Chicago, 1995.
The city hums with rhythm and unrest. Protest chants bleed into block party beats, love letters get passed in notebooks, and the streets are alive with passion, resistance, and the kind of closeness that only comes before everything breaks. It’s an era of touch, of truth, of trouble—and for teens like Avery and Isabella, every moment feels stolen.

Avery keeps his head down and his fists ready—just another supernatural boy trying to survive, haunted by the violence he’s already seen. Isabella is quiet, standoffish, and never fully present, like she’s listening to something no one else can hear.

They meet by accident. Stay by choice.
And neither of them is prepared for what that choice will cost.

Their attraction is undeniable, but something is pulling them apart—the weight of unspoken trauma, the pressure of survival, the fear of being truly seen. In a world where the wrong look can get you followed, and the wrong secret can make you disappear, their bond begins to blur the lines between safety and surrender, between hiding and becoming.

As tensions in the city rise and their pasts begin to close in, both teens are drawn toward a truth they’ve spent their lives trying to outrun.

They don’t know it yet, but something is coming.
And once it’s unleashed, nothing—not their lives, not their families, not even Chicago itself—will ever be the same.

First off, thank you for clicking on Mana—it means a lot that you've chosen to spend some time with my story.


I want to be upfront: Mana is very much a work in progress. What you're reading now is a raw draft, unedited except for a bit of Grammarly polish. It's not the final version—think of it as a behind-the-scenes look at a story still evolving. Pretty exciting, right? You're witnessing this journey from the ground floor, and when Mana eventually blows up, you'll get to say you were here from the very start. History in the making! :)


When the official release rolls around, expect a much more polished, refined experience. But for now, this draft represents the heart of the story and all the passion I'm pouring into it. Meanwhile, I'm busy creating—building websites, designing concept art and covers, and dreaming up new ideas. The creative energy never stops.


A quick note: I'm still young and learning the ropes of life and writing, so I appreciate your patience and grace as I grow.


Most importantly—thank you. Out of countless stories out there, you chose mine. That means the world to me. This is just the beginning of Mana's journey, and I can't wait to see where it takes us.


Chapter 1 - Authors Note