Chapter 3

Clary sat on the foot of her bed holding her phone and was about to call her best friend when someone knocked on the door. Her tense body slightly relaxed and felt almost relieved for having a reason to postpone her call to Isabelle but the nagging feeling didn't stop. She got up and crossed the room to open the door just to find out that Isabelle's brother was there. Alec with an uncertain expression on his face stood before Clary and guiltily said, "Hey, sorry if I came unannounced, I wasn't sure if you wanted to see anyone."

"Nah, it's okay, I was about to call Isabelle anyway. Come in." Clary said as she gestured for Alec to enter the room.

Closing the door, Clary sighed and prepared herself for the sure conversation she and Alec would discuss.

Silence lingered between the two of them but it didn't last long when Clary spoke up in a sad voice.

"I know why you came, Alec, you want answers, yeah?"

Clary turned her head and met Alec's downcast eyes and saw the unspoken answer to her question.

"You don't have to tell me if you aren't comfortable." Alec reminded her.

Instead of answering she settled comfortably on the couch of her room and prepared for their conversation. Alec took this as a sign that she's going to start and copied her by making himself at ease.

Clary breathed in and gathered her thought as she began her story.

"A year after you left, mom had an accident. She was on her way to the mall to buy materials for her new artwork when a drunk driver hit her. The impact of the accident almost killed her. They had to revive her twice. And the only thing I thought that moment was that she almost died twice," Clary said almost whispering at the end, clearly remembering the feeling of helplessness as she waited for hours while her mom was fighting for her life in the other room.

She sniffled and cleared her throat once before continuing.

"Mom didn't die but was in coma for almost two weeks. Luke took it upon himself to be my guardian and I'll be forever grateful. He made sure I was doing well and took care of me. Simon, my only friend, was there for me as well. He helped me with school work and was always there when everything became too much." Clary paused for a moment.

She chanced a glance at Alec but Alec wasn't looking at her but was looking out the window.

With another deep breath she continued.

"I was at the bookstore when Luke called me with good news, mom was finally awake. I was so eager to go to the hospital, so I closed the bookstore 2 hours earlier and knew Luke would understand. I arrived at the hospital and I remember feeling the tension leave my body when I entered my mom's hospital room and saw her tired green eyes staring at me and a small smile on her face. It was a nice feeling and for the first time since the accident happened, I allowed myself to be happy," Clary said with a hint of smile on her face, allowing herself to remember that moment.

But just like what other people said, all good things come to an end, and good things came to an end indeed. A month after mom's accident, Valentine returned. He finally found mom and is threatening her. He wants her dead because mom knows a lot of things about Valentine. She knows what kind of monster he really is. Up until now we are on the run. It's been a year since we started hiding and Luke has been protecting us from Valentine. That's why I'm here in San Francisco with Luke's sister to hide while they form a plan to take Valentine down." Clary finished with a heavy sigh.

Alec exhaled, letting it all sink in.

"Clary, why didn't you tell us about the accident?" Alec asked, breaking the silence.

"I didn't want you to remember the reason why you left New York," She said as tears gathered in her eyes but continued, "I didn't want to burden the three of you with my problems while you were resolving your issues as well. I thought, at that time, that it was time for me to let you go, especially Jace. Then the Valentine happened, Luke said I had to cut my connections with you because it's too dangerous and it strengthened my resolve to let you move on. I deactivated my email, changed my phone number and try to forget about you guys. I know it's stupid and I know you may not see it my way but it's done. I am here now and I'm sorry but all I wanted was for you to be safe and have a new start." Clary said as she finally let her tears flow. She let herself breakdown and let the loneliness and the pain of the past years consume her.

Alec moved from his spot and embraced his pseudo-little sister as she cried. He understood and forgave her already. With a sigh, he carried her to bed and laid her under the blankets. As Clary's sobs turned into sniffles, she whispered her apology to Alec and asked, "Is it okay if you tell Jace? I just don't like telling this story over and over again."

"Sure," Alec replied with an understanding nod and added, "I'm gonna go now, okay? Mom is probably wondering where I am."

With a final hug, Alec left Clary but without whispering,

"Welcome back."


Hey. :)

So, I changed chapter 3. I hope you guys like it.

That Little Girl, Smile 4 the day, Lerial-Shadewing and to the others, thank you!

I am working on the next chapter. Tell me what you think?

-LRB