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Chapter 3 - The Institute
The drive wasn't long, but it was too long to spend in silence. The voice in my head wouldn't let go. It just kept saying all of the terrible things I knew I shouldn't be thinking, but I just couldn't stop it. By the time we pulled up on the curb outside the large gothic cathedral, I was on the brink of madness. I had to get inside, to prove that voice wrong. They would be inside waiting for me, I just knew it. I ripped open my bag, searching for the envelope with the rest of the money inside. "You sure this is the right place?" The driver spun round to grab the money. "It looks kind of old, and abandoned."
"I'm sure thanks." I said, springing out of the door and running as fast as I could across the road. The voice in my head was getting louder and louder, the closer I got. 'They're not here stupid. It's already too late for them.' I crashed into the giant wooden door, hammering with my fists as hard as I could. I needed to get inside. Now. Seeing a doorbell out of the corner of my eye, I pounced on it, violently pushing the button whilst still pounding on the door with my free fist. "Please! Someone open the door! Please! Help me!" Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision. I remembered there was something I could say that could say that would open the door to any Shadowhunter that meant no harm. What were the words? It was like I was incapable of forming proper thoughts. I was just getting trickles of information, words and phrases in no particular order, that didn't make any real sense. "Erm…by the Angel…my quest…please…" I stuttered, doing the best I could to form a coherent sentence. The door clicked open and I fell to the floor. "Thank you!" I sobbed, pulling myself upright. I spotted an elevator across the hall, and scrambled towards it, tapping the button frantically. As soon as I saw the doors crack open, I ran through the gap and ploughed straight into someone. I knocked them against the back wall of the elevator, whilst I fell forwards, crashing to the floor, for the second time in about thirty seconds. I heard what sounded like an annoyed groan, as I wiped away my tears and tried to pick myself up. "It's way too early for this." I heard his voice before I saw his face. He definitely did not sound happy.
"Please. Are they here?" I couldn't keep the desperation out of my voice.
"Wait, who are they? And who are you? How did you get in?" I raked my hands through my hair as I stared impatiently up at the boy. He looked about my age, with a golden halo of hair, and a set of sleepy golden eyes to match.
"Erm…I'm a Shadowhunter. My parents, are they here? Elizabeth and Michael Wynncroft. Are … are they here?" The boy just stared at me, like he couldn't quite work out if I was serious or not. He opened his mouth, like he was about to make some smart comment, but then decided against it.
"It's half 4 in the morning. Just slow down a bit." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. A sound escaped my throat that sounded halfway between a growl and a sob.
"I really don't have time for this. Can you take me to Hodge? He's here right? Hodge?" I lurched forwards pressing the button to take us up.
"Did you even shut the door?" He stared sideways at me. All the fear and sadness that had been brewing inside me for the last few hours just seemed to explode out of me in the form of anger.
"No! No I did not. But when I'm with Hodge, feel free to go back down and close it yourself." I snarled through gritted teeth. I saw him raise his eyebrows in shock, but at least he had the sense to say nothing. The doors opened to reveal an array of sleepy eyed people. "Excuse me," I tried my best to keep the edge out of my voice, "is one of you Hodge?" I fixed my gaze on the burly man with dark hair who was stood with his arm around a young, dark-haired boy. He shook his head, just as a man with grey-streaked hair pushed his way to the front of the crowd.
"That would be me, I'm afraid." He stepped forwards, a hint of confusion in his voice. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"My parents, are they here?" I stood, frozen in place, not really sure whether I wanted to know the answer or not.
"I'm sorry my dear, but I don't know who you're talking about. The only people here at the Institute are those you see around you." I felt my legs tremble and give out from underneath me. I fell to my knees, unable to stop myself. All I could say was "no", over and over again, mumbling it under my breath. This couldn't be happening. Where are they? They should be here. What do I do now? Around me was a flurry of panic, but all I could see were blurred figures rushing around in what felt like slow motion. Someone was in front of me, their face close to mine, trying to get my attention, but I couldn't focus. The only thing occupying my attention was the voice in my head. Its taunts and laughter quickly changed into screams of terror. 'This must be what madness is like.' I remember thinking squeezing my eyes shut and screaming myself. Tears burned their way down my face. I balled my hands into fists and crushed them against my ears, wanting the screaming to stop - my own screams adding to those of my parents. I felt my arms being prised away from my head and dragged to my sides, which only made me scream harder. I twisted my body, trying to escape my restraints but I could feel myself running out of energy, going light-headed and dizzy. My screams lapsed into panting for breath. My head lolled forwards, my neck unable to support it. A pair of cool hands cupped my face, tilting it so it came nose to nose with their own. A pair of concerned golden eyes met my own, but only for a second before my eyes fluttered shut and I drifted into unconsciousness.