Morning came with the sharp ringing of the orphanage bell.
The sound echoed through the building, dragging every girl from sleep.
I rubbed my eyes and slowly sat up.
The room was already filled with quiet movement. Beds were being made, blankets folded neatly, and uniforms straightened without a single complaint.
No one spoke.
It was strange.
Dozens of girls shared one room, yet it was silent enough to hear someone breathing.
I looked across the room until my eyes found Phoebe.
She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the floor.
Her eyes were swollen.
She hadn't slept.
Neither had I.
"Get dressed," Aria whispered as she folded her blanket perfectly.
"They don't like it when we're late."
I hurried to obey.
Breakfast was served in a long dining hall.
The tables were old, the chairs uneven, and the food looked as lifeless as the room itself.
A bowl of watery porridge.
One slice of bread.
Nothing more.
No one complained.
No one smiled.
Everyone simply ate.
Phoebe sat alone at the end of the table.
She held her spoon but didn't touch her food.
I looked at Aria.
"Can I sit with her?"
Aria sighed quietly.
"You never learn."
"Please."
She looked around the room before nodding once.
"Quickly."
I picked up my bowl and walked over.
Phoebe looked surprised when I sat beside her.
"You don't have to be alone," I said softly.
For the first time since arriving...
She smiled.
It was small.
Weak.
But real.
"My name is Phoebe," she whispered.
"I know."
"I'm Taya."
"I know."
We both laughed quietly.
It was only a tiny laugh...
But in this place, it felt almost forbidden.
Suddenly...
A metal spoon crashed onto the floor.
The entire dining hall became silent.
Every head turned.
An older girl stood frozen beside her chair.
The spoon lay at her feet.
Sister Perry slowly walked toward her.
No one moved.
No one dared to look away.
"You know the rules," Sister Perry said calmly.
"I'm... I'm sorry, Sister."
"Sorry does not erase carelessness."
The girl lowered her head.
"You will scrub the chapel floors after dinner."
"Yes, Sister."
Sister Perry walked away as though nothing had happened.
Conversation never returned.
Only silence.
I looked at Aria.
She didn't even raise her head.
"Rule number four," she whispered later.
"Never attract attention."
After breakfast, the girls were divided into chores.
Some cleaned classrooms.
Some washed clothes.
Others worked in the gardens.
I was sent to the library.
Phoebe came with me.
The library smelled of old books and dust.
Sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows, painting the floor with soft colors.
For a moment...
The room almost felt peaceful.
Almost.
"Stack these carefully," the supervisor ordered before leaving.
Phoebe picked up a pile of books.
"They're heavier than they look."
I smiled.
"I'll help."
Together we arranged the shelves.
Minutes passed quietly.
Then...
Phoebe stopped.
"Taya..."
"What is it?"
She pointed toward the highest shelf.
"There wasn't a book there before."
I looked up.
A small black notebook rested on the shelf.
It looked old.
Its cover was worn.
No title.
No name.
Just black leather.
"I'll get it."
I climbed onto a small wooden stool.
The moment my fingers touched the notebook...
A cold shiver ran through my body.
Something slipped from between its pages.
A folded piece of paper.
It landed at my feet.
Phoebe picked it up.
"What does it say?"
I unfolded it slowly.
My hands trembled.
Only four words were written inside.
STOP ASKING QUESTIONS.
My heart nearly stopped.
Phoebe looked at me.
"Who wrote it?"
"I... I don't know."
A voice suddenly echoed through the library.
"Taya."
I spun around.
Aria stood in the doorway.
Her face had gone pale.
"What are you doing?"
She hurried toward us.
The moment she saw the note...
Her expression changed completely.
Without saying a word, she snatched it from my hands and hid it inside her sleeve.
"You never found this."
"But—"
"You never saw it."
Her voice was firm.
Almost frightened.
Before I could ask another question...
The library door slowly creaked open.
Someone had entered.
Aria's eyes widened.
She whispered only two words.
"Hide it."
Aria grabbed the black notebook from Taya's hands and shoved it beneath her dress.
"Whatever happens," she whispered, "don't say a word."
Before Taya could ask why, the library door creaked open.
A priest stepped inside.
His black robe brushed against the wooden floor as his cold eyes swept across the room.
Then...
His gaze stopped on Taya.
He smiled.
"I've been looking for you."