, I slowly lean towards him and place my phone in his palm to which he pulls out his own phone.

"Passcode?" He glances up, as I recite the digits and he taps them in.

Why was I so willing to just give in to this guy? He quite literally just took my damn phone away and unlocked it...

He seems to start pressing the numbers in to his own phone, before smiling and locking mine - moving to hand it back.

"You don't have many apps." He comments his observation.

He was right, I was too scared to go back on any form of social media after running away. I figured if they would replace me quickly, that it would be through that.

I was best to just vanish off the face of the earth...

"Why don't you invite Emma over here after school? I have something important to handle later and I don't want you to be left here alone." Vincent suddenly breathes out, standing from his current position and checking his watch. With that motion, I glance down at my own watch to check the time... it was lunch at school in five minutes, maybe I could speak with her then.

"Yeah ok!" I confirm, knowing that it would make me feel a whole lot better seeing her.

But what would I say? How much would I reveal? Can I even trust her fully yet? I guess there's only one way to replace out...