Only Hard Problems By Jennifer Estep -epub-

Back at her office, Lila stared at her now-dormant power.

The entity slithered forward, voice hissing like steam from a kettle. “We eat those who resist us. You, little problem-solver, are the only one strong enough to defy us. But defying isn’t helping, is it?”

The client was older, with silver hair and a voice like gravel. “They call me Mama Sorel. I need you to find my son. He vanished two weeks ago. The police think he ran off, but his shadow didn’t move with him.” She gestured to the shape pooling at her feet. “This one’s been hunting him. I think it wants to kill me next.” Only Hard Problems by Jennifer Estep -ePub-

I should start by confirming if they're aware of Estep's actual works and whether "Only Hard Problems" is a real title or a mix-up. But since they asked for a story regardless, I'll proceed assuming it's a request for a new story inspired by Estep's style. Estep's works often involve young adult protagonists, dark fantasy elements, action, and sometimes a satirical twist or a modern setting.

The easy problems—the small, quiet ones—had been there all along. They just needed someone crazy enough to solve them. Back at her office, Lila stared at her now-dormant power

Back at the laundromat, Lila let the shadow taunt her. It lunged—faster than a ghost should be able to move. She sidestepped, uncharacteristically unimpressed.

The shadow led her to the Marais district, where the air smelled of rotten magnolias. Lila tracked it to an abandoned laundromat, its dryers whirring like possessed organs. Inside, a hooded figure waited—her son? You, little problem-solver, are the only one strong

“You don’t. You embrace the easy. For once, pretend not to care. Let the problem find you.”