trapped-malec

chapter 4

Four months had passed, since he got to the New York City institute.  Four months of learning the ways here, lessons taught to him, comfort, belonging, but some part of his heart was reserved. For what or who, Alec could not understand.

He tried his best to push away the agonizing thoughts and wonder away. He paid attention and helped around, as much as possible. Distractions to guard him from himself. 

The truth is near, his head would scream at him, like a ghost inside his body. It used to be faint, and distant. Now, it was almost unbearable to Alec. He wanted it to stop, but it was impossible without them knowing. He didn't want them to know. So they didn't know. 

Alec had a book laid in his lap, slumped in a old, huge, dark blue worn out chair, in the enormous library. His eyes slid closed, losing consciousness-

"Hey, Ale- Alec! Dude, wake up! We have to go. There's something we have to do. i'll tell you on the way there." Jace laughed, humor sparking through his voice.

Alec jumped out of the chair, knocking the book out of his lap onto the dark brown, hardwood floor, startled by Jace's voice. He straighten up, running to catch up with Jace. 

"Good. This is the first time they've let us out to do anything, so we better hurry before they change their minds. Again."

"Okay, so what is going on?"

"Oh, you know the high warlock of brooklyn is here in our institute. He's supposed to go help us track down another warlock?" Jace just shrugged, like it was normal.

Alec surprised, exploded with excitement and curiosity. "Wait. Do you know who it is?"

Jace shrugged, looking bored. "I guess we're about to find out."

"Hey, where is Clary anyways." 

Jace almost came to a complete stop at that. Clary was almost always with him. Jace stood with realization, and wonder. Panicked looks sparked all through Jace's body. Coincidently, they were where they needed to be. At a round table, people were talking in low voices. Maryse, noticed Jace and Alec, and hurried over to them. 

"Jace? What is it?"

"Clary. I don't know where Clary is." Jace shivered.

 Hopelessness and sadness covered Jace's face. Maryse's face didn't change from her usual seriousness, not a single sign of worry or sympathy. She didn't turn away either, just stared blankly at Jace in a waiting manner. Then, in only a few moments some came up to Maryse, and whispered in her ear. She nodded and looked back at Jace.

Maryse took a visible breath, and continued. "Jace, Clarissa is missing. Apparently, she has been for days. We need you to find her."

Alec watched from a few feet, as the scene unfolded. Jace had nodded, but he was no less content. He was panicking, trying his best to stay steady on his feet. Jace knew, something terrible could have happened to her. How it would destroy him. Alec knew of course, he would destroy himself, blame himself for it. Alec walked toward him, to stand next to him.

He leaned over and whispered, "Jace, go. Go find Clary. I can do whatever on my own.  You're only wasting time here." 

Then, Alec walked over to the crowd of shadowhunters expectantly. They only stared, and quieted when he was noticed. An unusual person stood in the ring of people. His hair, sprinkled with silver glitter. A rather glamorous choice of clothes. He somehow felt familiar to Alec. The voice screamed out in his head louder than he thought was possible. 

Alec squeezed his eyes shut in pain, grabbing his head. He fought to stay on his feet. He heard voices, and gasps in the air, faintly. He felt himself falling, but hands caught him. He opened his eyes finally. The person pushed him to his feet, and never let go until they were sure he was steady.

Alec felt his face flush, bright red with embarrassment. "Sorry."

The person who he assumed helped, was standing in front of him. The voices, had faded to their ghost whisper. Alec felt like he knew the man in front of him, from somewhere. He was the one in the crowd with the silver, glittery hair. Alec noticed, his hair was also a black-brown. 

"We have to stop meeting like this, Alexander." The man spoke.

Alec knew that voice from anywhere. Magnus Bane.

"Oh. I'm going to guess your the warlock." Alec said emotionlessly.

Magnus nodded. Alec looked expectantly at him. 

"So, is anyone going to tell me what's going on?"

And they told him. Magnus would be teaching Alec. Odd. The clave doesn't usually trust warlocks with anyone, let alone shadowhunter. Especially new ones. But that was definitely not, at the top of their list of things. Clary is missing, as it is.

Magnus was explaining some things about whatever, as they walked to the angel knows where. Alec had almost completely zoned out, and spaced himself out to his own thoughts. Magnus clearly, loved to talk and would never stop. And surprisingly, was concerned for Alec. What was he really even thinking?

"Alexander?" 

Alec finally found himself in front of an apartment with Magnus. He looked around confusion, clouded his vision. He felt everything blur into darkness, maybe a faint voice trying to talk to him, but he couldn't find it. he could only close his eyes. So he did.

Alec started to fall, and Magnus rushed over to him, for the second time today, and pulled him up right. This time, it wasn't a small pain in his head. Alec was unconscious. Magnus sighed, and shook his head, but picked up Alec into his arms, carrying the boy into his apartment. Magnus flung open the door, and ran to the couch, carefully putting the boy down on the couch. Magnus felt slightly panicked, he couldn't do anything because he had no idea what was wrong, and he couldn't contact the shadowhunter because they'd freak. Magnus sensed, no one knew what was wrong with Alec. So, Magnus waited.