Part 3

I drove to Griffith Park and parked in the lot, texting Willow before stepping out:

"Hey! I decided to head over to Griffith Park to do more exploring. You're welcome to join if you want."

I put my phone away and walked onto the premises, trying to act normal — not suspicious, not nervous. Just another person out for a stroll.

An hour later, I reached the canyon side. The atmosphere had shifted. The air felt heavier, colder, like the place was watching me. I shook it off and kept going.

I took out my phone to snap a few pictures, only to realize I had no cell service.

"Great," I muttered.

Still, I kept walking straight ahead.

Suddenly, I came across a cluster of odd caves I'd never seen before. Griffith Park was huge — big enough to get lost in if you weren't careful — but as long as you knew where the exits were, you'd be fine.

I'd been out here for three hours when something ahead caught my eye.

Something... startling.

As I got closer, my stomach dropped.

A ritual site.

Large. Elaborate. Wrong.

I lifted my phone and took a photo — something to show Willow later. Maybe Sam, too.

I walked around the site, studying the strange arrangement, wondering how long it had been here and what exactly had happened. Something felt off. Deeply off.

I didn't like it.

I took more pictures, then finally decided it was time to head back. The sun was starting to go down, and the temperature had dropped sharply since I arrived.

It would take at least an hour to get back to my car.

I put my phone away and started walking.