The Inheritance of Shadows

Chapter 1

I was jolted awake by a thunderous noise that nearly sent me tumbling off my bed. For a moment, I genuinely thought the apocalypse had started—perhaps a meteor crashing into Earth or an alien invasion. Disoriented, I sat up and scanned my room. Silence. Everything looked exactly as I had left it—nothing out of place, nothing moving, nothing broken.

For a second, I thought I had imagined the noise, and the idea that I was losing my mind flickered through me. Who else hears things that aren't real? Only crazy people. But no, the sight of my laptop on the floor immediately grounded me in reality. Damn it.

Before checking if it still worked, I tried to remember what I was even doing last night. I think I had been writing a chapter for something... or had I actually sent it to my teacher? I couldn't remember. The possibility that someone might have read a sleep-deprived version of my writing made me cringe. Hopefully not. I was practically unconscious while finishing it—who knows what sort of nonsense I typed?

Still half asleep, I walked cautiously over to the fallen laptop like it might explode in my hands. Honestly, with my luck, that wouldn't surprise me. I bent down and picked it up gently. Miraculously, it didn't seem too damaged—maybe it had only fallen half a meter. The keys were a bit worn, and the screen had a few new scratches to add to its collection, but nothing catastrophic. No cracks, no dents. I'd dodged a bullet.

I placed it back on my desk, only to be reminded of the other disaster awaiting me—my scattered geography notes. My stomach dropped. Right. I had a geography test tomorrow.

With a dramatic sigh, I promised myself—for the hundredth time—that I really needed to start using a planner. Like, actually writing down important things like "Study. Test. Don't fail." I eyed my geography textbook like it was some strange alien artifact, then grabbed it and flopped back onto my bed, leaning against the soft violet wall of my room.

I closed my eyes briefly, hoping that in doing so I could erase my to-do list from existence. No luck. When I opened them again, my digital clock glared back at me: 11:49 PM. Perfect. Time to study.

I've always hated geography. I'm just not good at it. Too many names, too many cities, too many rivers. My attention span isn't a fan either. Besides, what's the point of knowing the capital of Brazil? Not like I'm booking a flight to South America anytime soon.

I opened the book and started reading lazily through a section about Brazil's economy, not absorbing a single word. Considering my average was currently sitting at a 5.3, this should have alarmed me. But if I could just get a decent grade, maybe it would go up to a 5.6. That could be rounded up to a 6, right? That was the dream.

Just as I was getting halfway through the chapter, the front door creaked open, startling me so much I nearly dropped the textbook. Why am I so easily spooked? I closed the book with satisfaction—as if I had actually studied—and tiptoed out of my room. My socks muffled my steps as I crossed the hallway, lit only by the glow of moonlight slipping through the curtains.

And there, by the entrance, was my mom. Not that I expected anyone else. I hadn't seen her all day—she had left before I even woke up.

She was about forty years old, and we looked a lot alike. Same face shape, same slightly upturned nose, same light brown hair. Only our eyes were different.

"Hi, Mom," I said, pulling myself out of my thoughts.

She turned around, still halfway through kicking off her heels after what looked like a marathon of a day. "Hi, honey. How are you?" Her voice was warm and familiar, like a cozy blanket wrapped around my brain.

Then, as if suddenly realizing the time, her expression shifted. "Wait—what are you doing awake? You have school tomorrow!"

I offered an awkward little smile. "Ehh... I wanted to wait for you."