Chapter 23

I'm back at the piano once more, while my parents are away as usual. My father had the foresight to install an alarm system before they left, which eased some of my worries, but not all. I've expended a good deal of nervous energy by thoroughly searching the house.

Azura's room has been my frequent haunt, and each time, I've come up empty-handed. I keep hoping to stumble upon hiding places I haven't considered, but so far, no luck.

The piano, however, remains largely unexplored. I stumbled upon her journal here once, so I'm hopeful for another discovery.

After removing the back panels, I uncover dried herbs and stones, much like in her room. As I reassemble the panels, a revelation strikes me.

"The bench," I move toward it, tugging at the cushion until it finally pops off.

And there it is! I can't contain my excitement—another notebook! I eagerly flip through it, realizing that this is what I've been searching for all along: a journal detailing her thoughts, not merely a catalog o