Chapter 1: Hell Week

"Sodium bicarbonate can be dissolved into a solution at exactly-" Clary Fray groaned and shoved the book across the table. Running her hands through her mop of red curls she looked around the library, noticing that all the other inhabitants had the same crazed and slightly desperate look in their eyes that she was sure could be seen in hers. Finals week. Hell week. Whatever you wanted to call it, there was no denying that it was the bane of every college students existence. Back to back tests covering material that hadn't even been considered in months, it was enough to drive anyone crazy, which is exactly how Clary felt.

"Why did I ever think that being a Bio-med major was a good idea" she asked with only a hint of hysteria in her voice. She looked across the table at her best friend Isabelle who was chewing on the end of her pen with a fierceness that worried Clary about her mental health as well.

"Why did we ever think college was a good idea? At this very moment we could be snuggled up in some cute little apartment watching Netflix and looking on Pintrest at adorable craft ideas that would make us seem even more hipster and then we-" Isabelle was breathing hard and her eyes took on a large distraught quality as if she was begging Clary to make her stop.

"Izzy breathe. Besides we could never pull off a life that stereotypical, we were meant to be crazed college students, it runs in our blood."

She did her best to withhold the laughter that was bubbling up inside of her. A combination of no sleep, way too much stress, and Isabelle being her normal melodramatic self, was just too much for her to take. Isabelle looked at her with a straight face for all of 5 seconds before they both burst into full laughter, every time it had almost subsided they would make eye contact again and the hysterics would start up again. Wiping their eyes and looking faintly embarrassed from the evil stares they were getting from fellow students, they both rearranged themselves into some semblance of normalcy.

Clary looked at her best friend noticing once again just how ridiculously pretty she was. Long black hair that flowed around her face in perfect order, striking eyes that were always lit up with mischief, and a bone structure that simply defied logic. They had grown up together, Clary going through the normal awkward stage while Izzy seemed to just grow more and more attractive each day. Although Izzy swore that Clary was just as good looking as she was, Clary knew better. It wasn't that she was terrible looking, she was OK could even hold her own if she made some sort of attempt, but most days her wild mass of curls were piled up on her head, green eyes ringed with bags that spoke of many nights spent studying, and a splatter of freckles that gave her the title of "adorable" certainly didn't add any sexiness to the whole package. But she didn't mind, she had never been one of those girls who obsessed about how they looked, much to Izzy's dismay, she was much more comfortable in her current attire of leggings and an oversized sweatshirt than she was in any glam outfit meant to attract the opposite sex.

"I'm done, beyond done actually. I literally can't take in any more information"

Clary looked around the table at the never ending pile of books and scattered papers. She was being truthful, her brain physically hurt, they were on hour 11 of nonstop studying and if she didn't get a break she might actually need to be carried out, drooling on the unfortunate person tasked with helping her.

"I am so with you, but I can't stop now unlike you -All-Year-Long, I have an entire semester to learn as opposed to just reviewing what I already know."

Izzy glared at her much larger pile of books and assorted supplies. It was true that Clary was a much more dedicated student, spending most of her time in her dorm room reading the textbook or catching up on work. Not that Izzy wasn't dedicated, she just allowed herself to be distracted more often, where distracted meant some crazy night at a party with another pretty boy who ate out of the palm of her hand. Giving her friend a sympathetic pat on the back Clary began to pack up all of her belongings.

"I'm going to head back to the dorm, see if by some miracle I can get an hour or so of sleep before I repeat this process tomorrow."

Izzy muttered something about being safe, her poor mutilated pen back between her unforgiving teeth. Clary gave a small smile and made her way out of the library into the brisk evening air. When she had entered the library it had been a bright sunny morning, and somehow it was now in the dead of night. She gave a small sigh at another wasted day tightened her grip on her back pack and began the trek across campus to her dorm room. The campus was beautiful, it was what had originally drawn her and Isabelle to it. Two bright eyed girls fresh out of high school they had walked around campus in awe taking in the large buildings covered in ivy, the stone pathways and quaint fountains. The fell in love, both putting down deposits that very day, giddy with the future ahead of them. They imagined great romances, crazy nights at parties, and new mature "college friends". Instead they got a small dorm room, a diet of Ramen Noodles, and constant stress that accompanies the college life. But they loved it, as much as they might whine and complain neither of them would want to be anywhere else.

Clary shivered as a sudden brisk wind blew across the campus, tearing leaves from their limbs and making an eery whistle echo all around her. Although there was not denying that the campus was a wonderful place, she still felt a small tickle of unease walking alone at night. Her parents had drilled into her at a young age that she always needed to be aware of her surroundings, better safe than sorry. Usually the campus would be teeming with life, groups of girls nervously giggling as the teetered on too tall heels headed to some party, or just kids making it back from night classes. But because it was finals weeks nearly everyone was holed up somewhere determined to get in as much studying time as humanly possible. She suddenly noticed just how silent it really was, other than the sound of her boots hitting the stone pathway the night was entirely silent. Clary shivered again, this time having nothing to do with the cold, and unconsciously quickened her step. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as if her body was trying to send some urgent message "Run,get away" it screamed, and was surprisingly hard to ignore.

She rounded the corner and let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding, her dorm room was finally visible, still in the distance but she could see it. Clary purposely loosened her shoulders, scolding herself for allowing her imagination to run away so quickly. She had almost accomplished in fully calming down when she felt a firm hand grip her arm from behind. She let out a startled gasp and instinctively pushed away from the man putting distance between them.

"I'm sorry, didn't mean to startle you I was just hoping you could help me out." Clary took in the boy that stood in front of her. He was clearly a student, a rugby player judging by the striped polo he was wearing the number 11 on the shoulder. That and his build spoke of someone who did physical activity, broad shoulders and clearly defined muscles. His brown hair was styled in a way that was meant to look effortless, and Clary realized distantly that he was precisely Isabelle's type. She let out a relieved sigh, this was no stranger lurking in the night, just another oblivious college guy.

"No I'm sorry, no clue why I'm so jumpy I think the campus being this dead just freaked me out" she laughed softly trying to show this guy that she wasn't completely crazy.

"Yeah its crazy right? I don't blame you there it is a little spooky" He gave her a charming smile and moved a bit closer to her, without realizing what she was doing Clary took a step back. She thought she saw his eyes tighten but when she looked again he was giving her a lazy smile.

"Well, umm I was headed back to my dorm room I better get going." She didn't give him time to reply before she turned around and began towards the dorms again, but before she had made it more than a couple more steps she felt his strong grip on her arm again. Looking down at his possessive grip Clary felt the starting of unease rolling in her stomach.

"Please let me go" Her voice was surprisingly strong, not portraying the fear that she was starting to feel.

"Hey sorry" he broke off and let go of her arm although reluctantly "I was just going to offer to walk you back to your dorm. A girl as pretty as you shouldn't be walking out here alone you know." He gave her a slow wink and a twisted smile and Clary realized she was in real trouble here. Although his actions were harmless enough she just knew, with a certainty that shocked her, that something was not right here. She needed to get away from him, and fast.

"Th-Thats OK really, I'll be fine it's a short walk" Clary winced at the stutter in her voice, hoping that he would over look it. But after a look at his face she could tell her hadn't. His once normal face was twisted into a cruel grin clearly delighting in her fear.

"Oh don't be shy, you know you want me to." He reached out and pulled her against him, as much as she struggled he was simply too strong for her. Clary had a bitter taste in her mouth that she recognized as fear, real fear. There was nothing she could do, she was completely and utterly helpless, as she continued to struggle frustrated tears ran down her cheeks.

"Mmm baby no need to cry" With a leer he wiped away the tears then slid his hand down her neck making Clary shiver in disgust.

"Please just let me go, I-I wont tell anyone I swear" Now her entire body was shuddering, physically repelled by this man touching her. In a distant part of her mind she was disgusted at how breathless her voice was, that she was doing nothing. This was not her, she could fight back, she would fight back. Although she couldn't win she would not let him do this to her and leave unharmed. With determination she stomped her boot back on his foot as hard as she could. He let out a painful gasp and loosened his grip on her, she immediately moved away from him but he recovered quickly and grabbed her once again. This time with none of the false gentleness that had been there before, his fingers were biting into her skin and she knew that there would be bruises. That is if she even made it out of this.

"You bitch, you are going to pay for that"

Looking at him now Clary couldn't believe she had initially dismissed him as being a threat. There was a gleam in his eye that spoke of untold horrors, there was no empathy no feeling. With a dawning horror Clary realized she was completely alone in the middle of the night with a man clearly intent on hurting her in some way. As she opened her mouth in a desperate attempt to scream she heard a new voice.

"I believe the lady asked you to let her go. And you don't seem to be listening." The voice was smooth and controlled with a hint of accent that Clary couldn't quite place. Regardless she had never felt such relief. She wasn't alone there was someone here, desperately she craned her neck in the direction of the voice to see who her rescuer was.

From the shadows of the building the boy revealed himself, walking calmly into the light as if he had no care in the world. He walked with a grace that was not lost on Clary, he came into view in small pieces. Black combat boots, dark jeans, a hoodie that clung to his body showing that he was just as well formed as her captor although he was more lean, his strength was still obvious. Then his face. If Clary wasn't in such a compromising situation she would have taken more time to admire him but as it was she realized that he was incredibly beautiful. Although that was not a word usually used to describe a boy there really was no other word to use. His hair was a golden mass of curls that were laid perfectly on his head, where the man holding her had mad an attempt to look effortless, it was clear that this boy truly was. His bone structure was almost too much to take in, and his golden eyes glanced over Clary and the man holding her, looking disinterested but Clary saw the tenseness of his shoulders that told a different story.

He leaned up against the light-post acting as if they were all carrying on a casual conversation, but there was an underlying gleam in his eye that told Clary he was well aware of the situation.

"You still haven't let her go, I will give you another moment seeing as how you are clearly an imbecile and I understand it may take time for you to think, after that I'm afraid I wont be so kind."

He gave this spiel while looking down at his fingernails only glancing up while saying the last part, the threat clear in his eyes.

The hands on her tightened and she let out an involuntary whimper, the boy stood up from the lamp post and took an intimidating step forward. She was instantly released, pushed really, and she stumbled nearly falling down. The boy looked over her quickly and then nodded his head behind him clearly telling her to move behind him. She quickly complied holding her hands together hoping to stop the trembling, now that she was finally away from that dreadful man her body was reacting to the dangerous situation she had been in.

"Look I have no problem, I'm gonna go my way you go yours, she is just some slu-"

Before her attacker could finished his sentence the boy had him pushed up against the wall the front of his shirt gripped tightly in his hand.

"What was that you were saying? I would advise you to think carefully before you reply."

His once disinterested voice now held a clear tremor of anger, or disgust, possibly a combination of both. And although Clary never was a fan of violence she had to admit ti was very satisfying to see the creep struggling for breath clear panic in his eyes. He looked down clearly not willing to say anymore.

"I need you to listen to me very carefully, if I ever see you again, regardless of the situation I will destroy you. Do you understand me?" The boy tightened his hold and if Clary didn't know better she could swear she saw a glimmer of excitement in his eye, like he was enjoying this. The man struggling against the wall gave a jerky nod and the boy dropped him suddenly and far from gently on the ground, jerking his head in a signal for him to leave. The man gave Clary a quick glance and then hurriedly ran away from them both.

Now that he was really and truly gone Clary allowed herself to feel the panic she had been repressing, slowly her legs gave out and she slid down to a sitting position on the cold ground. Her rescuer slowly walked over to her, his eyes softening when he took in her position.

"Did her hurt you?" His voice was low and controlled as if he was talking to a scared animal, which she supposed wasn't a completely wrong comparison.

"I-I'm OK I think. Thank you for that, if you hadn't shown up-" Clary stopped herself, her voice wavering not wanting to follow that thought through. He crouched down in front of her so that they were eye level, and she notice again just how good looking he was.

"It is a hobby of mine." at her confused look he continued "Rescuing damsels in distress."

He said this in a completely serious tone and Clary couldn't help the startled snort that escaped. His eyed moved over her face a half smile on his lips. He reached his hand down offering to help her up and she took it, noticing how much bigger his hand was than her own. Once they were both standing he gave her a strange searching look and released her hand.

"And I know you are wondering, who is this dashing man who just saved me so bravely? And the answer would be Jace, Jace Wayland. Let me know if you need rescuing again Red."

And with that he walked away, leaving Clary too look after him with a small puzzled smile.