Well everybody, here's chapter five! I hope you like it and all of that jibber jabber!

"You do this, Clarissa, and I won't have to punish you." Called out Valentine's voice. I stood on the top floor of a house, looking out the little window that sat just in my eye sight. I wasn't sure what house it was, or where it was, or who it belonged to, if anybody, but I was sure of one thing… my dad was making me do another one of his 'jobs'. This one seemed so evil and mean and all wrong, I couldn't even handle holding it. A sleek, black, gleaming piece of hard steal.

A gun.

A gun meant for killing.

A gun meant for destruction.

A gun meant for unfairness and war.

A gun I had to shoot at a father and mother of two little children as they all traveled past this house, looking for the lake that was just across the street.

I was going to me a murderer tonight. Yet, another one in yet another city, town, and state.

Another place to cross off my, 'Places I will never return to because I've killed someone' list. I heaved a sigh. I wasn't ready for this, just at the mere age of 11… me, artistic, shy, and small and petite Clary Morgenstern is a killer ate age 11.

"Clarissa! You do this know this instant before they leave! Do it! Shoot, shoot! Fire the gun know!" Valentines enraged yells erupted. I heard him take a step closer to me, then, a big crack sounded and a searing pain went throughout my cheek. I winced as I jolted back and my eyes opened wide. There, in front of me was Valentine and his face wasn't one of loving and caring most father's had towards there daughters; no, this look was one of peer anger and dislike. He had never loved me. Never. No one does. Not Jonathan. Not my mother. She made that quite clear when she walked out on me and the rest of the family when I was young. I don't remember anything about her.

"Clarissa! Shoot already, you worthless piece of crap!" I moved out of instinct, knowing another hit was about to come if I didn't obey my father. I moved up to the open window, and looked out. The couple with their two little kids where all walking across the street as promised. The couple where holding one of the little kids hands and the two little kids who looked like a twin brother and sister where laughing and giggling in-between there mother and father, their hands joined. They were so young and carless. I couldn't bear to think what I was about to do… I was about to destroy their worlds. I was about to kill there parents. They would be put in foster care, and then, from there, they would always remember the day I killed their parents…

I pulled the gun up and aimed it out the window.

I closed my eyes.

I took in a deep breath.

I squeezed my lips together with my teeth.

I muffled my whimpers.

A tear slipped out my eye.

My hands started to shake…

I shot.

One shot.

Two shot.

Screaming…

I released my breath and fell to the ground on my knees, pulling my head to my legs and folding into myself. I dropped the gun and it landed with a bang. It was over.

"Mommy! Daddy!" I heard the little kids scream.

My body shook with sobs as I folded into myself. I heard Valentine walking towards me. I felt his big hand go around my tinny wrist, and (not carefully at all,) yanked me up. I was forced to look at him in the eye.

"Clarissa Adele Morgenstern, Shadowhunter's like yourself don't cry over a death or two. Shadowhunter's don't ever show weakness. They don't back down from a fight, and they most certainly don't disobey me." Valentine then yanked on my wrist and had my flying across the room. I landed on the other side of the room with a helpless scream.

I blacked out from the overwhelming pain and grief.

"Clary! Clary, come one, wake up! Clary!" Someone was shaking my shoulder. I let out a whimper, wondering if Valentine was trying to wake me up to shoot someone ells. "Clary! Would you wake up?" The yelling came again. Something was off about it. It sounded younger, but concerned… nothing like my father's stern and hateful tone. What was going on?

"Clary, please, open your eyes. What's wrong?" No, this wasn't someone ruthful and evil like my father or brother. This was someone ells. Nice, caring, and concerned. I knew this voice though. I've heard it, not much, but I've heard this voice at least once. Not too long ago. It might even have been today…

Jace.

It was Jace. He was here. He was trying to wake me up. Why was he here with me?

I passed out from blood loss. The cut. He re-opened the cut and it bled until I fell, and he caught me. Did he know? The last seconds where hazy when I was in Jace's arms, but I remember I said something…

I bolted up from the bed I was laying in and looked up to see Jace, kneeling right there, next to the bed. His face was one of concern and… protectiveness? No, that couldn't be. It isn't. I know it isn't. From what I've see of Jace, he never shows that he cares about anyone. I was already surprised that he would carry me to his house when I passed out, but that was just because all people have to have some sort of heart, right? Even how small or big, there would always be some sort of goodness, right?

I pushed myself up against the wall, brining my legs to my chest and arms around them. I felt my body shaking badly, but there was nothing that I could do to stop it. I looked at Jace and saw that his eyes had grew wide and his mouth was hanging open. No other then the emotion of shock was on his face.

"Clary, I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to help you." Jace said. He had his hands up in front of him, palms flat out. Even then, I was still at a loss for words. I was stuck. I didn't know what to do. I had just told Jace that my father beats me, and know I'm in his house, and in his bed…

I could only proses a little bit of it. But I got enough to know I was in big trouble.

"Please, j-just take m-me home…" I pleaded with him. Jace closed and re-opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, but didn't know how to start it off, but finally, he spoke up.

"Clary…what about your father? I can't take you back there. I-I can't let them hurt you." The last part, Jace said in almost a whisper, like he was muttering to himself. But I very well heard it. I was in shock very much like he was a second ago.

"Jace…" I said, almost cautiously. Why was he acting like this? From the one day of little rumors I've heard around the school, I've heard that Jace is the bad boy, stealing heart and breaking it, type of person, but, from this, he was showing a complete opposite side; a side that cares and loves and protects. Why was he showing these emotions towards me? Why was I so different? The only thing people can count be out on with being the same is the number of people they've killed. They would never reach the amount I have achieved un-happily.

"No… J-Jace, I can't. You don't understand. I-If I'm not home… What time is it!?" I nearly screamed out. My eyes widening as more fear came upon my head. Was I too late to be back before my father and brother notices?

Jace quickly snapped to action, checking the alarm clock that sat on the night stand next to his bed, or what I was guessing as his bed. He seemed alarmed when he turned back to me, like the time slipped away from him as well.

No, no, no, no… what was I going to do?!

"Clary, it's 9:41." Silence took its toll upon us. I sat there, frozen, unable to more. Paralyzed. The worst punishments going through my mind that I was sure to expect when I get home. Jace, kneeled on the floor, his eyes wide and his hands absentmindedly going through his fair hair locks. He was the first one to re-group.

I watched fearfully as Jace stood. He stood there, his gold eyes locking onto my green eyes. Seriousness poured out from his eyes. He wasn't playing around. I didn't know much about Jace, not even his last name, but, in that one moment, I figured something out about him. When Jace put his mind to something, there was no talking him out of it. He would run in head first without a harness to catch him if he were to fail. He wouldn't think about that, he wouldn't think about what would happen if he didn't succeed. No. He expected nothing but accidence.

He was putting his mind to something at this very moment, and I don't think I like it one bit.

"Clary, I'll be right back. Don't leave. I'll help you more when I get back. We'll get this whole thing sorted out, I promise." Jace said warily, like he was afraid that something would happen to me if he didn't word everything perfectly. What was that about?

"What are you going to do?" I asked. He knew my secret. I was on awareness. No one could know about this. No one. No living soul. It's just bad luck that Jace just happened to be my hero of the day, and then he's awarded with the secret that my father abuses me and that I even pass out from it in actions, like I did right in front of him… I needed to know what his motives were at this very moment. It very well could mean where I'll be living till I'm an adult.

"Nothing important. I'm just going to see where the Lightwoods are home or not. That's something I need to know. I don't want anyone of them popping in." Jace answered. Yet, his eyes held, never moving from my eyes, I saw the way he bobbed his leg up and down. He was lying. I was almost an expert on knowing when people were faking, and this was one of the reactions. He wasn't going to see if the Lightwoods were here, I was almost positive that I knew what he was thinking. I hope I was wrong. I wouldn't know how to stop him. We had just met, I don't know his weaknesses. I was left without anything to go with. I was standing naked here. I had no shield. I had to think of something quick if Jace was about to tell someone about my father.

I looked Jace square in the eyes, forgetting my nervousness for a minute. I had to convince him not to tell them. I unfolded my hands from around my lags and placed them on my lap. I was determined not to act scarred like I was at the moment. I was determined to show him I had strength and courage to step up to him.

"Jace, please, you need to listen to me." This was it. I hope he would follow through with what I say. "If-if you were to tell your parents about…this…they will call the cops, or someone. That can't happen…. If the cops find out about this, he would sure be taken to jail… and Jonathan…. I don't know what will happen to him. And me. " Realization came onto Jace's face. He got what I was going at. He finished for me.

"You would be taken to foster care." He released a sigh I hadn't relies he was holding. He knew that this wasn't a good idea. I would be taken there, and who knows where I would be sent off to. Maybe I won't even ever be adopted if that were to happen. I've read in books and saw on T.V. shows that most teenagers aren't adopted because they are already grown up. I would be stuck there till I turn 18.

"Please, could you not tell anyone? Can you keep this a secret?" I pleaded. Jace hesitated. He crossed his arms across his broad and well-built chest and looked down at the floor. I prepared myself for his next words.

"Clary… I-I can't. What is Valentine going to do when you get back home? You were probably supposed to be back at a certain time, and know you've passed it. I-I can't have him hurt you. He's already a ruthless killer. It sickens me the things he's done. I could never love anything like him. He's a monster." It was like a slap across my face. I flinched back, my head nearly slamming into the wall. I had a eager to curl back into a ball and block the world out. Even Jace thought the things I do were sickening. He would never help me or show protectiveness like he is know if he knew what I've done. I'm nothing but evilness. I'm not an innocent little girl that other people think I am.

Jace's eyes never left the floor.

"Please, Clary. Let me tell someone. You can't go on living like this." Jace pleaded. His eyes moved from the floor to my eyes. My head instantly went side to side. No, I wouldn't let him do this.

"No, Jace. No…you can't. It's best if we tell no one. I-I'll be out the house in a couple of years. While I'm there, I could try to get some sense into them. It's the only option I see." As I uttered the words, I wanted to laugh at it. I knew I could never knock some well needed sense into Valentine and Jonathan. There was too much evil in them to do them any good.

Jace snorted. He was laughing at me?

"No, that's not your only option. Axially, that's the dumb and idiotic decision. The one I'm talking about is short and sweet. I go tell the Lightwoods, we go ahead and call up the Clave and then in less than 24 hours, Valentine and Jonathan will be in the jails in the Silent City." I could have passed out at the moment from shock.

"Y-you're a… Shadowhunter?" There was no way he could be.

"Yep. I thought you already knew that." Jace shrugged it off like it was nothing. It wasn't for me!

"B-but..." I started, almost to myself. "Valentine made sure there wasn't any Shadowhunters going to the school…. How could he be wrong?" I've never before thought the Valentine Morgenstern could do anything wrong. He's never done anything wrong in front of me, though. I was truly shocked.

"Well, I guess this is the moment you figure out Valentine isn't all that smart and clever. Axially, in other people's eyes, he's an idiot." That took me back. This was quite some knew news for me. I almost forgot about our latter subject. Jace knew when to bring topics back at the perfect time, though.

"Clary, us Nephlim have been searching the globe for Valentine, and know that we've found him. No, scratch that. Know that I've found him;" Jace had the nerve to crack a smile. "I need to report him to the Clave so they can lock him up. He's a cold bloody killer and we don't know what he's planning." Jace wasn't going to back down. I will need quite some courage to back him out of this mess. I needed to say this. It was the only thing I could think of to say.

"Jace, you don't understand. If the Clave put Valentine into the Silent City's jails, he's very likely able to escape. He's very clever, unlike what you think. I bet he could figure a way out of there, and when he does…." I drew in a intake of breath ever when thinking about it. "He will come for me. He would know I'm the one who turned him in and… he very well might have the nerve to kill me…" I knew I spoke the truth, not a pleasant one, but one Jace needed to relies. I needed him to release the extant of this.

Jace had frozen in his spot.

"No, there's no way anyone could escape those jails. You will be safe once he's gone, trust me." Jace was so sure of himself. He thought nothing could go wrong…but things can. I've seen it before. The one time the other Shadowhunter's had found Valentine, Jonathan and me. They had come, fully armed with swords runes on. There had to be around a thousand there, they came in for the attack, but Valentine and Jonathan had killed the first hundred, when a shadow fell upon them all. They had come. The demons. Valentine had summoned the demons with a quick press f a button, and they were there in no time, killing almost all the Shadowhunter's who dared to come until the rest backed out and ran away. I had been hidden in the living room at the time. I was only six years old and terrified. I hid under the couch crying, scared to death.

I felt the tears brush up against the back of my eyes. I still couldn't think about that day without carrying. I felt pathetic and scarred. I brought my knees back up and wrapped my arms around them. I had no more courage. Jace seemed to be shocked and concerned by my recently made moves.

"Clary," Jace said in a sweet and gentle voice. It made the tears about to overflow. No one has ever showed genteelness towards me. "Are you quite alright? You look pale. Is your cut bothering you?" Jace asked with concern. I shook my head. I hadn't felt the slightest bit of pain from my arm since I woke up. I looked down at my right arms and when I did, I saw nothing. I looked back up at Jace.

"You knew I was a Shadowhunter from the start? You used an Iratze?" Jace nodded.

"I recognized you when you came to school. All the Shadowhunter's know what the Morgenstern family looks like. We've all been looking out for you guys since The Uprising." Jace clarified. I nodded. I looked up at Jace when he sighed.

"I'm going to tell them know. I promise you everything is going to be fine. Just, please trust me." Jace said. I knew I should, but I couldn't let them take Valentine in. He could escape, and then he would come after me. I'm not sure what Jonathan would do, but nothing good, I knew.

I thought in a second. I did and started my plan a second later.

I leaned my head back against the wall and pretended to be tired. It wasn't that hard. It was finally catching up to me.

"Jace… can I just rest first, for the night? If you tell them know, they would be asking all types of questions, and I'm tired." I said. I watched as Jace weighed his options. He finally sighed.

"Ok, fine. I'll let you sleep here. I'll sleep on the ground. But," Jace stated sternly. "I am going to tell them in the morning. Valentine's going to be looking for you soon, and we can't have that. It's better for him to be locked up in the Silent City sooner than later." I nodded. I was fine with that. I knew exactly what I was going to do; I just had to wait for the right moment. All this could be avoided.

"Thank you, Jace." I was, truly happy. I was tired, and I hoped I would be able to slip in a couple of hours of sleep before the main part of my plan takes action. I knew I would be in for it once I return home, but I could deal with it, couldn't I? I've been through beatings before. I knew what his motives were.

Flashes of what he had done when we first moved here popped into my mind. I wanted to erase them forever. I wanted to get the memories away from me, but I couldn't.

I didn't know all his motives. He still had tricks up his sleeve; he's just waiting for the perfect time to unleash them. I was utterly terrified.

I looked up as Jace moved closer to. He sat down on the bed and reached his hand out. He brushed my check with a thumb gently.

"Clary, why are you crying? Are you ok? Please tell me." Jace said. He wiped my other check with his thumb. It was suck a carrying jester that I couldn't help the next couple of tears that I let slip. I didn't have any control over it. I wanted to push Jace back, tell him that I was fine, but I wasn't. I was no were close to fine, and I needed help.

"Jace… I'm scarred at what Valentine would do if he gets his hands on me." I squeaked out. The real sobs came. I couldn't help it, though. I buried my head in my legs. I was embarrassed that Jace was seeing me like this. I felt strong arms envelop me in a hug. Despite myself, I sank into it. I rested my head against his shoulder as he held my head there with his hand.

"Shhh, Clary, it's alright. Shhh, I'm here." Jace continued to whisper soothing things into my ear. I don't know why, but I soothed me. I liked the thought that someone was out there looking out for me. That I axially had someone in this world who cared. I was glad Jace found me. I was glad he was my night and shining armor today. I was glad I am able to be here with him at the moment…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Jace's POV*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I gently pulled the comforter over Clary's small and frail body.

I watched as Clary breathed in and out, reassuring me that she was ok. I wasn't completely sure, but this gave me some sort of comfort. I only wish I could get Valentine out of her life sooner.

No one deserved such faith. Living with a man who abuses you all your life and wants to take over the Nephlim world is sure a new type of evil, and no one, especially Clary, deserves it.

Clary stirred and turned around so she was facing the wall. As she turned, her sleeve of her shirt was pulled down. At first, I thought it looked like normal skin. Flawless, but, that's when I looked closer. Her shoulder was dotted with old and new bruises; old and new cuts. I sucked in a breath. Most of the scars didn't look too old; they must have been about a week old.

Anger boiled inside of me, making me want to hunt down Valentine this very instant and call the Clave on him; or, better yet, give him his own beating then I'll let the Clave have the honors of locking him in the jails of the Silent City.

I slowly shook my head. I didn't believe it. Just today, I was fallowing her at school, thinking she's the bad guy; that she was just like her ruthless father. But, no. She was nothing like that. She wasn't like that at all. There is no way she could be faking any of this, right? She couldn't have faked the cut, the bleeding…passing out. I knew it was all real. She needed help, help that Clary didn't think there was. She thought there nothing that could help her, but there is. I'm here.

I thought about what I was going to do tomorrow. When Clary waked up, I will go and tell Robert and Maryse about this all. I will tell her that I've found Valentine and Jonathan Morgenstern and that Clary needs help. We'll call up the Clave, and they will take care of the rest of it. We will get Valentine in the jails of the Silent City, and, we could probably talk the Council in letting Clary stay with us. She is a Shadowhunter, and we do take in Shadowhunter's here at the Institute.

It seemed simple enough. I just hoped Clary would be by my side though it all. I couldn't stand if the Clave wouldn't let up keep Clary here. Sure, she's the daughter of a Morgenstern, but that doesn't mean that Clary's like Valentine. They had to understand. I will make them understand. That was an oath I was willing to take on.

I heard the stomping of feet coming up the nearby stairs outside of my bedroom door. I instantly knew who it was, Alec, my Parabatia since little. He was probably were I've been since I got home. I haven't left the room since I brought Clary here, worried sick and just plain confused about who Clary really was.

I needed to make sure no one knew that Clary was here. That would be the end to my plan. I thought fast.

With one last glace at Clary, I hurriedly opened my bedroom door and walked out, closing the door behind me, trying to act as casually as possible, witch, luckily, wasn't that hard for me. I was always good at acting.

I met Alec hallway in the hallway.

As usually, he was decked out in black pants, a black T-shirt, a black leather jacket, and black lace up boots. His black hair was tossed on his head in a weird direction. I had no doubt I knew were Alec had come from.

Magnus's house. Alec's one year steady boyfriend who Robert and Maryse have known about for axially one week. They weren't settling well with the news, as I've heard.

"Jace, have you been in your room this whole time? The day's nearly gone." Alec said, sounding strict, like he didn't approve on my day activities. He always was over protective of me, for one, I didn't know why. Sure, we were close friends, (And practically brothers,) but, I could handle myself. I was almost sure everyone knew that, besides, of course, Alec.

"Mostly. I had a lot of homework today. I decided to get it done this time." I lied smoothly. Alec gave me a questioning look, but nodded.

"Ok, well, see you tomorrow, Jace." I nodded back at him. Alec then turned and headed for his room that was close to mine.

Once Alec was out of sight, I let out a sigh. I was happy that Alec hadn't asked to talk for a little while. I wasn't in the mood for it. I was tired from the long day of meeting Clary, then figuring out about her home life and everything, that left a man exhausted. I was ready to get underneath the covers of my bed and- wait, nope. Scratch that. My bed is being occupied by a Miss Clary Morgenstern… or Fray. I would rather think of her as a Fray. The name Morgenstern was too much tented with bad blood to belong to someone so inanest like Clary. She didn't deserve to be labeled with Valentine and Jonathan.

Finally, I turned around and headed back into the my bedroom. Slowly, I eased the door open and I poked my head into the nearly dark room, with just the lamp on beside the bed. The sun was down and the stars were out. It was getting closer to when I would be able to save Clary from all her troubles.

It still took me into shock how I've become to accustomed on wanting to save Clary.

When I popped my head in, my eyes instantly went to the bed, the crisp white sheets were ruffled and pulled back. My eyes traveled up to the top of the bed and… nothing.

No one was there.

I couldn't find the little red head.

She was nowhere in sight.

Clary had escaped.

My eyes bolted to the window, and sure enough; the window was open and the curtains blew back from the chilly wind.

Clary had escaped right from under my nose and I had no why of contacting her.

Fear struck home. What if Clary had gone back home? What is she was going to risk her father's punishments? What would happen then? When would I see her again.

No, I wouldn't wait till I see her again. I would go out there and find her. I'm not going to let her go back home to her father and brother. I wasn't going to let anyone harm her anymore.

Quickly but quietly, I ran throughout the New York Institute and ran out the door, I then started running into the pitch black night, the only thing that I was thinking of seemed to be written in black sharpie in my mind, never leaving, and it said,

FIND CLARY AND PROTECT HER FROM ANY HARM.

Aaaannnnndddd it's done! I hope you liked that chapter very much and if you did I would appreciate reviews for if there's anything that I could improve on or anything like that. I'm not sure when my next update for chapter six is going to be, but I hope soon. We will be having spring vacation coming up soon and we have a three day weekend. Awesome!

It is official; I am making new 'The Mortal Instruments' fanfiction. Since my new fangirling topic if the very awesome band Coldplay, ( I love Chris Martian!) I am going to make a fanfiction where Clary is in love with Coldplay and all she ever does is listen to Coldplay, but then there's drama going on. I will be posting the first chapter here soon. I already have most of it typed. So, for all you Coldplay fans I hope you enjoy this fanfction. I'm going to be having a lot of song quotes and song lyrics in here so I hope you love it!

Till next time,

~love38999~