Run: 2026-02-17-01KHMMDXSPF0GE9SGJ9RY9Q8YW

Aurora Carter stood at the edge of the Fae Grove, the ancient oak standing stones looming like silent sentinels in the moonlight. The air was thick with the scent of wildflowers, their vibrant colors muted in the silvery glow. She adjusted the strap of her messenger bag, the weight of the Heartstone Pendant pressing lightly against her chest. The deep crimson gem pulsed faintly, a subtle warmth that seemed to sync with her own heartbeat. She had come here at Eva's insistence, a cryptic message urging her to retrieve something important. Rory had learned to trust Eva's instincts, even when they led her to places like this — places that felt like they existed on the edge of reality. She took a deep breath, the cool night air filling her lungs, and stepped past the standing stones. The moment she crossed the threshold, the world seemed to shift. The sounds of the city faded, replaced by an eerie stillness. The wildflowers, which had seemed so vibrant from a distance, now appeared almost ghostly, their petals shimmering with an otherworldly light. Rory's bright blue eyes scanned the clearing, searching for any sign of what she was supposed to find. She moved cautiously, her footsteps barely making a sound on the soft earth. The grove was beautiful, but there was an underlying sense of wrongness that she couldn't shake. It was as if the very air was charged with a malevolent energy, a feeling that grew stronger with each step she took. A rustling sound to her left made her freeze. She turned her head slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. There was nothing there, just the swaying wildflowers and the ancient oaks. She shook her head, trying to dispel the unease that was creeping up her spine. It was just her imagination, she told herself. The grove was playing tricks on her. But as she continued deeper into the clearing, the feeling of being watched grew stronger. Shadows seemed to move at the edge of her vision, disappearing the moment she tried to focus on them. The pendant around her neck pulsed more insistently, its warmth a small comfort in the growing darkness. She reached the center of the grove, where a large stone altar stood. It was covered in moss and lichen, the surface worn smooth by centuries of weather. Rory approached it cautiously, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger. She placed her hand on the stone, feeling the cool, rough texture beneath her fingers. A sudden gust of wind whipped through the grove, sending a shiver down her spine. The wildflowers bent and swayed, their petals rustling like whispers. Rory's heart raced as she turned in a slow circle, her eyes darting from shadow to shadow. She was not alone. She could feel it in her bones. "Eva?" she called out, her voice barely more than a whisper. There was no response, only the eerie silence of the grove. She swallowed hard, her throat dry. She had to find whatever it was Eva had sent her for and get out of here. As she turned back to the altar, she noticed something she hadn't seen before — a small, intricately carved box nestled among the moss. She reached for it, her fingers trembling. The moment she touched it, a chill ran through her, and the pendant around her neck grew almost unbearably hot. She opened the box, revealing a small, silver key. It was delicate, almost fragile, and yet it seemed to hum with a strange energy. Rory's mind raced. What was this key for? Why had Eva sent her to retrieve it? A low, guttural growl echoed through the grove, and Rory's blood ran cold. She snapped the box shut and shoved it into her bag, her eyes scanning the darkness for the source of the sound. The shadows seemed to close in around her, the air growing thick and oppressive. She took a step back, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. The growl came again, closer this time, and she could see a pair of glowing eyes watching her from the darkness. She turned and ran, her feet pounding against the earth as she fled the grove. The standing stones loomed ahead, their ancient forms a beacon of safety. She could hear something chasing her, its footsteps heavy and relentless. She pushed herself harder, her muscles burning with the effort. Just as she reached the stones, something cold and clammy wrapped around her ankle, pulling her to the ground. She screamed, kicking out with all her strength. The grip loosened, and she scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding in her ears. She stumbled through the standing stones, the world shifting around her once more. The sounds of the city returned, the distant hum of traffic and the occasional bark of a dog. She collapsed to the ground, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The pendant around her neck was cool again, its pulsing warmth gone. She reached into her bag and pulled out the box, her hands shaking. The key inside seemed to glow faintly, a reminder of the strange, otherworldly place she had just escaped. Rory knew she had to find Eva, to get answers about what had just happened. But for now, she was just grateful to be out of the grove, away from whatever had been lurking in the shadows. She got to her feet, her legs unsteady, and began the long walk back to her flat above Silas' bar. As she walked, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was still being watched, that something had followed her out of the grove. She glanced over her shoulder, but there was nothing there, just the empty street and the distant glow of the city lights. She quickened her pace, her mind racing with questions. What was the key for? Why had Eva sent her to the grove? And most importantly, what had been watching her from the shadows? The answers would have to wait. For now, she just needed to get home, to the safety of her flat. She clutched the pendant tightly, its cool surface a small comfort in the darkness.