Girlish giggles filled the air, echoing through the Institute. Simon stretched and rolled over contentedly on the bed in one of the many plain, empty guest rooms in the Institute.

Who is that? Hmmm... sounds familiar... thought Simon groggily. Could it be? Maureen? Wait... What?! Maureen is in the Institute?!

Simon was instantly awake. What's Maureen doing in the Institute? And, more importantly, HOW did she get in? Simon cursed silently as he shrugged on his jacket and grabbed a dagger.

''Find him.'' Maureen's voice was getting closer. Simon panicked. His mind raced as he searched for a way to escape. There was no doubt that 'him' meant Simon. Simon glanced around the room wildly.

'' You'll never find him. Run, Simon!'' A sharp crack followed. Then, a loud thump reverberated throughout the hallways before all was eerily silent.

Alec, thought Simon grimly.

Simon realised that his only way out was through the window and sighed in despair. What choice did he have?

Simon's fingers fumbled on the latch at the window. Hearing a sharp click, he flung the window open. He made a spilt-second decision to run and find the others before returning for Alec and possibly, Jace. After all, he couldn't fight Maureen and to take her on alone now would be foolish.

Simon silently apologised to Alec and Jace before he took a deep breath and jumped.

***

''Clary! What happened?''

Clary immediately launched into a summary of the morning's events.

''I passed an alleyway this morning and heard Maureen speaking to someone. She said something about getting into the Institute to kidnap Simon and using Shadowhunters to get into the Institute so I wondered if she had captured one of you.''

Isabelle and Crystal frowned upon hearing this, worried for Jace and Alec, while Holly glanced around in confusion.

''Hold on a minute, who exactly is Maureen?''

''No time, Holly. I'm sorry, I'll explain to you later. We've got to get to the Institute, NOW!'' Crystal replied urgently, glancing at her fellow Shadowhunters' grim faces.

Just as they were about to break into a run to the Institute, Clary's phone rang.

Clary reached for her phone.

''Simon? Thank God you're fine. Jace and Alec? What?! They're at the Institute? Maureen's got them?! We're going there, Simon. Simon Lewis, do NOT even think about coming!'' Clary warned, ending the call, with Simon still protesting.

''Let's go guys. Nobody, nobody, hurts my brothers.'' Isabelle said menacingly, breaking into a run.