FROM THE SHADOWS

[02] DADDY ISSUES

Once Mabel had finally managed to rush out of the Pandemonium, Clary was nowhere in sight anymore. God, she must be freaking out. And where does Clary go when she's freaked? Her mother. Mabel pulled out her phone as she continued walking away from club, not wanting the three Shadowhunters to catch up and keep her from leaving again.

Was it harsh to kick the blond in the balls? Probably. Did she regret it? Definitely not.

After the third dial tone, Joycelyn answered, "Mabel? Is everything alright?"

"Eh, define alright. Clary just found out about the Shadow World. She freaked out and ran off before I could stop her or explain. Pretty sure she'd heading your way."

"What happened? Are you okay? Is Clary?" From the rambled questions, Mabel had no doubt that Joycelyn was pacing across the living room right about now.

"Yeah, we're fine. Clary's just freaked – which I get – but otherwise okay and I'm alright too. There were some Shadowhunters and demons. Clary accidentally got into the middle of it all as they fought it out."

Joycelyn sighed from the other end, "Okay. Thanks for calling. Oh, I see Clary pull up in a cab now." Mabel was relieved to hear it. She'd figured Clary would rush to her mom, but still. It was good to know she got home safe.

"Is Dad there?" Mabel asked before Joycelyn hung up to deal with Clary.

"No, he's still at the station. Can you go tell him what happened?"

"Sure," Mabel nodded. "Good luck."

Joycelyn muttered a defeated thanks and hung up. Mabel pushed the phone back into her pocket and glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was following her. She sighed as she wrapped her arms around herself, missing her bomber jacket, which was still in Simon's van.

Simon.

Mabel's eyes widened as she pulled her phone out again and texted Simon to tell him that Clary wasn't feeling well when she went to check up on her, so they both left. She was sure Simon would bombard her with questions now, but at least he and Maureen wouldn't have to search the whole club to realize they weren't there anymore. She didn't want to worry them like that.

She let out a sigh and continued on her trek to the police station. She could call a cab, but her dad doesn't trust those and she was fine walking. The worst was over anyway.

Well, that's what she thought at least.

. . . . .

At the police station, Mabel ran into Captain Vargas, who told her that her father was still wrapped up in an interrogation. The woman was somewhat surprised at Mabel's appearance this late, but when Mabel explained she'd walked from where she'd gone out with Clary, hoping to catch a ride home with her father, Captain Vargas didn't question her.

"Did you at least have fun?" The captain asked as the two walked through the precinct. Mabel shrugged.

"Nah, it was a bit of a bust, really. Clary went after some guy, I lost Simon and Maureen, and it was just really chaotic. Eventually, I just decided to leave and ask my dad for a ride. He said he was working late."

Captain Vargas hummed, "That's too bad. Better luck next time right?"

"Next time, I'm going out with Liam again," Mabel snorted. "How's everything here? You alright?"

The woman let out a sigh. "These strange murders are getting under my skin. Something's off about them, I just can't put my finger on it."

The demonic murders, Mabel realized. She recalled her dad talking about it. Demons were draining Mundanes for blood, but it was a riddle as to why.