Chapter 1

Alec Lightwood stepped off the train and glanced around nervously. He quickly looked at the map shown on his phone and started off through the curling tendrils of smoke. They made their way into his lungs and brought sharp tears to his eyes. Finally, escaping from the train station, he hailed a cab and stared out the window as he made his way to his new home.

Alec clutched protectively at his only suitcase. It was all he had left now. Only a few hazy memories and a small suitcase of clothes. And, of course, his ruby pendant that he, for some reason, felt much attached to.

Your life isn't that easy to continue on through after waking up by the side of the road with amnesia, only remembering your name and age. His pendant was the only thing he had left after the incident. Alec didn't even know what the incident was. He just called it, well, "the incident".

Over the past six months since it happened, Alec had grown closer and closer to books, and writing. It was a way for him to escape from his everyday problems and to be someone else for a while.

Feeling a wave of panic rise inside him, Alec pushed it down and clutched at the pendant on his throat. A few minutes later, the cab driver stopped the vehicle and jerked his bearded chin at the door.

"Here you go, kid," he said in a gruff voice. Alec tossed a 20 dollar bill onto the seat and thanked the man. He pulled his suitcase out of the cab and walked into the apartment building.

It wasn't anything special, really. After the incident, Alec had found a wallet in his pocket with 5000 dollars in it. He guessed that was a stroke of luck, after everything bad that had happened to him. Keeping his chin up, he walked through the doors of his new home.

3 hours later, Alec was settled into an armchair by the fire that had been left in the place. Luckily, the previous owner had left most furniture in the flat, but there were still plenty of things Alec needed to buy. He opened his book with a sigh of content. It really was comfortable. The apartment had 7 rooms; a bathroom by the door, a hallway leading from the door to the kitchen, and then the living room and dining room were one adjoined room, with a den and a master bedroom. Another bathroom was included in the master bedroom. The first thing Alec had done when he arrived was load the few books he had onto the bookshelf in the bedroom.

Alec sighed and rubbed his face, his fingers sliding underneath his glasses. He was so tired. His brain felt like mush and his eyes weighed a ton, slowly dragging down. Eventually, he fell asleep in the chair, his book spread out on his chest, his glasses crooked on his face, and his black hair curling in his eyes.

There were flashing images. A purple, sparkly vest. A cat perched on a windowsill, hissing. Eyes, sharp as a cat's. Dark woods. The screech of tires. Headlights. A man's terrified face-

Alec woke up with a start. His glasses fell off his face, and his book slid to the floor. He shook his head, tousling his hair, and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Then he stretched and walked to the kitchen. It was 9:00. The sun shone brightly, and Alec blinked, his eyes adjusting. After a breakfast of toast and orange juice (and fighting with himself for 15 minutes), he got his coat and shoes on, still dressed from the night before, and headed out the door.

Alec pulled out his phone. He searched for the nearest bookstore, and hailed another cab. He was going to be broke in a few weeks, just from hailing all these cabs.

In a few weeks. Alec laughed to himself. He had to keep reminding himself that he wasn't on vacation. This was his new life. It was strange.

The cab pulled up to a white building, with two big windows displaying rows of books on the shelves. He pulled open the door, hearing the small bells announce his arrival.

Instantly, the sweet smell of paper hit his nose. Alec's heart grew lighter. It was like a peaceful haze had settled over his mind, and he felt calmer.

"Hello?" Alec said. "Is anyone here?" He approached the counter, pushing hand on the small concierge bell.

A man with slightly graying hair and spectacles slipping down his nose answered. He looked at Alec curiously.

"Can I help you?" he asked. His voice was deeper than Alec expected. "Are you looking for something in particular? Or are you just browsing?"

Alec cleared his throat. "Uh, no. I wanted to volunteer here. I wouldn't ask for much. I just moved here yesterday, and I'm a little down on money."

The man's eyes lit up. They were blue, but not piercing blue, like Alec's. They were a soft blue, the kind that were nice to look at. It made Alec want to look him in the eye when he spoke to him.

"Oh, wonderful," the man exclaimed. "I was drowning here by myself." He pushed his glasses up and straightened his flannel shirt. Then he stuck out his hand. It was callused. "I'm Lucian. But you can call me Luke." Alec shook his hand.

Luke started off for the shelves. "How often can you work? I can take as much or as little help as you like. I'll pay you a good amount; I never buy anything new. I only use money for the bills." Alec nodded.

"I can, uh, work every day for 3 hours. Got nothing better to do." Luke grinned. "Excellent. Can you start now?'

And that was what brought Alec here, retrieving books from the boxes in the back, handing out receipts, accepting money, counting change. He recommended a few books to people. He went home with 60 dollars in his pocket, including tips from the people he had helped.

As he walked down the busy street, Alec was seized by the sudden craving for a coffee. He stopped at the nearest café and walked inside.

Walking up to the counter, he waited in line until it was his turn, tapping is foot impatiently. He ordered a black coffee. Then he found a seat by the window and stared off into space, daydreaming.

He was jerked out of his reverie by soft footsteps approaching him. A waiter with a shock of black hair sticking up in every direction was adjusting the mug and sugar bowl, along with the tray, and didn't look at him. The man leaned to place the mug on the table, the glitter near his eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

"Thank you," Alec said.

The man's head jerked upwards, his eyes closing in on Alec's face. The mug crashed to the floor. It shattered and coffee spilled across the gray stone. The whole store fell into silence, all eyes on Alec's table.

"Alec?" the man whispered in disbelief. Then the man's bright eyes rolled backwards and he crumpled to the ground.

A/N: Yayyyyyy! I got so many (and by so many I mean three) asking me to write a full-length fic, or continue An Era Knowing You. I will not be continuing AEKY, but this is my full-length story, and I hope you enjoy! Leave me comments telling me what you think!