Night had already settled over the university.
The last few students drifted toward the campus gates, laughing as though the world held nothing more dangerous than unfinished assignments and tomorrow's lectures.
None of them noticed the four figures standing before Hawthorne Hall.
The old building looked exactly as it had every other day.
Tall stone walls.
Weathered pillars.
Ancient ivy climbing across cracked windows.
It appeared ordinary.
Yet Lily couldn't stop staring at it.
Her fingers tightened around the strap of her backpack.
"So many years..."
she whispered.
"So many answers hidden beneath a place I walked past every single day."
Lucas unfolded the faded blueprint once more.
The paper had become softer from being opened so many times.
His finger traced the narrow cor
