Run: 2026-02-17-01KHMMF7SFMFPVKNHQEF50F544

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 heartbeat. She had come here at Eva's insistence, a cryptic message urging her to find something important in the Grove. 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. Time moved differently here, she reminded herself. An hour inside could be minutes or days outside. She glanced at her watch, noting the time before venturing deeper into the clearing. The wildflowers brushed against her legs as she walked, their petals soft and cool. The trees around her were ancient, their gnarled branches twisting like skeletal fingers against the sky. She felt a shiver run down her spine, but she pushed it aside. She had a purpose here, and she couldn't afford to be distracted by the unsettling atmosphere. As she moved further into the Grove, the silence became oppressive. Her footsteps seemed unnaturally loud, the crunch of leaves and twigs echoing in the stillness. She paused, listening intently. There was something off about the quiet, a sense of anticipation that made her skin prickle. A rustling sound came from her left, and she turned sharply, her heart pounding. The shadows between the trees seemed to shift, but there was nothing there. Just the wind, she told herself. Just the wind playing tricks on her mind. She forced herself to keep moving, her eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of what she was supposed to find. The pendant grew warmer against her skin, its faint glow casting a soft light around her. She followed its guidance, trusting that it would lead her to whatever Eva had sent her to find. The path wound deeper into the Grove, the trees closing in around her. The sense of wrongness grew with every step, a creeping dread that gnawed at the edges of her mind. She heard it again — a rustling, closer this time. She stopped, her breath catching in her throat. The shadows seemed to pulse, shifting and coalescing into shapes that danced at the edge of her vision. She blinked, and they were gone. Her heart raced, the fear clawing at her insides. She was not alone here. "Eva?" she called out, her voice sounding small and fragile in the vastness of the Grove. There was no answer, only the oppressive silence. She took a step forward, then another, her eyes darting around, searching for any sign of movement. A low whispering filled the air, a susurrus of voices that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere. She couldn't make out the words, but the tone was unmistakable — a malevolent murmur that sent chills down her spine. She clutched the pendant, its warmth a small comfort in the growing darkness. The path led her to a clearing, the moonlight casting an eerie glow on the scene. In the center stood a stone altar, ancient and weathered. The pendant pulsed more strongly now, its light illuminating the carvings on the altar's surface. She approached cautiously, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger. As she reached the altar, the whispering grew louder, the voices overlapping in a cacophony of sound. She placed her hand on the stone, feeling the rough texture beneath her fingers. The carvings depicted scenes of rituals, figures dancing around a central figure that seemed to radiate power. She traced the lines with her fingers, trying to make sense of the images. A sudden movement caught her eye, and she turned to see a figure standing at the edge of the clearing. It was tall and thin, its features obscured by the shadows. Her heart leapt into her throat, and she took a step back, her hand still clutching the pendant. "Who's there?" she demanded, her voice trembling. The figure didn't respond, but she could feel its gaze on her, a cold, piercing stare that seemed to see right through her. She took another step back, her mind racing. She needed to get out of here, to find a way back to the safety of the standing stones. The figure moved, gliding silently across the clearing. She turned and ran, her feet pounding against the ground. The whispering grew louder, the voices rising to a fever pitch. She could feel the figure behind her, its presence a dark shadow that loomed over her. She burst through the trees, the standing stones coming into view. She could see the faint glow of the city lights beyond, a beacon of hope in the darkness. She pushed herself harder, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The pendant burned against her skin, its light flickering wildly. She reached the stones and stumbled through, the world shifting around her. The sounds of the city rushed back, the distant hum of traffic and the murmur of voices a welcome relief. She collapsed to her knees, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked back at the Grove, the standing stones now silent and still. The sense of wrongness lingered, a dark cloud that hung over her. She knew she had found something important, but she also knew that whatever it was, it had come at a cost. She rose to her feet, her legs trembling. She needed to find Eva, to make sense of what had happened. The pendant's glow had faded, its warmth now a distant memory. She slipped it back under her shirt, the weight of it a reminder of the night's events. As she walked away from the Grove, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. The shadows seemed to follow her, a constant presence at the edge of her vision. She quickened her pace, her mind racing with questions. What had she found in the Grove? And what had found her? The answers would have to wait. For now, she needed to get back to the safety of her flat, to the familiar comfort of Silas' bar below. She glanced at her watch, noting the time. It had only been an hour, but it felt like a lifetime. She stepped out of the park and into the city streets, the lights and sounds a welcome distraction from the darkness that still clung to her. She would find Eva, and together they would unravel the mystery of the Fae Grove. But deep down, she knew that whatever she had encountered in the Grove was far from over. The shadows had found her, and they would not let her go so easily.