Nobody Said It Was Easy ◈ Alec Lightwood.

The Past Unseen

[ ELEANOR / AGED 17 / FEB.11 ] 

It was a day before my 18th birthday  — everything felt as if it was going exceptionally well, but then again I hardly even cared. I woke up that morning with a intuitive mind that something didn't feel right... it just didn't feel  "normal". Nevertheless I somehow shrugged it off and remembered waking up early in that morning, feigning a smile upon my lips. My mother greeted with me with a joyous expression as she embraced me into a tender hug (yet again), squeezing me rather tightly.

"Gosh mom, if I didn't know any better — I'd think something was wrong" I commented, eliciting a small but genuine chortle as we pulled apart soon after. 

"Of course not!" she replied defensively, I raised both hands out in surrender to her tone and she emitted a tranquil sigh. "Sorry," she apologised as she placed her hand against my shoulder, "it's just that..." she thought to herself for a hasty moment but smiles it off, "nothing". 

I raised a brow rather confused but acknowledged well enough that she didn't want to share whatever she was thinking. "O-kay," I replied whilst I raised my brows before I made my way to the kitchen at an orderly pace for something to eat. Opening the fridge, I took out a white carton of orange juice and a glass from the mahogany cupboards above the counter before I sat down onto a stool.

"Actually, Elle — I've been meaning to talk to you".

I poured myself a glass and took a quick sip, furrowing my eyebrows curiously, "Yeah, sure. But you'll have to make it quick, Juliette and Mason are actually picking me up in a sec and we're sort of in a hurry since we've got a project to make and all...".

"Elle, this is important, it's about your 18th birthday". I released a breathy sigh as I hastily made my way to the sink and placed my glass carefully inside. 

"And so is this project, really mom — I mean no offence, but couldn't this wait till tomorrow or when I get back? I'll be free then".

"No it can't, your father and I need to tell you this"

"But dad's at work right now," I interjected as I give a reasonable simper whilst I slung my backpack around my shoulder, ready to leave. "I'll be back, I promise" I said without letting her respond as I kiss her cheek lovingly making my goodbyes before running out the door to meet up with my friends. If only I knew back then, that what she had to tell me was so much more significant than she claimed it would be...

➰ ➰ ➰

"See you guys later!" I called out as Juliette and Mason drive off. My frame turned to my house and I emit a sigh of relief. Finally back home. As I approached, I couldn't help but hear small sounds of what seemed like crashing, not continuous but it was very much realistic. My heart began to pound fast, I was worried — my mother was in there, what if someone or possibly even something got inside? That's where I ran, opening the door I searched the house for her desperately. The place was a mess, the books and pages of our personal library were scattered upon the floor and the sofa and picture frames were ripped into shreds. Who could have done such a thing?

"Mom?!" I called out, hiding my true emotions with a casual vocal as I gradually examined each room to find her. 

No response.

"Mom?!... MOM! MO—"

I felt a palm cup my mouth protectively as I was pulled over to the side, I was about to thrash around and scream like a banshee but I was relieved to find that it was none other than my mother. Speaking of which, did not look her best. Her usual, natural brown locks of hair were tangled and wet, as if she had just been running in a marathon and her complexion was awfully more pale than usual, sickly and dead. She attempted to catch her breath as she pants heavily, tilting her head back against the wall. I could sense she wanted— no, needed to tell me something.