SHAPESHIFTED (✓)

19. The monster which resides within us.

*Warning - Use of strong language*

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Alec stirred and slowly opened his eyes. It was past midnight, the room was dark, the slow, lazy rays of moonlight escaping from far away windows were the only source of light which were illuminating the otherwise dark room. A few clatters of weapons and light footsteps were heard indicating that the shadowhunters were finishing their duties and were about to leave.

Alec was hiding in the faraway corner of the weapons room, escaping from Robert. That morning, he had an important weapons test, but because of last night's beatings his hands weren't completely healed, they were shaky and still paining. Because of that, he had worn a full-sleeved, high-neck sweater, but because of the pain he wasn't able to hold the weapons properly and thus he failed the test.

There was no other reason for it but Robert believed otherwise. He believed that Alec failed purposefully just to see Jace topping the test, which he actually did, but only because he was great at seraph daggers and Alec was hurting all over so his aims were bad. Otherwise, at the age of 14, Alec was the best archer and could defeat anyone, even Jace. But Robert didn't seem to believe any of it. He blamed Alec's 'gayness' for his failure and was searching for him to punish him.

When everything went quiet, Alec thought he was safe, he was about to get out of his hiding when he heard a familiar voice.

"Where are you hiding, you fag!?" Robert's slurry voice echoed in the room. Alec flinched and started trembling, he covered his mouth with his hands so he couldn't be heard.

"I know you're hiding here, you cunt! I've searched the whole Institute! Get your failure ass out here! Now!"

Alec was scared, he was tired of telling Robert that he didn't do it for Jace. Tears were pooling down his face. He was trying to quiet his sobs, pressing his hands tightly over his mouth when a strong arm grabbed him and dragged him out of the hiding spot. He felt a tight slap on his face and looked up to see an angry Robert looking disgustingly at him.

"D...Dad! I.. I'm sorry, but I swear, my hands were hurting that's why I failed the test. Pl.. Please believe me." He begged, he didn't want to get beaten again.

"Believe you! I know the way you look at your brother! He's your brother, you fag!! I saw how you looked at Jace when he was performing, and you want me to believe you!" He spat at him, literally.

Alec rubbed his face from his sweater, tears were pooling down his face. He tried to back away but his father grabbed him so strongly that it left a deep red bruise.

"D..Dad! It's hurting! Please stop!" He begged, his whole body was trembling.

"Stop! I'm not going to stop until you become normal again, until this disease wears off from you. No son of mine should possess this disgusting disease! So, tell me now, do you like boys or girls?" He removed his belt and held it tightly then whipped him with it, tearing his sweater in the process. He kept doing it constantly, around his face, hands, chest, back, legs and even at his privates. Alec was bleeding all over.

"D..Da..Dad.. St..Stop. I.. I c..can't help it, p.. please understand." He tried to reason with him but to no avail.

"That's not an answer, Fag!" He seethed and started beating him more badly. The sound of his slaps and belt whipping was echoing in the room. Alec was screaming and crying badly, silently begging for someone to come and help him. He thanked the angels when he heard footsteps.

"What is goi... Alec! Robert what are you doing? Leave him!" Maryse ran between them and tried to remove her son from her husband's grasp.

"Mom!" Alec sobbed.