Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTQYRZD38Z5BTHSA11VFBG4

Aurora Carter, known to most as Rory, stepped out of the car and onto the damp, gravelly path of Richmond Park. The Fae Grove always felt different, a place where the air seemed to hum with an ancient, eerie energy. She clutched the Heartstone Pendant around her neck, its deep crimson gemstone pulsing faintly with warmth. The pendant, a gift from an unknown benefactor, had brought her here tonight. She had a feeling it would lead her to something important. The forest was dense and dark, the trees towering and ancient. Their branches reached out like gnarled fingers, casting long shadows in the moonlight. Rory’s breath misted in the cold air, and her heart thumped in her chest. She hadn't planned to come here alone, but the pendant's pull had been too strong to ignore. She took a deep breath and ventured deeper into the grove. The path was familiar, but tonight, it felt different. The usual rustling of leaves and chirping of insects was eerily absent. The only sound was the crunch of her boots on the gravel and the faint, distant whisper of the wind. As she approached the boundary marked by ancient oak standing stones, Rory’s steps slowed. The stones, each taller than she was, loomed over her, their surfaces etched with symbols she couldn't quite make out. She reached out a hand, feeling the rough, bark-like texture. The air here was thick with an otherworldly presence, and her skin prickled with goosebumps. She stepped through the boundary, and immediately, the world seemed to shift. The air grew warmer, and the scent of wildflowers filled her nostrils. The grove was a hidden clearing, a place where time moved differently. An hour inside could be minutes or days outside. The moonlight seemed to dance on the ground, casting a soft, silvery glow. Rory walked deeper into the clearing, her eyes scanning the area. The Heartstone Pendant pulsed more insistently, guiding her to the center of the grove. She felt a growing unease, as if she were being watched. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the faint, rhythmic thudding of her heart. She stopped and turned in a slow circle, trying to pinpoint the source of the discomfort. The grove seemed to close in around her, the trees leaning in, their branches swaying as if in a silent, malevolent dance. A breeze whispered through the leaves, carrying with it the faintest hint of a melody, haunting and familiar. Rory's breath caught in her throat. "Is someone there?" she called out, her voice barely a whisper. There was no answer, only the continued whisper of the wind. She took a step back, her instincts screaming at her to leave. A rustling sound came from behind one of the standing stones. Rory whipped around, her hand instinctively reaching for the pendant. For a moment, she saw movement, a shadow that shouldn't be there. It darted away, disappearing into the darkness of the forest. Her heart raced, and she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Who's there?" she demanded, her voice stronger this time. The grove remained silent, but the tension in the air was palpable. She took a few cautious steps toward the standing stone, her eyes darting around the clearing. The Heartstone Pendant glowed brighter, its warmth more intense. She felt a pull, a call she couldn't ignore. She moved closer to the stone, her hand reaching out to touch it again. As her fingers brushed the bark, a low, rumbling growl echoed through the grove. Rory froze, her blood running cold. The growl was followed by a low, sinister laughter, a sound that sent shivers down her spine. She spun around, her eyes wide with fear. The laughter grew louder, surrounding her. Shadows moved at the edge of her vision, shapes that shouldn't be there, forms that twisted and contorted. Rory's breath came in short, sharp gasps. She backed away, bumping into one of the standing stones. The laughter grew closer, the shadows converging on her. A figure emerged from the darkness, its shape indistinct but menacing. It moved with a fluid grace, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light. Rory's mind raced, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. The figure was not human, and yet it seemed to hold a familiarity, a presence that she could almost recognize. "Who are you?" Rory asked, her voice shaking. The figure didn't answer, but it continued to advance, the laughter becoming a chorus of whispers. Rory's instincts kicked in, and she turned to run. The pendant around her neck glowed fiercely, the warmth now a searing heat. She sprinted toward the boundary, her heart pounding in her chest. The shadows seemed to lengthen, reaching out for her, but she didn't stop. She pushed through the standing stones and back into the forest. The moment she crossed the boundary, the air changed. The oppressive silence lifted, and the rustling of leaves and chirping of insects returned. Rory didn't slow down. She ran until her lungs burned and her legs ached, the woods around her blurring into a dark, shadowy blur. Finally, she reached the car, her hands trembling as she unlocked the door and climbed inside. She started the engine and drove away, her eyes glued to the rearview mirror, half-expecting to see the shadows chasing her. As she left the park, the Heartstone Pendant finally cooled, its glow fading. Rory's hands shook, and she took a deep, shaky breath. She had no idea what she had encountered, but one thing was certain: the Fae Grove was not a place to be taken lightly.