Shadows In Durango

Chapter 106

*:kkxG0fig's POV*Fkkx

Groaning loudly, | flop back down on to the crummy sofa in the centre of the cold hard basement.

There was absolutely nothing in here from what | could see that could helpget out. Nothing decent to even

defend myself with.

It was as though Ashton had already thought this whole plan through to the end - proving himself to be a master

criminal at the mere age of eighteen. What a fucking asshole!

| was so upset, so angry at myself for landing myself in this mess. The second he had pulled up in his car | should

have ran for the hills...

All | could think of was that | should have told Vincent all about seeing Ashton at school when I had the chance.

He was smart, he would have looked in to him right away if anything like this happened to me, but he didn't

even know about him being here...

| hoped that Emma would think to tell him all aboutrunning in to Ashton at school, maybe from there he

would somehow be able to find and save me?

But | doubt it, I'm being extremely hopeful and extremely unrealistic. For all | knew, Vincent had letrun off in

my childish meltdown, not bothering to chase afterlike he had done before in the past.

| straighten up immediately, hearing the door unlock from the top of the steps, it creaking open and shining a

brighter light down in to the darkened space.

My best chance here is to play along for now...

Make him believe that I'm really trying to work on 'us' and maybe he will trustenough to takeoutside?

Once | can get outside, somewhere public, I'll be able to find help...

"Here we go! Toast and beans!" He announces, as though it were a gourmet meal he had just whipped up, as |

crank open a tight smile - with it failing to reach my eyes.

He was dangerous...

But | had to play nice...

"Thank you... is there, any water?" | ask, watching him reach the bottom step before approachingfully.

My whole body tightens up as he closes in on me, placing the tray down besideon the sofa.

Instead of answering, he walks across to the fridge, opening it and revealing a full stock of bottled water filling

the space - nothing else.

Great, he's already thought of that too...

The number of bottles alone haunted me, causing forto gulp in sudden realisation. How long was he

planning to holddown here? If he had stocked up on so many bottles for me? Shivering, my eyes follow him

as he grabs one and closes the door back over before returning to me.

"Eat." He demands, pulling up a stool as he sits much closer than what | had liked for him to be.

Nodding slowly, I lift my trembling hand to reach down for the tray, using my other to lift one of the bread slices -

biting down in to it.

The whole tthat | eat he just watches me, almost mesmerised by my actions as | fight back the feelings of

dread and anxiety.

| don't know how I'm going to get through this...

"I have squestions for you, since | haven't saw you in so long..." He announces, leaning his elbows on his

thighs, reaching closer toas | shift in the chair ever so slightly. "O-Ok..." | respond, unable to hide the stutter.

Ashton's eyes never leaveas | take another bite, the food almost tasteless in my mouth. It's hard to focus on

anything but the looming sense of insanity that fills the space between us. The more I try to keep my composure,

the more it feels like I'm suffocating under his watch.

His gaze is too intense, too piercing. It makes my skin crawl, but | keep my eyes down, focusing on the toast,

trying to force my hands to stop shaking each tthat I lift them.

He leans in even closer, his breath warm against the already heavy air of the basement. "So, Sofia... What's it

been like for you? In town, | mean." His voice is low, casual, but | can hear the edge of something darker hidden

beneath it.

If you're loving the book, nel5sis where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for

free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

He's watchinglike he's waiting for a slip-up of skind, like he already knows the answers that he wants.

| swallow hard, my throat dry despite the water bottle he had handed me. "It's been fine," | lie, forcing a smile

that feels like a mask, one I'm terrified will crack the moment he looks too closely.

He doesn't react immediately. He just watches me, his eyes narrowing slightly as though he's dissecting every

little word, every little movement. The silence stretches out, thick and burning, as he studieslike I'm some

kind of puzzle he's determined to solve.

"Fine?" he asks, voice teasing, as if I've just told him something amusing. "That's funny, because | remember you

being so upset on that sidewalk, so desperate to get away fromand from everything here." His hand reaches

out, almost casually, brushing against the back of my hand, and I fight the urge to flinch back.

I lock my jaw, refusing to pull away, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeingreact. If | show him any

fear, if | show that I'm scared, he wins.

"I'm sorry if | upset you by acting off," | manage, my voice trembling slightly despite my best efforts. "I just...

needed sspace that night, that's all." It's a weak excuse, but it's all I can offer.

Ashton leans back, satisfied for now. "Space, huh?" He seems to mull over my words, a dark smile tugging at the

corners of his lips. "I'll give you all the space you want down here, Sofia. But you know, sometimes the best way

to fix things... is to stop running." He deadpans.

My stomach turns at his words, a sickening realisation sinking in. | was like a mouse that had just been caught by

the cat after so many months of running...

He doesn't just wanthere to fix our past relationship - he wants to fully control and trap me, feeling

victorious in doing so.

| have no idea how far he's willing to go with this...

| take a long drink from the bottle of water, trying to keep my focus, trying to hold it together long enough to

figure out what to do next.

"You already know why | was on the run Ashton..." | say carefully, glancing at him briefly and seeing that his

sickening smile had never faltered.

He doesn't answer immediately, just watcheswith those unnerving eyes of his. Then, slowly, his lips curl up

into something resembling a grin.

"You were running, Sofia, because you didn't understand your father's ways. Neither did | after spending some

more twith him believe it or not, | realised he was crazy..." he trails off, before carrying on in his self

amusement, "But | wonder how he would feel now after knowing that | had managed to catch his daughter when

he couldn't?" He reaches out and brushes a strand of hair back from my face, his fingers lingering on my skin in

a way that makes my blood run cold. Is he going to tell my father he hashere?! Is that it?! Just to get back in

with him? To impress him? Or maybe just out of spite?!

"P-Please don't tell him that I'm here..." my voice suddenly croaks, breaking finally as | sniffle to hold back my

emotions.

"Shhh, it's all going to be ok... if you behave for me, then | won't have to send you back to him. Is that a deal?"

He presents, as my eyes widen at the ultimatum.

Either | stay down here as his slave or get sent back to my father... is that what he's saying?!

With that, the first tear slips, as he quickly reaches out to swipe it away with his thumb - an action that reminds