Shadows In Durango

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

I forced myself to stay awake despite everything I had gone through during my time trapped in Ashtons basement - my body crying out for sheer rest that I only continued to deny.

I felt guilty to rest, not when Daryl was down the corridor fighting for his own life because of me!

It was a luxury I wasn't prepared to grant myself.

I didn't deserve to rest, not yet at least.

Emma seemed to have dozed off, her head resting on my shoulder as it gradually grew numb with the longer that she leaned on it, but I didn't care too much about it.

Reid remained quiet, as he flicked through his phone unable to fully focus on anything that popped up, seeming to look up every few minutes or so towards the same door that Vincent had disappeared through earlier.

I assumed that he must've got let through to see him which I was at least glad about since he hadn't come back...

He needed to see him way more than any of us right now.

Watching the officers tie Vincent up and drag him off in the police car as though he were the one who had committed the crimes belonging to Ashton, broke me. Especially knowing how worried he must've been down at the station knowing that his best friend was here in critical condition.

Swallowing hard, I use my free hand to reach up and scrub at my raw eyes - demanding that they don't give up on me just yet.

I need to stay awake, just to find out if Daryl is ok...

It had already been long, draining hours of just sitting here waiting, seeing a number of patients come and go as the day quickly turned to night around us.

We had met with Daryl's aunt Amelia who had gone outside for a cigarette a number of times since being here too - barely saying two words each time she passed by - only offering us a small wave or a sad, painted on smile.

I could tell she was a kind lady, although deeply saddened by what was going on, and I mean,

who could blame her? Her nephew was stuck unconscious from a bullet wound!

Sighing again, I pull my bottom lip in to my teeth and begin to chew it, using it as a brief distraction as I nipped at the cut skin.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

I feel like I should be doing more right now but there wasn't much I could offer in terms of help.

I felt very useless in all of this. I was simply a burden to them...

Glancing around at the same pale yellow walls, with my gaze skimming by each poster and sign that I had already read over a hundred times by now: each one promoting optimal health and new treatments, I struggle to find anything new to look at...

But just as I thought I couldn't stand another minute of the waiting, the door over to the far right swung open with a loud bang only before Vincent himself came rushing through, his face pale, his eyes wide and frantic.

My heart stopped for a second, thinking that perhaps I was hallucinating, but I instinctively sat up straighter, causing Emma to stir beside me. She blinked blearily, yawning as she tried to shake off the sleep to see what was going on. Reid shot up to his feet in an instant, his phone slipping out of his hand and clattering down on to the floor. "What's happened?!" he demanded to know, his voice taut with fear.

For a split second, Vincent didn't even acknowledge us. His gaze swept over our small group, but instead of coming towards us, he darted past, his footsteps heavy and hurried as he ran for the exit door.

My stomach dropped at that.

Something seemed wrong.

What if something in there had gone terribly? Why was he running out like that?!

Reid turned to me, his face drained of color. "What the hell is going on?" His voice wavered, a reflection of the fear clawing at my own chest.

"I-I don't know," I stammered, panic surging through me as I looked around at the empty room expecting to find some sort of clue that wasn't there.

In that moment I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move. I was frozen in absolute fear of what was yet to come...

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.org is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away!

Vincent wouldn't have ran out like that unless he was overwhelmed or upset, right?!

Emma rubbed her eyes, still half asleep. "What's happening? Is Daryl-"

"I don't know!" I cut her off, my voice trembling harshly. "Just... let's just wait here." I stutter, as they both nod along, eyes wide and mouths hanging open.

I stood up on shaky legs, but before I could take a step or go anywhere, Vincent came back through the entrance, this time with Daryl's aunt Amelia in tow who had been outside for 'fresh air' that she told us she needed.

My eyes scanned over her face next, but it wasn't giving much away, and she didn't stop to say a word to us either as she walked quickly by.

Her steps seemed rushed and determined as she headed straight down that same daunting corridor towards Daryl's room...

Vincent stopped near the entrance, leaving her to go forward alone, bending forward slightly with his hands resting on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.

His chest heaved before us, and sweat glistened on his forehead as neither of the three of us said a word at the sight of him.

What was going on?!

"Vincent?" Reid's voice was small, almost childlike, as he finally decided to be the one to speak up. "Is Daryl...?"

Vincent instantly straightened up, as though he had just remembered about us being here, as he remained panting with his eyes locking with ours.

There was a moment of silence as he tried to compose himself, the weight of our expectant stares pressing down on him before he eventually shuffled his way closer towards us.

Then, finally, he spoke...

"Daryl... he's woke up." His voice was raspy, filled with heavy disbelief, as if he couldn't quite grasp the reality of the words himself.

A gasp escaped me, and I felt my knees go weak as I collapsed back in to the chair I had spent hours seated in.

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.org is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! Tears immediately blurred my vision, and I covered my mouth, overwhelmed with sheer relief.

He's awake?! He pulled through? Is that a cert that he's going to be ok?!

Reid stood frozen for a moment before he swore out 'fuck' under his breath, pacing back and forth, his hands running through his hair.

Emma, still half asleep, sat up straighter, blinking rapidly as she tried to process what Vincent had just said looking between us all.

"He... he woke up?" she mumbled, reciting the news again as Vincent nodded along.

"Yeah, he's fell back asleep now though but the nurses said not to worry about that, he will just be exhausted," Vincent nodded, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. "He's still weak, but he's alive and getting better they said. The nurse said he's stable..." he concludes, as I shudder at the much awaited update.

The tears I had been holding in finally broke free again, spilling out down my cheeks as I felt my body melt in to the cold plastic of the seat.

My body shook with sobs, the weight of everything crashing down on me all at once. I hadn't realised just how tightly I'd been holding on to the fear of losing him until now.

"Oh thank God!" I whimper, inhaling a heavy deep breath. "Thank God he's made it through this!" I continue, as I glance up at Vincent to find he was now staring down at me with a blank stare.

He still seemed like he didn't want to fully acknowledge or talk to me directly, as his eyes seemed to hold many words left unsaid between us...

Would he ever be able to forgive me for what happened to his friend?

If I never would have walked in to their lives in the first place, none of this would have happened...

I had well and truly bulldozed my way through their peace and happiness, seeming to destroy everything that they had before I came in to the mix, and for that, I don't think I can even forgive myself. Nothing would ever be the same for me here...