Detective Alex Mercer had chased killers before, but this case felt different from the start. The city streets, with their gritty familiarity, had always been his battleground—a place where he could rely on instinct and experience to track down the worst humanity had to offer. But now, as he stood at the edge of the dense, shadowy wilderness, he realized this was a whole new kind of hunt. He wasn’t just pursuing a murderer—he was entering a world where the killer held every advantage.

The forest stretched endlessly before him, a maze of towering trees, thick undergrowth, and barely visible trails that could lead him deeper into danger. The air was heavy with the scent of pine and damp earth, muffling the usual city sounds he relied on. Here, there were no sirens, no buzzing neon lights, no concrete corners to trap his prey. It was just him, his instincts, and the endless woods.

The killer, who had been terrorizing the area for months, knew this terrain like the back of his hand. Locals whispered about him like he was a ghost, a phantom who struck swiftly and vanished without a trace. Hikers, campers, and even seasoned outdoorsmen had disappeared, only to be found days later, brutally murdered. The media had given him a name: "The Beast of Black Hollow."

Alex had seen the crime scene photos—mangled bodies torn apart with savage precision. This wasn't just a man with a thirst for blood; this was a predator who enjoyed the chase. The thought gnawed at Alex, but he couldn’t afford to let it shake him. He had tracked down killers before, brought justice to victims when it seemed impossible, and he wouldn’t stop now.

With a deep breath, Alex adjusted his pack and stepped into the forest, the cool shade wrapping around him like a cloak. Every step felt like he was being watched, as if the trees themselves were keeping secrets. His eyes scanned the surroundings, his senses on high alert. This wasn't a simple manhunt—this was entering the lair of something far more dangerous.