Shadows In Durango

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

The minutes dragged by in detention, each second feeling like an eternity trapped in hell. I 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 I rubbed the sore spot absently - glancing up at the clock to see that it wasn't even ten yet.

Just when I thought my day couldn't get any worse, the door creaked open but I 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 made me glance 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 I 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?!"

I looked at her in horror, feeling nauseous at her bleak attempt to flirt... before I glanced across to Vincent as he ignored her, his gaze still locked on me with confusion evident in his eyes.

I 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 I would love to hear it." She hums, as I 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 shot me a glare as if this were somehow my fault.

"Aren't you already fucking half of the basketball team Erica? I 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 name of my abuser that Vincent had no shame in mocking now.

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

I 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 asks me suddenly, 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... I was attacked in class," I said quietly. "But the teacher didn't believe me and said I was in a fight - so I was sent here." I admit, glancing quickly towards the witch who was to blame before 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 hear me say it.

Before I could even answer, the girl opposite me spoke up, her voice defensive. "It was just a misunderstanding. There is no need to make a big deal out of it as though I was bullying you! You were asking for it - she was rude to me first!" Erica complains, as I 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 come your hair looks fine?" he asked coldly. "Doesn't sound like nothing to me." He sneers, as I 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 I 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 to me either!" He warns, as I suddenly feel torn on what to do or say. I shook my head, my voice trembling and deciding to stick by my gut with telling the truth. "No. She pulled my hair and dragged me around the changing room because I didn't answer her when she was making fun of me." I 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 I 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 me even further as my mouth fell open at the sight of his reaction.

Woah... what is he doing? What is going on?

She hesitated, glancing around as if looking for an escape. But Vincent's glare left no room for argument.

"Jeez! Alright, calm down, look I'm sorry," she muttered, her voice barely audible as she flicked her wrist in dismissal of me.

Vincent nodded, satisfied by her words, then turned to me. "Are you okay after what this cow did to you?" He insults her openly, however she remains silent, her face flushed and furious as she lowers her head.

I nodded, still stunned by the turn of events and for his defence. "Yeah, I'll be fine." I find myself saying, feeling weird about the whole mood I had caught him in today.

He was unpredictable at this point, I never knew what mood I would get when I saw him... and yet he just defended me...

He gave me a curt nod, before he addressed the entire room. "Anyone else have a problem with little Sofia today?" He announces, seeming to be looking for some further battles to win.

The room was silent, the other students avoiding his gaze altogether. Vincent turned back to me, his expression softening slightly. "If anyone bothers you again, you can let me know." He states, his words shocking me to my core. "What?!" I splutter, the word escaping my lips before I could even stop it.

"What? You are my staff now after all, I won't let bad shit happen to my staff!" He shrugs, playing it off cool, as I wondered why he was showing me a much kinder side to him today... Maybe this was the not so bad side to Vincent that Daryl had spoken about?