School was over.
The corridors were slowly becoming empty.
But Lila hadn't left yet.
She walked alone through the hallway.
Her eyes moved carefully—across every wall, every door—as if she was searching for something.
This school…
It wasn't just a school. It wasn't just a school.
Something was hidden here. As she kept walking, she reached an older part of the building.
This area felt different from the rest.
The walls were faded.
Dust covered the windows.
It looked like no one had come here for a long time. Lila stepped forward slowly.
Her fingers brushed against the wall.
A strange feeling…
As if this place was familiar. Suddenly, her eyes caught an old photograph hanging on the wall.
It was covered in dust, but still visible.
A large building…
And a group of people standing in front of it.
A family. Lila slowly moved closer.
Her eyes narrowed.
There were words written below the picture…
But half of it was erased.
"…oir …amily Foundation"
Her breath stopped.
"Noir…?" The word slipped from her lips.
At that moment, the image of fire flashed in her mind again.
Screams…
Darkness…
And a shadow. "What are you doing here?"
A voice suddenly came from behind.
Lila turned around.
The Principal.
Mrs. Carter.
She was standing at the doorway.
Her eyes were fixed on Lila.
Steady… deep…
For a little too long. "I was just looking around," Lila said calmly.
Mrs. Carter slowly walked in.
Her gaze briefly shifted to the photograph.
Then back to Lila.
"This area is not usually visited," she said.
Her voice was gentle… but there was a hint of warning.
Lila gave a small smile.
"I like old things," she said.
Mrs. Carter smiled faintly.
But it didn't reach her eyes.
"Not everything from the past needs to be known," she said slowly.
A strange silence filled the room. Lila didn't look away.
"Some things… need to be known to move forward," she replied calmly.
Their eyes met.
A silent battle.
After a few seconds, Mrs. Carter stepped back.
"You should go home, Lila," she said.
"It's getting late."
Lila didn't respond.
She slowly walked out.
But before leaving, she glanced at the photograph one last time.
"Noir…"
That name wasn't just a name.
It was a past.
A truth.
Something someone was trying to hide.
From a distance, Mrs. Carter watched her leave.
This time, something was clear in her eyes.
Recognition.
Suspicion.
And…
A hint of fear.