Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTRC2EXSJVB0FE80S6VKBYG

The darkness swallowed Aurora whole, the only sound being the soft crunch of gravel beneath her feet as she approached the ancient oak standing stones marking the boundary of The Fae Grove. The moon, a silver sliver in the night sky, cast an eerie glow over the clearing, making the wildflowers seem to writhe in the flickering light. She had come here seeking solace, hoping the grove's strange, tempo-warped sanctuary would provide a brief respite from the turmoil that had been brewing in her life since fleeing Cardiff. Aurora's hand instinctively rose to the Heartstone Pendant, the deep crimson gemstone pulsing faintly with warmth against her skin, a gentle hum that had become a comforting constant. The unknown benefactor who had gifted it to her had claimed it would guide her through trying times. She wasn't one for mysticism, but the pendant's presence was a balm to her frazzled nerves. As she stepped between the standing stones, the air seemed to thicken, like a held breath. The trees, usually a soothing background melody, were silent. The stillness was oppressive, weighing heavily on her shoulders. Rory's quick mind began to rationalize the feeling – the time distortion, perhaps, or merely the remoteness of the grove. Yet, the skin on the back of her neck prickled, the small crescent-shaped scar on her left wrist tingling in tandem with the pendant's pulse. "A bit spooky, even for you, eh, Laila?" she muttered to herself, using one of her lesser-known aliases in a futile attempt to sound braver. The nickname felt hollow, a reminder of the life she'd left behind. She preferred Rory, the name that had become synonymous with her newfound independence. Her eyes scanned the clearing, but the shadows revealed nothing out of the ordinary. Wildflowers swayed gently in the breeze, their colors muted in the moonlight. Aurora took a deep breath, letting the earthy scent of the grove fill her lungs. It was just her imagination playing tricks, she assured herself. The isolation, combined with the stress of her recent past, was bound to manifest in some form of paranoia. She wandered deeper into the grove, her footsteps quiet on the soft earth. The silence was almost palpable, a living, breathing entity that surrounded her. Every so often, she'd catch what sounded like the distant whisper of leaves or the hoot of an owl, only to realize it was just the wind or her own mind playing tricks on her. The stillness was starting to unsettle her more than any overt threat would have. Aurora paused, her head cocked to one side. Had that been... footsteps? Light, cautious, but unmistakable. Her heart quickened, the pulse of the Heartstone Pendant syncing with her accelerated heartbeat. She spun around, eyes straining to penetrate the darkness beyond the moon's reach. The trees stood unmoving, sentinels guarding secrets they would never yield. "Hello?" The word hung in the air, a challenge to the night itself. There was no response, just the continued, oppressive silence. A flicker of movement at the edge of her vision sent her spinning towards it. The wildflowers remained swaying gently, oblivious to her alarm. Her laughter sounded forced, even to her own ears. "Rory, get a grip. You're alone. As desired." Yet, with each step back towards the standing stones, the feeling of being watched intensified. It was as if the grove itself was awakening, its gaze upon her. Aurora hastened her pace, the pulse of the pendant now a frantic rhythm that mirrored her own racing heart. She burst through the boundary, the sudden chill of the night air outside the grove enveloping her like a slap. The world beyond seemed to rush back into focus – the distant hum of cars, the hooting of owls in the nearby woods, the soft rustle of leaves in the Richmond Park bushes. Aurora didn't stop moving until the lights of Silas' bar were in sight, a warm beacon calling her back to reality. Only when she was safely inside, enveloped by the murmur of hushed conversations and the warmth of the bar, did she slow down. Her breath came in ragged gasps, the Heartstone Pendant's pulse finally beginning to slow in sync with her calming heart rate. For a moment, she just leaned against the door, her bright blue eyes scanning the familiar surroundings as if to reassure herself that this, at least, was real. Then, with a quiet resolve, she made her way to the bar, the night's experience already being compartmentalized, locked away in a part of her mind marked "deal with later." "What can I get you, Rory?" Silas' voice was a warm, comforting drawl. Aurora slid onto a stool, her gaze drifting back towards the door, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just a tea, please. Strong. And a room with a lock that works." Silas raised an eyebrow, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern, but all he said was, "Coming right up."