By The Way, He's Safe With Me [Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments]

chapter two

Months had passed since that day in Central Park, and Magnus only got worse before he got better.

He went through a phase of shutting himself off from the world. His wrists were now littered with self-inflicted injuries because the horrific memories of what happened were still in his head and all he had heard for six months was: 'men don't get raped'. His mental state had seriously deteriorated since the incident actually happened. He was shaken to begin with, and then the downwards spiral began. Alcoholism, drugs and even worse was what Magnus resorted to, and it was completely heartbreaking.

"Magnus, I know you're not doing well. Please, trust me on this, I know someone who can help you. She will even come here if you don't want to go out." Catarina Loss, Magnus' childhood best friend, explained to him.

Catarina found out about Magnus being raped by his now ex-boyfriend through the grapevine (and Magnus had left her a three word text message before going MIA, it simply read 'Lorenzo raped me'). She didn't quite believe it could be true until she confronted Magnus about it and he finally confessed about it. That was after four long months of torturing himself about how it was all his fault and that he could have done things differently.

"I don't need any help. I'm not a nut case." Magnus snapped back, trying to be tough, but they both knew that Magnus was about to break any second.

"I'll call her." Catarina said gently as she got up from a stool at the bar in the kitchen, and Magnus nodded in agreement. He knew he needed help and this therapist that Catarina knew might be his chance to start healing. To start moving on from this.

Catarina left the apartment with a promise to return, and Catarina Loss had never ever broken a promise to Magnus. He just had to hold on a little bit longer until someone could pull him out.

Only around half an hour passed before Catarina returned with a young woman in tow. She was very beautiful, long dark hair and gorgeous brown eyes that seemed quite familiar but he brushed it off, thinking nothing of it. She was quite tall for a woman and she had a kind, yet still professional, smile.

"Magnus, this is Isabelle Lightwood." Catarina introduced her before nodding respectfully and leaving the two to talk about what needed to be talked about.

Isabelle sat on a chair opposite Magnus and opened a notebook. She wasn't condescending like most therapists were, she truly only wanted to help Magnus. And that was what he desperately needed, a lifeline.

"Magnus, isn't it? I promise, everything you tell me will remain confidential. Why don't you tell me what happened, only what you're comfortable sharing. I won't force you to talk about your trauma if you aren't willing to talk about it voluntarily." Isabelle explained, her voice soft and melodious, she had a calming presence.

He took a seat on the sofa and buried his face in his hands, for the first time in his life, he was ashamed. He hated how this had ruined his life completely and then he hadn't done anything about it until now.

Isabelle saw his body language and carefully came to sit beside him, hesitantly laying a hand on his shoulder as a gesture of comfort. Little did she know how much Magnus appreciated it.

"We don't have to talk about it i-" Isabelle started, trying to make Magnus feel comfortable around her.

"No, I know I'll be b-better if I do." Magnus responded, not looking up, it was so much easier for him if he didn't make eye contact with her.

"About seven months ago, my ex-boyfriend decided he wanted to take things all the way in our relationship. I told him no and that I didn't want to, which didn't go down well. He refused to accept my wishes and forced me down. He strangled me until I wasn't conscious enough to refuse and then he did what he wanted whether I liked it or not." Magnus explained, it was the short version of the story. The long version was still far too painful for him to recount just yet.

"Magnus, that's horrible. Did you contact the police? If not, we can still tell them because you have his name." Isabelle explained, becoming less of a therapist and more of a protective little sister like she was at home.

"It's not a big deal." Magnus whispered, knowing that it was in fact, the opposite.

"Magnus, you were sexually assaulted and abused. Hell yeah it's a big deal. Actually, my older brother is a lawyer, if I can get him to defend you, that asshole you call an ex-boyfriend will get life imprisonment." Isabelle explained to him, being interrupted by her cell phone dinging, clearly a text message.

"Sorry, said older brother can't work a washing machine. I love Alec but he's thick sometimes." Isabelle said sarcastically, trying to lighten the mood after being interrupted.

"Alec? As in Alexander?" Magnus questioned slowly, testing his suspicion.

"Yes, why? Did he do this to you? That motherfucker!" Isabelle said angrily, Magnus had to tell more of the story.

"No! I was in Central Park one day, and Alec saw that I was upset so he came over to bring me some water and then kept me company. This was a month after I was... raped... and he didn't expect any conversation, he just made sure I was okay, even gave me his number." Magnus explained to her, hesitating slightly on the word which was necessary in this case.

"You're the man he met that day!" Isabelle realised, remembering the conversation with Alec about the 'quiet but kind' man he had met before work six months ago.

"Do you want this case proceeding as a criminal offence or not? He'll be happy to defend you." Isabelle asked after a few moments of silence, trying to steer this conversation back in a professional direction.

"Yes. I'd like to classify it as a criminal offence." Magnus responded, still sounding a little unsure because rape cases never win.

"Alright, here's my number. I will speak to Alec and get back to you with a court date. We'll win this, Magnus." Isabelle said kindly. Speaking with her had actually alleviated some of Magnus' emotional pain and he felt like there truly was a good ending for him.

The only struggle now would be learning to date again.

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[1095 Words]