In the attic of the school library, Mila found a dusty case. Rain drummed against the window and the light flashed like a clock. Inside lay a flute made of wood, smooth and cool. On the mouthpiece someone had carved a mark resembling a small comet. Mila did not play well, but she put the flute to her lips. She played the three notes she had heard in her dream that night. The air trembled, the dust rose and curled into a spiral. A narrow drawer slid out of the books, though there was no cupboard. Inside lay a sheet with a map of the school, but a different one. Instead of halls there were gardens, bridges and luminous gates. In the margin was a note: After the music, open only once. Mila swallowed her saliva and touched the glowing path with her finger. The cat's foot from under the bookcase moved and disappeared again. A point on the map lit up under the words Hall of Silence. The light in the corridor went out as if someone had turned a key. - Hello? - she whispered and heard an echo that hummed a tune. A locker number lit up under the bookcase, which the school did not have. A door in the wall slid open, revealing a staircase down. From below, the smell of rain and chalk wafted up, as if from another day. Mila tucked her flute behind her belt and gripped the map tightly. She heard footsteps, but the corridor was empty up to the door. - If this is a joke, not funny at all,' she muttered to the cat. The map blinked and the comet on the flute lit up like a flame. A whisper came from downstairs: Mila, don't be late for your first lesson. The first step lit up blue and began to tremble. Mila drew in air and raised her foot above the light. Then something downstairs quietly answered with three notes.