17. The Great Escape Take 2

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Clary

"Red, I know you shouldn't have to be uprooted so soon, but I need you to pack all of the things in my 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 and put all 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?" Jace confirms.

"O.....kay," I stutter.

"I'm going to get the cash, you wait in the doorway, that way you can run if you need to," Jace explains. I nod, and stand in the doorframe. Jace slowly walks behind cars to get to his, without being seen. What if he gets caught? What if they hurt him? What if he leaves me? What if he realises I'm not worth all of the trouble? No, he won't leave me! Jace cares about me, even if it's just as a sister. I've seen the love he has for Izzy, so if he has a fraction of that for me, he'll help me. But....I can't let him get hurt because of me? It's not his fault he moved next door to me. That he has morals. It's not his fault I'm broken, ugly, weak, disgusting, and pathetic defenseless. He shouldn't be doing this for me! If we make it out of this, I have to make him go back. Make him live his life, and not get caught up in mine. Someone's touch brings me out of my thoughts and I jump.

"Red, we need to go now," Jace gently urges me. He grabs my hand and we sneakily speed walk to the woods. Once we're out of ear shot, Jace looks at me. "Red, we need to run now. I promise I'll get us through this, but you have to do as I say." It's okay, Jace won't hurt you. It's okay..... "I'm not trying to intimidate you Red, you see that, right? Please tell me you see that?" Jace pleas as we speed walk.

"Y...yes, you're trying to save us," I reply shakily. A look of relief spreads onto Jace's face along with that special smile. Now's not the time Clary! You don't have time to drool over Jace. Pull it together!

"Red, now we need to run, okay," Jace says. I nod. Jace tightens his grip on my hand and we run, or at least move as fast as we can in a messy cluster of trees and terrain. Bumping against hard tree roots. If feels so nice to have Jace hold my hand tight, like he never wants to let go. Stop! He thinks of you as his sister! I almost fall over a broken branch. He doesn't like you! Stop it! You're broken, ugly, weak, disgusting, and pathetic! No one wants that! As we come to a clearing that's deserted my tears fall. Really! Now's not the time! Pull it together Clary! Ugh! Stop them before Jace notices! We stop running and Jace looks at me with that smile, and I look away, trying to hide the tears that won't stop. Damn emotions and stress!

Concerned, Jace places his hand on my cheek and gently forces my head to look at him. "Red, just breathe, okay? We got away from them. You're safe, I've got you. No one's going to hurt you. Just nod if you're listening, okay," Jace gently tries to comfort me, and I find the strength to move my head slighly. If only he knew why I was crying! If only I knew! I mean some of it is probably because of Jace, but most of it is probably because I just had to run for my life from some goons Valentine has sent after me, and I don't know if my mom's alive. How have I not thought about that yet?! I'm a horrible daughter! I fall to my knees and sob. I sob for my fear. I sob for my childhood. I sob for my mother.

"Jace, I'm such a selfish ass," I cry into his chest. "How do you even deal with me?"

"Red, you are not selfish and you are definitely not as ass," Jace replies confidently. "What has you so mad at yourself? Please talk to me. Let me help you. Let me listen."

"M....my mother is....gone. This whole time, I've been so worried about me and you. What if He's.....hurting her? H.....he would take.....m.....me to the.....b...basement and....lo....lock us in. What if....He has my mom down there? What if H.....he's doing things to her, like H....he did to me? Jace, they were awful things. I....." I can't finish.

Jace pulls away from me quickly. Did I say something wrong? H...has he finally had enough of me? Is he mad at me? "Red, I know I probably seem like an ass right now, but we're in the middle of a bunch of trees, and we need to find a place to stay. I need you to be strong and put all of those emotions back in. Hold them off, just until I find a safe place for us. Can you do that Red?" Jace questions.

"I'm sorry I'm spilling a my problems on you," I manage as I try to stop crying.

"Red, no. It's not like that. We've just got to find a safe place, then I'd love to finally get you to let it all out. We're just not completely out of the woods yet," Jace smiles at me lovingly. (Author's Note: Bella chill, Clary thinks it's a sibling love in his smile.) "We need to figure out the next step."

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If anyone out there has any name suggestions for Clary or Jace, I'd love to hear them, thanks. ☺

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: 4/7/18

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