WHO AM I

HIDDEN AGENDAS

The sound of footsteps echoed through the grand hall as everyone scattered, searching for clues to Phillip's twisted game. The energy was frantic, and the tension in the air was almost suffocating. Lila, Cathy, Jasper, and Renzo stuck together at first, weaving through rooms with cautious steps, but it didn't take long for Renzo to break away.

"This is where I shine," Renzo said with a grin, sprinting ahead. "I'll find all the clues before you guys even find one."

"Of course," Cathy sighed, rolling her eyes. "He's already acting like it's a competition."

"Well, knowing Renzo, it probably is," Jasper quipped, trying to lighten the mood. "I bet he's hoping there's a trophy at the end."

Lila, too focused on her own swirling thoughts, barely heard their banter. Her mind kept wandering back to Noah. She hadn't seen him since everything started, and that gnawing feeling in her gut only grew stronger. What was he hiding, and why?

"Lila? Earth to Lila?" Cathy's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, yeah... Sorry, I just can't shake this feeling that something's really off."

Cathy nodded, lowering her voice. "I know what you mean. Phillip seems way too calm about all of this. He's got something up his sleeve."

"Not to mention Noah disappearing," Jasper added. "That guy's a mystery wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in—well, you get it."

Lila frowned. "Yeah, but I trust him. I just... I need to talk to him."

As they entered the library, a soft creak echoed through the room, making Cathy jump. "Okay, not creepy at all," she muttered, hugging her arms.

Jasper chuckled. "If a ghost pops out, I'll protect you."

"Sure, brave guy," Cathy shot back with a smirk.

They started searching through the shelves, flipping through old books and lifting random objects in search of clues. The silence between them grew as the weight of the situation sank in. Lila pulled out an ancient-looking novel and gasped when a piece of paper fluttered out.

"I think we found something," she whispered, unfolding the note.

It read: "To find the truth, you must first look within yourself."

"Well, that's cryptic," Cathy said, raising an eyebrow. "What does it mean?"

"Maybe it's one of those philosophical quotes Phillip likes throwing around to sound smart," Jasper joked. "He's always playing mind games."

But Lila's expression darkened. The words felt too personal, too direct, as if they were aimed at her. She could feel her heart racing, her mind flashing back to the question that had haunted her for months: Who am I?

Before she could say anything, Renzo burst into the room with a wild grin. "Guess who found the next clue?"

"We're not even close to done here," Cathy said, throwing her hands up in disbelief. "How are you so fast?"

"Talent, obviously," Renzo winked, waving a piece of paper in the air. "Better keep up, slowpokes."

Lila narrowed her eyes. "Renzo, stop playing around. This isn't just a game. There's something weird about all of this, and you know it."

Renzo hesitated, his usual cockiness slipping for just a moment. "I know, Lila. But look, the best way to deal with this is to win. If we win, we'll figure out what Phillip's really up to."

Before Lila could respond, the door creaked open. Noah stepped in, his face unreadable as always. Everyone turned toward him, waiting for some explanation, but he just stood there, silent.

Lila's heart clenched. "Noah... where have you been?"

He looked at her with a mixture of guilt and hesitation. "I've been... working on something. I didn't want to involve you."

"That's not good enough," Lila said, frustration bubbling to the surface. "You're hiding something from me. From all of us."

Noah's jaw tightened. "It's complicated, Lila. There are things I can't explain right now. But I promise, I'm trying to protect you."

"Protect me from what?" Lila demanded, her voice rising.

Before Noah could answer, Phillip's voice boomed over the intercom, cutting through the tension like a knife. "Time's up! Get ready for the next phase."

"What? Already?" Cathy exclaimed, looking around frantically. "We barely found anything!"

"Guess we're in for another round," Jasper sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

As they started to file out of the room, Noah grabbed Lila's arm gently, pulling her aside. His eyes were serious, and his voice was low. "Lila, listen to me. There's something coming. Something bigger than this game. I need you to trust me. Please."

Lila's pulse quickened, and for a moment, all she could do was stare at him. "Noah... I want to trust you, but—"

"Don't overthink it. Just trust me. I'll explain everything soon, I promise."

With that, he disappeared back into the hallway, leaving Lila standing there, more confused than ever. What was Noah hiding? And what was Phillip planning?

The deeper Lila digs, the more secrets she uncovers. But with each clue, the mystery only grows, and the stakes are getting higher.