Shadows In Durango

last night, he had gone a little too quiet.

I knew that he wouldn't judgefor my past, and that he probably needed tto process it all since it was

heavy stuff, but I just wished deep down that he would say more... showwhat he was actually thinking.

As we pulled into the driveway, | could feel the tension creeping in, tightening around my chest. Vincent's car

was parked outside, and even before we got out, | could sense something was off. Why did he call needing to

speak to me? It sounded important whatever it was...

After what we had done together after the date, | realised that his presence madefeel antsy. As though | was

ashamed of what we had shared... despite having enjoyed it all the same.

As soon as we stepped inside, the atmosphere felt thick, almost oppressive. Daryl was right behind me, but his

usual warmth seemed to fade as we walked into the hallway.

That's when | saw Vincent, leaning against the wall, his eyes locked onto Daryl with an intensity that made my

heart skip a beat. There was something dark in his gaze, something unsettled, and | could feel the energy

between them shift. "Vincent," | greeted, trying to sound normal, but my voice cout softer than | intended.

He didn't reply at first, just continued staring at Daryl like he was searching for something or trying to hide

something. Daryl met his gaze, and for a moment, it felt like the whole world paused. Neither of them spoke, but

the tension in the air was almost suffocating.

What is up with them? They are supposed to be friends?!

Finally, Vincent's eyes flickered to me, and his expression softened, though only slightly. "Sofia," he said, his

voice steady but with an edge | couldn't quite place. "Can you cwith me? We need to talk."

I glanced back at Daryl, whose jaw tightened just enough forto notice. He looked like he wanted to say

something, maybe even argue, but he held back, givinga brief nod instead.

"Thanks for today, Daryl," | said, offering him a small smile, trying to ease the tension. "I had a really good time."

He returned the smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah anytime, Sofia."

With that, | turned and followed Vincent down the hallway, feeling Daryl's eyes onuntil we rounded the

corner. The air felt heavy as we walked to Vincent's little hoffice type room, my heart thudding in my chest.

I wasn't sure what this was about, but whatever it was, it seemed serious.

Once inside, Vincent closed the door behind us, the click of the lock sounding louder than it should have. I took a

seat across from his desk, watching as he leaned back against the edge of it, arms crossed, his gaze locked onto

me. The silence between us stretched, thick and tense, until finally, he spoke.

"I have to catch a flight tomorrow," he started, his tone blunt, leaving no room for small talk. "Sbusiness

stuff for my father to handle."

| blinked, taken aback by the suddenness of it, discovering in that moment that | really didn't want him to leave

either. "Okay... how long will you be gone?"

He hesitated, and that alone was enough to make my stomach twist. "I'm not sure, but probably a couple days."

he admitted, his voice softer now, almost cautious. "But that's not the only reason | wanted to talk to you."

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| frowned, trying to piece together what he was getting at. "What do you mean?"

He let out a breath, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he was weighing his words before letting them escape. "I

want you to cwith me."

His words hung in the air between us, and for a moment, | wasn't sure I'd heard him right. "You wantto... go

with you?" | echoed, disbelief coloring my tone.

Vincent nodded, his expression serious. "Yes. | don't like the idea of leaving you here alone, especially with

everything that's going on in your life. It's safer if you're with me, | want to help you, by keeping you safe." He

admits, stunningwith his words.

My mind was racing, trying to make sense of it all.

Vincent, the guy who always seemed so controlled, so self-assured, was askingto go with him on a trip-just

like that. "But... what about school? And my work?" | stammered, trying to find skind of foothold in the

conversation. "School can wait, who gives a shit?" he said, brushing off the concern. "And Tito already knows

that you might miss another shift. He'll deal with it. You forget you work fordoll!" He deadpans, as | swallow

hard.

| bite my lip, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "Vincent, | don't know if that's a good

idea... | was just starting to settle here, with Emma too." | begin, as he wavesoff.

He pushed off the desk, moving closer until he was standing right in front of me, his eyes intense. "It's the best

idea, Sofia. | can't protect you if you're here and I'm halfway across the country." He presses on, as | know myself

| would prefer to be near him.

He had already helpedso much thus far... | can trust him.

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There it was that protectiveness that had started to feel like both a safetyand a trap. Part ofwanted to

say no, to tell him that I could take care of myself, that | didn't need him hovering over me. But another part, a

part | wasn't ready to admit to, wanted to go so badly. To be with him, to see this other side of his life, the side

that was always just out of reach.

"Vincent..." | began, searching his eyes, trying to find the right words.

"Sofia," he interrupted, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "Please. Just cwith me, it will all be fine."

I looked up at him, and for a moment, | saw something vulnerable in his eyes, something he was desperately

trying to hide. And that's what made the decision for me.

"Alright," | said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll go with you."

Relief flickered across his face, but it was quickly replaced by that usual mask of control. "Good. We leave

tomorrow morning. Pack light."

| nodded, still trying to wrap my head around everything. "I don't exactly have a lot of stuff anyhow!" | joke, as

he remains serious.

"Yeah I'll add that to my list of things | need to deal with, we will get your more stuff for living here." He insists,

as | breathe knowing that wasn't what | had meant.

He didn't say anything else, just stood there for a moment longer before turning away, his back to me.

| watched him, feeling a strange mix of emotions- nerves, excitement, confusion- the list goes on. But | decided

to take a chance.