Chapter 4: Strange

Summary: Clary has been on the run for the majority of her life. Running from her father, from friends and from love. One day while in hiding, she meets a mysterious golden boy. Will she allow herself to trust him, or will she push him away? And what happens if this boy has a secret even darker than her own?

A/N: Hey guys! Two chapter in one day!

Disclaimer: If I owned the Mortal Instruments I would be rich, but I'm just the average mundane. Everything belongs to Cassie Clare except the story line.


[Jace]

I landed with a small thud, mentally thanking my cat-like grace that I hadn't died. My body recovered from the shock, I took off into the forest, hearing no pursuit on my fathers part.

Hell, he probably doesn't care about me, just his reputation. Knowing he would go to people asking about me, I decided to stay secluded for a bit, and then stay at the Lightwood's for a while.

My eyes started to water because of the wind that was hitting my face as I ran. I know it was the wind because I don't cry.

I slowed my pace down to a walk, taking my surroundings into account. My eyes were now accustomed to the dark, and the surrounding forest looked almost calm, almost welcoming. Haha sure, let me welcome you into my thorny branches, son.

I had been on this path so many times, so my mind felt at ease as I strolled through the familiar paths knowing no one would find me. I decided to head to the Institute before dark.

The Institute was just a hole in the ground, but it was the only place I knew I would be safe until morning. I had discovered it one night when my 'dad' had come home really, really drunk. He was swearing at my mom and I, and it was fine until he punched me in the stomach and started to chant a creepy song, practicing some voodoo magic. Scared, I ran and found the place. Ever since then I had used it as a sanctuary, adding a few items for myself.

My steps faltered as I slipped, hitting the hard dirt. Damn rocks, I cursed. My eyes opened and closed and I grimaced in pain. As my dazed mind tried to gather it's self, I spotted metal peaking out from under a leaf. Rolling over, I picked it up.

It was a necklace, or more of a dog tag. It had Love you forever, Love you for always baby girl engraved in fancy cursive. Someone must have dropped it playing tag out in the woods. Shrugging, I put it in my pocket, hoping I could make some fast cash selling it.

I walked a little further until I reached a large tree stump. It was turned over, the pointy roots covering the hole at the bottom as it it were warding off people. I wedged my feet into the gap expertly and my body continued in soon after. As the roots tangled together overhead, I let out a sigh. I was safe.

There was dim moonlight coming from the entrance but I still couldn't see as much as two feet in front of me. Feeling exhaustion come over me in a huge wave, I searched around for my baby blanket. It had been mine since I was really little, and I had brought it here along with a bunch of dehydrated food and water.

I saw a flash of red in the other side of the hole and I grabbed for my blanket. It felt like someone had ripped it to hair-thin strands. I was a few seconds away from bursting into tears when I realized it was hair; red hair.

Angling my body so that I could let in more light, I was granted a surprise when I saw a girl below me. She looked very small in frame with thin, delicate features.

I felt a strong beat beneath my fingers as I checked her pulse, which surprised me yet again, for I had assumed she was dead. I turned her body over so I could see her face more clearly.

She was beautiful, which was so unlike the girls I was used to at school. Her face was free of any makeup and looked blemish free. Coppery eyelashes, a cute button nose, high cheekbones and full lips that were pulled up on one side in a slight smile. Long, wavy red hair framed her porcelain face, and below her was my blanket.

She looked so peaceful, so deciding to let her stay the night, I wedged my hand under her head and slowly pulled on the blanket.

Just as the blanket was out I heard a sharp gasp. The girl was still sleeping, but her face was now in a painful grimace. Nightmares. That was something I knew very well.

Placing my hands on her small shoulders, I started to gently murmur sweet nothings, something my mother would do when she still remembered me. With a gasp, her eyes flew open, taking in her surroundings or something. She was starting to relax again when she seemed to notice my hands still on her shoulders, and looking up, I noticed her eyes were a brilliant emerald green, which were narrowed at me.


Hey guys, finally there is a fourth chapter. I hopped you enjoyed it! Thank you to all my fantastic reviewers and followers. Any requests for the next chapter? Reviews please!

~Dust Angel