Shadows In Durango

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

I felt like I was on the edge of my seat waiting for Vincent to choose a game for us knowing that the consequences could result in me having to strip down bare naked if I were to lose...

But the thrill still remained, enjoying every second of him chasing and teasing me more than I had expected to...

We both sat and ate our food which went down a treat, the service being flawless amongst other pros about the place. I had ordered the fluffy French toast and Vincent had gone for a burger with hand cut fries which he was close to finishing. "Is yours good?" I question, as he nods back with a mouth full of food to say yes which causes me to giggle.

It doesn't take us long before we finish up eating, as Vincent pays the bill swiftly as I thank him for taking me out to lunch.

"Oh don't thank me yet, the day isn't even over yet doll!" Vincent smirks, before standing up to his full height - reaching a hand out for me to join him.C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.

I get up, taking his hand and feeling suddenly thankful for how care free my life felt whenever I was spending time with him... it was a feeling I had longed for and to finally not feel scared, for that alone I would be eternally grateful to him. "Where to next? Didn't you say that you had another meeting thing on today?" I ponder, as we thank the staff kindly and head out onto the busy street.

"I have people handling that one, I should be all yours!" Vincent winks down at me, interlocking his fingers with mine as I allow him to lead me to our next destination.

So far, this had been the best decision I had ever made to travel here with him for a few days - to take a chance. He was showing me how playful and considerate he could be - shocking me at this point since him and Daryl seemed to have fully switched roles!

"It's not far." He comments, looking around every so often to check his surroundings.

I wonder why he keeps doing that? He almost seems, paranoid?

"Is everything ok? You seem on edge?" I call it for what it seems, genuinely concerned for him as he just laughs me off.

"Yeah I'm good, you don't have to worry." Is all he says, as I sigh slightly and decide just to take in the surroundings on our walk.

This part of the city was busy, with cute stores lining the streets and a bright green tree line across the road.

"Let's cross." He comments, checking for cars before we hurry over towards the other side, making me curious as to where we were going - maybe a walk in a park?

Moments later, a large entrance comes into view, as I gasp and beam from ear to ear.

"Lincoln Park Zoo?! That's so exciting!" I feel like a kid in a candy store, as he nods and laughs at me - greeting the staff as we walk inside.

Immediately spotting the sea lions, I approach swiftly with Vincent trying his best to keep up.

"I'm going to use the bathroom before we walk around, are you fine to wait here?" Vincent raises a brow, glancing around at our surroundings as I nod quickly.

"I'll be good!" I smile, as he points towards where the bathroom is.

"I'll only be a second, don't move." He states, before jogging his way towards the door, leaving me to watch the seals on my own.

The seals always reminded me of giant sea puppy's, with their cute little faces resembling a shitzu I once had when I was younger.

They always seemed so friendly and playful and from the looks of it, they seemed pretty happy having their lunch fed to them by one of the zoo keepers - scarfing down the raw fish. "Excuse me?" I turn and gasp when feeling a tap on my shoulder, finding a guy that I didn't quite recognise.

Who the hell is he?! He was in his thirties I would say, wearing a blue beanie hat and a large baggy hoodie.

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"Sorry to startle you, but I'm almost certain that I seen you on a missing person poster not too long ago? Only your hair wasn't so blonde!" His direct words cut through me, as I glance towards the bathroom door longing for Vincent to hurry up as I grew increasingly nervous.

"O-Oh, uh did you? It can't be me! I'm not missing! Where was the poster? Do you have a picture of it?" I blunder, laughing nervously and trying to seem way too casual - but failing miserably at it.

The guy studies me carefully, before his head starts to bob up and down slowly.

"I'm almost certain that it was you, I would remember because you were real pretty and I had wondered why you were missing! It was up at one of the bus stations I was at! If I remember right though, the family was also handing out a pretty decent reward for your return..." He trails off thoughtfully, his tone shifting as I back away ever so slightly.

This cannot be happening...

My father has resorted to putting out a reward for me now?!

I basically have a big ass target plastered on my head!

"So in that case - you'll be coming back with me!" The man suddenly states, reaching forward to lock his large hand around my wrist as I instinctively attempt to shake him off of me.

"P-Please!" I beg, as the man attempts to drag me towards the exit in which we had just entered the zoo from.

If he gets me out of here, Vincent won't be able to find or help me! I can't go back to my father, he would kill me!

After everything I have done to stay away, this can't be it for me!

"LET HER FUCKING GO!" I turn, tears brimming my eyes to find Vincent rushing towards us - his height no match for the man with a current hold on me.

"Who the fuck are you? Her captor? I'll call the damn cops!" The guy threatens, failing to release me as I start to sweat in his grip, heart beating out of my chest.

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"If you don't let her go, I'll snap your neck and I'll leave you laying here limp on the street... now... let her - fucking - go!" Vincent seethes through his teeth, as the man looks somewhat scared by his threats. Rightly so, his fingers unhook one by one from around my wrist, as I clutch the burning skin to me the second that he sets me free.

That was a close one....

"Piece of shit!" Vincent states, before lunging at him as I look around in panic at the attention we had gained from those nearby.

Some people hurried their kids away, but thankfully there wasn't as many younger ones as there could have been... they must all be at school right now!

Vincent beats the guy to a pulp, as I quickly come rushing back to reality - moving forward to tug him off from him.

Standing back and breathing heavily, Vincent is tense and his knuckles now bloody...

"Let's go see the animals." He breathes, grabbing my bicep and moving us off quickly before security or the cops could intervene.

The guy was left groaning and bleeding, his face a burst sight for sore eyes...

"What did he want? I shouldn't have even left you!" Vincent questions, blaming himself as I instantly wave him off.

"You went to the bathroom, it wasn't your fault! B-But he says that he seen me on a missing person poster and that my family would pay out a decent reward for me to go back..." I tell him, my voice quivering. Vincent seems surprised, before he grows silent to think over what I had said.

I don't know what to do, especially if my father is kicking things up a notch now...

I'm in even more danger than what I thought!