Clace Best Friends (Slow Updates)

16. The Man with the Striped Hat

Clary

It's about 6:30A.M. by the time we get to the Pony Canyon Motel. The sun started rising while we were in the Kingston General Store, but there still weren't any customers. As I step out of the car, I feel a bit dizzy. "Thomas, could you help me?" I ask Jace.

"Of course Kelly, don't move, I'm coming," Jace responds. Slowly, with Jace's hand around my waist, we get into the motel room. It's nice to have Jace embracing me. My balance is off, but it's more than that. Jace makes me feel safe and that's something I'll never take for granted.

"I think we should get some sleep Red," Jace whispers to me after the door is closed. I nod and he brings me to the bed. Jace looks at me again. "You want me to nap on the floor?" Jace asks. Is he going to ask every time?! But......I kinda like that he asks.....

"Golden boy, you just drove for at least 3 hours with 7 hours of sleep after an exhausting day. An hour more than necessary, so I could get some clothes. Why would I want you to sleep in the floor?" I ask.

"Red, I don't want you to share a bed with me because you feel like you owe me," Jace explains. "The floor will be perfectly fine with me."

"You shouldn't have to sleep on the floor," I argue.

"We've got about 13 hours of downtime. We can take shifts, if you want," Jace offers.

"Golden boy, I want you to lay with me because I feel safe when I can feel you near me," I confess. My cheeks radiate heat and I look away from him. Stop! He doesn't like you. No one will like you!

"That's all you had to say. I....I just had to know you didn't feel pressured," Jace responds. I lay down and feel Jace join me. He cuddles close to me, just how I need him to, so I feel safe. We fall asleep breathing the same air.

I wake up to a sound, but I can't quite make it out. "Jace," I whisper. Immediately, Jace is alert, probably from my shaking body beside him. He keeps his head low as if he's asleep, but I can see his eyes. "Jace, there was a noise." Slowly, Jace stands up and grabs the knife under the alarm clock off the nightstand.

"Stay here, I'm going to see want made that noise, but if I say run, grab my backpack and run, don't wait for me, just run to the gas station we passed right by the motel entrance and hide in the women's bathroom. If all goes well, I'll meet you there. But Red, if.....if I don't make it, you have to run, okay?" Jace quietly confirms. I nod. Jace slowly gets up and opens the door. Valentine's goons have found us! What is Jace going to do? When did he put the knife under the alarm clock? How did he find us? I thought we were being do careful. Am I going to die here? Is Jace? No! I can't let him! If I hear any sign of distress, I'll run out there and make sure he doesn't die. He has so much to live for.

Jace

I put the knife in my pants. Then, I quickly open and close the door, so the man can't see Red. "Hello, can I help you sir?" I ask politely. This guy has a striped hat and looks to be in his mid 60's. Maybe he's staying at the hotel and lost?

All my hopes are gone when the man asks, "Do you know the owner of that 2007 Black Cadillac?" Who is this guy? Why is he interested in my car? He must be working with Valentine. He knows I'm helping Red. I've got to get him off our trail.

"No, sir, but my girlfriend and I were in a really heated make out and if all goes well, I could get some tonight. If that's all you need, I don't want to keep her waiting," I try to sound hoarse as if I'd just stopped kissing my girlfriend. Luckily, my hair is messed up and my clothes are slightly disheveled from sleep, so I look the part. The only thing I can think is, 'please don't let Red have heard me.' I almost vomit saying things such as 'get some.' That's highly degrading, but I can tell this guy is more old fashion and probably sexist. I'm basically using his personality to manipulate him, but if it works, I won't have an issue sleeping whenever I actually can sleep again.

"Sorry to interrupt son, but if you see anything please call me," he says as he hands me his card. "The owner of this car is suspected of kidnapping a chief of police's daughter. Who knows what the monster could've done to her by now." I really want to punch this douch, but I remain calm and collected. It worked.

"Sounds like a creep. I'll keep my eyes peeled sir," I reply. He outstretches his hand, and I firmly shake it with mine. Something else he likely values.

"Good day son," He says as walks away. I go back into the room as if my girlfriend's about to pounce on me.

What I see when I open the door, makes all of my relief of playing that guy dissipate. Red is silently crying in the pillows. I slowly walk towards her, and she flinches. She curls in a ball and puts her back out to take the brunt of the damage she assumes is coming for her.

"Red, i....it's me. You're safe, he left. I've got you," I whisper to her, as I hold her to my chest. "Red, we've got to get a new car fast, and we certainly can't stay here for long. All I want to do is hold you and tell you everything will be alright, but we need to pack up."

"Thank you Jace. I.....if I was alone when that man came, I....I would've been taken back to Valentine," Red cries on me.

"Red, I know you shouldn't have to be uprooted so soon, but I need you to pack all of my things in your backpack, except for my sweatshirt and thermos. I'm going to dump it all on the bed and I need you to do that now. I've got to sneak to the car, so I can put the money in my backpack. If I tell you to run, do as we planned earlier okay. As long as all goes well, after I get the money, we're going to sneak into the woods behind this motel and get the hell out of here, okay?" I make sure she's with me.

"O.....kay," Red manages.

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Will they escape? Or will the man catch them?

I do not own any of the Mortal Instruments books, materials, etc. All credit belongs to Cassandra Clare.

Author's Note:
I hope you all like it! Please leave comments, votes, and feedback. I'm going to update, when I'm done and it'll be random.

Originally posted: 4/6/18