Page 25 of Outrun The Devil
Olivia raised an eyebrow. “Journaling? That sounds like something a teenage girl would do.”
Dr. Monroe chuckled. “It’s a very effective method for processing trauma. You might be surprised how helpful it can be.”
Olivia sighed. “Fine. I’ll give it a try.”
“Good,” Dr. Monroe said, scribbling something down on her notepad. “And remember, Olivia. It’s okay to feel. It’s okay to be vulnerable. You don’t have to be strong all the time.”
Olivia nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. She knew Dr. Monroe was right, but it was hard to let go of the belief that showing vulnerability was a sign of weakness. But maybe, just maybe, with Dr. Monroe's guidance, she could learn to accept her emotions and use them to her advantage.
“I’ll let your captain know that everything is in order and that you no longer need to come see me.” She rose to her feet and Olivia followed suit.
As Olivia started to leave, the doctor stepped in front of her. She placed a hand on Olivia’s arm. “But if you ever need someone to talk to, please know my door is always open.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she plastered a smile on her face. She couldn’t get out of that room fast enough.
Olivia stepped out into the sunshine and squinted her eyes, trying to adjust to the brightness.
She breathed in deeply, filling her lungs with the crisp air, and exhaled a heavy sigh of relief. It was finally over. The weight that had been sitting on her chest for days was lifted, and she felt free. The warmth of the sun on her skin and the gentle breeze through her hair brought a sense of calm to her jumbled thoughts.
Olivia closed her eyes and tilted her head back, letting the sun kiss her face. She couldn't help but smile, feeling grateful for this moment of peace amidst the chaos of her job. She promised herself to hold onto this feeling, to savor it, and to let it guide her through whatever challenges may lie ahead.
Olivia’s phone buzzed as she reached her car. The sound of the phone vibrating against the car's dashboard echoed in the small space. She answered the phone as she climbed into the car.
“You left before I woke up.”
The morning air was crisp and carried the faint scent of blooming flowers. Olivia pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a headache coming on.
“I know, I’m sorry, I had my last therapy appointment this morning.”
It was rare that Olivia didn't say good morning to her daughter before either of them went their separate ways. So when Olivia snuck out this morning, it of course gave her daughter concern. As it would be Olivia if the roles were reversed.
“How did it go?” Jessica’s voice was soft, warmed with concern. The sound of her daughter's voice was like a balm on Olivia's frayed nerves.
“Doctor gave me the big stamp of approval.” Olivia tried to sound confident, but the anxiety was still there, coiled in her stomach like a serpent.
“So, you don’t have to go anymore?” Olivia could hear the relief in her daughter's voice.
“That’s right.”
“We should celebrate soon,” Jessica suggested.
“Sounds good.” Olivia felt the weight of the past few weeks lifting slightly.
A silence fell between them. The only sound was the distant hum of traffic and the rustling of leaves in the wind.
“Well, I’ll let you get back to work.”
They said their goodbyes then Olivia hung up, her mind racing with thoughts of what she had revealed to Dr. Monroe.
Olivia hesitantly stepped into the lab, a wave of uncertainty washing over her. She wanted desperately to get closer to the truth, but she was also scared of what she might find. If she were being honest with herself, the lack of visions made her feel as if she’d lost something or someone. Not realizing just how much she relied on it the last few years, going without it seemed to put a dent in everything.
As Collins walked deeper into the room, she felt as though every step she took could uncover secrets that she wasn't sure if she was ready to face.
She was greeted by Isabella Flores with a beaming smile. Her lab coat was a stark white and smudged with black grease and other unidentifiable chemicals and solutions.
The lab is a sharp contrast to the rest of the Tolleson Police Station. The sterile white walls shine brighter than the sun, the white glow radiates like a small star. The room is large, with enough room for a team to work. The air is cold and still. With nothing alive in the room, just a thick sheen of disinfectant.
“Tell me you’ve got something for me, Flores.” The redhead was tired of being let down during this case. So far, this victim was the same as the first one they’d found before Olivia had come onto the case. Wounds that were too precise to be animal even though they were made to look that way, wolf fur in the wounds, and a rune marking curved into the skin like a cattle brand.