Pain and Pictures

Chapter 34- Present

I rushed into the building, no one noticed because of the crowd.

She was in trouble, I could feel it.

I bypassed the elevator, and went straight to the stairs. I wasn't alone. There were about 15 cops running up the stairs, they pushed me aside and told me to stay put. Like hell!

As soon as they were a floor above me, I moved, matching their pace. I might not beat them there, but I was going to be right behind them.

When they stopped at Violet's floor, I felt my heart squeeze and I took a second to compose myself. It really was her. I didn't know if she had been attacked, or if her apartment was broken into. But my gut told me that she was in danger.

Otherwise there wouldn't be an entire precinct of cops here.

It was like watching a movie. They stopped at her door and nodded, then checked the handle, it was unlocked.

Shit.

I guess it was good that they didn't have to break it down, but it not being locked just made my heart beat faster.

They moved quietly, at first. Then I heard it.

"Don't move! Hands up!"

There was a struggle, I heard her scream, I ran.

I pushed into the room, not caring if I had to shove a cop or two. She was on the couch, curled up, and crying out.

Victor was on the floor, being handcuffed and read his rights.

I went straight to her and picked her up. At that point I didn't care if she hated me, I needed to get her away from him.

"Stop! Put down the girl and back away!"

I froze.

"It's.... fine... he's with... me."

Violet was struggling to breathe, she needed her meds and to lay down.

"Officer, Violet has a condition. She needs her medication and water. Please, let me help her!"

"It's okay, sir. I'll watch him."

Lance.

He had been assisting them with holding down the fuckhead on the floor, he walked (with purpose) to the kitchen, to get her things.

"Very well, I'll need a statement as soon as she's stable. Do I need to call for an ambulance?"

"No. Please, just... need to... lay down."

With that I marched into her room.

Once Lance came in and we got her calmed down, she asked me to stay with her. I was shocked, but wasn't about to turn down the invitation.

"Give me one second. I'm gonna get some information first. Then I'm all yours, sweetness."

She smiled. God, I missed that smile.

Once she relaxed, I pulled Lance into his bedroom.

"What the actual fuck? What happened?! And where were you?!"

"Oh, shut up. I was here, getting this."

He holds out a small, handheld, digital recorder. I just looked from it to him with utter confusion on my face.

"Aaaaannnnd?"

He rolled his eyes.

"I was able to get everything he said on tape. Well, recorded."

"He confessed?"

"Everything."

I looked at him. He was smiling! I honestly don't think I'd ever seen him smile, it was kind of creepy.

"What's with all the cops? Why didn't you just take him down?"

"Oh, he also confessed to killing his dad. That's when I called them in."

What?!?!

I could only blink. My head was swimming. She'd been alone with a killer, this whole time.

"Go, lay down with her, or she'll never rest. She's been a mess without you."

"Same."

I left him so he could go talk to the detective, who'd just gotten here. I went to Violet.

My Violet.

I took off my shoes and jacket. Took my phone out and (to my own dismay) turned it off.

Nothing was going to interrupt our nap! Nothing.

"Jordan? I'm so sorry. I've ruined everything, haven't I?"

"Ssshhhhh... no. I'm here, aren't I?"

"Yes, you are."

I wrapped her in my arms and rubbed her back. I wasn't going anywhere.