CHAPTER NINE

Ding!

The sound of a bell chimed as Avery pushed open the store's door and stepped inside. Her car was being refueled while she took the opportunity to grab some groceries from the adjacent store. She entered cautiously, scanning the surroundings for any potential threats. The sight of people bustling around with shopping carts brought her a momentary sense of relief, although her recent encounter at the coffee shop had left her perpetually on edge.

Four days had passed since the incident, and although she should have felt relieved that her pursuers were no longer after her, it only heightened her need for constant vigilance. As she made her way to the dairy section, she picked up cartons of milk and loaves of bread, acutely aware that they were running low at home. The spoiled milk in the fridge was a ticking time bomb, as her father's day would be ruined without his beloved beverage.

Avery nodded politely to the passersby, greeting some of them while receiving acknowledgments from a