Chapter 1- Destroyed

For Alec Lightwood his life would never be the same, and at the age of 11 he knew that. His mom had sat him down in a hallway and was explaining that a boy a year younger then himself was coming to stay with them for a long time. Alec just sat and listened. His blue eyes were wide with excitement and worry. Excited about meeting another shadow hunter boy his age, excited about the endless possibilities of friendship. Worried because no one knew anything about this boy named Jonathan other then he grew up in a manor house and his father was dead.

"... his own room" He realized that his mind had wandered off as she explained what was happening.

"Okay mom. I got it. His name is Jonathan. He is 10 and his father is dead." His voice was matter of fact. "I don't see how we ended up with him."

Maryse was a strong willed woman, a mother of three kids and an accomplished Shadowhunter. Right now she was ready to smack her oldest son. Instead she knitted her long fingers together in her lap to keep her hands from lashing out, and sighed heavily. "I don't expect you to understand, however I do expect you to be nice and make him feel at home here."

Looking his mother in the eyes his face went blank. "Fine. Nice. Friendly. I got it." Alec's black hair fell in his face as he lowered his head in defeat. "But I won't -"

Maryse cut him off "You will if I say so. End of discussion"

The sound of the elevator grinding up its well worn cables broke Maryse of the mother tirade she had launched into. Robert Lightwood limped off the elevator. The run in with a demon the day before still lingered on his ageing body. Alec and Maryse looked up and immediately looked to Roberts side expecting to see the stranger child. To their surprise no one was with him.

"I didn't leave him behind. He is down stairs in the nave when he saw the pews. He just walked toward them immediately. I didn't have the heart to stop him. Sometimes when things are this bad religion can change a person for the better, or worse."

Everyone turned silent. Alec stood up with a sigh and started to walk toward the elevator. "I guess I will go get him then." With as much grace as an eleven year old boy could have he walked quickly toward the elevator and jammed the buttons. When the door closed something felt odd. Something had changed.

The thirty seconds it took for the elevator to grind to the ground floor gave young Alec enough time to think some things out. What did Jonathan look like? Was he nice? Mean? Did he need any friends?

When the door creaked open the sight before him was eerie. All the lights had been snuffed out on the ground floor the only illumination came from a lone candle burning in the distance. Alec knew that candle. It was one of many that sat to the side. In the Catholic faith they were used to remember the dead and to send a prayer up for those that needed it. They were never burned in this church. Sitting in the darkness was the boy who Alec had come searching for. Even in the darkness Alec could make out Jonathan's basic features. A full head of golden blond hair, and broad shoulders slouched with the weight of the world on them.

Without realizing what was happening Alec's feet had started to carry him towards the boy. Now that he was closer he knew for a fact something was different. He wasn't sure if it was the weird lighting or something inside him. He just felt odd. The closer he got to the slouching figure, the more the pull toward him intensified, it was as if a rubber band was pulling him toward the pew.

As to not frighten the boy Alec coughed lightly to show someone was there. Jonathan flinched. The boy turned to look at Alec, as he did the lights around them sprang to life. Alec took a step back. The golden eyes of the boy made his heart stop. It wasn't the colour that made him stop, it was what he saw in them. There was no spark of life. No mischief. Nothing. It was as if he were dead already, but his body was still going. Pity was something Alec had never felt, and he never felt it after that moment again.

"I'm Alexander. I go by Alec. What's your name?" No response. A heavy silence fell in the huge room. It made Alec very uncomfortable. He needed to say something "You can't stay down here. My mom says that you will catch a cold"

Jonathan turned his head and stared down Alec. The contempt in his eyes, in other circumstances, would have been hysterical. It was obvious Jonathan wasn't going anywhere any time soon. He turned his head back toward the pulpit and lowered his head. His shoulders moved as he manipulated something in his hands. Looking out the corner of his eyes Jonathan evaluated Alec. With a small subtle movement Jonathan moved over from the edge of the pew to give room for Alec to sit down next to him.

As silent as a cat Alec slid in next to the troubled child. Looking down he saw what Jonathan had in his hands. A small wooded toy. It was well worn on the bases from constant handling. "What do you have?" Alec asked knowing that silence was going to be the only response he got. A shiver racked through Jonathan as they sat together quietly. "Well if you don't want to go up, I guess I am staying here. I will be right back mom and dad need to know where we are, and I need to get us some warm stuff."

Alec had stood up and was standing in the isle, as he turned to walk away a firm hand grabbed the sleeve of his night shirt "What in the..." It was Jonathan. His eyes were begging Alec to stay. Not to leave him. He may have lost his voice but his eyes were screaming, pleading to not be left alone. A single tear had welled up in his eye and spilled over down his cheek.

"Fine. Fine. I won't leave you. We need to get some things to keep us warm. Its cold down here." Jonathan stood up never letting go of the hold on Alec.

Turning to see what this stranger child looked like in the light, standing up Alec had to stop. Jonathan was almost as tall as him. His blond hair was shaped close to his head. His face was a stone wall. No expressions were visible. The only thing that showed this boy was still alive was the single tear sliding down the side of his face. After gently prying the tight grip Jonathan had on Alec's sleeve, Alec gently wiped the single tear away.

"There. All better. Lets go get warm. I bet mom will even make some hot chocolate for us" Alec smiled. Hot chocolate was his mom's answer to everything.

Jonathan looked up at Alec from under his long eye lashes in shock. Physical touch wasn't something he knew very well. Alec held out his right hand, and Jonathan took it willingly. When their palms connected Jonathan sighed. A gentle hum ran from the palm of Jonathan through Alec's hand, up his arm and into his chest. Neither child pulled away. It was how it was suppose to be. Everything was right again. It was as if nothing could stop them now that they found each other.

"Brother" Jonathan whispered so quietly that Alec didn't hear it.

In the cover of shadow a fair haired man smiled. When the elevator started its ascent he departed from his hiding place.