Into the Shadows

Chapter One

A cool September breeze rolled through the open courtyard of Glendale Academy, Los Angeles. The sound of sneakers squeaking on the pavement and the chatter of students filled the air. Freshmen darted nervously from class to class, while upperclassmen moved with ease, already used to the chaos.

For Amina, Mia, and Diego, the first day of school wasn't just the beginning of a new year-it was the first time they would meet in person.

Amina stood by the entrance to the library, checking her phone for the hundredth time. Her long dark braids hung down her back, and her piercing green eyes scanned the crowd. She adjusted her black jacket and combat boots, taking a deep breath. After months of talking online, she couldn't believe they were actually about to meet face-to-face. She rocked herself back and forth on her feet, boots causing slight squeaky noises as she tried to calm herself. This was the moment of truth—to see if these were really fellow cryptids like her, or just really mental role-players who dove too deep into myths.

Amina smiled wryly to herself. Oh, how she wished she was a myth sometimes. Maybe then she wouldn't have the problem of falling through her bedroom floor at night. Problems of being half-djinn, she supposed. Her Mamma had already scolded her for breaking the living room table twice now.

She spotted a girl with asymmetrical purple hair swept to the side, piercings lining her ears, and a kimono that was probably too short mixed with ripped leggings. An art kid, maybe? Amina thought before glancing back at her phone. The description Mia had given her matched this girl perfectly. Realization passed across Amina's face, her eyes widening as she pushed through the crowded hallway to where Mia was standing, looking around cautiously before going back to her phone. Amina squeezed past a couple of students before finally reaching Mia, sighing in relief.

She adjusted her headscarf, smoothing out the fabric and tucking her curly black hair back inside. "Mia?" she asked cautiously, and the spunky girl looked up, squinting before her eyes widened. A grin quickly replaced her suspicious look.

"'Mina!" Mia exclaimed, quickly pulling Amina into a hug, surprising her.

"Oh. My. God. How cool is this? Finally, I get to meet you! Y'know, I thought you ghosted me for a minute, or were some crazy online freak."

"I don't blame you." Amina chuckled, hugging her back. "I never did ask online 'cause I was scared—what grade are you in?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm 15! A sophomore!" Mia beamed. "Don't look down at me though. You know I could kick your ass, Ms. Djinn."

Amina smirked, crossing her arms. "Oh please, your yokai abilities have nothing on a tough 11th grader like me."

Before Mia could retort, a voice interrupted. "Did I hear something about cryptids?"

The two girls spun around, narrowing their eyes before their faces lit up. "Diego!"

Diego grinned, running a hand through his messy black hair, muscles rippling beneath his jacket. His Meso-American tattoos, barely visible, seemed to flow along with his movements.

"Whoa," Amina began to say, but Mia beat her to it. "Dude! You didn't mention you were tall as hell. Why'd I have to be the shortest?"

Amina smiled. "You're tall," she echoed, and Diego blushed.

"My Mama says it's the genes," Diego said quickly, embarrassed.

"Calm down, little jaguar," Mia teased, eyes sparkling. "Your spots are showing."

Diego glanced at his arms, noticing the faint glow of jaguar markings beginning to appear on his tanned skin. "Shit," he muttered before taking a deep breath, forcing the spots to disappear.