Part 2
Sunday morning came with a loud knock at the door.
Layla dragged herself out of bed and opened it. Sam, her next‑door neighbor, stood there looking annoyed.
"Do you know who broke my sister's potted plants?" He asked.
"No, but I heard a crash last night," she said. "Whoever it was must've run off."
They stepped outside to talk. A moment later, I joined them on the porch.
"What's going on?" I asked, giving Sam a small smile. "I like your eyes, by the way."
He blinked. "Uh... thanks."
Layla shot me a look — not the time — but I ignored it.
Sam turned back to her. "If anything happens again, take a picture and text me?"
"Will do."
He lingered for a moment. "You got plans later?"
"Not that I know of," Layla said.
"If I'm free, I'll text you," I added.
He nodded and headed home.
The second he was out of earshot; Layla turned to me. "Seriously? You had to flirt with him mid‑conversation?"
"What? He's cute."
"Pick better timing."
I laughed it off and went inside to change. Layla stayed on the porch until she suddenly rushed in.
"Layla, I saw something weird in the distance. I don't know what it was. Come look."
We stepped outside again, but nothing was there.
"I swear I saw it," she muttered.
"Probably just someone messing around," Layla said. "People out here love scaring others."
She didn't look convinced, but she let it go.
A few minutes later, she headed out for errands. I stayed behind, scrolling through Facebook — until a community alert post made my stomach drop.
Griffith Park.
Last night.
Disturbing findings.
Possible connection to a scream reported by hikers.
I screenshot it and sent it to Layla.
We heard that scream. And now they're finding things in the same area.
The thought wouldn't leave me alone.
By 1 P.M., I'd made up my mind.
I grabbed my shoes, my phone, locked the door behind me, and headed to my car.
I'm going back, I texted her. I need to see for myself.
Then I started the engine and drove toward the place we swore we'd never return to.