Scarred for Life

Chapter 24

Please put down your pitchforks and let me explain myself! I know that's it's been over two weeks since I've updated, and I apologize profusely!

I have been under SO much stress lately. School's wrapping up which means EOC's. :( We are on block scheduling and it's actually kind of incredible how much homework they give us!

Now that I've updated and you've (hopefully) put down all your sharp weapons, enjoy this new chapter!

P.S: Sorry this chapter is so short! I promise that there is a VERY good reason for this. You will know the reason why after you read it :)

Clary P.O.V

I walked up the front steps, and paused. Everything about Luke's farmhouse still looked the same. The same blue, wooden house, the same red shutters, and the same wrap-around porch. The smell of farm animals' still lingered in the air, even though the pastures hadn't been used in years. Everything about my home was still the same, but I was different.

I knocked on Luke's door. I only had to wait a moment before the door was flung open with such force that it hit the wall behind it with a loud thunk. Luke took me into his arms before I could even get a good look at him. "Oh thank the Angel you're home, Clare-Bear. I was so worried about you!" He pulled away and held me at arm's length. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, Luke. I could ask you the same question."

It was true, Luke looked terrible. In the three months I had been gone; his hair had grown out and hung around the middle of his neck. It hung greasy and limp. His scholar glasses were askew and his clothes were incredibly dirty. Luke smelled of take-out, dirt, and sweat. I don't think he had taken a shower since I left.

Luke ran his fingers through his hair, looked at his hand, grimaced, and wiped his hands on his jeans. "It's been hard, Clary. You have no idea how worried I've been! I didn't know what was happening to you. I wasn't there to protect you."

"Luke, you took me in when I was in trouble. Valentine may be my father, but as far as I'm concerned, you're my dad."

Luke smiled, all traces of sadness gone. "Thanks Clary, I needed that. Why don't you go put your stuff up in your room and I'll clean up. Do you want pizza for dinner?" I nodded and he went to call the pizza guy.

I walked up to my room and set my bag on my dresser. I laid down on my bed and sighed. I'm back with Luke. I can forget everything that has happened over the last three months and things can go back to normal. I know I'm being stupid. Things can't go back to normal. Simon's acting crazy, and your families out of prison, waging war on the Clave.

Plus, do I even want to forget? No, I don't. I don't want to forget Izzy, Magnus, or Max. Hell, I'll even miss Alec, even though he was kind of a jerk. I'll miss Maryse and her amazing cooking skills.

And I could never forget Jace.

"Clary! Pizza's here."

I shot up, surprised and yelled back. "Ok, I'll be down in a second." I jumped up and ran down the stairs, intent on getting my mind off of him.

.o.O.o.

"So… Where's Simon?" I looked up from my untouched plate of food to find Luke staring at me, eyebrows raised in question.

"It's kind of hard to explain. Things just got a little crazy and he decided to stay in New York." I knew it was a lie, and I think Luke did too. I remember Luke telling me, years ago, 'That boy will follow you to the ends of the Earth.' It was when we were in the middle of one of our only fights. Believe it or not, it was about what our favorite anime comics were.

I knew the normal Simon wouldn't have snapped like he did. He was always calm, and definitely rational. I had a theory about what happened, but I didn't want it to be right.

The rest of dinner was spent making small talk, neither of us wanting to re-open old wounds. He didn't ask about life at the Institute, and I was in no mood to share. Besides the thick, heavy tension hanging in the air, it seemed just like old times.

We cleared the dishes off the table I hugged Luke goodnight. I walked into my room, changed into my pajamas, and quickly crawled into bed and fell asleep.

.o.O.o.

I faintly remember hearing the front door opening. The squeak of the hinges piercing through the sound of silence that hung around the entire house. I should have been more worried, but I just thought it was Luke going out to howl at the moon, or whatever it was werewolves did.

I should have jumped out of bed, grabbed my dagger and stele, ran downstairs, and investigated.

But I didn't.

Instead I just rolled over and fell back asleep, forgetting everything the moment my eyes closed.

Until I heard the scream.

There's a reason I made it so short. ;) I know that this is a cliffy of epic proportions, but I couldn't resist! No one ever said I was nice. I promise that I will update by next Sunday! If I don't, I give you permission to come hunt me down with all your scary weapons!

This chapter is dedicated to tealshoelaces. Go to her profile and check out her new story! It's great!

See you soon,

ByTheAngel99