Ava barely slept that night, her mind racing with the implications of Marcus's cryptic warnings. She knew she had to dig deeper, to uncover the secrets surrounding Pastor Certain and the Church of Eternal Bliss.
As she poured over her research, a nagging sense of unease settled in the pit of her stomach. She felt like she was being watched, her every move monitored.
Around midnight, Ava decided to take a walk, hoping the fresh air would clear her head. The streets were deserted, the only sound the distant hum of traffic and the occasional hoot of an owl.
As she turned a corner, Ava noticed a figure lurking in the shadows. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized it was the onetime addict, his eyes fixed on her with an unnerving intensity.
"You shouldn't be doing this, Miss Morales," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You shouldn't be asking questions."
Ava stood her ground, trying to appear braver than she felt. "I'm just trying to get to the truth," she said, her voice steady.
The addict took a step closer, his eyes glinting in the moonlight. "You don't want to know the truth, Miss Morales. Trust me, you don't want to know."
Suddenly, a car screeched around the corner, its headlights illuminating the deserted street. The addict melted into the darkness, leaving Ava shaken but more determined than ever to expose the secrets of the Church of Eternal Bliss.
As she walked back to her flat, Ava realized she needed help, someone who could protect her from the shadows that lurked in every corner.