Page 59 of Outrun The Devil

With measured steps, Olivia advanced toward the entrance, her senses on high alert. The doors creaked open, revealing a haunting emptiness that mirrored the void in her soul. The flickering light from a distant streetlamp cast eerie shadows, playing tricks on her mind. She steeled herself, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves.

At that moment, Olivia knew that she had come full circle. The echoes of the past intertwined with the urgency of the present, converging at this pivotal juncture. She had traversed the depths of fear and despair, emerging stronger, determined to rescue her daughter from the clutches of darkness.

As she stepped into the heart of the abandoned building, Olivia's resolve solidified. The final battle awaited, and she would face it head-on. The echoes of her footsteps resonated through the empty corridors, a symphony of determination and hope. Vincent Blackwood had dared to challenge her once again, but this time, she was prepared. She would confront her past, confront the man who had tormented her, and reclaim her daughter from the grip of evil.

In the shadows of that forsaken place, Olivia found solace in the unyielding flame of a mother's love, a force that would guide her through the darkest of nights.

Chapter Twenty-One

Everything in her body screamed for caution, for patience, for waiting. Every instinct as a seasoned detective warned Olivia Collins against venturing into that cabin alone. But at that moment, rationality gave way to raw emotion, to the fierce determination of a mother desperate to protect her child. The thought of her daughter, frightened and vulnerable, overshadowed all logic and reason.

With a resolute gaze fixed on the cabin, Olivia dismissed the lingering doubts and fears that whispered in her mind. Time seemed to slow as she approached the weathered door, each step amplified by the weight of the situation. Her heart pounded in her chest, a steady rhythm urging her forward.

The creak of the door echoed through the silent air as Olivia pushed it open, her senses heightened to the smallest details. The musty smell of old wood and the faint hint of something sinister lingered in the stale air. Darkness swallowed the interior, concealing the unknown dangers that lurked within.

She swallowed her apprehension, her grip on her weapon tightening as she crossed the threshold. The sound of her breath seemed unnaturally loud in the oppressive silence. Every nerve in her body tingled with anticipation, her mind racing through potential scenarios and outcomes. Yet, her determination burned bright, igniting a flicker of courage that drowned out the lingering doubts.

As her eyes adjusted to the dimness, Olivia scanned the surroundings, her trained instincts honed by years of experience. The shadows seemed to dance and shift, playing tricks on her senses. But she pressed on, driven by an unyielding force deep within her.

Each room held the potential for danger, every corner a possible hiding place. Yet, she forged ahead, searching, listening, her focus laser sharp. The weight of the unknown pressed upon her, threatening to crush her resolve, but she refused to yield.

Minutes turned into an eternity as Olivia moved through the cabin, her senses attuned to the slightest sound or movement. The tension hung thick in the air, her heart pounding in her ears. But amid the darkness and uncertainty, the love for her daughter burned like a beacon, guiding her steps, bolstering her courage.

In that solitary pursuit, Olivia Collins confronted the depths of her fear, walking the fine line between bravery and recklessness.

She knew the risks, the potential consequences of venturing into the unknown alone. But the bond between a mother and child transcended logic and caution. It propelled her forward, fueling her unwavering determination.

Detective Collins cleared the first floor and glanced at the stairs that led to the next level. There was a cellar underneath the cabin that was accessible from a door outside. She had two choices. Go up or go down.

First up, she thought. Clear the whole cabin then the cellar would be last. The cellar only had one way in, after all.

Olivia took a step, and the floor creaked beneath her feet, but it was the growl from behind her that froze her movements. With her gun raised, Olivia Collins turned and found herself face-to-face with a wolf. And not just any kind of wolf, a large ass one that screamed werewolf. No natural wolf could ever be that big, towering over her and blocking the entire doorway. The exit. Her one way out. There was a back door, but logic told her she wouldn’t make it if she tried.

Detective Collins felt her heart skip a beat as she stared into the piercing eyes of the formidable werewolf standing before her. Its imposing presence filled the doorway, casting a shadow over her only means of escape. Panic surged through her veins, threatening to paralyze her, but she fought to maintain her composure.

Instinctively, Olivia tightened her grip on her service weapon, her mind racing for a strategy. She knew she had to keep her distance, to buy herself precious seconds to come up with a plan. The wolf's low growl reverberated in the small space, its teeth glistening with an undeniable hunger.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

As her trained eyes scanned the room, Olivia spotted a nearby table, its surface cluttered with random objects. With a swift movement, she grabbed a heavy metal lamp from the table and hurled it at the creature, hoping to create a distraction. Just enough to reach into her pocket for that gift of Xavier’s.

The lamp shattered against the werewolf's side, eliciting a snarl of surprise and momentary confusion. Capitalizing on this split-second opening, Olivia dashed towards the nearest room, seeking temporary refuge from the ferocious predator that barred her path.

The loud bang of the wolf throwing himself against the door rattled the walls and Olivia. Time was not on her side.

The box of bullets in hand, her hand trembled as she shoved each bullet into the magazine of her weapon.

One bullet fell to the floor and she scrambled to reach for it. The door barely hanging on at this point. Seconds, she had seconds before the wolf was in the room with her. Her heart raced, threatening to beat right out of her chest. Fingers curled around the rolling silver bullet and she shoved it into the magazine with the others.

Olivia's fingers moved with practiced precision as she slid a fresh magazine into the grip of the pistol. The metallic click resonated in the air, a reassuring sound that echoed her readiness. The ammunition nestled snugly within the chamber, a tactile affirmation of her resolve.

Her grip tightened on the pistol, fingers wrapping around the textured handle. The weight of the weapon felt familiar, comforting even in its potential for destruction. With a swift and practiced motion, she pulled back the slide, the metallic slide resounding with a resolute sound. The mechanism engaged, chambering a round, and her breath caught in tandem.

The pistol was now charged as a potent instrument of protection and power. The cool metal against her palm radiated a sensation of control, each nuance of texture and weight imbuing her with a sense of purpose. She exhaled slowly, the tension of the moment mingling with the calm determination that coursed through her veins.

Olivia's gaze sharpened, every sense heightened. She stood at the threshold of uncertainty, her grip on the pistol emblematic of the strength she carried within.

The door shattered into splinters, torn apart by an immense force, and a massive wolf burst through the wreckage, its primal energy filling the room. Hesitation was a luxury Olivia couldn't afford in this moment of dire urgency. The weight of her choice hung heavily on her shoulders, she had to place her faith in the efficacy of these bullets. She had to trust Xavier.

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