10
The next morning they were up and about early because of the jet-lag, Aline waking Clary by belting her heart out in the shower.
Clary was up, dressed, and ready to head out quicker than she expected, surprised at the hint of excitement that had managed to slip into her veins about heading back to her hometown.
She had never really adored Victoria, but it was still her home town, which still had a very nostalgic feeling for her. Plus, everything there was easily recognized, easily known.
Aline had emerged from her shower, ready to get a move on as quick as possible. The night before, after Clary had gone out with Jace, she had partaken in a short conversation with Aline about how the best way to reach Victoria would be to take the ferry, which had prompted Aline to book them morning ferry-tickets right then.
Clary sighed, alerting a half-dressed Aline she was going to Isabelle and Maia's room before they left, grabbing her bag and scampering out of the condensed -feeling room, smugness in Clary's hora that just made her feel guilt.
She arrived at Isabelle and Maia's room quickly, needing to spill about the night before, freaked out. Pushing the un-locked door open, she entered in, only to find Isabelle and Maia still curled around each other, asleep.
Exhaling in irritation, she approached the bed, tapping Maia's cheeks repeatedly. Maia groaned, opening her eyes groggily.
"What gives, Isabelle? You know you can't wake me early on mornings after we've gone late into the morning." Maia muttered and Clary cringed, wishing she hadn't received that information, not really caring at the same time.
"Maia. It's Clary. We have to catch a ferry. Serial killer? All important stuff." Clary informed the now-rapid-blinking eyed Maia, who sat up.
"Five more minutes." Came a rough-with-sleep voice from across the bed, followed by a pillow that smacked Clary square in the chest. Clary groaned, chucking the pillow back at Isabelle, not believing how much it took the wake these guys up.
"Alright, well if you two don't want to hear about my late night alley times with Jace, I'll leave you be." Clary said in a sing-song sarcastic voice, mock heading for the door, waiting for the rapid fire reply.
"Night alley times with Jace?" Came a quick shriek, and Clary turned to see Isabelle sprung up from her sleeping position, lifting herself onto her feet, Maia doing the same. "Please do tell." Isabelle said and she grabbed her clothes and began to change. Taking the opportunity, Clary walked over to the bed and sat on it, cross legged, both Isabelle and Maia getting ready on either side of her.
"Well, I was taking him down a shortcut Simon and I mapped out when we visited as kids, and he decided that was the place to share a kiss." Clary stated, cringing at her poor wording, awaiting the raging question attack from Isabelle that was to come.
"And? Was it good? How long? Multiple alleys? Visible alleys? Details, Clary!" Isabelle practically screeched, Maia giggling on Clary's other side, but smiling in a way that said she was just as curious. Clary gulped.
"Well, here's the thing…" Clary drifted off, and both the girls paused what they were doing to look at Clary, sensing her shift from excitement. "Right before we had gone out, Aline had talked about him as if he was hers or something. I was put off by it, and expressed my emotions. I think we're on a good note, though." Clary said, Isabelle eyes blaring and Maia nodding thoughfully. "He made a quite beautiful speech." Clary threw in, with hopes Isabelle wouldn't hate Jace forever.
"But, him and Aline?" Maia asked, always the thoughtful one out of the group.
"He attempted to make it pretty clear that him and Aline were not a thing. He told me I was perfect." Clary knit her brows, just now realizing how confusing the situation was, even for herself to understand.
"Well," Isabelle said, picking up her now packed bag, Maia following in suit, "we'll just have to decide how trustworthy he is after some watching and listening." She stated, Clary not sure if this was good or bad, looking to Maia, who shrugged, that look of admiration on her eyes for Isabelle.
Clary sighed, last to head out the door, feeling a slight pang of wish that her and Jace could somehow turn out as wonderful as Isabelle and Maia somehow made themselves work out.
Clary planted her Canadian ID back into her walled and the wallet back in her purse while walking along the ramps to the ferry.
She had always thought it ridiculous how high security was for just one puny ferry, but after the recent events in her life, she found it extremely comforting.
Jace and Alec, neither having been on a ferry before, insisted the sit up top, despite the dark, moist and foggy weather. The two had ran to the front of the boat, Alec laughing giddily, Magnus giving him a deep hearted laugh and a sweet kiss as the adorable couple looked out upon the water.
Clary stood a bit back from them, taking in the familiar Pacific Northwest feel. It hadn't been that long, but if Clary had learned anything, London really change a person, for better or worse.
"Jace!" Aline's voice cut through the fog, both Clary and Jace whipping their heads towards Aline, the women approaching Jace and pulling him inside, lecturing him about some random thing, Jace looking disappointed. Clary felt bad, but not bad enough to get into it with Aline.
She turned back out to towards the water, the strong wind whipping her loose hair around her face. The mountains could barely be made out, the fog covering the bodies, the only parts visible the tips. Clary rested her elbows on the bar, bending slightly, laying her head on her hands.
A memory hit her, of her and her mom on the ferry once, traveling back from a trip to Washington in the United States, since it was right across the border. It had been a clear summer day, and Clary had been eight or nine. Her mother had pointed all the mountains and landmarks out, naming all of them and making up random stories about islands they passed. Luke had stayed at home, doing some business with work, and it had been just Clary and her mom for once.
Her mom had picked her up suddenly, spinning her around on the front deck of the ferry, Clary giggling and grinning in return. Her mom had pulled her close, telling her how the whole world was full of life and love and it was all there for Clary to explore.
A tear slipped down Clary's cheek, and she looked down at where it hit the rail. She blinked, not even realizing tears had started pooling in her eyes. She closed her head off from the inside, hoping no one could see her crying, but not attempting to stop the tears.
She was so worried. She didn't know what the hell was happening with her mum, and what Sebastian could be doing to her. Her mind kept searching, deeper into her vivid imagination, major worst case scenarios forming inside her head, her mind going to the most violent ideals.
She shook her head, trying to stop her mind from devouring her emotional center whole.
A spray hit her from the water, and she decided it was about time to go inside. The tears had slowed down, and she wiped her cheeks with her sleeve, heading inside to sit down, when her phone beeped loudly, causing her to jump.
She pulled her phone out while shoving the doors inside, absentmindedly typing in her password and heading towards where she spotted Aline attacking Jace, still. Almost laughing at Aline's determination, she looked down at her phone, the smile steering clear off her face.
I see you're in Canada with us now little sister. Welcome home. Mommy's clock is ticking.
Clary's heart stopped beating, the message causing her to scamper over to the Aline and Jace argument and the Maia and Isabelle makeout fest a few seats away.
She reached Jace and Aline, and, unable to form words, shoved her phone into Aline's face and collapsed on the bench next to Jace, naturally resting her head against Jace's shoulder, still shaking.
"Go get Alec and Magnus." Clary heard Aline direct Isabelle and Maia, seeing their pairs of feet run across the ground. Clary closed her eyes for a few seconds, breathing in a deep breath, trying to calm herself and stop her shaking.
Jace raised his arm up around her shoulder, softly rubbing her shoulder and back. Clary opened her eyes, Aline looking between the message and Jace's arm around Clary's shoulder. Jace looked to Clary, squeezing her shoulder, probably in an attempt of moral support.
Clary sighed, resting her head against his shoulder just as the phone beeped again and Aline gasped.