This is my first fanfic so I'm trying this out. I kinda like dystopian stories. Please read and review. I would like to hear your...

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Please review. Though, please, only constructive criticism not mindless teardowns. Why? Well, refer to sentence one :)

I don't own Cassie Clare's books, only the splitting headache currently occupying my skull.

Chapter one

Tessa' POV

"It took the end of the world to make us kings for a day"

Peter Heller

It had been exactly one year since the virus struck. Since the world died. Tessa Gray pulled her earphones out of her ears. She wasn't in the mood for music. Songs were for victors, and there was no one left to sing. The door to the small flat that had once belonged to her parents was open. That was strange. And in a world where different ment dangerous, such as hers, she was worried. Sophie had left school before she did. Maybe she had forgotten to lock it. Tessa didn't think so. She had learned many things in the stretch of months since her parents died; one- don't trust anyone, two- refer back to one,it was important, three- trust your instincts. She had already broken number one. Twice. With Nate, who had betrayed her, and Sophie, who had not. That had led her to where she was now. She was thrown back into her past as she slowly turned the brass door knob.

Two years and two months since her parents died in a car crash. Two weeks and two days since the virus took Aunt Harriet. Two. She was starting to loathe the number two. Aunt Harriet had fallen with what was seemingly just the flu. At the same time as half the world did. Nobody noticed the impending disaster, though she hadn't either. The B-one virus struck out of nowhere, at first you got what seemed like the flu. Then, you started sweating uncontrollably. Lastly, you hacked up your vital organs, dying later that day. The government ignored the virus and insisted they go back to life as normal. They had to. And she prided herself on her knowledge and ability to think ahead. Tessa chuckled darkly. Fourteen days later Aunt Harriet died while holding Tessa's hand, " you are brave, smart, and the most amazing young woman I know. Be strong you will make it. I love you," she had told Tessa. The last thing she would ever tell Tessa. As Tessa cried she had felt her beloved aunt's hand grow cold and stiff. She had run out of the room weeping, like a coward.

Downstairs she heard a loud crash and shouting. Warily, Tessa got up and slipped downstairs. No sooner than when she saw what had made the crash did she wish that she hadn't left the comfort of her bed. Nate was drunk, as he had been every night since aunt Harriet had died. Nate stood, turned, and glared at her. "This is you're fault. I work hard all day to make sure we have enough to survive. I come home. And you're still in bed!" Nate started coughing and couldn't stop for what seemed like hours. He had it, the B-one virus, Tessa would feel the sorrow later. For now all she could feel was incredulous. Tessa almost rolled her eyes at the theatricality of her older brother's statement. Nate didn't work. He gambled and drank away what she earned with her TWO jobs. She grew worried when Nate walked towards her. He placed his face so close to hers that she could smell the alcohol on his breath. It reeked and was giving her a headache.

"I am sick and tired of you always badmouthing me! Like I could be any less than... you!" He was full on yelling now. Nate had grown so much more aggressive lately. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Nate raise his hand. Fear clouded Tessa's blue-gray eyes, turning them entirely gray. His fist connected with her face, leaving a trail of fire across it. Tessa could already feel it swelling up. He picked her up, dragging her by her hair, opening the front door he pushed her onto the front steps, kicking her down the three stone steps leading into their house. "Don't come back here, ever!" He hollered at her as she heaved herself up and and started running.

Collapsing into an alley somewhere around two blocks away. She slowly steadied her breathing when she realized that there was another set of breaths a little behind her in pace. Turning her head to the right and looking past all the filth and trash cans she saw a pair of green eyes worriedly staring at her. Nate always said curiosity was her besetting sin. Nate, well that brought back painful memories, even if he was right. Dropping onto her knees she inched towards the figure that she could tell was a girl. Dark hair framed a beautiful face containing a silvery-pink scar running down her right cheek. Tessa, in that moment knew she could trust this scarred girl. She thrust out her hand and said, "I'm Theresa Gray. Everyone calls me Tessa, you can too." The girl after a moments hesitation said, "I'm Sophie Collins," she looked shyly at the ground then back up," do you have a place I can stay, my mother and sister died, and my father kicked me out," she said gingerly rubbing the fresh scar across her cheek. Tessa thought for a second before remembering the flat her parents bought and planned to move into, the key was in a pot near the side door.

"Yes, and shall we call an alliance?" Once more Tessa thrust out her hand, Sophie shook it and stood up. They walked out the aisle and down the direction that Tessa knew led to the her parent's flat.

Tessa stopped and shook her head free of the memory it seemed she was being forced to relive, Tessa swung the door open and pulled the small dagger she owned out of her pocket. Tiptoeing across the the moderately sized living room and seeing nothing she walked down the hallway leading to the three bedrooms that the flat possesed. She kicked open the first door. Nothing. She kicked open the next one. Nothing, again. Feeling the tension in the air Tessa walked slowly toward the last door. She kicked it open and stormed inside. Someone screamed, causing Tessa to drop her dagger and scream as well. Standing in front of her was Sophie. She sprung towards the other girl and wrapped her in a tight hug that was quickly returned. "Sophie, you had me so worried. And the front door was open. The whole house seemed so dark and I was worried because you weren't home yet and I thought you would be." Tessa stopped talking, realizing she was rambling.

Sophie's face was still pale and worried. Tessa, who was thoroughly confused tapped her and said, "what's wrong?"

Sophie looked her in the eye and whispered, " I heard someone moving around in the kitchen. Tessa felt herself turn pale as her blood swarmed in her ears. She picked up her dagger and followed Sophie into down the hallway. They heard rummaging as they slid into the kitchen. They turned and felt their eyes widen.

Thanks for stickin' with me. I hope you guys are as dedicated to this story as I am. I don't want to sound needy or pull an ultimatum, but I hope you guys will review. Would three reviews be possible?

Till next time,

-Kriz