Lightning Split Boulder in Half — What Rangers Found Beneath, Left Them Horrified

Vivian ran through the station while another ranger checked the exits. “Nobody leaves until we know what happened.” The rear security camera had stopped recording for eleven minutes. There was no sign of forced entry, and the alarm had only activated when a second interior door was opened.

Then Jonah called from the storage corridor. “Vivian, over here.” The box was lying behind a stack of maintenance equipment. Whoever had taken it had apparently been interrupted before getting it outside. Fresh scratches covered the lid, as though someone had tried desperately to pry it open. Vivian stared at the damaged container.

“We don't even know what's inside this thing.” Jonah looked toward the dark corridor. “Maybe whoever came in does.” That possibility bothered her. Only a handful of people knew a box had been recovered, and nobody outside the park should have known where it was being kept. Vivian checked the disabled camera. Someone had switched it off from a breaker inside a locked utility room. Only park employees had keys. Someone inside Blackwood knew about the box. And someone else wanted it badly enough to break in before Vivian had even opened it.