The gym smelled like sweat and panic, which was honestly just a Tuesday at school, but today it was next-level chaos. Students were crammed in, some crying, some whispering, some still filming on their phones like this was a reality show. Teachers shouted over the noise, trying to take roll call, but nobody was listening. The sirens outside were louder now, probably cops or something, but Hana couldn't focus on that.
Her brain was stuck on two things: the shadow creatures saying her name and that creepy text about her mom. Your mother's secrets are written in the Ledger. What the hell did that mean? Her mom, who burned toast and nagged her about homework, had secrets? In a magical book? Yeah, right.
Hana sat on the gym floor, knees pulled up, trying to look normal while her heart did cartwheels. Lucas was next to her, his arm brushing hers like he was ready to jump in front of another monster. Mina was sprawled out, scrolling through her phone, muttering about her livestream's views. Ethan stood a few feet away, leaning against the bleachers, looking way too calm for someone who'd just fought a shadow monster with actual shadows.
"Okay," Hana muttered, rubbing her temples. "This is fine. Totally fine. Just a normal day where I almost get clawed by a demon and my phone decides to be haunted."
Lucas turned to her, his brown eyes all serious. "Hana, you're not fine. You're shaking."
"I'm not shaking," she lied, shoving her hands under her thighs. They were totally shaking. And that warm buzz in her chest was back, like her body was humming with static. It had to be whatever she'd done in the hallway—that weird energy pulse that pushed the shadows back. But how? She wasn't some superhero. She was just… her.
Mina looked up, smirking. "Girl, you're shaking like my dog when he hears thunder. Spill. What's got you so freaked? Besides, you know, the obvious monster thing."
Hana forced a laugh. "Oh, you mean the part where a creepy shadow thing knew my name? Yeah, that's not freaking me out at all."
Lucas's jaw tightened. "That's what I'm saying. That thing wasn't random. It wanted you." He glanced at Ethan, his voice dropping. "And this guy seems to know why."
Ethan's eyes flicked over, sharp and unreadable. "You're barking up the wrong tree, bike boy."
"Stop calling me that," Lucas snapped, standing up. "And start talking. What was that thing? How'd you do that shadow trick? And why's Hana involved?"
Hana groaned, pulling Lucas back down. "Can you two not? I'm already having the worst day ever, and you're making it worse."
Mina snorted, twirling a strand of hair. "I'm with Hana. Less fighting, more explaining. Ethan, you're giving major vampire vibes, so what's the deal? You know something."
Ethan's smirk faded, and for a second, he looked… tired. "You wouldn't get it even if I told you."
"Try me," Hana said, crossing her arms. Her fingers were tingling again, and she clenched them into fists to make it stop. "Because I'm pretty sure I'm the one who almost got turned into monster chow, so I deserve some answers."
Ethan sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Fine. That thing? It's a Shade. A servant of the Veil Ledger. It collects debts."
Hana blinked. "Debts? Like… what, I owe it money? I'm broke, dude."
"Not that kind of debt," Ethan said, his voice low. "The Ledger's a contract. Supernatural. It binds people to promises they—or someone else—made. Once your name's in it, you're stuck."
Hana's stomach twisted. Her dream flashed back—the book, the chains, her name in red ink. "Okay, but why me? I didn't sign anything. I'm just trying to pass chemistry."
Ethan's eyes met hers, and for a second, she felt that weird flip in her stomach again. "Doesn't matter if you signed it. Someone did. And now you're tied to it."
"Someone?" Lucas cut in, his voice sharp. "Like who?"
Ethan shrugged, but his gaze didn't leave Hana. "That's the question, isn't it?"
Before Hana could press him, Mina jumped up, waving her phone. "Hold up. My video's at ten thousand views already! But, like, also, what's this Ledger thing? Sounds like a bad Netflix show."
Hana couldn't help it—she laughed, even though her head was spinning. "Mina, you're ridiculous."
"Thank you," Mina said, bowing dramatically. "But seriously, we need to figure this out before more creepy shadow dudes show up."
The gym lights flickered, and that static buzz crawled over Hana's skin again. She froze, her breath catching. "Uh, guys? You feel that?"
Lucas looked around, tense. "Feel what?"
"The buzzing. Like in the hallway."
Ethan straightened, his hand twitching like he was ready to pull shadows again. "Get behind me."
"Oh, great," Hana muttered. "Here we go again."
The gym doors slammed shut with a bang, making everyone jump. Whispers filled the air—not the normal chatter of scared students, but the same creepy, layered voices from her dream. They came from everywhere and nowhere, hissing words Hana couldn't understand.
Students screamed, huddling closer. A teacher yelled, "Stay calm!" but her voice shook.
Hana's chest burned, that warm buzz turning into a fire. Her hands shook, and she clenched them, trying to keep it together. "Not again," she whispered.
Mina grabbed her arm. "Hana, what's wrong? You're doing that shaking thing again."
"I don't know!" Hana snapped, her voice louder than she meant. "It's like… something's inside me, and it's freaking me out!"
Lucas stepped closer, his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, breathe. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out."
His touch was warm, steady, and for a second, Hana felt a little less like she was falling apart. But then Ethan's voice cut through, sharp and urgent. "It's here."
The shadows in the corner of the gym moved—twisting, stretching, forming into one of those Shade things again. Its claws scraped the floor, glowing words pulsing on its skin. "Hana Park," it hissed. "The debt must be paid."
Hana's knees wobbled. "Okay, I'm officially over this debt crap. Can someone else pay it?"
The Shade lunged, faster than before. Lucas shoved Hana behind him, but Ethan was already moving, shadows spiraling from his hands. They hit the creature, slowing it down, but it didn't stop.
Hana's chest burned hotter, and without thinking, she threw out her hand. That same invisible pulse shot out, slamming into the Shade and knocking it back. The gym shook, bleachers rattling.
"Whoa!" Mina yelped, stumbling. "Hana, you're doing it again!"
"Doing what?" Hana gasped, her arm tingling like it was asleep. "I don't even know what I'm doing!"
Lucas stared at her, wide-eyed. "That was… you. You pushed it back."
Ethan's eyes narrowed, but he didn't say anything. He flung another wave of shadows, pinning the Shade against the wall. It screeched, its voices echoing: "The mother's debt passes to the daughter."
Hana froze. "What did it say?"
The Shade dissolved, just like before, but its words hung in the air. Hana's heart pounded. Her mom? This was about her mom?
Teachers were shouting now, herding kids toward the exits. Lucas grabbed Hana's hand, pulling her toward the doors. "We need to get out of here."
"No," Ethan said, stepping in front of them. "Running won't help. The Ledger's locked onto her."
Hana yanked her hand free, glaring at him. "Then tell me how to stop it! And what's this about my mom? She's just… my mom!"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "I don't know everything. But the Ledger doesn't pick people by accident. Someone in your family made a deal."
"A deal?" Hana's voice cracked. "Like what? Selling their soul? My mom's biggest crime is stealing my snacks!"
Mina raised her hand like they were in class. "Uh, not to interrupt, but can we talk about how Hana just went all superhero back there? Because that was awesome."
"Not awesome," Hana muttered. "Terrifying."
The gym doors burst open, and cops stormed in, yelling for everyone to evacuate. Hana's group got swept up in the crowd, but she couldn't shake the Shade's words. The mother's debt passes to the daughter.
Outside, the school was a mess—cop cars, ambulances, kids crying. Hana's phone buzzed again. She hesitated, then checked it. Another unknown number.
Look in her room. The truth is hidden where she prays.
Hana's breath hitched. Her mom's room? Where she prayed? Her mom wasn't even religious, unless you counted her obsession with yoga.
"Hana?" Lucas's voice pulled her back. He was still holding her arm, his face all worry. "You okay?"
"No," she admitted, her voice small. "I think… I need to go home."
Ethan overheard, stepping closer. "Bad idea. If the Ledger's after you, home's not safe."
Hana rounded on him. "Then where is? And why should I trust you? You show up, throw shadows around, and act like you know everything, but you're not telling me squat!"
His eyes softened, just a fraction. "I'm telling you what I can. For now, stick with me."
Lucas scoffed. "Yeah, right. She's sticking with us."
Mina grinned, throwing an arm around Hana. "Team Hana, baby! No creepy shadow dudes allowed."
Hana managed a weak smile, but her mind was racing. Her mom. The Ledger. That weird power inside her. It was too much.
As they were herded toward the buses, Hana noticed something on the ground—a small, black coin, etched with the same glowing symbols as the Shade's skin. She picked it up, and it burned cold against her palm. The whispers started again, faint but clear: "Find the truth, or the debt consumes you."
She shoved the coin in her pocket, her heart racing. What was her mom hiding?