Page 48 of Outrun The Devil
Detective Collins crept cautiously toward her car, overwhelmed with a mixture of fear and curiosity. She peered around the parking lot, making sure no one was watching her before snatching the envelope out from behind her windshield wiper. Her heart raced as she slowly opened the package, fearful of what was inside. Trembling hands pulled out photographs that made Collins gasp in terror.
Detective Olivia Collins's heart thumped hard in her chest as she stared at the stack of photos before her. Images of herself from hours ago, taken by the killer who had been taunting her at the crime scene. The very same crime scene where she could feel his presence, even though he remained unseen.
Olivia spun around, a silent curse escaping her lips as she searched for any sign of him. Her fists clenched tight as though she expected to suddenly find him standing right in front of her.
Where are you, she thought with an intensity that bordered on hatred. Every muscle in her body tensed as if ready to fight or flee should the killer reveal himself.
Taunting her, leaving her this, meant he wouldn’t miss a chance to watch her reaction. And at that moment, Olivia hated that she even gave him the satisfaction she did.
Long ago, Olivia had learned the delicate dance between mind and body, between calming words and racing adrenaline. The control panel of her emotions was often at the mercy of her adrenal glands, dictating the pace at which fear and anxiety coursed through her veins. However, she knew that she held a sliver of control, a tool she could employ to find balance amidst the chaos.
Consciously, she took a deep breath, allowing the air to fill her lungs with intention. The shallow breaths that had fueled her nerves were replaced by a single, deliberate inhalation. As the oxygen flowed through her body, a subtle shift occurred within her being.
In that brief moment, Olivia found herself in the elusive realm between nerves and focus. The racing thoughts and the weight of the investigation still lingered, but they no longer held dominion over her. The deep breath acted as a reset button, grounding her in the present and silencing the cacophony of doubts and fears.
The words burst from her like a gunshot. Her fingers curled into fists, and her knuckles turned white as she pictured herself wrapping them around his neck. “I’m going to find you,” she growled through gritted teeth. “Your fun will end.” She refrained from slamming her hand down on the hood of the car in determination. No, that showed he was under her skin and she couldn't allow him that satisfaction.
Chapter Sixteen
Olivia's mind was overwhelmed with exhaustion as she drove through the deserted streets of Phoenix. She could feel the weight of her failure bearing down on her shoulders. The air in the car was stale, and the only sounds were the occasional hum of the engine and the steady rhythm of her breathing. She tried to shake the feeling of defeat, but it clung to her like a thick fog.
As she entered her apartment, the familiar scent of lavender filled her nose, and she paused for a moment to take in the peaceful atmosphere. The soft lighting and the gentle hum of the air conditioning were a soothing balm to her frayed nerves. Olivia moved towards the couch, sinking into the plush cushions as she began to sort through the endless details of the case.
Her fingers were tired, aching from hours of scrolling through files and photographs. The cold metal of her laptop stung her fingertips as she clicked through each image, searching for a clue that would break the case open. She sipped on her coffee, feeling the warmth of the liquid seep into her body and ease her tension.
She closed her eyes, her mind drifting to the other night when she had been face-to-face with Xavier Knight. She had been so close to finding the missing piece of the puzzle, but it had slipped through her fingers like sand. Olivia clenched her fists, frustration mingling with exhaustion to create a potent cocktail of emotions.
As she opened her eyes, she realized she needed to clear her head. She stood up, stretching her arms above her head and letting out a deep breath. She moved towards the balcony, pulling open the sliding glass door and stepping out into the warm Phoenix air.
The city skyline stretched out before her, the twinkling lights of the skyscrapers creating a beautiful sight. Olivia closed her eyes, letting the gentle breeze brush against her skin and mess up her hair. For a moment, she forgot about the case, about the victim, about the suspect. It was just her and the peaceful night.
The night was hot and muggy, the air thick with the scent of blooming flowers and freshly mowed grass.
Olivia lay in bed, her skin sticky with sweat and her senses heightened. She could hear the hum of the air conditioner, the rustling of the sheets as she tossed and turned, and the distant sound of a siren outside.
As she closed her eyes, she felt the coolness of the cotton pillowcase against her cheek and the weight of the duvet covering her. She could taste the metallic tang of fear in her mouth, and her nostrils flared at the familiar scent of her sweat.
As she drifted off to sleep, her mind was filled with thoughts of the case and the responsibility she carried to solve this case. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she could feel the tension in her muscles. But despite her exhaustion, she continued to pray for guidance, for a sign that would help her solve the case.
And then it came, like a bolt of lightning striking her mind. A vivid vision filled her mind's eye, sending shivers down her spine.
The chase had begun in the damp alleyways of the city. Olivia's heart pounded as she sprinted after the suspect, the sound of her footsteps clacking against the concrete. The smell of rotting trash filled her nose, and she could hear the distant sirens of police cars. The suspect was fast, too fast for her, and she felt a growing sense of desperation as she lost sight of him. Panic surged through her veins as she stumbled into an unfamiliar room, and the door behind her slammed shut.
The room was a horror. The walls were stained with grime and dirt, and the air was thick with the smell of decay. There were no windows, no doors, no way out. Olivia's chest tightened with fear as the walls began to move, closing in on her at an alarming speed. The pressure grew and grew, crushing the air out of her lungs.
Suddenly, she heard a low growl that made her blood run cold. The growl grew louder and louder until it was a deafening roar. She spun around to face the sound, and in the darkness, she saw a pair of glowing eyes. They were the eyes of a massive wolf, its black fur bristling, and its jaws dripping with saliva. Olivia's legs refused to move, and she was frozen in place as the wolf leaped toward her.
The wolf's hot breath washed over her face, and its teeth gleamed in the darkness. Olivia screamed, but her voice was drowned out by the sound of snarling and growling. The wolf's jaws snapped shut, and she thought it was the end, but then something strange happened. The wolf hesitated, and its eyes flickered with uncertainty. For a moment, the wolf seemed almost human, as if it were struggling with something internal. Then, with a sudden burst of movement, it disappeared into the darkness.
Olivia woke up, her heart pounding in her chest. It was just a dream, she told herself again, but the fear wouldn't go away.
Olivia rose from her bed with a jolt, her chest heaving and her heart racing as she struggled to escape the clutches of the nightmare that had ensnared her. With a trembling hand, she reached for the lamp on her nightstand and flicked it on, illuminating the darkened room in a soft glow.
Her legs carried her unsteadily to the bathroom, her mind still haunted by the terrifying images that had played out in her subconscious. She approached the sink, gazing at her reflection in the mirror with eyes that betrayed the fear that still lingered within her.
Desperate to rid herself of the lingering terror, she splashed her face with water, the droplets cold and refreshing against her clammy skin. As she gazed into the mirror, she willed herself to push the dream from her mind, though the memory of it still lingered like a shadow at the edge of her consciousness.
But she couldn’t shake those eyes.