👉 Previous Choice: You chose to give Deacon Silas your house keys.
My mind swam, a dizzying mix of fear and self-doubt. Silas’s words echoed in my ears, making my own memories feel distant, unreal. He offered me a small, dark vial.
“This will help you find the Lord’s peace,” he said, holding it out. “An herbal tincture, from our own gardens. To calm your spirit.”
The liquid inside looked thick and dark, smelling faintly of something earthy and sweet. I hesitated, then took it. My hand shook as I brought it to my lips, swallowing the cool, bitter draught. A wave of profound exhaustion washed over me almost instantly. My eyelids felt heavy.
The dispatch station lights blurred. Silas helped me from my chair, his grip firm on my arm.
“Come,” he urged gently. “I’ll take you home. Your shift is done.”
The drive to 414 Cedar Ridge Lane was a blur. The old Dodge sedan glided through the deserted streets of Sanctum County. My head lolled against the window. The world outside seemed to tilt and spin, the familiar streetlights streaking into long lines of hazy color.
He pulled into my driveway. The house stood dark and silent, bathed in the pale glow of the streetlamp. No signs of forced entry, no shattered glass, no figures lurking in the shadows. Just the quiet, unassuming facade of my home.
“See?” Silas said, his voice a balm. “Empty. Secure. Nothing to fear, Evelyn. Just a tired mind playing tricks.”
He guided me through the front door, the air inside cool and still. The faint scent of dust and the lingering aroma of Gabriel’s pipe tobacco hung in the air. He led me straight to my bedroom, pulling back the covers on my bed.
“Rest now,” he commanded, his voice firm but not unkind. “The Lord’s grace will restore you.”
I collapsed onto the mattress, the soft pillows enveloping me. My eyes drifted shut, fighting against the overwhelming drowsiness. I heard the soft click of the door closing, the faint rustle of his robes, then silence.
Sleep claimed me, a deep, heavy slumber that felt more like falling into an abyss than finding rest. My dreams were a chaotic swirl of shadows and whispers, images of Gabriel’s smiling face fading into a dark, unknown void. It was not refreshing. It was a forced descent.
Outside my door, a faint creak on the floorboards, then the rhythmic shuffle of heavy footsteps. Silas was there, standing guard. I could feel his presence, a silent, watchful shadow, ensuring I remained undisturbed. Or perhaps, ensuring I remained unaware.
➡️ Read CHAPTER 4 to continue the story.
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