I was walking along that dusty alleyway, being hurried along by my mother. We had just sold another amazing painting to Magnus Bane, he was our favourite buyer. He appreciated the originality of mum's imagination and skill. We had just left and were making our way home through the back streets. Mum knew they were dangerous, but we had to have some source of income. Suddenly out of nowhere there was a shriek, I stopped in my tracks. I looked down an alleyway and saw the most terrible thing, a girl being attacked by an evil man with a knife. I screamed and he turned around, a psychotic smile on his face. If a man could be a demon, it would definitely be him. Mum dragged me along; I obeyed trying to keep up. The man shouted, we ran faster, running for our lives. I couldn't keep up, I tripped, the man ripped me up onto my feet. Terrified I squirmed away from him, he sneered and twirled the knife in his hand. My mum screamed and threw herself at him, he staggered back with the force. Not before he could shove the knife directly threw my mum's heart. She fell onto her knees, I screamed and screamed. People looked out of windows curious, the man swore and ran away. Shocked people ran to my aid, I lay on my mum crying and crying. Begging her to wake-up, the paramedics were called, the ambulance came, along with those living changing words "It's too late". I couldn't listen to them, I wouldn't, they were wrong. She wasn't dead, she couldn't be…

I was suddenly pulled away from the dream, screaming. The scream echoed through the house, for a while I was terrified. Frozen in place, the house was freezing and eerily quiet. I waited, no-one came. Of course they didn't, still…I'd never screamed awake before, I'd always imagined my parents running to my aid. Calming me down, it didn't happen. There was no relief from the nightmares, I didn't make it up, it was more of a memory than a nightmare. I managed to cry myself to sleep, no-one cared anymore. I was the only member of my family not going crazy with grief, or was I? I didn't even know anymore. I woke-up when the sun was too bright; I sat-up rubbing my searing headache. I force myself off onto my feet, grabbing a glass of water. I saw a note on the side,

Hey Clary,

I've gone to work, maybe you two should go to school tomorrow. Have a new start,

Dad

I smiled, so he was picking himself up, good for him. I made myself breakfast, a full English fry-up. I placed a plate on a tray, grabbed some painkillers and took the tray in to Jonathon. He was still asleep, so I left it on the side. I left the room, standing in the corridor. I closed my eyes, counted five steps forward, turned and opened my eyes again. I was face to face with mum's room, I took a deep breath and opened the door. It was so empty and undisturbed. I was overwhelmed with pent up emotion, I clambered onto the bed, curled up and sobbed my heart out. I couldn't stop, this was the last thing mum touched and I revelled in the lingering scent. I felt the bed sink behind me, I sat-up wiping eyes. Jonathan wrapped his arms around me, I melted into the hug, very glad for human contact. He stared around the room silently, with tears rolling down his cheeks. I stopped my hysterics and we both sat there. Not sure what to do or say.

"Where did you go last night?" I asked, finally breaking the silence

"Pandemonium" he said "it's a club" He clarified, sensing my confusion.

"Oh" I said, not sure what to say.

He got up and left. I stared around the room. I decided to collect everything that held importance to me. I made a pile of photos, figures, the wedding ring, postcards, letters, paintings etc. on the bed. I moved all the stuff out and into my room. I took once last glance around the room, not planning on entering again. I saw the glint of a necklace under the bed, frowning I picked it up. It was a simple cross, my used to wear it when she dragged us to church on Sundays. I put the necklace on and vowed never to take it off. Once last wistful glance later and I shut the door.