Anna explores her hallway

Anna stepped out of her room and into the hallway, her steps tentative as she looked around. The hallway was painted in soft pastels, with murals of flowers and animals continuing along the walls. The air was faintly scented with something sweet and soothing, like vanilla and lavender. Each door along the corridor bore a cheerful plaque, much like her own, with a name written in playful script.

As she moved down the hall, she realized something curious—every name was feminine. Mia, Sophia, Ellie, Charlotte. The names stretched along both sides of the hallway, and Anna couldn't help but wonder if the building was entirely populated by women like her. It made the space feel oddly exclusive, almost secretive.

Anna paused, running her fingers lightly over one of the plaques. It was strange—this hallway seemed to belong to girls only, and the thought made her stomach flutter with curiosity. She glanced around, wondering if she’d run into anyone else, but the hallway was quiet, her own presence the only sound.

Further down, Anna’s gaze froze on a door that stood out from the rest. It didn’t have the same playful lettering as the others. Instead, the plaque read Ethan Calder, the name printed in bold, masculine script. Her breath hitched slightly. This had to be her assigned caretaker’s room, placed oddly among the rooms of all the girls. She lingered in front of the door for a moment, half-expecting it to swing open, but it remained shut and silent.

Shaking her head, she continued down the hallway, her steps carrying her toward an open doorway marked Common Room. Peering inside, she was struck by how cozy the space felt, yet it was completely empty. The room was warm and inviting, with a cluster of oversized couches arranged around a coffee table. A pile of board games and coloring books sat untouched on the table, their bright covers adding a splash of color to the neutral tones of the furniture. In the corner, a small kitchenette held a coffee maker, a microwave, and a mini-fridge stocked with snacks and juice boxes. The fridge hummed quietly in the otherwise still room.

Anna stepped inside briefly, letting her fingers trail over the back of one of the couches, but the silence felt heavy. It was strange, seeing such a welcoming room deserted, like a party had ended just before she arrived. She glanced at the unplayed games and neatly stacked crayons before stepping back into the hallway.

She continued her exploration, turning a corner to find another set of doors. Most of them bore the same cheerful plaques as the ones near her room.

At the far end, just as she was about to turn back, Anna spotted a final door.

It was different from the others.

The plaque on this door read Changing Room, the words printed in clean, no-nonsense block letters. The door itself was plain white, lacking the whimsical details of the others. Anna felt her heart skip a beat as she stared at it. She hadn’t seen anyone go in or out during her walk, but something about it drew her attention.

She stepped closer, hesitating as she reached the door. Her hand hovered over the doorknob. What was behind it?