Heya, guys. So, chapter nine. I got it out within a week. :D Virtual cookies, maybe? And I think it's longer than the rest so far, so
bonus! As far as the next chapter goes, I don't know. I'll try to have it out in a week, but, as I explained last chapter, that may not be
possible, especially as it's Spring Break, and work's going to get ridiculous. But, I'll try. As always, I love, love, love reading your
reviews, and any ideas on how to improve the story (or even ideas for other ones) are always appreciated. Much love,
Zariah Smith
Alec hurried to Jace's apartment, and, upon finding the door unlocked, rushed inside. He found Jace sitting on the couch with his head in his hands.
He didn't even look up when Alec entered. Alec sat next to him and pulled his reluctant friend into a hug. After a moment Jace hugged him back,
albeit weakly. "It's going to be okay, Jace. We'll find her, I promise."
Jace looked up, tears in his eyes. "How, man?"
"Have you called the police yet?"
Jace nodded. "They said they can't do anything yet. They said that maybe she's at home and just isn't answering the door. Maybe her phone's dead.
They said to wait, and be patient."
Alec thought for a minute. "Have you gone back to the cafe? Maybe someone there knows where she went when she left." Jace paused, then shook
his head. Alec stood, pulling Jace with him. "Okay. Let's get you cleaned up, then go talk to the people at the cafe. Okay?" Jace nodded, and trudged
off toward the bathroom. While Jace was in the shower, Alec puttered around his kitchen, making breakfast, since he figured that Jace hadn't eaten.
When Jace came out of the shower, he looked at the table and shook his head at the food. "Come on, Jace, you've got to eat."
Jace shook his head. "Not hungry."
Alec glared at him. "Jonathan Christopher Morgenstern. You get over here and eat, now. It would do Clary no good if you were to faint from lack of
food, now would it?" Jace sighed but sat down at the table and began to eat. When he had finished, Alec cleared away the dishes and sat across the
table from Jace, who was staring at the table. "Jace," he said softly. He looked up. "I promise you, we're going to do everything we can to find her.
Okay?" He stood. "Now, come on. We should check out the cafe." Jace nodded and stood as well. Alec grabbed Jace's house keys, and shepherded
him out the door, locking it behind them.
Jace was quiet the whole trip, despite Alec's attempts to get him talking. When they got to the cafe, Alec spotted their waitress from yesterday, and
waited til she was done taking an order before gesturing her over. Quickly, Alec described what was going on.
The waitress- Macie, Alec noted- thought for a minute, then nodded. "Oh yeah, the redhead. She left here yesterday, not long after you went chasing
after your boyfriend." She winked, and Alec blushed, looking at Jace, who was staring at the ground.
"Did she leave alone?"
"Nah. She left with a guy, tall, kinda nerdy looking, glasses, real pale. He was kind of hot," she remarked.
Alec rolled his eyes. "Do you remember anything else?"
The waitress thought a minute. "Oh, yeah. She called him Luke, and seemed to know him."
"You're sure she said Luke, and not something else?"
She thought again. "No, no, it was definitely Luke."
Alec nodded. "Thanks." He turned toward Jace, who was watching him with bright eyes.
"Why would Luke take her?" He asked, quietly.
Alec shook his head. "Not here." Alec turned and walked out of the cafe, Jace close on his heels.
Once they were a decent distance from the cafe, Jace rounded on Alec. "Well? Why would Luke take her?"
"Maybe he didn't," Alec replied. Jace stared at him. "He might know who did, though. We should talk to him before we jump to any conclusions." Jace
nodded and they walked toward the subway.
