Shadows In Durango

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

I take the piece of paper from Ashton's hand, my fingers trembling as I grip it tightly.

My mind feels like it's splitting into a million different directions. Part of me wants to rip the paper in half and throw it in his face, but another part of me, the small, tired part that still holds onto old memories, is too drained to fight. Ashton was a ghost from my past, one that I never thought I'd have to face ever again, especially not here. Not now. Not when everything else in my life was already so chaotic.

"I need to go," I murmur, my voice barely audible. I don't wait for his response, don't even glance back at him, as I shove the note into my jacket pocket and head for the door.

The second I'm outside the storage room, I inhale deeply, filling my lungs with the cool, musty air of the school hallway. My heart was still pounding in my ears, and I felt like I might collapse right here and now in the corridor if I don't make a

move.

I force myself to keep walking, my legs shaky but moving on autopilot.

Before I even realise it, I'm outside, heading straight for the football field bleachers which were usually quiet at this time in the day. I pull out my phone with trembling hands, fumbling to send Emma a text, unsure of what else to do. 'Please meet me at the bleachers as soon as you can. You won't believe what just happened to me, I'm freaking out!'

I don't explain much over text, because I can't. Not yet. My mind is still reeling from the shock of seeing Ashton, from everything he said, and the thought of what might happen to my life next.

Seeing another earlier notification from Vincent, I debate on telling him that I had ran into some trouble, but after reading his words - I quickly refrain from that idea.

'You have to give me some time. Trust me when I'm saying that this shit isn't anything little, it's extremely important. I'm waiting to speak to my father and after that, I'll be able to let you in on what's going on. All I'm asking for right now is some patience from you, let me handle my business first.'

It was clear that he was preoccupied with more important stuff and I couldn't just expect him to drop all of that to baby me...

Maybe I just need to skip town again? But it wouldn't be that easy this time around, not with Vincent and Daryl involved and knowing all about my past...

To be totally honest, I also didn't want to leave, I liked it here...

I need to process all of this before I can even begin to make sense of it and I can't do it alone. I need my friend... I need to talk to Emma!

I sit down at the far end of the bleachers, hugging my knees in to my chest as I wait for Emma. The cold metal of the bench seeps through my jeans, but I barely feel it. All I can think about is Ashton — his face, his words, his presence here at school.

Why did he just have to end up here?!

How did everything get so tangled up so fast?!

I stare out at the empty field, my thoughts racing and the tears threatening to spill. The wind blows lightly, rustling the leaves in the distance.

On a normal day, this should have been peaceful, but I can't shake the anxiety bubbling up inside of me.

What if Ashton wasn't lying? What if he really wasn't here to hurt me? Could I trust him? Should I? Probably not, judging on his past record.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

If Vincent hadn't have been in such a weird mood today then I would have called him, but I didn't want to add to whatever crap he was already trying to deal with today, that would be overkill...

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

I'm so caught up in my spiraling thoughts that I don't even notice Emma approaching until she's right in front of me.

"Hey, I told the teacher that I had to leave early!" she says quickly, climbing the steps and rushing to sit down beside me. Her expression is full of concern, her brows furrowed. "What's going on? Did something bad happen?! You look like you've seen a ghost." She babbles, as I rub at my wet eyes to prevent myself from breaking down completely.

I swallow hard, my throat dry, and for a moment, I don't even know where to start. How could I possibly explain all of this?

"I... I don't even know where to begin..." I whisper, my voice shaky.

"Just start from the beginning, let it all out and I'll just listen..." Emma urges gently, placing a hand on my arm. "Whatever it is, I'm here to help and it will be ok. You don't have to go through anything alone anymore." She tells me, her words meaning more to me than what she even knew.

Her kind words came as the final straw for me though, and before I can stop myself, the tears I had been holding back finally break free. They spill down my cheeks, hot and fast, and I cover my face with my hands, trying to stifle the sobs that are threatening to burst out...

Emma wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to her in an instant. "Sofia, oh my god! Shhh! It's okay. Take your time. What the hell happened to make you this upset? Is it about Vincent or Daryl? Or did you have another run in with one of those cheer bitches in school? What's wrong?!" Emma's panicked questioning causes for me to sniffle aggressively, knowing that I had to tell her once and for all.

Through my tears, I manage to choke out the words. "He's here... Ashton. My ex I told you about from back home. He's here, at this school!" I sob loudly next, hearing Emma audibly gasp at my words.

Emma stiffens beside me. "What?! Are you sure it's him? When did you see him? Did he see you?!" She asks, as I all but wipe at my face every two seconds with my sleeve.

"I found him working in the supply closet when I went in. He said... he said that he's living with his grandmother now, that he didn't even know I was here. Said he had to leave home because my father and brothers were making his life hell after I left..." I recite what he had told me in broken sentences, catching my breath every few words in order to make sense.

Emma's eyes widen, her concern deepening. "And so you believe him? What if he's here to spy?!" She asks exactly what I had feared myself.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

"I don't know," I admit, my voice trembling. "I don't know what to believe. I don't trust him, but he seemed... I don't know, different, like the old him. He acted like he didn't mean me any harm. But I can't... I can't just forget what he did." I shake my head and confirm.

Emma's grip on my shoulder tightens. "Sofia, listen to me. You don't owe him anything. Not a conversation, not closure, nothing. If you don't feel safe around him, then you don't have to be."

"I know," I whisper, and the truth was, I don't feel safe. Seeing Ashton again has shaken me to my core, bringing back memories I had tried so hard to bury.

"I'm scared, Emma," I confess, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to leave this town, I like it here! But I also can't risk my father coming for me again either! It terrifies me knowing that Ashton has the power now to ruin my life! What if he's lying, and this is all a part of some plan to drag me back home?"

Emma's face hardens. "If that's the case, then we'll deal with it head on! You're not going anywhere, Sofia. Not unless you actually want to and if Ashton tries anything, I'm sure Vincent will handle it. Hell, I'll even handle it. You're not alone in this!" Emma offers her support, meaning each and every word with her whole heart.

I want to believe her, I really do. But the weight of everything feels so heavy, so impossible to bear.

"I just don't know what to do," I whisper, my voice breaking again.

Emma hugs me tighter. "We'll figure it out. One step at a time, but first, let's get you home! The bell is set to ring in a couple of minutes so let's wait for Daryl and Reid by the car." Emma suggests, before helping me up to my feet. I felt sick to my stomach...

Lost on what to do...

I wanted nothing more than to cry and tell Vincent, knowing that he had already helped me out of so much mess thus far, but that would be selfish of me.

Vincent had his own problems, and I was quickly becoming an added burden on top of that...