Shadows In Durango

Chapter 15

HRHRRSOfig's POVHHIRK

The minutes dragged by in detention, each second feeling like an eternity trapped in hell. | stared blankly at the

old, graffiti-scarred desk in front of me, trying to push away the day's humiliations.

My head throbbed where that girl had yanked my ponytail, and | rubbed the sore spot absently - glancing up at

the clock to see that it wasn't even ten yet.

Just when | thought my day couldn't get any worse, the door creaked open but | didn't bother looking up,

assuming that it was just another student arriving to join us in our sorrow.

But the heavy footsteps and grumble of the person followed by the sudden silence in the room madeglance

up in curiosity only to find...

Vincent standing by the doorway, his sharp eyes scanning the room in boredom.

But when they eventually landed on me, they widened in shock for a split second before narrowing back into a

pissed off glare.

What is he doing here this early in the day?!

He walked in with an air of authority, taking a seat near the back. His presence immediately commanding the

room filled with only five of us, the usual whispers and murmurs falling into a tense silence. The girl opposite me,

who had been smirking at my misery, straightened up, her eyes lighting up with sudden interest as | watched

her whole demeanour shift before my very eyes.

"Hey there," she purred, flipping her hair over her shoulder and flashing him a dazzling smile. "Didn't expect to

see someone like you in here at this time... you really are the school's bad boy aren't you?!"

| looked at her in horror, feeling nauseous at her bleak attempt to flirt... before | glanced across to Vincent as he

ignored her, his gaze still locked onwith confusion evident in his eyes.

| shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny, wondering why he was here and what he was currently thinking...

Undeterred, the girl leaned closer, batting her eyelashes. "So, what did you do to end up in detention? Must be a

good story and | would love to hear it." She hums, as | cringe at her second attempt.

It was so forced and unnatural, as though she was almost desperate for him to acknowledge her even in the

slightest way.

Vincent's expression remained stony. "None of your fucking business," he said curtly, his voice low and

dismissive with a wave of his wrist.

The girl's smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, trying a different tactic once more. "Well, maybe we can

make this detention a little more interesting together," she said, her tone now suggestive as she tried to proceed

with seducing him next.

Oh dear! Does Vincent get this a lot? First the two cheerleaders and now the wicked witch of my gym class?

What a lucky guy!

Vincent didn't even look at her though. "I doubt that you could make anything interesting!" he muttered under

his breath, loud enough for everyone to still hear him as he spoke.

The girl's face reddened, and she shota glare as if this were somehow my fault.

"Aren't you already fucking half of the basketball team Erica? | don't want to catch something!" He retorts, loud

and proud this time, causing a couple of guys to snigger from down the front.

Erica... that was the nof my abuser that Vincent had no shin mocking now.

Horrified, Erica turns her back on him swiftly, folding her arms over like a stubborn rejected child.

| breathed out a sigh and decided to keep my eyes down, hoping to avoid drawing any further attention from her

or Vincent for that matter...

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But Vincent wasn't done. "Why are you in here, Sofia? Plus what is up with your hair today? It looks... like a

nest?" He askssuddenly, his voice cutting through the tension in the room as my eyes widen.

I glanced up, surprised to see genuine curiosity in his eyes as opposed to basic slander. "I... | was attacked in

class," | said quietly. "But the teacher didn't believeand said | was in a fight - so | was sent here." | admit,

glancing quickly towards the witch who was to blbefore turning my eyes back to him.

He frowned, his jaw suddenly tightening at the explanation. "Attacked? By who exactly?" He pushes on... clearly

already knowing the answer himself but wanting to hearsay it.

Before | could even answer, the girl oppositespoke up, her voice defensive. "It was just a misunderstanding.

There is no need to make a big deal out of it as though | was bullying you! You were asking for it - she was rude

tofirst!" Erica complains, as | refrain from rolling my eyes at her defences.

Vincent's glare shifted to her, and she visibly wilted under his scrutiny. "A misunderstanding that put Sofia in

detention with her hair looking like that? How cyour hair looks fine?" he asked coldly. "Doesn't sound like

nothing to me." He sneers, as | study his reaction closely - unsure of why he even cared.

The girl stammered, trying to find a way out of the situation. "I mean, we were just messing around. No harm

done, right?" She shrugs, as | lick my drying lips from nerves.

Vincent's eyes flickered back to me, his expression unreadable. "Is that true, Sofia? Was it a little

misunderstanding or was this bitch causing problems for no reason? Don't lie toeither!" He warns, as |

suddenly feel torn on what to do or say. | shook my head, my voice trembling and deciding to stick by my gut

with telling the truth. "No. She pulled my hair and draggedaround the changing room because | didn't

answer her when she was making fun of me." | cleared my throat and spoke out, as though he was the voice of

reason in it all.

Vincent Walker - the voice of reason? How strange!

Vincent's expression darkened, and he turned back to the girl. "Is that what really happened? You were just

acting like a dirty little fucking rat for fun?" he demanded to know, his voice dangerously low now - enough to

cause the hairs on the backs of your arms to stand.

The girl shrank back, unable to meet his gaze now which | found slightly amusing. "I... I didn't mean to hurt her,"

she mumbled.

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Vincent stood up, his presence looming over the whole room. "Apologise to her then," he commanded, shocking