Page 7 of Outrun The Devil
After her bath, Olivia towel-dried herself, relishing the soothing warmth enveloping her tired body. Slipping into a comfortable T-shirt and shorts, she took a moment to appreciate the renewed sense of energy that washed over her. The long day at work had drained her, but the simple act of self-care had revitalized her spirit.
As she walked down the hallway toward her bedroom, Olivia noticed that her daughter's light was off. A small smile tugged at her lips, realizing that Jessica had found sleep as swiftly as she always did.
Silently stepping into her room, Olivia allowed herself to sink into the plush mattress, feeling the gentle embrace of exhaustion pulling her closer to slumber.
The weight of the day pressed down on her as she closed her eyes, feeling the heaviness of her eyelids. A deep sigh escaped her lips as she surrendered to the pull of sleep, hoping to find some solace in her dreams.
Until her phone buzzed, her eyes shooting open. Groaning, Olivia turned over to check who was calling her so late at night.
It was her mother. Fear laced her body as questions plagued her mind as to why her mother would be calling at such an hour.
Olivia answered the phone and said a prayer.
Chapter Two
“I’m looking forward to seeing Grandma tonight.” Olivia’s daughter wriggled with glee, her eyes ablaze with joy. A scene that would have otherwise been shared between a puppy and its owner if it weren’t for Olivia’s firm stance against owning one — an apartment was no place for such a creature, she claimed, and her work hours made training one impossible. Jessica couldn’t handle the responsibility either, classes monopolized most of her time. Neither had the patience or attention to spare on another living being.
It didn’t stop her daughter from asking about having a dog growing up, though. A dog of her own, that is. Olivia’s mother had a dog, one of those little annoying ones. The ones that were the size of a large cat. Olivia would have preferred a cat at that point. Then she wouldn’t have had to take it out every time it needed to go potty.
Eventually, her daughter stopped asking for a dog when she realized she wasn’t going to get one.
“I am, too.” Olivia couldn't quite match her daughter's infectious excitement with her physical display, but a spark of anticipation flickered within her. Her heart danced with the thrill, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she met Jessica's beaming gaze.
Jessica was a spitting image of Olivia, albeit with a darker skin tone. She had a red crop of hair, cut into a bob, with bangs that frame a small button face. Her voice carried a melodic tone, like a hummingbird flitting from flower to flower.
Olivia's fair complexion stood in stark contrast to her daughter's sun-kissed skin, a common trait among true redheads. Her porcelain-like complexion exuded a delicate beauty, accentuated by the presence of subtle freckles that danced across her features. Like a sprinkling of stardust, the freckles added a touch of whimsy to her appearance, enhancing the unique charm that accompanied her fiery locks.
The warm, golden light streaming in through the kitchen window cast a soft glow over her daughter's features, highlighting her rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes. Olivia couldn't help but smile at the sight, feeling a deep sense of warmth and love fill her chest.
Olivia’s mother, Margaret, had called so late last night that she thought something was wrong. No, it was quite the opposite. Margaret wanted to move the family dinner up to tonight instead of Thursday. Her mother didn’t say why but that there was no room to argue.
“She has a boyfriend you know.” Jessica pointed out.
These words caught Olivia’s attention, a sharp look at her daughter and she had to keep her temper at bay. They were seated at the small kitchen table in the apartment they shared, eating breakfast before their day started.
“She what?” Olivia didn’t even know her mother was dating, let alone that she already had a boyfriend. And that of course sent Olivia’s mind racing with all the reasons and all the opportunities her mother had to tell her.
Shock rippled through Olivia's features, her attempt to conceal it falling short against the surge of emotions that overwhelmed her. A mixture of disappointment, concern, and confusion coursed through her veins. She never wanted her mother to feel lonely or unhappy, that was a given. Deep down, Olivia desired happiness for all her loved ones. Yet, a protective instinct, ingrained within her, flared to life, making it impossible for her to simply switch off those concerns.
The realization hit her like a sudden gust of wind, catching her off guard. How had she missed the signs? Her mind spun in a fervent search for any hint, any clue that might have betrayed her mother's secret. It was a mental scramble, a desperate race to connect the dots that she hadn't even known existed until now. With enough time, Olivia was certain she could find them. And then she’d kick herself for overlooking such simple clues.
“I bet she didn’t tell you because you’d do a background check on him immediately.” Her daughter laughed then shrugged. “I can’t say that I blame her.”
And that was why her mother didn’t say a word to her last week when they spoke.
Olivia just liked looking out for her family. She didn’t want them dating or even being friends with the wrong people. Perhaps it was a little overprotective, but she’d rather be overprotective than risk something bad happening.
Her daughter once asked if she thought everyone was a killer and Olivia answered honestly. She did see everyone with the potential to be a killer, it’s part of the job requirement.
“You bet your ass I would. Not just anyone can date your grandmother. Plus, wouldn’t you rest easier knowing the man she is with, whom you'd call grandpappy one day, isn’t a serial killer?”
Her daughter had stopped mid-chew, her eyes fixed on Olivia as if seeking reassurance. Olivia shrugged as if to say it was entirely possible. While she didn’t raise Jessica by herself at first, becoming a single mother caused her to put up walls to protect herself and those she loved. And that extended more when her father passed away.
Olivia feared for her mother’s well-being, and it was one of the main reasons she hadn’t moved out with her daughter sooner. No, in that time of need, Collins knew that what her mother needed was family around her.
In the quiet corners of her mind, Olivia acknowledged that finding happiness with a partner was not a sign of weakness or dependency. It was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the capacity for healing, and the innate need for connection. She understood that her mother, with all her grace and fortitude, deserved to experience the beauty of love and the joy that came with it.
“Yeah, that would be somehow worse,” Jessica mumbled through a mouthful of food. There was a flicker of awareness in her daughter's gaze as if she remembered the evils that lurked in the hidden corners of the world.