The event was over.
The lights were slowly turning off.
The laughter faded.
Silence took over the school. But Lila hadn't left.
She stood alone in the corridor.
That same question echoed in her mind—
"Noir…" Her feet moved on their own.
She walked back toward the old part of the building.
Tonight, it felt darker.
Quieter. As she walked—
She suddenly stopped in front of a door.
A door she hadn't noticed before.
Old… covered in dust…
Locked.
Lila slowly reached out.
Her fingers touched the lock—
click
It opened. The room inside was dark.
She stepped in slowly.
The air smelled old.
Dust filled the space.
Broken furniture, scattered boxes, and piles of files—
It looked untouched for years. Lila began searching.
Her eyes scanned everything—
Until they stopped on a table.
A single file lay there.
Covered in dust.
She picked it up.
Slowly opened it. On the first page—
Bold letters:
"Noir Family Case Report"
Her breath caught. She flipped through the pages quickly.
Photos…
Documents…
Then—
Her eyes froze on one picture. Two little girls…
Standing in front of flames.
Her hands trembled.
"…That's… me…"
"You've gone too far, Lila." The voice came from behind.
Lila froze.
Then slowly turned. At the doorway—
Mrs. Carter.
Her expression was no longer gentle.
Her eyes were cold.
Deep.
"I thought you would stop," she said.
"But you're just like your mother…"
Lila's eyes narrowed.
"You know everything," she said coldly. Mrs. Carter gave a faint smile.
"I don't just know…"
"I was part of it."
The air grew heavy.
Lila tightened her grip on the file.
"Then tell me the truth," she demanded.
Mrs. Carter stepped closer.
"Some truths…"
"You are not ready for them yet." Suddenly—
Footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Mrs. Carter stopped.
Her expression shifted again.
Calm.
Controlled.
"This is enough for today," she said.
She turned and walked away.
Lila stood there alone.
The file still in her hands.
Fire reflected in her eyes.
"I won't stop…"
She whispered.