As the search continued, cryp□ic c□u□s start□d to em□□g□, adding anot□er□layer□□□ □ntrigue t□ □□e cas□□□Sy□□o□s carve□ into□trees,□□trange ma□□ings on rocks, and□cryptic□notes left behi□d□only dee□ened t□e myst□r□ surr□unding the □issi□g nine□ We□e these clu□□ int□nti□nally l□ft behind, or were th□y simp□y a product of□the □roup's pa□anoia□and unrav□ling state of mind□