– Transforming Faces and the Silent Clock
In the mask room, Lara stood before Magda, who carefully placed the wig on her head. In an instant, Lara transformed into a perfect replica of Atika, the maid, with every tiny detail intact: her facial features, her expressions, even the prominent scar that Magda had meticulously recreated. The transformation was so flawless that any passerby would have believed that Atika herself had appeared.
Malik and Dima stood in the doorway, their eyes wide with surprise and silent admiration.
Malik spoke in a quiet but firm voice, as if announcing the beginning of a critical moment:
> Malik: Let's go now, Atika.
Malik and Dima stepped aside, letting her pass. Lara moved forward carefully, each step measured, descending the stairs with perfect balance
