Game of Survival-Shadowhunters

Start of Lies

Alec hit at the punching bag harder than necessary. The black pad was a physical representation of his intangible problems. With each punch of the bag, a new wave of exhaustion and sadness hit him. Alec stressed at the bag until his body couldn't throw another punch. Just as Alec leaned on the bag for support, he heard a voice behind him.

"Alec, are you okay?" It was Clary.

Alec pulled in a breath when he realized that it was Clary. Alec had shut off all of his emotions the moment that he left Echo. Alec let out his breath as he spoke to Clary, "Bold of you to show your face here."

Clary wasn't aware of what had just happened in the room right below her feet, "I can explain."

Alec grit his teeth, "Unless your explanation can bring Jace and—" Alec stopped his words before he said her name, "Can bring Jace back, save it."

Alec found a new wave of energy and he put that into the bag as he gave it a punch.

Clary sighed, "Alec, Jace is my brother, too."

Alec let out a heavy breath as he pushed away from the bag, "You barely know him. I grew up with him. I fought by his side. He's my brother. He's one of my best friends." Alec found it easier to talk about Jace than face the reality of Echo.

"Alec." Clary went to touch Alec's arm, but he flinched away, which hurt the new Shadowhunter, "Alec, I want Jace back just as much as you do. I—I am not my mother."

Alec put his attention on the situation at hand, "How well do I even know you?"

Clary was confused by the question.

"You and your sister show up out of nowhere, you convince my brother, you convince me to search for your mother. And the next thing I know, Jace—" Alec pulled in a breath, "Jace is gone." There was obviously a critical subtext to Alec's words, but he didn't want to say it out loud, "And your mother is the one trying to kill him."

Clary took a step towards Alec with small tears in the back of her eyes, "I had nothing to do with that, Alec, I would never hurt Jace."

Alec looked down at the girl, "Since you've arrived, you've caused nothing but problems. My family lost their birthright. Izzy was almost de-runed. Valentine has my Parabati and Echo is—" Alec immediately stopped his words, "And it's all because of you."

Clary noticed how Alec slipped Echo's name into her supposed wrongdoing. Clary let her tears pull to the surface, "Where is Echo?"

Alec took a step back ready to reveal the worst news, but Isabelle's voice stopped him.

"Alec." Isabelle's voice was soft, not wanting to further his fragile mind.

Clary shook her head, "I'm sorry." Clary's voice was small.

"Alec, this isn't her fault."

Alec licked his lips to keep his emotions in his head, "When are you going to realize that you don't belong here. You never have." It was easier to put Clary down than to tell her the truth about her sister and face the events himself. Alec gave Clary one last glance before he strutted away from her. Isabelle let out a sigh before she chased after her brother.

"Alec."

The Shadowhunter in question kept his stride up until he was covered by the hallway and away from prying eyes.

Alec abruptly turned to face his sister, "No, Izzy. This is her fault. She came into our lives. Her and her mother came into our lives and ruined everything good." Alec could feel his tears coming on again, "Clary and her mother killed her." Alec let his words fall into a whisper, "They killed her." He didn't wait to see Isabelle's expression to his words and he turned quickly to walk from the conversation.