AN: Hey guys, new chapter. Short, but important. Enjoy!

Hello: Yes, of course! Here you go!

Meeeeeee: Haha, don't worry, I won't forget about Clace! Just spending a bit of time on the Malec subplot. Yup, I saw the movie. I absolutely hated it. It was NOTHING like the book. Why were all the Shadowhunters British? In the books, they just had the accents of their country of origin. And, even though I liked some of the actors in other things, the acting was pretty bad. And Lily Collins looks nothing like Clary! She doesn't have green eyes or red hair! Okay, I'll stop ranting now.

Emma. 221: Nope, not out of line at all! Thanks for the feedback! I can see what you're saying. Just thought I'd give them a few peaceful moments. Hmm, I don't think you'll be too bored after this chapter though!

Shailene: Oh my gosh thank you but please don't stay up until three am! School is important, and the update will still be there when you get home! Once again, thank you though!

Disclaimer: No, I haven't recently gained the rights to The Mortal Instruments. I don't think I'll gain them sometime soon, either.

I was awoken by a flash of white, almost like hair, and the floor rapidly creaking. Not really registering, which was honestly pretty stupid, I assumed it had been the last drops of some strange dream.

I pulled on my jeans, getting ready for the day as usual. Strangely, something that felt a bit like paper was scratching against my ankle. I shook my leg a bit before going in to pull whatever it was out. It was a handwritten note, something that looked like it had bee scrawled out quickly, desperately, judging by the quality of the handwriting.

"Um, what the hell?" I whispered to myself.

I obviously hadn't written it, and it wasn't Simon's handwriting. I wondered if Isabelle had put it there when she came over, since I hadn't worn the jeans in a few days. It also could've been Jace, maybe while I was getting ready the day before for our date. But, and this might sound weird, it didn't... Feel like those people. I knew my friends well, and the handwriting didn't look like their personalities. Also, if they had something important to say they probably would have just texted me or something. Forgetting about handwriting or who could've written it, I took a step back and read it.

A little birdy gave me a key. Maybe you shouldn't trust all of your friends so much, dear Clarissa. I'll see you soon.

I ripped it up as a reflex, already starting to freak out. Then I scolded myself. Evidence, it was evidence. A sarcastic voice spoke in my head. "Well, it's not really evidence now, is it? You just made sure of that. Nice job, Clary." I figured I should look for my phone. If he could get into my apartment now, then I couldn't stay. I needed to go to a friend's house or something. But, he said someone close to me had 'given him a key.' As always, mind jumped to conclusions. Jace came around the time Sebastian started bothering me, my mind rationalized. And wasn't it a bit strange that he was so willing to help someone he didn't like, someone he barely knew, someone who had been pretty rude to him? Then I said some not very nice words to myself. I'd have to learn to trust him, a relationship wouldn't work with no trust. Going to someone's house wasn't the safest thing either, then.

A public place maybe? But it's not like I could sleep in the library, and people would probably question me just sitting randomly in the movies for hours at a time. Out of options, I walked out of the apartment. At least New York was busy. I cringed as I thought it, but at least there were some witnesses if need be. It was a lot harder to attack someone in broad daylight than it was to go into an empty apartment that you know how to get into and attack someone. It wasn't much of a plan, but it was something.

Knowing my friends would at least need to know where I was, I made a quick group message with nothing but a picture of the note. I was freaking out, thinking too unclearly to explain coherently, and they would know what it meant, who it was from. I immediately received a flurry of responses.

Magnus: WHAT THE HECK? STAY RIGHT THERE! I'LL BE THERE IN FIVE MINUTES!

Isabelle: SERIOUSLY? HOW DID HE GET THAT TO YOU? GET OUT OF THERE RIGHT NOW! GO SOMEWHERE FILLED WITH PEOPLE!

Simon: I LITERALLY WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE FOR HALF AN HOUR AND THIS HAPPENS? I AM KICKING THAT IDIOT INTO NEXT YEAR WHEN I GET HOME!

Jace: OH MY GOD. DITTO WHAT RAT FACE SAID ABOVE! DON'T WORRY, IT'LL BE OKAY. THIS WILL BE OVER SOON. VERY SOON.

Alec: Erm, what's that? Who's it from? Why is everyone so upset? Why am I even in this group message? Is everything okay?

Despite the situation, I laughed at the responses and how protective they all were. Despite my instincts, I decided to stay in the apartment for a few more minutes. It seemed I had my own personal army charging towards me, prepared for an all out war. I had to admit, I had great friends. They knew how to make me feel better without even giving it any effort.

My heart was still beating fast and hard, but not enough to fall out of my chest. My breaths were still too fast, but certainly not enough to make me pass out from a lack of oxygen.

After finally calming down a bit, I heard a not so gentle banging on the window. Once again my eyes registered a sickeningly light hair color, and eyes so dark they were the exact opposite. I immediately started running out of the room, but he grabbed my arm and quickly forced a shot into my vein.

"Nuh uh uh, not so fast. I think I'll have a bit of fun with you first." he said, flashing his annoyingly bright white teeth. As they had when I had gone through the kidney transplant surgery, I was enveloped in gold instead of black as I faded away into a place where I could stay until I had to face reality, until I had to face the nightmare that I was going through.