I'd love you if I could
Chapter 9-Her story
A/N: This chapter was short, but I had a HUGE writer's block. But paragraph by paragraph, I managed to write a whole chapter. Jace isn't in this chapter (he'll definetely be in the next), but read this chapter anyway because it is CRUCIAL! If you don't, you won't get the story. The flashbacks might be a little confusing, but it's part of the , it's Jace and Isabelle in the present talking, then Isabelle Flashes back, to when Clary and her were talking, which is when Clary flashes back. Sorta confusing :/ But...anyway Enjoy!
"When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure."
Clary and Jace were so caught up in the moment of their little "fight" , they didn't notice Isabelle watching, silently, by their side.
Isabelle exited the training room, glancing down at her watch, perfect timing, she thought to herself. Belle should be asleep by now.
Jace was sitting on the edge of his bed, head in his hands, when Isabelle came in.
"Hey," She said.
Without even looking up, Jace said,"When did you start barging in my room?"
"Jace-"
"Izzy, I know what you're gonna all that crap about talking to Clary," he said.
"I'm just saying that you should talk to her, give her a chance." Isabelle said trying not to press too much on the topic.
"But do I have to remind you again, that she left us with no explanation whatsoever?"He whined, but he couldn't help it. It was the truth. The one thing that he held onto for all these years. He lifted his head. Isabelle could see his pained expression and almost walked out the room and end the conversation right there. But he needed to hear this, and she made a promise.
*Flashback*
After the party
Isabelle caught up to Clary, as she ran out of the party.
"Clary, where are you going?"
"Anywhere, just away from her, I can't just stand around and watch them together." Clary shook her head.
"What happened back there?" Isabelle questioned.
"It's nothing," Clary said, resisting the urge to just run. Run from everything. Run from Jace. But she couldn't do that to Belle.
"Clary, I know it's not nothing, can we please talk? She said in a softer tone,"At the institute." Clary winced at the thought that he might be there.
"Don't worry, he needs to clean up at the party," Isabelle said, trying to sound reassuring. Clary reluctantly nodded, as Isabelle looked at her with giant, pleading eyes.
Later...
in isabelle's room
"What did you want to talk about?" Clary asked, trying to remain nonchalant, but really, her heart was racing at the possibility of Jace in the next room.
"Why did u leave?" she said with a stern expression.
"Cutting to the chase, aren't we?" Clary said, managing a slight laugh and an indifferent expression.
"Please Clary"
"I left because I wanted to." Clary replied untruthfully.
"That's not true, I know it. If it was, you wouldn't have come back." Isabelle retorted."Don't try to back out of this, or I'm not helping you get Jace back."
"I never told you to help me," Clary whisper-yelled, being defensive. Isabelle gave her a look.
"Why the hell are you whispering?"
"Because, J-he might be there." She replied.
"You still care about him."
"Fine..."
*Flashback in a Flashback*
Clary walked through the busy New York streets, pushing through throngs of people. She had just visited Simon, both of them playing COD, which Clary had proudly won. Her phone buzzed in her back pocket. The screen flashed and three words appeared.
One new message
Jace: Belle woke up, what do i do?
She smiled to herself. Simon, Magnus and herself had finally educated Jace,Isabelle, and Alec on technology. Although Jace had immediately liked cellphones, he didn't understand why mundanes texted instead of just calling. He texted on several occasions though.
She texted back
Clary: Hang on, I'm on my way back to the institute
When she tucked her phone securely back into her pocket, she looked around baffled that the bright sky was replaced by dark, gloomy clouds. Without another thought, she continued down the street to the institute.
The street held a certain sadness and depression. The unusually empty street seemed to pour from her feet, never-ending, flowing through the fog ahead. The lively street, normally filled with street vendors and festive people had dissappeared. Suddenly, a loud muffled sound caught her attention. She gripped her stele, on her belt, hidden from view and cautiously peeked toward the alleyway.
"Anyone here?" She called, the echoes bouncing off the walls.
"Stay away," A raspy voice said, startling Clary, and causing her to take a step back. She could not tell the gender of the voice, much less who it was.
*End of Flashback in a Flashback*
"...so I went back there everyday, and it would tell me the same thing." Clary continued.
"Why would you go back there?" Isabelle asked as if it was the craziest thing in the world.
"I don't know, I guess I had a weird feeling that I had to go back there..."Clary answered, trailing off. "On the 8th day, I went there, but instead of the voice telling me to stay away, I saw a note." Clary shuddered. "It was written in a red ink-like substance, blood."
The note :
LEAVE. OR THE CHILD DIES. YOU HAVE 48 HOURS.
BURN AFTER READING.
"I remember reading the words over and over again, trying to figure out if there was some hidden meaning behind those words." Clary was in the middle of a deep thought when Isabelle broke the silence.
"So you just did what it wanted, packed your bags and left? Why didn't you tell us?" Isabelle was nearly shouted.
"It threatened Belle!" Clary lamely replied. The truth was that she didn't want them to get hurt or cause them any trouble, but Isabelle would never let her live it down. So she clung on to the fact that she was threatened instead.
Isabelle just shook her head and ignored her reply. She put her hand on Clary's shoulder as a comforting gesture. "Don't worry, I'm on your side. I'll help you get Jace back. I promise."
"How?" Clary questioned.
"I don't know, I guess I'll just-" Isabelle was cut off by a knock on the door.