The silence was shattered by the sudden chime of the bell, echoing through the bright daylight.
Limara stepped toward the window in her room, peering outside. Shadows — dozens of them — sprawled across the streets like spilled ink.
Her mother entered, her face pale. The sight made her voice tremble.
"It's happened again…" she whispered.
She pressed a hand to her temple. "How? Why? It must be because of him…"
Limara's eyes didn't leave the window.
"No, Mother. It's because of me. I tried to uncover the city's secret. And this city… it never forgives those who try."
Her mother turned to her sharply. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"It doesn't matter now. I caused this, and I'll fix it."
Before her mother could speak, Limara was gone, running into the streets and leaving behind the look of shock on her mother's face.
The abandoned district loomed ahead.
Shadows littered the ground in grotesque stillness. Limara stepped cautiously among them, the scene like a massacre of living darkness. But then, the black shapes began to dissolve into vapor, curling together into a single cloud.
An old man appeared from nowhere. Without a word, he inhaled the vapor until the street was clear, then turned to her.
"You're late. Have you learned to control your shadow yet?"
"No… but that's not the point. Was all of this my fault?"
"Of course. They're looking for you now. Strange you haven't run into them already. Follow me."
"My friends… is that who you mean? Where are we going?"
"To save them."
She exhaled sharply. "I suppose I have no choice."
A faint smile crossed his face. "For an eleven-year-old, you're braver than most."
"I was hoping to hear that from someone else."
"He's not here to say it to you now…"
Minutes later, they stopped.
"We're here," he said.
"Already?"
He nodded toward a small house. "Looks like we're not too late. No one's outside yet."
Limara hurried to the door and knocked. Amalyn opened it, and Limara wrapped her in a fierce hug.
"What's going on?" Amalyn asked, baffled.
"I'm just glad you're safe."
"Yes, but—"
"You're being hunted," the old man interrupted.
"By who?"
"Shadows."
"But… why? What did we do?"
"Because you tried to uncover the city's secret."
The old man's tone turned urgent.
"We need to leave. Bring your brother. Now."
"My parents—"
"They'll be fine. Hurry."
Soon, Orfin joined them.
"So that's the story," he said. "Where are we headed?"
"To the abandoned district. I'll let them see you so they follow us there — less damage that way. And Limara… you'll need to release the power of your shadow. I can't always protect you."
"I don't know how."
"What about the mark?"
"You know about that?"
"I know more than you think."
"You pretend not to, though. Why?"
"Everyone has their reasons."
"You were listening to us earlier, weren't you?"
"Yes. Now tell me — are you a shadow?"
"I'll only answer if you call me 'Grandpa.'"
"…Fine. Grandpa, are you a shadow?"
"Yes."
"So that's why you have no shadow," Orfin said.
"Finally, someone notices."
"Does that mean your whole family…?" Amalyn began.
"If that's true, it explains a lot," Limara added.
"You'll learn more at my house."
The walk stretched on.
"Why does this road feel longer?"
"It's a detour — spreads your scent, makes them follow us."
"Then why haven't we seen any yet?" Orfin asked.
"They're afraid of him," Limara said. "He's killed too many."
The old man chuckled darkly.
"I'm strong, aren't I?"
"Please… just be quiet."
At last, they arrived.
"Are you sure? It looks… better," Limara said.
"Still old," she added.
"The district's always been like this," the old man replied. "But without the shadows, it's changed."
"And smells a lot nicer," Amalyn noted.
The old man led them into his home — a run-down shell with strange markings scrawled across the walls.
"What are these? What do they mean?" Orfin asked.
"Spells. For protection."
"But you're strong. You don't need them," Limara said.
"Even the strong have someone stronger above them."
"Like who?"
"I can't say."
They sat together, the air heavy with questions.
"Alright," Orfin began, "tell us everything.
First — how can you be both shadow and human?
Second — how did all of this begin?
Third — where's your family?"
The old man's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Very well…"
To be continued…