Casey's eyes narrowed in confusion as he looked at his surroundings. He was in a house, that much he knew. But if this was a dream - sorry correction, memory - he only ever had them when he was asleep, and he was certain that at the current moment he was awake.

Alec had been talking to him, that much he remembered. Something about his job, but if he was awake then why was he experiencing this now?

Deciding that he would think about why he was there in the first place later, Casey stepped into the next room, searching for anything that was familiar about the house. It was an old type of house, and Casey got the impression that it was once filled with love and laughter.

Now, the house seemed cold and lifeless, leaving him wondering why it was like that now. Casey jolted slightly as the raven haired child ran past him. Realisation hit him like a tidal wave, this child was him. This was an event that had happened but he could not recall due to his memories being taken.

"Mummy I don't want to go." Little Casey whined. Once again Casey was amazed by how advanced he had been at such a young age. Other children could not have formed such accurate sentences.

Casey's eyes widened as his mother appeared before him, well a younger version of his mother. Jocelyn was packing a bag, a small one obviously only taking the essentials. Where did his mother take him from? Why?

"Casey we have no choice, now hurry and get your coat." Jocelyn replied, slinging the bag over her shoulder.

"But mummy, Jonathan isn't home. And shouldn't you tell daddy that we're leaving? He won't have time to pack a bag for him and Jonathan."

"Jonathan and your father aren't coming Casey." Jocelyn sighed.

"Then neither am I." Little Casey announced, folding his arms. A small smile made its way onto present day Casey's face. His mother hadn't been kidding when she said that he had been a stubborn child.

"Oh but Casey then you'll ruin the game." Jocelyn cried. Casey knew exactly what his mother had been doing. She had been pretending that they weren't really leaving at all. For his mother knew that her son wouldn't willingly leave his brother.

That still confused Casey, and he knew that when he rescued his mother they would have to talk about that. How he supposedly had a twin brother.

"The game?" Casey echoed, his small head tilting.

"Oh yes! Hide and seek."

"That's Jonathan's favourite game." Casey giggled.

"Oh I know sweetheart. So shall we play?"

- - -

"CASEY."

Casey recoiled, blinking rapidly. He now sat on a couch and Alec loomed over him, his hands cupping his face. He was suddenly very aware of how close their faces were and how his minty breath was fanning his face.

Alec seemed to realise this too and immediately recoiled from Casey as though he was a hot iron poker. "You okay?" He mumbled, awkwardly clearing his throat.

"Yeah I'm fine." Casey confirmed, nodding his head, his eyebrows furrowing. "What happened?" "We were talking and then you just fell. I caught you before you hit the ground, but you were unconscious. I couldn't wake you up." He explained.

"Weird." He shrugged, attempting to play it off. "I've been tired lately, maybe I just fell asleep."

"There's a difference between being unconscious and sleeping Casey." Alec scolded.

"Not when it comes to me." Casey laughed, causing Alec to shake his head. Casey stood up abruptly and nudged Alec's hand, causing the boy to stand. "Come on, they'll probably think we got kidnapped by demons." He grinned and Alec couldn't help but smile.

The quickly made their way down the corridors of the institute until they reached the others. Instantly Carey's eyes were drawn to the one and only Simon Lewis who stood in the middle of the room looking rather bewildered. "Simon." Casey yelled in glee, barrelling towards the young man with glasses. Simon hugged Casey tightly, causing Alec to tense and Isabelle to smile smugly at her brothers reaction.

"Casey, are you involved in all this?" Simon questioned, arching an eyebrow.

"Yeah." Casey laughed. "I am." "Hey Case." Jace greeted, standing beside the raven haired boy.

"Case? Really Jace?" He snorted in response.

"Aw, look at you rhyming." He teased and pinched Casey's cheeks, causing the boy to growl.

"Am I missing something?" Simon questioned, crinkling his nose.

Jace merely rolled his eyes. "Look, there's someone who might be able to help you and Clary. But mundie, you can't come. There's runes all over the training floor that could kill you."

"I'm sure Izzy would be willing to help, wouldn't you?" Casey smiled, his eyes setting on the raven haired girl.

Isabelle nodded, laughing slightly. "Oh I'd be more than happy to."

"See, best friend's safe. Let's go." Jace remarked and ushered the two forward.

"Alec." Casey cried out, feeling quite foolish for doing so. "Yeah?" He replied and awkwardly walked to meet him.

"Will you come with me?" He asked, and when Alec didn't answer she began to fidget. "You don't have to." He babbled. "It was stupid to even ask."

"Casey." Alec interupted before he could continue. Casey liked it when he said his name, it sounded different and made his entire body shiver. "I'll come with you."

Silence enveloped the group as they made their way to their destination and quickly Casey, Alec, Clary and Jace approached the training room and watched as a male and female sparred. The woman held no interest to Casey, but he did study the man. He had blonde hair and bright eyes and a circular rune on the side of his neck.

"I know him." He whispered, only Alec hearing him as Jace was explaining to Clary who he was. "How?" Alec asked, looking at him with concern.

"I don't know." He confessed. "Do you know him?"

"Yes. His name's Hodge Starkweather. He's our weapons trainer but he's also a former circle member." He replied. Alec looked down at Casey and saw the worry and confusion on his face. "Come on." He coaxed him. "Let's go see if he knows you."

Slowly, Casey and Alec approached Hodge just in time to hear Clary explain that she was Jocelyn's daughter. The two stopped infront of the blonde man who instantly became transfixed on Casey. He reached him in two strides, smiling at him while the other three watched in confusion.

"Oh Casey, you grown so much. You were only two the last time I saw you." He exclaimed. "I know you." He mumbled, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I see you in my dreams."

Jace snorted and Alec glared at him so harshly that he bowed his head in shame.

"You do know me Casey. And those dreams are memories. I used to look after you when you were so small." He told him .

"Do you know who my father is?" He asked.

"Yes." He confessed and hissed as the rune on his neck burned. "I'm sorry Casey but I can't tell you who he was. I'm forbidden to by the Clave."

"Why?" Casey pressed, he needed answers he refused to wait any longer. "Because it could put you in so much danger." He sighed.

"My mum has been kidnapped by someone named Valentine and his men." Casey informed Hodge and Clary nodded from behind, still slightly shocked at how this man and her brother knew each other.

"By the circle Hodge." Jace added, folding his arms.

"But that's impossible. Valentine's dead and the circle died with him." Hodge aruged until he hissed with the pain from the burning ruin once more.

"What's happening?" Clary asked, panicked.

"I swore a vow that I'd never speak of what the Circle did. This is just the Claves way of making sure I keep that vow." Hodge scoffed.

"Hodge I won't allow you to be tortured, just so we can have information." Casey said softly. "There must be another way."

"There isn't." Hodge sighed. "But it's okay, I'll tell you what I can. I'll do it for you Casey, and for Jocelyn."

And so Hodge explained to the four about Valentine and the circle. About how they initally thought he had good intentions, but they soon realised that many people would die if they did what Valentine said. He continued, telling them how their mother was a part of the circle.

"If Jocelyn hid the mortal cup from Valentine, she's in more danger than you can imagine." Hodge told them, moments later yelling with the pain. He fell to the ground and Casey rushed forward, memories of how he had held him as a child and comforted him when he cried rushing back.

He helped him into a sitting position and he turned to face him, gritting his teeth with the pain. "I'm so sorry Casey. You're mum only ever wanted to protect you, and then your sister. But she had to take you away, you weren't safe. Now you have to protect her. Get the cup from Valentine. Before he destroys us all."

--
EDITED