Fear

Storm

Chapter 33- Storm

Clary POV

In the dream, I am seven years old. I sit at the kitchen table in my mom's apartment, swinging my legs that don't quite touch the floor. Colouring pencils are scattered across the table and I am scribbling at the page in front of me furiously, eyebrows furrowed and tongue slightly poking out.

Chattering away beside me is Simon, talking about video games and bouncing up and down on his chair excitedly as he imitates the noise of an explosion.

He looks at me through his untamed brown curls and tugs on the ends of my red hair when he realises I'm not listening to a word he says. Silently, he reaches over and tries to smooth out my furrowed brow. I let out a little giggle and turn to look at him. "Much better," he confirms with a nod of the head, his lips quirked up into a smile.

"What're you drawing?" He asks, picking up the piece of paper, covered in my childish artistic representation of a house. His eyes light up with happiness when he realises what it is: "It's you and me at Luke's farmhouse!"

"Correct," I applaud him.

I can feel somebody tightly grabbing on my hand, as if they are trying to anchor me to them.

"Why isn't Jonathan in it," Simon questions, placing the picture back on the table.

"He doesn't have to be in everything I draw," I smile.

Sweeping into the room with agile grace, my brother says, "Did someone say my name?" Despite the childish edge to his appearance, my brother is still a very beautiful child. His pale blond hair and sparkling green eyes make a strange combination, but it's definitely noticeable. It's why I love to paint and draw him: the colours and contrasts.

"It's rude to listen in to other people's conversations, you know," I scold him.

"Not when they say your name it isn't, little sister," he ruffles my hair in an affectionate, brotherly way.

"Clary, please come back to me," a sweet, gentle voice begs. I feel a curl of hair being swept off my face. "We need you here, Clary." It's Jace's voice.

"Yeah whatever," I laugh. "Did you ask mom if we could go to the park?"

"Of course I did; I'd never let you down. Go fetch your coats." Jonathan laughs at my squeal of excitement and holds my coat out for me so that I could slide my arms into it.

"My princess, your stead awaits," he bends down and tells me to hop onto his back, and I oblige, holding onto his neck. He pretends to be a horse, running around the kitchen, swinging me about. His laughs and my cries of joy fill the room with so much happiness and pure delight, making the room seem much warmer.

"Jace, you need to get something to eat, have a rest. This isn't good for either of you."

"Alec, I can't leave her. I'll never leave her."

"Jonathan, stop!" I squeal and Simon laughs at me. "Let's go to the park!"

"If you so wish your highness," Jonathan grins. "Simon, would you mind opening the door for our lovely princess."

"Yes Sir," Simon salutes and puffs his chest out, joining in on the act. He opens the front door and holds it open while Sebastian goes racing through it.

"Bye Jocelyn," Simon shouts into the apartment before bolting after the Morgenstern siblings.

"We're worried about you, Jace. It's been almost a week and you're exhausted."