The class was going on, but Lila couldn't focus on anything. Her vision kept blurring. Suddenly A sharp flash hit her mind. Fire… Everything around her turned red. Someone was screaming. "Run!" A voice echoed. Then A loud, piercing sound. Everything shook. Lila suddenly held her head. "Ugh…"
"Lila?" Maya looked at her with concern.
"Are you okay?" Lila quickly composed herself. "I'm fine… it's nothing." But her heartbeat refused to calm down. This memory… It wasn't imagination. After class, everyone started leaving. Aria took out her phone. "Yeah, Mom… I'm okay," she said with a soft smile. might be a little late today." Her voice was warm. Gentle. Carefree. Lila watched everything from a distance. Her eyes slowly narrowed.
"Mom…?" A cold feeling settled inside her. "She grew up with someone else…" For a brief moment, her chest tightened. But she pushed the feeling away. "Lila, the Principal is calling you." A staff member said. Lila paused.
The Principal…? Principal's office. Lila pushed the door open and stepped inside. A woman was sitting there. Calm. Elegant. Confident. There was a strange stillness in her eyes. "Come in," she said softly. Lila walked forward.
The woman looked at her for a moment. A little too long. As if she was trying to recognize her. "You're new, aren't you?"
Her voice was gentle… but slightly cold. "Yes," Lila replied shortly.
A faint smile appeared on the woman's lips. "I am the Principal of this school." She paused, then added "Mrs. Carter."
Lila's eyes flickered for a second. Carter… The name hit something deep inside her. It felt familiar. The Principal looked at her again. This time, there was something in her eyes Recognition?
Or suspicion? But it disappeared quickly.
"You seem like a quiet girl," she said.
"Will you be able to adjust to this school?" Lila gave a small smile.
Cold. Controlled.
"I will." After leaving the office, Lila stopped walking.
The image of fire flashed in her mind again.
The screams…
The darkness…
And a shadow.
She slowly clenched her fist. "This school…"
"These people…"
"They're all connected somehow…"
Her eyes darkened.
"I will find out the truth…"
"No matter what it is."