Shadow Serpents: The Ordinary

Chapter 7: Stranger at Night

<Six Months later>

~Clary's POV~

It's been six months since we moved, and things are somewhat mixed. My grades are decent, and I have a good standing in school, aside from a few scuffles in the hallway and some basketballs breaking windows. I guess I'm not as serene as you might think. Basketball is going well; we've played a few games, winning and losing about four each. There was so much drama that our coach wasn't sure if he was leading a sports team or a drama club. Martial arts are progressing, although it's taking a surprisingly long time to master. Thankfully, Dr. Knox is very patient with my clumsiness.

Later that night, while researching dinosaurs for a history project, I became thirsty for coffee. I tiptoed across the hallway, careful not to awaken my sisters and incite 'World War 3'. Reaching the first-floor landing, I was about to descend the stairs when a knock came at the front door.

Who in the world (apologies, I'm an Uncle Rick fan) knocks at 10 PM, especially on a stormy, windy night with a whirlwind outside? I crept down to the first step, hearing papers shuffled aside, something falling, and someone muttering about a doorbell and silly ducks as they approached the lobby.

There I was, hidden at the top of the stairs, peering through the railing. I heard my mum open the door but couldn't make out the rest. Assuming she let the visitor in, I edged down a few more steps to listen while remaining concealed in the shadows of a Roman statue. I've never been fond of that statue, but it proved useful in shielding me from the hall light left on for Mum. Now, I could hear the conversation downstairs.

"Okay, so let me get this straight, you want to train Clary?" said my mum's voice.

"Yes. And I'm well aware that she is being coached by Dr. Knox, who, I won't lie, is a very good coach," said a stern but professional voice, clearly belonging to a woman.

"I don't know how she would react if I told her this. So, I think it would be best if you tell her this with all those tiny details. If you give me a minute, I can go get her down." That's when I heard my mum's voice nearing the lobby door that leads into the hallway.

When my mum said this, I got into a running stance, still staying well in the shadows, ready to run up and down the hall to my room and leap into my seat, pretending I'm deep at work. I started to calm down, still keeping my stance, when someone said,

"No, you will have to tell her and convince her. If I do that, she will probably get scared and not join or accept the training. It's better if you do it."

"Okay then, I'll let her know tomorrow. But how will I confirm her attendance at tomorrow's evening training to you?"

"Here's my card; just call the second number."

"Okay, uh, thank you for visiting. Would you like to stay the night and go since there's a mini hurricane out?"

"Thank you for the offer, but no, I have to leave before someone finds out I was here. Ah, that reminds me, don't tell anyone else about me coming here or about your daughter in my training, except for Clary, who will know this information whatever we do."

With that, I didn't hear any more talking, but I heard the front door open and close and the sound of an engine. I slowly went downstairs to get my cup of coffee. My mum came into the kitchen just as I was reaching for the coffee pot. We both froze in place, and she was the first to unfreeze.

"Clary, what are you doing here at this hour, angel?"

"I was thirsty and sleepy, so I came down to get some coffee because Mrs. Fortinon told us to hand in the assignment on dinosaurs from the Jurassic era."

"Okay, how long have you been here?"

"I just arrived," I half-lied because technically, I had been on the stairs the entire time.

"Okay, finish your assignment as quickly as you can and try to go to sleep by at least 11:00."

Yes, Mum, will do.

She gave me one last smile and left for her office. I made my coffee and went upstairs to finish the assignment. After completing it, I couldn't sleep; all I could think about were the night's events. They were both exciting and terrifying. I fell asleep, my mind resolved on what I would tell Mum tomorrow when she asked me the question.

~ Next Morning ~

As I had anticipated, the first thing Mum did when I came down for breakfast was to ask me to come to her office to discuss the upcoming vacation *cough* *cough*. She recounted everything from last night. I learned a new piece of information: the stranger was Agent Percy, who works for an agency called the 'Shadow Knights.

I said yes, of course. Then I went to school, ready to face a completely normal day.