Okay, so this is my first TMI story, so I would appreciate it if you guys could let me know what you think! I have a second chapter waiting to be published, but I'll wait and see how this one does first! Thanks :)

Chapter 1 - The Call

"So the grocery money is…"

"On the table Mom, I know, you've told me like a million times" I rolled my eyes to the sky playfully. I was stood on the doorstep watching Dad help the taxi driver load their bags into the trunk.

"Hey! Can you just pretend to be that sweet little girl I used to cradle in my arms for another ten minutes, then we're gone for the weekend. You can play at being a smart ass just as soon as we're on the road." Mom grinned back at me, cupping my face with her delicate fingers before giving me a gentle tap on my nose. "Be good. If I come home to find you with that warlock boy again, I swear by the Angel you will be grounded for a year."

"Ugh, don't even worry about him. I broke up with him weeks ago." I blushed at the not too distant memory of being found in a rather compromising position. At least it was my mom that found us, and not Dad. I don't think I'd ever be able to look him in the eye again.

"Well, the same applies to ANY boy - human, Downworlder, Shadowhunter, it really doesn't matter. I find out you've been having, how shall we put this, 'friends' over - you will still be grounded for a year. Got it?"

"Yes." I hissed under my breath just as Dad walked back to us. He didn't know about my whole 'warlock' incident and I would prefer it to be kept that way, like forever.

"We all done over here?" He wrapped his arm around Mom and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. "We need to be in Idris by sundown, and the portal's an hour or so away, judging by the traffic. You ready for a weekend of studying kid?" I groaned, letting my head roll back onto my shoulders. "Come on Dad! I thought you were kidding about testing me. I totally know everything there is to know about the history of the Clave, I really don't need to be tested." I pulled my best 'would-I-lie-to-you' face in hopes of convincing him.

"Yeah, I don't believe that for a second." It was worth a try. "Test is still on. 9:30 Tuesday morning - be prepared. You get less than 80% and you're on washing up duty for the next month." he wagged his finger in my face.

"80?!" I pushed his hand away, a look of utter shock plastered onto my face "Who do you think I am, some kind of genius?"

"I know you are." He lent in and kissed my forehead. I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a squeeze, like I used to when I was small. "I love you sweetheart."

"I love you too Daddy." I let go and moved onto Mom. Another long hug goodbye. I knew it was only for the weekend, but I always got nervous when they were summoned for special Shadowhunter missions. I guess that's just what happens when you have a family that is well trusted by the Clave.

"Be good baby." Mom whispered in my ear before disentangling herself from me.

"I will. Don't worry, everything will be fine here. Just a boring weekend of studying for me." I smiled, staring pointedly at my father. I'd noticed that they'd both drawn on a fresh set of runes along their arms and necks. I only hoped this didn't mean that they were expecting any kind of trouble. Trying to push the thought out of my head, I waved the cab off, not stopping until it was out of sight. I sighed, leaning my head against the front door. Being alone always kind of unnerved me. I mean, sure I was a sixteen year old Shadowhunter that could totally kick butt if the situation required it, but there was something about being completely on my own that made me anxious. I guess it's just that knowing about all of the frightening monsters that live in this world kind of makes it harder to sleep at night when you know there's no-one there to back you up, should anything happen. I knew I was being stupid - nothing ever did happen when I was on my own. My imagination is just a little too active.

I decided to take a shower before settling down for the night and starting on the mammoth task of revision. I may have also done a teeny weeny bit of procrastinating - or rather a lot of it. By the time I got around to sitting down, it was almost 9:30 - too late to start on revision I decided. I turned on the TV and started channel hopping. As soon as I'd settled on some trashy reality show to watch, I heard my cell ring in the other room. Hopping up, off the sofa, I walked to the retrieve it from the kitchen counter where I'd left it. Caller ID said it was Mom, and I assumed she was probably just checking in for the night. Making sure I was alone and all right. I pressed the phone to my ear, "Hey Mom. Before you say anything I am totally…" but before I could finish I heard my mom's panicked voice cutting me off.

"Katie, please, listen to me. I don't have a lot of time, so I need you to listen very carefully."

"Mom, is everything all right?" Panic flooded my mind, making it difficult to think. I've never heard her like this before. The voice on the other end of the phone was tense and sounded as though she was trying to hide her fear.

"Katie please. I don't have time. In the cutlery drawer in the kitchen, under the rack there is an envelope with money and an address. I need you to get on the next flight to New York. Don't waste a second. Call a cab, and go to the airport. There should be more than enough in that envelope to get you there. When you find the place, ask for Hodge. We'll contact him as soon as we can. Do you understand Katie? KAITLYNN, do you understand?" I was frozen with fear. I couldn't even get my mouth to work.

"Y-yes." I managed to stammer. My mind was racing, a million and one questions firing through it. I tightened my grip on the receiver, as if I could squeeze her through the phone, and into the room next to me.

"Good girl. Call for a cab as soon as I hang up okay. Remember, under the cutlery rack. We love you baby." and then the line went dead. I just clutched the phone to my ear, tears welling in my eyes. "Mom." I heard my voice, it was cracked and broken. I could feel my breathing speed up, like I couldn't get enough oxygen into my body. I tried redialing three or four times, but I was just met with a message that told me the number was no longer in service. With each failed attempt, my heart raced faster, sending the adrenaline around my body. I felt sick, my stomach making horrible churning movements inside me. I couldn't do this. Not now, not here. There was no time for a breakdown, I needed to get to New York. I pushed everything back down inside me, while I attempted to ready myself for leaving. The next ten minutes were kind of a blur. I called for a cab before running upstairs to gather some of my things to take with me. I didn't know where I was going, for how long or who would be there waiting for me. I just shoved some clothes into my bright blue backpack, along with my steele and my phone charger. I wound my long, wavy hair up into a bun before taking my bag and bolting downstairs to the kitchen. I tore open the draw, and threw the cutlery all over the floor, not even caring that I was making a mess. I found two envelopes in there, a thicker one, which obviously contained the money, and a thinner one that just had 'Kaitlynn" in my dad's perfectly neat handwriting written on the front. I grabbed them both, before running out of the front door to the taxi waiting outside.

"Airport please. And hurry." I quickly swiped the tears away from my eyes as I watched our quiet little neighbourhood speed away behind me.

"You okay miss?" The driver asked, seeing my puffy red eyes and running nose in his rearview mirror.

"Sure. I'm fine. Errm, we're just looking after my neighbours cat while she's away on a cruise. I think I must be allergic because I've been like this all day." I forced a small laugh, and flashed a reassuring smile back at him. I wasn't sure if he bought it or not, but he didn't say anymore about it. Not really caring what he was thinking, I sat back in the seat, dabbing at my eyes and nose with the sleeve of my jacket. I Closed my eyes, letting my head rest on the seat, and tried to process what had happened in this short amount of time.
I tried to focus on the facts - what I knew for sure. I knew that my mom and dad weren't safe. I knew that they suspected I wouldn't be safe if I stayed at home. I needed to find someone called Hodge in New York. He'd know what was happening. They trusted him. He was the one who my parents would contact when they were safe. 'If they don't die first', a horrible little voice in the back of my mind whispered. I ignored it. I can't think like that. My parents are strong. They are both experienced Shadowhunters, they knew what they were doing. So, what was it that had them so scared? And why would they be worrying about me?