Chapter 3 THE WINDMILL

The Windmill*

Kate's tires crunched on the gravel path leading to the old windmill. The once-majestic structure now stood abandoned, its sails broken and still.

Ryan pulled up beside her, and together they approached the witness, a nervous-looking teenager.

"I didn't see much," the witness said, "but they were arguing loud. The other person... they were wearing a jacket with this symbol." He drew the Black Oak emblem in the dirt.

Kate's eyes locked onto the symbol. "Did you recognize the person?"

The witness shook his head. "No, but... they seemed... off. Like, they blended into the shadows."

Kate's grip on her notebook tightened. "Blended into the shadows?"

The witness nodded. "Yeah, like they were part of the darkness."

Ryan's expression turned skeptical. "That's quite a statement."

The witness deflated. "I know it sounds crazy, but-"

Kate interrupted, her tone reassuring. "We believe you. Can you show us where they argued?"

The witness led them to the windmill's entrance.

As Kate stepped inside, the air grew thick with the scent of decay. She shone her flashlight up the creaking stairs.

"Ryan, look." Kate pointed to a symbol etched into the wall – the Black Oak.

Ryan's eyes narrowed. "This isn't just any symbol. It's a warning."

Suddenly, Kate's light flickered and died. The darkness swallowed them whole.

"Ryan?" Kate called out, her voice barely above a whisper.

No response.

Kate's heart racing, she fumbled for her backup flashlight.

As the light cut through the darkness, Kate saw Ryan's terrified expression – and beyond him, a figure watching from the shadows.

Kate's light cut through the darkness, illuminating Ryan's terrified expression. Beyond him, the figure watched, its presence seeming to fill the space.

"Ryan, get down!" Kate shouted, drawing her gun.

Ryan dropped to the floor as Kate trained her weapon on the figure.

"Show yourself!" Kate demanded.

The figure didn't move. Its presence seemed to grow, the shadows deepening around it.

Kate's finger tightened on the trigger. Suddenly, the figure vanished.

Ryan scrambled to his feet. "What happened?"

Kate's gun still raised, she swept the area. "It's gone."

Ryan's eyes locked onto Kate's. "What was it?"

Kate hesitated. "I don't know."

As they cautiously descended the stairs, Kate's phone buzzed.

"Detective McCord, we've got a match on the Black Oak symbol," the officer on the other end said.

Kate's grip on the phone tightened. "What is it?"

"An ancient cult, thought to be extinct. They worshipped a deity tied to darkness and shadows."

Kate's thoughts turned to Emily's disappearance. The shadows we keep...

"Get me everything on this cult," Kate ordered.

Ryan's expression turned grim. "We're dealing with something sinister."

Outside, the wind picked up, whispers carried on the breeze.

"Kate, look," Ryan said, pointing to the windmill's door.

Scrawled on the door, in blood: "You'll never find me."

Kate's heart sank. The message seemed to echo Emily's disappearance.

"Ryan, I think we're in over our heads."

Ryan's eyes locked onto Kate's. "We can't back down now."

As they returned to their cars, Kate noticed a figure watching from the trees.

"Ryan, we have company."

Ryan followed Kate's gaze. "Same person from the windmill?"

Kate's jaw clenched. "I intend to find out."

Kate's eyes remained fixed on the figure in the trees. "Ryan, let's go."

They approached the figure, guns drawn. As they got closer, Kate realized it was a woman, her face twisted in fear.

"Please," the woman whispered, "don't make me go back."

Kate's expression softened. "Who are you?"

The woman hesitated. "Emily's friend... from the group."

Kate's heart skipped a beat. "What group?"

The woman glanced around nervously. "The Shadow Walkers. We were initiated... into the Black Oak."

Ryan's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean 'initiated'?"

The woman shuddered. "We were chosen... to serve the shadows."

Kate's grip on her gun tightened. "What do you know about Emily's disappearance?"

Tears streamed down the woman's face. "I didn't want to... but they made me... watch."

Kate's vision blurred with rage. "Watch what?"

The woman's voice barely registered. "The ritual... they took Emily... to the other side."

Ryan's expression turned grim. "What other side?"

The woman's eyes rolled back, her body trembling. "The shadows... they consume everything."

Suddenly, the woman's eyes snapped open, and she sprinted into the darkness.

"Wait!" Kate shouted, chasing after her.

Ryan followed, their flashlights casting eerie shadows on the trees.

As they pursued the woman, Kate realized they were being herded toward an unknown destination.

"Ryan, I think we're walking into a trap."

Ryan's voice came back, laced with concern. "Kate, I've lost sight of her."

Kate halted, scanning their surroundings. The darkness seemed to press in.

"Ryan, where are you?"

No response.

Kate's heart racing, she called out again. "Ryan!"

The only answer was the wind whispering through the trees.