In a land shrouded under the iron grip of Spanish rule, where the innocent suffer in silence and the wicked prosper without fear, there dwells a young mestiza named Serafina-a maiden who outwardly embodies the grace and virtue of a Maria Clara. Yet, within her heart lies a storm, a tempest of dark intellect and a thirst for vengeance that can only be satisfied by blood.
Born of violence, the illegitimate child of a maid and a ruthless Gobernadorcillo, Serafina has witnessed the unspeakable cruelties of the world from a tender age. She discovered within herself a chilling capability-she is not only gifted with the sharpness of mind but with the cold precision of a killer. In the shadows of this oppressive society, Serafina finds her calling: to become the silent hand of justice, the reckoning for those who believe themselves untouchable.
In the midst of abuse, deceit, and unrelenting injustice, Serafina stands as the unspoken tale of a simple girl who dares to challenge the powerful, exacting well-deserved revenge upon those who have wronged her and others. But as her quest for retribution deepens, the boundaries between right and wrong blur, and Serafina risks becoming the very darkness she seeks to destroy.
Herein lies a story of a Maria Clara unlike any other-an evil genius, a silent predator, a serial killer who wields her intellect as a weapon. Will Serafina's pursuit of vengeance lead her to a tragic end, or will she emerge victorious in her battle against the shadows of her world?
When Jane Madarang's neighbor Natalie kills herself and leaves behind cryptic instructions, it's up to Jane and her classmates to unearth deadly secrets.
*****
Natalie Driscoll is dead.
She threw herself out a window and left her neighbor Jane to unravel their town's darkest secrets. Following Natalie's instructions leads Jane to three other high school students who all have something to hide. The four of them must carry out Natalie's final errand while solving the mysteries written in her diary. But the secrets they unearth may be far more dangerous than what they ever imagined.
Content and/or trigger warning: This story contains scenes of suicide, violence and murder that may be triggering for some readers.
[[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]