Author's Note:

Hello lovely readers. Thank you for liking this story and reading it, thank you so much to the people who reviewed as well!

Darian: I will be updating as much as possible, hopefully this will be finished! I will let you know, I will be going into my final year of school soon, so when my holidays end in a week or two weeks, my updates will slow completely, once I finish Term 1 updates start again! Sorry about that… I have to focus on school! Thankyou so much for reviewing though!

. : I will be updating as much as I can obviously :D But yes school :( Thanks so much for taking the time to review! Means so much to me!

Stealy10: I've always wanted to be a professional author… maybe one day haha but sometimes I struggle to create original ideas… like my idea is my own but it is super similar to a fav book of mine like Divergent or TMI or Hunger Games… maybe one day!

Shavvy12: This made my freaking day, seriously… been having a rough time recently and you just made me smile so much that my cheeks hurt. There is a lot of pressure with school yes haha so I will do my best… also thankyou, honestly for liking this enough to actually created an account to review this… that means the world to me. Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou! You're so lovely and thankyou seriously from the bottom of my heart!

Chapter 21: Home

"I know you're angry but-" Carla began, her voice had dropped its usual armour of arrogance and superiority, instead it was tainted with her own uneasiness and nervousness. She was sitting on the small ottoman that sat in the corner of Clary's room.

"I want to go home!" Clary hissed at her, she'd woken up a few hours ago and she was feeling exhausted from the ordeal that occurred earlier in the day. Jace hadn't left her side since they'd arrived in this house that Clary still wasn't completely in the dark about. All she know was that it was rather fancy, and they weren't allowed in certain rooms. Not that she'd had any time to explore in the first place.

"Clary, it's okay" Jace soothed into her ear, trailing his fingertips along her arms, as they shared her bed. She was lying in a plush double bed with two luxurious quilt covers to keep her warm, apparently she'd been shivering earlier not that she could remember anything other than the pain. Jace was sitting beside her, Clary's body wedged slightly into his side. Having him just near her warmed her body up, not just with heat but a sense of safety and stability.

"I know you want to go home Clary" Carla attempted for a second time to reason with the young Shadowhunter, but it seemed obvious that she wasn't going to get anywhere quickly. Clary was tired and she'd become rather inpatient.

"No you don't understand. Because you hole up in a dark little street and a dark little house in your dark little life okay? But I need to go home! I want to go home!" Clary begun screaming at the mundane sitting diagonal from her. She knew she was being completely unreasonable, all Carla had done since she'd collapsed in pain was try to help her, but she wasn't thinking straight. It was getting ridiculous and Clary was utterly shattered from this day, and she couldn't think about using her manners at the moment. The only thing saving Carla from Clary's unfiltered anger caused by exhaustion was her husband sitting next to her, whispering sweet things in her ears.

"Believe me, I know what it is like to want to go home" Carla replied quietly, almost inaudible which made Clary feel slightly uneasy. What did Carla mean she knew? She could go home at any moment, home to that unsettling, numberless street with no lights and no words. Odd place to want to live Clary thought. Jace was hugging Clary tightly now, against his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, steady and sure never faltering just a constant thump reminding her that she hadn't lost everything.

"So go home then. You aren't doing anything to help us anymore are you?" Alec spat, surprising everyone in the room with his harshness. He'd been standing at the doorway in the classic not-getting-involved Alec stance, watching the scene unfold without commenting on making a move. Everyone in the room turned to face him, even Clary was surprised, even though he wasn't being any ruder than she had been and he had a point.

"Don't pretend for a second that you have any idea at all what is happening to these women. You're a Shadowhunter, you are not a Silent Brother, or a Underworld Doctor, or an experienced Warlock or any-"

"Well I'm dating one" Alec cut her off sharply, and this was the first time Clary had seen him announce his sexuality in front of someone and not light up in a scarlet blush. He'd gained some confidence and a sense of sureness in himself, and she was glad for it. But Carla did not look slightly phased by this remark and instead scoffed lightly.

"I do not care to hear about your sexual preference Lightwood. What I am saying is I am helping to the best of my abilities. Should you wish to call in Magnus Bane then feel free to, but I am not leaving. You want to go home? As do I. So I suggest you just have some patience!" Carla yelled the last few lines at Alec, and Clary even thought she was a hint of tears well up in her eyes, almost dribbling down her cheeks. But Carla's eyelashes caught them before they could go on show, blinking her emotions away. She had so many questions floating in her head, some onld and some very new. How did this woman know anything about Magnus? Which lead to questions about whether she really was a mundane or something else. But everyone kept telling her 'not to worry' and instead try to focus on getting better. But get better from what?

Alec was silent after this, not daring to open his mouth again to utter another word. The whole room was filled with a thick tension that made Clary think she was about to suffocate. Tension was never her strong point and it seemed like years since she'd woken up and her day had been something even remotely close to easy.

"Fine. We'll call him in" Alec finally spoke, pulling out his mobile phone. Clary remembered the first time she'd taught Alec how to use one considering when she'd first met the group of Shadowhunters and had been brought into their world, they had a severe lack of technological knowledge when it came to mundane technology. He'd looked at the phone like it was a bomb, only touching the buttons lightly with his fingertips and gasping every time it beeped or vibrated. Now he, like all the others used it with ease and Clary wondered how they ever managed to communicate efficiently without them.

She called hear her brothe-in-law murmuring into the phone rapidly but not loudly enough for the rest of the group to hear before pulling the phone away from his ear, staring at them.

"He'll be here in five" Alec said matter-of-factly before turning to look at Carla and instructing her "He'll have a few things that you'll need to get for him, just do it. Also he's the one we're trusting okay?" No one waited for her response, instead Alec left the room and Clary felt Jace begin whispering comforting words into her ear again. Sooner or later Magnus would arrive and Clary knew as soon as he came, she was going to be closer to getting everything sorted out. Magnus was someone she could trust and someone who could help her more than anyone.

- Impulses -

It was surprisingly warm in the parlour of this house considering Alec could see out the window that freezing sheets of rain were still pelting against the building, drenching the whole city in water. Alec felt a twinge of guilt as he realised that Magnus would need to brave the rain to get here. For most people this would come as a discomfort, but for Magnus it would be like walking through hell, his hair soaking in water, his coloured eye-liner dripping down his face. This wasn't something Magnus would be too happy about, and normally Alec wouldn't ask this of him, but the situation was becoming more and more dire as the minutes passed.

Alec was in his own mind, imagining his boyfriend's frustration with the rain when a loud knock on the front door brought him back to reality. Magnus stood, covered in rain on the doorstep with a smirk on his face, "If you wanted to get me wet Alec you could have just asked". He waltzed into the room patting Alec on the shoulder as he did so.

"Magnus that doesn't really… we're both guys you know that right?" Alec asked, his cheeks heating up with a fresh sheet of crimson. Magnus just chuckled quietly.

"Of course, I just thought the pun was too good to let go of. Now where is she?" Magnus' voice turned serious within a matter of seconds, his eyes hardening as soon as he began referring to Clary. Alec knew that Magnus and Clary had this strange relationship that neither of them had ever really asked for, bound together by Jocelyn's decisions earlier in Clary's life. Magnus had grown feelings for Clary, in a brotherly manner of sorts. He'd watched her grow up after all, and only now as her mind was free of its chains Magnus opened up about how painful it was to take such a beautiful young girl's memories from her, locking up her mind and throwing away the key. It was almost an unspoken or unrecognised relationship they had, it existed and they both knew it, relying on each other and caring about one another but it never seemed to flourish to the extent of certain other relationships.

Then again, could Alec really critique the relationship? He himself had rarely made an effort with Clary until he'd realised she was a part of their family… he'd even threatened to kill her at one stage if she didn't leave Jace alone. But things were different now, he like everybody else wanted her to be safe. Her happiness and wellbeing was Jace's happiness and wellbeing. And Jace was his Parabati after all.

"They're in the room to your left" Alec answered with a smile, following his boyfriend into the room where Clary was most than likely arguing with Carla about whether or not she could go home. Magnus walked into the door, with his usual confident stride, Alec a few steps behind but before he could even enter the room he could hear a small gasp escape a woman's lips and Magnus muttering to himself. Alec had keen ears for Magnus' muttering, the majority of the most important words that came out of Magnus' mouth were in mutters and murmurs.

As Alec entered the room he immediately felt the tension pulsating through the air, like an invisible heartbeat, hitting each person standing staring at each other. Carla was still sitting on her ottoman with wide eyes fixated on Magnus, Clary had a smile of relief on her face but her eyes conveyed a sense of confusion as she looked between Carla and Magnus. Jace just seemed happy to have some familiar help but he was completely focused on Clary, watching her every move. He'd become completely over-protective of her, but no one worried about it because when everyone thought about it, it wasn't a surprise. Anyone else in Jace's position would be exactly the same, it just showed how much he'd changed since his womanizing ways.

"So are we all good to uh… start helping Clary and stuff now?" Alec asked hesitantly, the whole atmosphere had put him on edge, and the fact that no one answered him made it even more confusing. No one said anything, and Alec was getting more and more uneasy, but luckily before he exploded Carla whispered something into the room.

"Magnus?" Alec heard her say lightly, as if willing her words to fly through the air, rather than be heard. Her lip quivered slightly as she spoke, almost like it was painful to say his name, which made Alec feel slightly sick with some type of… emotion. He wasn't sure what it was but it felt horrible. He felt a growing distaste with the woman staring at his boyfriend, like she was threatening him or something, but all she'd said was Magnus' name. As he stared at her, he felt a sense of anger as he watched her eyes grow wide and her lip tremble, he felt his mind shoot insults at her. Screaming that she was childish, and a baby, and to get a grip… none of which left his mouth. He was being crazy but he didn't know how to stop, he just wasn't ready to trust Carla anytime soon.

"Alec, why is she here?" Magnus asked, and Alec had hoped he would hear a twist of hatred or revulsion in his boyfriend's voice, but instead it seemed soft and… loving? Alec felt rage fill within his veins as he replied coldly.

"She's the one 'helping' us" Alec spat before storming out of the room. It was like he couldn't control himself, all he wanted to do was run away from that room.

Something was off, and Alec knew it.

He just knew it.

- Impulses -

The young girl heard an ear piercing scream from the small, clay home next to her. They didn't have a lot of money and most of the houses in this area were clay or makeshift bricks that were barely holding together. Chills ran through her bones as she heard the scream again, mixed with pots smashing and objects banging together. She wished for her father, but he was nowhere near the house and her mother… if only her mother could wake up and dig back up to the surface to help her. She was alone, completely alone with screams ringing through her head. She felt the wood dig into her sides, as she hid under the chair from whatever was out there. Her shaking body was almost uncontrollable, and she was worried that if she shook hard enough the chair would move and whatever was out there would come to her. To find her. To get her.

She didn't know what to do, she just pinched her eyelids together to hide the vision in front of her and pulled her small hands around her ears tightly, trying to muffle the screaming. Where was everyone else? Why was this screaming still going on? Someone should have stopped it by now but it was like she was alone, completely alone in this street with no one to help her. And it was getting cold. They had no way to keep warm in this house except for the fire, and she couldn't light it herself. She was far too young, and she'd draw attention to herself and that was the last thing she wanted to do. The chilling breeze shifted in and amongst the small possessions that filled her clay home, brushing against her skin and leaving her hair on edge.

Her hands did little to nothing to stop the screams from penetrating into her mind, leaving her frozen from fear so she decided there was no point to clasping her ears anymore. Everything around her was making it hard to breathe, her body was sore from all the tension built up in her muscles and she was being to violently shake just as she had feared. Her eyes were still pressed shut together when she heard light footsteps. They couldn't be her Father's, he had a stomp when he walked that could be heard throughout the whole neighbourhood. Her mind was whirling between theories, it was her father but he was tip toeing as not to scare her, it was a stranger searching for anyone who was inside, or the thought that wracked her body with fear. Perhaps the footsteps were those of whoever had caused the screams she had heard. But she was still hearing them, hearing the pain and helplessness in the sound, the ear-piercing sound of impossibility that rang inside her whole body. So it can't have been caused by whatever was out there, whatever danger or evil was stalking the house next door.

So what was it that she was hearing? She kept her eyes clamped shut, and her legs began to feel like jelly from sitting under the chair for so long. She was tiny for a thirteen year old, but it seemed to be coming in handy in this situation. She wanted to look around and see who was coming inside of the house but wasn't sure if she was ready to open her eyes. The footsteps had stopped… had they left the house? Or were they standing still looking around for signs of life? Then she heard it. Deep breathing. In and out. She could hear the breath leaving someone's mouth, but it didn't sounds like whoever it was, was angry or out of breath. Rather she heard the calmness within the breathing and it was surprisingly close to her, she could almost feel the warmth of it wash over her face.

Something about this sensation made her decide she would have to open her eyes sooner or later. She still felt fear flow throughout her body, but she felt as if whoever was near her at this moment wasn't here to hurt her. Why had she suddenly become so trusting or this stranger, if it was even a human. But her heart was willing her to open her eyes.

And so she did.

And what was standing in front of her seemed human but something, something about him screamed unusual. There was something different here. His black hair was sticking out at every angle and was filled with dust and dirt. He was coated in black, blending into the darkness of the home. It was the darkest of night and she could only just make out his figure. The man in front of her, looked no older than the boy who lives down the road was crouching down in front of her, so his face met hers. He had a kind face which settled her nerves but only slightly. He wasn't smiling though, she could see the graveness in his face and it was obvious something serious was occurring and whether he was here to help her or hurt her was still unknown.

She didn't realise until she felt a hot drip of water hit her foot that she had begun crying. Her cheeks were stained with flowing, silent tears. She felt his hand wipe her cheek softly, rubbing her tears away and this is when she was him smile. His teeth were shiningly white and gleamed at her in the darkness.

"It's okay, don't make a sound" She heard him whisper to her, soothing her. She didn't know why but she felt like she had to listen to him and do what he says. She shut her mouth tightly to stop any whimpers from escaping her mouth. Watching his every move nervously, she saw him reach into his pocket and pull out a sort of needle. She'd never seen one in real life, only in stories. After all her family was far too poor for vaccinations and any medical needs. It looked frightening, a sharp metal stick on the end of a large syringe looking tube. She begun to feel that sense of fear creep back into her, but it was quickly replaced with fascination as she watched a blue swirling cloud wrap itself around the needle, the man's hands shaking above it murmuring words quickly so she couldn't grasp what they were.

As the seconds flew by his muttering grew faster and faster, the blue vapour twisting more violently around the tube until she heard a scream. She barely even registered it had come from her own mouth as she watched the man in front of her by wrenched away from her with shocking violence. But not before he screamed one last word, something she didn't understand and stabbed the needle right into her heart.

The pain was incomprehensible. She couldn't move from shock. She never should have trusted him, he'd stabbed her. Her whole body went stiff and her mind was racing, the pain pulsing through her veins, reaching into every corner of her body before she felt herself grow weak, and tired, and she slumped to the ground. She was barely conscious as she watched the man who had stabbed her push his palms into the chests of his attacks, and red liquid spread out from his hands into their skin. She watched them drop like dominoes to the ground, and she noticed as soon as they hit her floor with a thump, their chests failed to rise and fall any longer. He was a murderer, he'd tried to murder her as well.

The pain was ebbing away, and she saw in her last minutes of vision him walk quickly towards her, his movements rash and uncalculated. He seemed extremely stressed, as if everything he'd thought would happen had been spun on its head… she knew the feeling. He knelt near her, pulling the needle from her chest and she heard a small moan of pain escape her mouth. His arms wrapped around her body, pulling her arm and the final moment she recalled was the wind rushing in her hair.

They were running.

Author's Note:

Hokay I really like this chapter so I hope you do to! I'm loving where this is going and it's going to be great! I have two more weeks before school, and so two more weeks of uploading before I have to go on a break (Sorry!).

I'm aiming to get 3 more chapters up by then (aiming) so fingers crossed!

Review :)

Xx

Green-doves