### Chapter 9: Echo of the Past
The scene at the orphanage was one of pure devastation. Police officers and investigators moved quickly, trying to collect evidence and understand what had happened. The bodies of the guards and staff were scattered, and the panic that had taken hold of the place was palpable. The delinquent teenagers, now gathered in a separate room, were being questioned one by one.
The investigators, aware of the gravity of the situation, were on high alert. The caricature of the criminal, based on Leo Hart's description, was now more vivid than ever in the minds of the police officers. Each of the delinquents who passed through the interrogation room was questioned about what they knew of the attack and, in particular, about the girl who had decided to accompany the criminal: Lara.
"He had dark hair and a disturbing expression," said one of the teenagers, his gaze vacant. "It was like he was in a state of frenzy. And then Lara... she just decided to go with him. I don't understand why."
Another teenager, nervous and shaking, added, "She's always been different, you know? Lara didn't quite fit in here. Sometimes it seemed like she was just waiting for something…something to get her out of here."
The investigators wrote down every word, trying to build a profile not only of the criminal but also of the girl who had joined him. Concern spread among the officers as they realized that Lara, only fifteen years old, had made such a risky decision.
"We need to get to the bottom of her story," one of the detectives said, looking at his colleagues. "If she was drawn to this man, maybe there's something in her past that led her to this."
As the criminals continued to offer information about Lara, the investigators began to unravel parts of her life. She had been placed in foster care after being removed from a home where neglect and abuse were common. Lara's life had not been easy; she had grown up in a hostile environment, without the love and security that all children deserve.
"She was always a fighter," one of the teenagers said. "Even when everyone around us was giving up, Lara never gave up. But there was something sad about her. Sometimes she seemed lost, like she was searching for a purpose." With each account, Lara's picture became clearer. She wasn't just an ordinary girl; she was someone who had faced immense challenges, and they had shaped her in ways few could understand. The investigators realized that Lara's decision to go with Rep might have been an attempt to escape her reality, even if it meant putting herself in danger. "We need to find out about her past activities," one of the detectives said determinedly. "If we can trace her past, maybe we can understand why she joined this criminal." The team began to search records, talking to social workers and former caregivers. They wanted to learn more about Lara's life, her relationships, and whether she had any history of falling in with troubled people. Time was of the essence, and the pressure to find the girl before it was too late was mounting by the minute.
With the investigation underway, the sense of urgency was palpable. They were in a race against time, not only to capture the criminal, but also to rescue Lara before her choices led her to a dark fate. The city was about to learn the hidden secrets of a young woman who, in her quest for freedom, had become entangled in a nightmare.