Page 258 of Eternal
Okay, weird. So, this girl was attending these events for years, and then gone just like that? That’s a red flag. Are you sure about the name?
Me
Yeah. Lena Braxton. But nothing after she disappears. It’s like she was wiped off the map.
I lean forward, staring at the screen, waiting. The more I dig, the more I’m sure there’s something dark behind all of this. Lena was a victim. A child. But to what end?
Minutes pass, and I continue flipping through the photos, unable to get rid of the feeling that I’m missing something.
Brian
Okay, I’ve found something. It’s not under the name Lena Braxton anymore, though. She’s changed her identity. The name she’s using now is Emily Morrow. She’s been using it for over a decade now. I found an address linked to her in Nevada, just outside Las Vegas. That’s interesting. You want me to keep digging?
I blink, the realization hitting me hard. This girl has been hiding for a long time, under a new name. Emily Morrow. She’s erased herself. She’s been living in the shadows, and she’s been hiding in plain sight.
Me
Yeah, keep digging. Let me know if you find anything else.
Brian responds quickly.
Brian
Wait, I found something else. I have an email address linked to her new identity. Want me to send it to you?
I don’t hesitate. This is it. This is my chance to get to her.
Me
Send it. Thank you, Brian.
She sends the email address and I look at it. Emily Morrow. I type her name into the search bar. The results are sparse, no social media, no official records. Just the email address and a few loose threads.
I pull up a few more details, trying to follow any kind of connection. Her new name seems to be completely scrubbed from the internet, no linked phone number, no family records. It’s like she doesn't exist in the world anymore.
The only things that come up are a couple of low-level charity events under the name Emily Morrow that took place in Nevada, but they’re years old.
There’s nothing recent. Nothing tying her to this world.
I drafted a new email, something professional, something convincing. I’ll give her no reason not to respond.
Subject: Investigative Journalist Looking into the Gathering of the Chosen Church
Dear Ms. Morrow,
My name is Lihan Crawford, and I am an investigative journalist researching the private church gatherings held by Desert Cross Church, known as the “Gathering of the Chosen.” Your name has come up multiple times in connection with these events, and I would very much like to hear your story.
I understand if you are hesitant to speak with me, but I can assure you that your privacy will be respected, and any information you provide will be treated with the utmost discretion.
I would appreciate any insight you can offer, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
Lihan Crawford
I checked the email again. And then, I hit send.
Now, I wait. I don’t know if she’ll respond. I don’t know if she’ll even trust me enough to speak.
