The church 1

"Come, Elizabeth, join us for a drink," the invitation echoed amidst the lively chatter.

But even as the glasses clinked and laughter filled the air, Officer Brian's dedication to safeguarding the town persisted, even on this festive occasion, as he patrolled with a watchful eye.

"Hahahahaha," a burst of mirth erupted from the group.

"Boys, drinks on the house!" the announcement spread through the crowd.

"Hey, let's get more drinks!" someone shouted, prompting an excited response.

Inside the bustling bar, the decibel levels reached an all-time high, the jovial atmosphere a stark contrast to the quiet night outside.

As Elizabeth sat at the round table, her colleagues raucously enjoying themselves, she maintained a serene composure, her half-finished beer held casually. But beneath her calm exterior, her keen eyes missed nothing—every movement, every exchange.

Yet this observation wasn't enough; the main festival outside beckoned her. It was time to venture into the heart of the revelry.

Leaving Layla stationed at the precinct, Elizabeth chose to undertake her search solo, a lingering trace of doubt clouding her trust in her partner, Layla.

She remembered their conversation from the day before.

"Elizabeth, I'm sorry I had to leave you so suddenly yesterday. An urgent matter arose."

"It's fine." Elizabeth's nod conveyed a composed understanding.

"Seeing you in that state last night truly worried me," Layla confessed.

"..."

"When you dashed off like that, I was genuinely concerned," Layla's voice revealed her anxiety.

"Layla," Elizabeth interjected, dismissing Layla's concerns for now.

"Yes?"

"Why did you call me last night when I ran off?" Elizabeth's inquiry cut to the heart of her unease.

"What? I'm not sure what you mean," Layla stammered, her gaze evading Elizabeth's probing eyes.

'Why the hesitation? Why instigate doubt in a previously unwavering trust? Why the sudden

need to hide the truth from me?' Elizabeth suppressed the words that threatened to spill out of her lips.

"It's nothing. Maybe it was a mistake on my part." Elizabeth deflected, rising and leaving before Layla could respond.

"Elizabeth!" Layla's call echoed, but Elizabeth had already vanished.

Back in the present, Elizabeth took a deep breath, her resolve firm. She slipped away from the table, careful not to draw attention from her inebriated companions.

With Chief Alejandro attending a town meeting, the reins of the festival were temporarily handed over to the board of leaders. In a town without a formal mayor, these select individuals held authority. Elizabeth's familiarity extended to Mr. Richard Moore and Mrs. Celestina Andrew, who presided over the town bakery. The kindly bakery owner hardly seemed the type to be involved in sinister plots.

Surveying the merry crowd, Elizabeth witnessed the spectacle of costumed individuals dancing, laughing, and enjoying themselves, giving the illusion of a tranquil haven. But beneath the surface, her instincts hinted at a deeper truth.

As the festival wore on, the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and purple. A bonfire blazed at the center of town, its crackling warmth drawing people together. Elizabeth positioned herself by the fountain, vigilant for any sign of the enigmatic figure she sought. In Layla's absence, the onus was on her to unravel the mystery.

With each passing hour, Elizabeth embarked on her silent search, methodically scouring farms and barns, avoiding homes to evade detection.

Passing by Mr. Richard Moore's residence, Elizabeth noted that the house was shrouded in darkness, a sign of its emptiness. The temptation to investigate was strong, yet she resisted, pressing forward.

Taking an empty beer bottle, Elizabeth filled it with water before proceeding to the small maize farm located in the backyard. Placing the bottle on the ground, she meticulously explored the plot of land, a cluster of young maize plants her canvas. Her fingers met damp soil, her search revealing no evidence of a hidden tool.

"Frustrating," Elizabeth muttered, her fist clenching as she resorted to digging with her bare hands, the soil giving way beneath her determined efforts.

In this moment of desperation, she mused, "A Ground Penetrating Radar would be an great in this situation."

As if fate intervened, a rustling sound broke the silence. Elizabeth's eyes darted up, her gaze met by an unexpected presence.

"Who's there? Come out right now!" the commanding voice carried through the air. The lights flickered on in the nearby house, revealing a man standing there, a rifle gripped firmly in his hands. Elizabeth wiped her soil-smeared hands on her clothes, seizing the beer bottle she had left aside.

Hiding behind the tall grassand plants, she observed Mr. Richard Moore's stern demeanor, the rifle pointed in her direction.

Summoning an air of intoxication, Elizabeth stumbled forward, her voice slurred. "Hey, Mr. Moore."

Mr. Richard Moore's rigid expression softened slightly, though the rifle's aim remained unwavering. "Officer Brian, what brings you here?"

Her words slurred by design, Elizabeth began her charade, her feigned tears catching in her throat. She darted a glance at the rifle, then shifted her gaze to Mr. Moore, her act convincing.

"Why the weapon? You got a permit for that?" Elizabeth's words tumbled out, punctuated by rapid inquiries. Yet answers eluded her, the air tense.

"Eh, I wanna throw up." she moaned suddenly, her acting performance top norch.

"You should leave now, Officer Brian. Ehrn you're sober enough we'll talk about your act of trespassing." Mr. Richard Moore's tone, though colder now, carried an undercurrent of authority.

Elizabeth chortled foolishly, retorting, "Sure thing. I'll leave now, and just so you know, I didn't trespass. I merely conducted an investigation." With unsteady steps, she retreated from the backyard, disappearing from view.

Immediately she got to a hidden place. She threw the bottle away and clenched her chest with her hands, her heart thumping loudly in her chest. She wondered if her acting was a little too much.

"Ha." She sighed and slumped down. By now, the moon had now fully risen, the music had died down and the town had gone quiet.

Elizabeth reached out and grabbed her phone and glanced at the screen.

"It's just past ten." Elizabeth murmured, the empty town that was lit only by the full moon now looked extremely haunting.

Elizabeth looked up to the sky, the full moon was painted with a crimson shade yet it emitted a blue light. She gulped silently and stood up.

There was one last place left to search, one place no one would have ever thought about. The church.