04. The Descent Into Hell Isn't Easy
The sky was black, and the stars were faded. The sound of New York traffic, was distant and faint. The only real sound that could be heard, was the sound of the doors slamming shut to Simons van.
"Yeah," Simon was the first to speak. "This place isn't creepy. Not at all."
Isabelle rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me you're afraid."
"I was born afraid," Simon chuckled. "Which sounded a lot better in my head," he added.
"Let's check it out," Alec said, walking forward. "Quiet Shadowhunter Who Doesn't Irritate Me," he called over his shoulder, "you're with me." Corey looked to Simon, his heart thumping. Why me? Simon shrugged, seeming displeased with the outcome. "Corey!" Alec called, further off in the distance. With one last glance to his friends, Corey ran to Alec with expectant eyes. "This way," Alec said, taking Corey by the hand and leading him off, further into the shadows.
"You don't... approve of this," Corey said slowly and carefully. Alec turned to look at him, no emotion written on his face. "No—Corey," he straightened his stance. "You have to understand, the Silent Brothers aren't like us. The Brothers are powerful, dangerous. They communicate using their minds, their thoughts." he stressed. "If you aren't strong enough, Core, you will die."
Corey shrugged, avoiding eye contact. He thinks I'm weak, Cory thought.
"That- I didn't," Alec sighed, reaching out to touch Corey. "The pain, Core, will be excruciating. Unlike anything you ever felt before. Unlike anything you can imagine. I just, I don't want anything to happen to you. You understand that, right?"
We just met, Corey thought. Why are you concerned about me?
"Core―"
"Alec," Jace's voice rang distantly. "Corey, it's clear!"
* * * *
Corey and Clary stood at the entrance, trembling. "We can do this," Clary said―Corey knew she did her best to sound brave, calm, but the emotions in her eyes spoke louder than the feelings she refused to confess. She turned to Corey, brushing her hand against his wrist softly. "Right?"
"Of course you can!" Simon said. "You can do freakin' anything."
Corey turned to face Simon, smiling softly in thanks. Simon returned the smile before stepping foward. Though, he didnt get far, because within the second step, Jace was stopping him. "Alright," Jace said, "hold up."
"Surprise, surpise"―Simon turned to face Jace―"no mundanes allowed, just like in the training room. Right? Wrong!" Corey looked to Alec, who though did his best to look irritated, still heald a soft smile. "I've seen every horror movie ever made and the funny best friend who gets left behind... Dead man."
Isabelle laughed.
"Well, I guess it's a good thing you aren't that funny." Corey said, much to Simons dismay. Though Coreys tone had been quiet, the others still heard Corey—he assumed—because they were laughing alongside Clary.
Simon glared at Corey, muttering the word: traitor beneathe his breath. He looked to the entrance, frowning. "See, now the problem is, I don't trust any of you."
"He isn't lying," Isabelle offered.
"Now." Alec added, his voice nonchalant. "The City of Bones will kill any mundane that dares to enter. So, please," Alec encouraged, gesturing toward the entrance.
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Eclipse | Alec Lightwood [1]
FanficHe was blind, until he saw him standing there. Disclaimer: I do not own Shadowhunters.