Lemara began her day feeling exhausted; she had slept for only one hour.
She got ready for school, still tense from the night before. Upon arriving, she met the siblings and told them what had happened.
Amaleen didn't believe her, but Orvin was excited and suggested they go to the abandoned district after school to uncover the truth.
The school day ended, and they met that night in the park. They went to the abandoned district once again, where they heard the sound of the bell… but this time, they didn't run until the sound stopped and silence fell.
Suddenly, shadows began to appear, rushing toward them. They started to run, but a massive shadow emerged in front of them. While they were trapped, the old man appeared out of nowhere, and the shadow vanished. He told them to follow him.
They arrived at his house, which was empty except for a mattress in the corner. They sat on the floor, and he said:
— "You're in trouble now… What were you thinking, coming here?"
Then he continued:
— "Since you already know what happens after the bell, I must tell you… the city never spares anyone who seeks its secret."
Orvin asked:
— "What is the city's secret?"
— "The shadows… they are the embodiment of the city's fears, and anyone who searches for them… must die."
Lemara, shocked:
— "So… the city is alive?"
— "Perhaps yes, perhaps no…"
Amaleen:
— "What do we do now?"
— "Just leave the district."
He then told them how the shadows had once spread everywhere, feeding on people's fear, until one day he tried to uncover the secret… and the shadows went wild. But his son did something that trapped them in this district alone… before disappearing.
The old man asked Lemara if she knew what her father looked like.
— "No… I was only a year old when he left, and my mother refuses to show me his pictures. Why do you ask?"
— "Because your father… was my son."
Shock filled the room.
— "So… my father died because of you, you miserable old man!"
She tried to leave, but he grabbed her hand, saying:
— "You are the key… After your father sacrificed himself, a black mark appeared on your chest… Is it still there?"
— "Yes… How did you know?"
— "Because they want you to free themselves from this place. Your heart is the key."
He then revealed that their family had the ability to control the shadows… and that the shadow she had seen was his own.
The friends left the old man's house early the next morning, exhausted. They parted ways, and Lemara went home alone, feeling sick. When she arrived, she opened the door but found her mother absent. She went to rest.
Meanwhile, the siblings returned home quietly, but their mother already knew — she had seen them. She asked:
— "Where were you this early in the morning?"
Amaleen replied:
— "We were taking care of Lemara; she was sick."
— "Really? Why didn't you tell me? Fine, but don't make promises to her again. I'll go call her mother."
But she returned late, by which time Lemara's condition had worsened, her temperature high. She went to check on her, and her worst fear had come true: the black mark had grown larger.
The mother had only one option — to call the grandfather. But before she could, there was a knock at the door. She opened it… and there he was.
— "It's been a long time, Lerin."
— "If you already know…"
— "Of course. After all, she's half shadow."
— "So you're the reason, aren't you?"
— "I'm sorry to say no, I'm not the one."
— "Then do something."
— "Am I half shadow? I don't know what they eat."
— "You're truly useless."
— "Alright, I'm joking. This is the heart of a shadow, feed it to her. Now, I'll be on my way."
— "Why can't my daughter and I live a normal life?"
Lerin fed her daughter the heart, but she didn't get better. All they could do was wait. This was the first time Lemara had ever fallen ill. The mother fell asleep from exhaustion.
Lemara woke up early, her head aching, though she felt slightly better. Her face was clouded with sadness. She thought she was alone, but found her mother beside her, filling her with a strange warmth.
Lerin awoke to the sound of knocking. She told Lemara to stay in bed, then went to open the door — the grandfather again.
— "What happened?"
— "She's somewhat better, but her condition is still worrying."
— "Do you plan on staying here long?"
— "Fine, come in."
They sat in silence, then the grandfather said:
— "Let's get straight to the point… First, there is no known cure."
— "Does that mean the shadow has taken over her?"
— "I don't think so, but if she doesn't eat a shadow's heart, her fate is to become a shadow… but a special one."
— "Why do you sound happy about that? Get out now!"
— "Take good care of her, that's all I ask."
He left, leaving Lerin drowning in confusion.
But Lemara had heard everything. A flicker of understanding — or perhaps doubt — flashed in her eyes, as though she had begun to realize her true nature.
Suddenly, in broad daylight, the sound of the bell rang out. Lemara went to her window and saw an enormous number of shadows filling the streets. Her mother entered and saw the same sight, her voice trembling:
— "It's happening again… How did this happen?!"
— "Mom… I think it's my fault. I tried to uncover the city's secret, and the city doesn't forgive anyone who tries."
— "Why didn't you tell me?"
— "Either way, I'm the cause… and I'm the one who will fix it."
She left the house, leaving her mother in shock, and ran toward the abandoned district. The shadows were scattered like the aftermath of a massacre. Suddenly, they turned into vapor that gathered in front of her… the old man appeared and inhaled it all.
— "You're late. Have you learned to control your shadow?"
— "No, but that's not the point. How did this happen? Was it my fault?"
— "Of course. They're looking for you now. Strange that you haven't run into any of them yet… follow me."
— "Do you mean my friends? And where to?"
— "We're going to save them."
— "Seems I have no other choice."
— "For an eleven-year-old girl… you're truly brave."
— "I wanted to hear that from someone else."
— "But he's not here now to tell you."
They arrived quickly, and the old man pointed:
— "Look, we're not too late. No one is in front of the house."
Lemara ran to the door and knocked. Amaleen opened it and hugged her.
— "What happened?"
— "I'm just glad you're safe."
— "Yes, but what's going on?"
The old man stepped in:
— "You're being hunted now."
— "By who?"
— "The shadows."
— "What did we do?"
— "We tried to uncover the city's secret."
— "We need to leave. Bring your brother quickly."
— "What about my parents?"
— "Nothing will happen to them… now hurry!"