Middle School of Bones - A Mortal Instruments Story

Chapter 20

I ran as fast as I could after Jace. I couldn't remember how many flights of stairs we'd gone up, but the way down felt so much longer. The sounds of the vampires followed us, and as fast as we were moving, they'd catch up soon.

"We need another way out," I said.

"How perceptive, really."

My legs were burning, and I felt like I was squishing Simon in my hands. I didn't want to risk putting him in my pocket again, but I tried to loosen my grip.

"Haven't you been in situations like this hundreds of times before?"

"This?" Jace laughed. "This isn't a situation."

The stairs ended, and we were in a hallway. I glanced out the window. We were a few floors up still.

"We could jump," Jace suggested. "I'll go first, and I can catch you."

That sounded like a really bad idea. "Are you sure?"

Jace winked. "I've caught many a maiden from greater heights."

I groaned. "Fine, but if I die, save Simon at least."

Jace didn't waste any time shattering the window's glass, but he didn't have time to climb through before the vampires reached us. 

"You aren't leaving until you tell us what we want," Raphael hissed.

Jace was looking at me. "Clary, do you still have your knife?"

My voice was caught in my throat. Out of the attic, I could see all the vampires crowded in the room, sharp claws and gleaming fangs. "Yes."

"Now's a good time to get it out."

A thud came from below us, followed by dozens of heavy, racing steps. They appeared up the stairs in a moment. Regular people, only a lot stronger and with a lot more weapons. They were large, with even more claws and fangs than the vampires had. They blocked the only other exit besides the window.

Jace said, "Now this is a situation."

"Werewolves," Raphael spat. "What are you doing on our ground?

"We want the girl," a werewolf at the front of the pack said. He dropped to his knees with a cry faster than I processed the blade striking through his chest.

"Clary, run," Jace said. For just a moment, the escape was open. I ran. Soon enough, Jace had rejoined me. And so had the monsters.

I paused for just long enough to unhook the knife from my thigh. I held Simon to my chest as I turned back. A werewolf was just behind me, and I threw the knife as hard as I could. It sunk into his arm, and he fell against the wall. Jace gave me a nod.

I didn't try to hide my pride, and I pushed my legs to go faster.

The pile of furniture on the ground floor was still there, though it'd been trampled when the werewolves climbed up. It was enough to catch my fall, and I slid down. Jace and I ran to the doors, and finally, we were outside.

The motorcycle was still there, and Jace and I climbed on. Jace took off. In a moment, we had lifted into the sky, and Jace shot through the air until the hotel disappeared behind us.

I didn't know how much time passed. The city was tiny below, and when I looked overhead, it felt like the moon was just within reach. I clung to Jace and watched his golden hair in the wind.

The motorcycle dropped a foot, and I realized that we'd gained weight. The spell was wearing off, and Simon was growing in my hands. I tugged on Jace's arm, and he landed the motorcycle gracefully on the ground a second before Simon and I lost balance and toppled off.

"Simon!" I shouted. I patted his face and his hair. His glasses were askew, and he fixed them as I crushed him in a hug. "I'm so happy to see you. Please don't turn into a rat ever again." 

Simon squeezed me back. "It was horrible. I wanted to be cool like you and everyone. But I'll never eat anything that isn't prepackaged and labeled again I promise."

I continued to hug Simon until Jace said, "This is cute, but I'm going to head back to the Institute. Come along if you want."

We left the motorcycle behind and followed Jace to the middle school. It wasn't a far walk, but after the long day, I wanted to go to sleep more than anything.

But when we reached the school, someone was standing by the door. I recognized him even before he stepped into the light.

"Werewolf," Jace told us. His warning was the reminder I needed to keep from running forward. Even as Luke took a step towards me with open arms.

"Clary," he said. "I've been looking for you everywhere."