Part 8

Later that day, after work, I was at Willow's place. We were hanging out in her living room when I told her everything that happened — the doorbell footage, the masked figure, the ritual site.

She immediately grew anxious. "What if they go after me?"

"They won't," I reassured her. "You're safe."

Her older brother, Jackson — twenty‑four, experienced, and weirdly knowledgeable about haunted places — stepped out of his room, overhearing us.

"What's going on?" He asked.

Willow answered for me. "Someone's been messing with Layla. She bought a doorbell camera to catch them."

Jackson looked at me, concerned. "Really? Has that been happening to you?"

"Yeah," I said. "I don't know if someone saw me at the canyons when I went alone... or if it's just a coincidence."

He nodded slowly. "Interesting. Just be careful from now on. Did you see anything out there?"

"I found a huge ritual site," I said, pulling out my phone. "I took pictures."

He studied the photos, then looked at me. "That's crazy you went alone. And Willow didn't go with you?"

He shot her a glare. Willow shrank a little.

"I'm sorry I didn't go with you," she said quietly.

"It's fine," I told her. "Don't worry.

We kept talking, and Jackson shared stories about his own explorations — abandoned buildings, haunted tunnels, canyon trails at night. He and his friends had seen things, heard things, documented things.

Then I remembered something. "Oh — I invited Sam over."

Jackson perked up. "Sam? I like that guy. We've been friends for a while. Haven't seen him in months."

That surprised me — but in a good way.

A sudden knock came at the door.

I opened it. "Hey! I'm glad you came."

Sam smiled. "Hey! Hope you guys don't mind me dropping by."

Willow answered in a flirty tone, "Not at all."

Jackson waved from the chair. "Good to see you again, man."

"You too," Sam said.

I closed the door behind him, and the four of us settled in, talking and hanging out as the evening stretched on.