story about a guy who has a podcast about rare books collecting

Jonathan sat at his desk, microphone poised, ready to record the latest episode of "Forgotten Folios," a podcast dedicated to rare book collecting. The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows over the rows of antique books that lined his walls. Tonight, he had something special—a lead on a book that had been missing for centuries.

The "Codex Noctis," a medieval manuscript rumored to unlock the secrets of eternal life, had intrigued collectors and historians alike. Jonathan had received an encrypted email from an anonymous sender, claiming to have tracked it down. The email instructed him to go to an old bookshop on the outskirts of town at midnight.

Excitement mixed with skepticism as Jonathan decided to follow the lead. He couldn't ignore the possibility of uncovering such a significant artifact. He grabbed his coat and set off, microphone and recorder tucked into a small bag.

The bookshop's ancient wooden sign creaked in the wind as Jonathan arrived. Its windows were dark, and the door slightly ajar. He stepped inside, the musty scent of old paper and leather filling his nostrils. The shop seemed deserted, but he felt eyes watching him.

"Hello?" Jonathan called out. His voice echoed through the narrow aisles.

A figure emerged from the shadows—a gaunt man in a frayed coat, holding a candle that flickered ominously. "You must be Jonathan," the man said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes, I'm here about the Codex Noctis," Jonathan replied cautiously.

The man motioned for him to follow. They walked deeper into the maze of bookshelves until they reached a hidden room. The man pointed to a pedestal in the center of the room, where an ancient, leather-bound book rested.

Jonathan's heart raced. "Is that it?" he asked, stepping closer.

"Indeed," the man confirmed, "but there's a price to be paid."

Jonathan swallowed hard, realizing that the journey might be more perilous than he'd imagined. "What kind of price?" he asked, his curiosity overcoming his caution.

The man smiled, revealing yellowed teeth. "Blood," he whispered.

Before Jonathan could react, the door slammed shut behind him. Panic surged as he tried to open it, but it was locked tight. The man's eyes gleamed with a malevolent glint.

"The Codex demands a sacrifice," the man intoned. "It binds itself to its possessor through an ancient ritual."

Jonathan backed away, bumping into the pedestal. "This is insane," he muttered, fumbling for his microphone to document his discovery.

The man advanced, brandishing a small knife. "Your podcast will be legendary—if you survive."

Jonathan's survival instincts kicked in. He grabbed the pedestal and swung it at the man, knocking him down. He seized the Codex and ran, the man's screams filling the air. He dashed through the labyrinth of shelves, every corridor seeming to twist and elongate.

He stumbled out of the shop, gasping for breath. In the distance, he heard sirens—someone must have heard the commotion. He looked back to see the shop's windows shattering, the eerie glow of the candlelight flickering violently.

Jonathan clutched the Codex to his chest and made a vow. His podcast might bring the story to the world, but some books were better left forgotten.

Back in his apartment, Jonathan began recording his episode. His voice wavered as he recounted the night's harrowing events. He hesitated for a moment before revealing the book's existence. The world deserved to know, but dangers lurked in the shadows.

The podcast was released to an eager audience.

The next day, as he checked his messages, another anonymous email appeared. This time, it was a single, chilling sentence: "The Codex has found you."

Jonathan froze, realizing too late that some discoveries come with a curse.