Veins of Violet || Logan Howlett

Under Pressure

As I looked at my phone, Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to focus. I needed to be ready before they arrived. I quickly stripped out of my dirty clothes and jumped into the shower, scrubbing away the sweat and grime as fast as I could. The hot water did little to calm my nerves, but I couldn't afford to waste time.

Once I was clean, I stepped out of the shower, water still dripping from my hair. With a flick of my wrist, I dried my hair instantly, styling it into light curls that fell softly around my shoulders. Another flick of my wrist, and my clothes changed into something more appropriate for what was coming: blue denim boot-cut jeans, a black shirt, a leather jacket, and low black-and-white Converse. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the adrenaline coursing through me.

I needed to find Erik—he had to know that they were coming. Without wasting another second, I left my room and made my way through the sanctuary, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't know what would happen when they arrived, but I knew I couldn't face it alone. Erik would know what to do, and I had to trust that he could help me navigate whatever was coming next.

As I rushed through the sanctuary, trying to keep my panic in check, I stumbled across Selene. She gave me a curious look as I approached, sensing the urgency in my demeanor.

"Do you know where Erik is?" I asked quickly, my voice barely hiding the edge of anxiety.

Selene raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "He's in his room. Why?"

But I didn't have time to explain. Without another word, I turned on my heel and hurried off in the direction of Erik's room, leaving Selene behind with her unanswered question.

When I reached Erik's door, I didn't hesitate. I pushed it open, ready to tell him everything, but the words died in my throat as I took in the scene before me.

Erik was in the middle of changing, and he was completely naked.

I froze, my eyes widening in shock, and for a moment, neither of us moved. The tension in the air was thick as Erik turned slightly, realizing someone had entered. His expression shifted from surprise to a mix of amusement and calm.

"Violet," he said, his voice steady, despite the situation. He didn't seem fazed at all, though I felt my face flush with embarrassment.

"I—um, I'm sorry," I stammered, quickly averting my eyes. "I didn't mean to—""It's alright," Erik interrupted, his tone gentle, as if this was nothing out of the ordinary. "What's wrong?"

I forced myself to focus, pushing past the awkwardness. "They're coming," I blurted out, still looking anywhere but at him. "Logan and the others—they know where I am. They're coming here."

Erik's expression turned serious, and he nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. 

"Give me a moment," he said, reaching for his clothes.

I nodded, stepping back out of the room and closing the door behind me to give him some privacy. My heart was still racing, but now for a different reason. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

I stood outside Erik's door, the seconds dragging on as I tried to steady my racing heart. The silence felt heavy, and I couldn't help but feel the awkwardness of the situation. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, trying to focus on what needed to be done rather than the fact that I had just walked in on him changing.

Finally, the door opened, and Erik stepped out. He was dressed in a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his strong forearms, and dark blue jeans. The casual outfit did nothing to diminish his commanding presence, and I felt a small wave of relief wash over me just seeing him ready for whatever was coming.