The Mortal Instruments: Book of Mercy

Chapter Four: Mundane = Clueless

Maddie sat there, shocked and pretty confused. How on earth did she let Jace get into her head? She felt slightly sick but looked down and ignored everyone else at the meal. Theo sat next to her with Jace on her other side. She had to admit it was nice to have a family meal atmosphere but she felt like everyone else was a family and she was sat at the side. She was deep in thought when Theo nudged her and whispered.
"Hey, do you not like pizza? You've barely eaten anything..."
Maddie shrugged and pushed her plate away slightly, she felt too ill to even think about food. Jace suddenly picked up on this fact as well and the bubbly conversation died down. Elise smiled.
"Hey are you gonna eat that or can I have it?" She reached over at Maddie's plate and Maddie gave it to her, secretly thanking the girl with her eyes. Sebastian stopped Elise.
"Hey c'mon. Let the poor girl eat Elise."
Elise pulled a silly face at him.
"If she wanted to eat it she would've. Wouldn't you Maddie?" Maddie quickly nodded thankful of the girl and Sebastian shrugged. Elise smiled triumphantly.
"See! I know my best friend!"
Jace looked stern. "When was the last time you ate kid?"
Maddie looked down.
"Elise made me something earlier. I'm not hungry..."
She could see Jace wanted to question her more but he couldn't because everyone started talking again. Theo took a slice of pizza from Elise's plate and they got into an argument. By the end it was clear Elise had won but Theo said he let her win. The adults left soon after eating except for Magnus who was left behind to look after all of the younger ones. Usually they'd be trusted on their own but Alec knew that Maddie would be able to convince Elise to let her portal back to England if they were left alone. Maddie was confused and built up the courage to talk to Sebastian.
"W-Where did Jace and Clary go?"
Theo heard and chuckled.
"See what I mean! She's so mundane and clueless."
Sebastian shoved him. "Leave off her you idiot. They went on a mission. It's what they all do here, we're shadow hunters. We stop demons and downworlders. I'll tell you more tomorrow, you look confused and rather tired. I don't want to make your head hurt."
Elise smiled. "Tired! It's not even seven yet! I wanted to take her to pandemonium... I can do that right Dad?" She said, remembering Magnus was in the room. He chuckled.
"You know Jace will kill you... Maybe tomorrow night when I'm there."
Elise whined. "But Dad! I'm not tired, neither's she. It's only early!"
Maddie yawned and rubbed her eyes sleepily. Theo chuckled. "Aw look at that... Cute... She can't even stay up past seven. There's no way she's a shadow hunter!"
Sebastian shoved him again. "Leave her alone!"
Maddie's heart was beating out of her chest. She felt so confused and tired and beaten. She admired Elise but she didn't feel quite as enthusiastic as the other girl that particular night, Theo got on her nerves but Sebastian... He stood up for her, understood how she felt, and was perfect... "No wonder she's tired, did you guys forget about jetlag. She must've been awake for ages longer than you. Any ideas where she's supposed to sleep?"
Magnus thought. "I assume in her parents room for now?"
Elise whined. "But Dad! I want her to share my room! She doesn't want to be stuck with Jace and Clary!"
Maddie nodded. "Elise's right..."
Magnus sighed. "Fine but it's their decision when they get back." Both girls smiled. Elise grabbed Maddie's wrist.
"Shall we go and hang out in our room then?" Maddie giggled. "Sure." She then whispered in Elise's ear. "W-When can I go home though? Jace said I should stay but I think I want to go home... C-Can I? At least whilst he's out?"
Elise looked nervous. "I want you to stay... Once your memories come back you'll love it! We'll be best friends... Please?" Maddie looked down and thought, she wasn't sure if her and this girl would ever have been friends but she could see Elise cared about her. That was quite rare for her.
"Just until then okay? I have friends back home too..." She was frowning and Elise nodded.
"I know... But you can be my best friend..."
She was about to respond when that noticed Theo followed them. "Hey Elise... Can I borrow the mundie for a bit? I want to get in good with Jace after today, if I pretend to protect his mundie daughter he'll forgive me. I don't think he's sure she's got what it takes to be one of us. I mean just look at her, she's weaker than most little kids here!"
Elise scoffed. "Like you're one to talk! Leave her alone, she's fine for now. Just go away we're going to our room."
Theo kept walking with them. "I'll come. Does she need to get some sleep already? If so making sure she actually goes to sleep and doesn't run away will get us both in his good books." Maddie heard this and sighed. She knew Theo looked up to Jace but she didn't realise it was going to hinder her escape plan. Elise rolled her eyes and let him into her room before shutting the door. Maddie gently sat on the bed, Theo tapped her shoulder, smiling genuinely. "C'mon, if you're tired get some sleep. When you wake up you might remember something."
Maddie sighed and shrugged. "What is there to remember? I don't think I've ever met any of you before."
Theo stood back and knelt in front of her, he gestured Elise to come over and she knew what he was doing. She came over and knelt by Theo. "Maddie... Look at me... think..."
It was a few seconds before anything happened. Suddenly Maddie screamed. Something came back from a few years ago. It was obvious to the other two that she was remembering. She tried to curl up into a ball but Theo gently lifted her chin to keep looking. "Maddie look at me." Magnus appeared at the door. "Theo what the hell where you thinking... never mind." He stood behind the two and Maddie tried to avoid him with her eyes but Theo held her head up still. He pulled something out of his pocket, it was an odd drawing, like the Greek alphabet. She focused on it and screamed again. Memories came flooding back and filled her head. She was overwhelmed and taken back to events years ago that she would've sworn never took place until today.
Maddie was sat in the park, the same one where she'd meet Elise earlier that day. She looked around. Her hands, she noticed, were baby hands. Small, yet chubby. There was a group of people dancing in front of her. One of them, a nice looking young woman called her over to join in. When she focused on them her five year old self jumped in shook. The kind looks on the dancers faces changed into wild, fierce and triumphant glares. The people now looked like they where woven out of tree branches and those who danced  with the people looked half dead. Maddie ran to Rita as fast as she could.

Maddie held Rita's hand at the entrance of a fancy penthouse overlooking a huge American city. A younger version of Elise opened the door, Magnus behind her. "Ah, Maddie. I'm guessing she had the same problem as her mother?" Magnus asked Rita.

Around two years later Maddie is back at the same penthouse. "Hi Maddie!" Elise smiles. "Who are you! How do you even know my name." Elise looks a little shocked and upset. "My Dad told me." She backtracked.
Maddie watched this scene another three times. She may have gotten older each time but it seemed that Maddie never recognised Elise. Maddie could suddenly remember playing with Elise for hours. Pain hit her head like a truck and her eyes burned.

Maddie screamed. Theo knelt at her side and pulled her to sit up straight. She held her head and sobbed in pain, Theo sighed and tried to be comforting. He moved her hair away, "I know... I know it hurts... Shush... You'll give yourself a headache..." Elise hugged her tightly.
"It's okay Mads... Relax... I know it hurts... Dad! Can't you fix this?" He sighed and patted her shoulder.
"I'm afraid not Elise. C'mon you two, let's give her a bit of space..." he tried to lead Elise towards the door but Theo stayed next to Maddie and Elise went back to them.
He sighed. "But she's in pain Magnus..." Magnus nodded. "I know kid... She hasn't trained yet, everything is going to be painful."
Theo looked as though she was a different species. "Poor mundie..." He lied her down and walked away quietly. Elise began to glow.
"Here we go." Magnus sighed. A strange purple light came from her and it knocked Magnus to the floor. The wave settled on Maddie and stopped all the pain.
Maddie lay on the floor sobbing, it didn't physically hurt her anymore but she was so confused. She hoped this was a trick, but how could it be when it was what was in her own mind. Could magic really be real?