CHAPTER SEVEN. THE CITY OF BONES

"FOR ALL WE KNOW, THEY COULD BE LEADING US INTO A TRAP."

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The group walked down various back alleys in their search for Dot. Wren walked closely beside Alec who would scowl down at her every time her arm would brush his. "Do you mundanes not know the concept of personal space?" He questioned, moving away from her. She didn't respond and pulled her jacket tighter around herself.

Clary was in the lead, walking briskly, determination evident in each stride. She touched her necklace again and stopped walking. A gasp left her lips. "Dot," the redhead whispered before screaming the woman's name and running forward. The group followed after her. "Clary!" Jace called out to her. "Clary, stop! Where are you going?"

The blond boy was the fastest of the group, effortlessly catching up to Clary and halting her movements. "Two men, Circle members the same ones who came to my house, who took my mom. They have Dot. They're gonna hurt her or kill her. We have to stop them!" She frantically explained before taking off again.

The redhead ran into the club Pandemonium. The very club where this entire mess began. Wren slowed down to a stop and stared up at the club's sign. Its red lights flickered strangely; the letters 'P-A-N and I-U-M' went dark and the letters 'D-E-M-O-N' shone its red glow. Demon. Typical. "Wren, come on!" Simon called back to her.

The blonde nodded and quickly entered the club. Simon was instantly back at Clary's side by the time Wren caught up with the group. She rolled her eyes at him. How could Clary not realize?

"No. She was just trying to help me," Clary was saying. She touched the necklace again. "Now, she's gone," she concluded. Wren frowned, her sad eyes on Clary's form. "Clary, I'm sorry," Simon said, resting a hand on her shoulder. Clary looked at the others, "You don't understand. Dot's like my big sister."

"It's not safe here. We have to go back to the Institute right now," Alec informed. "So, what now? Valentine has my mom and Dot, and we're just gonna give up? What about my memories? They can't just be gone?" Clary replied back. "There is another option," Jace said. This peaked Wren's interest.

"Don't even."

"Absolutely not."

"I'm not afraid of the Silent Brothers," the blond said. "Who are the Silent Brothers?" Clary questioned. "They're Shadowhunters with superior powers," Jace answered. "Who possess the ability to recover memories," Isabelle continued. "A process that can also kill you, so there's that," Alec added. "Your bedside manner is abysmal," Simon told him. Both Wren and Alec rolled their eyes.

"We've broken at least 18 Clave rules and now you want to go to the City of Bones? There's no way. I won't allow it," Alec said, returning his attention to Jace. "This isn't our choice to make. This is Clary's decision," Jace replied. "You can't ask her to do this. She doesn't know what she's facing. She's not prepared," Isabelle said.

"Maybe we should just go. For all we know, they could be leading us into a trap," Wren muttered to Clary. The three Shadowhunters gave her looks but she kept her attention on the redhead. Clary shook her head at the blonde. "If anyone can tell me another way to recover my memories and still get the answers we need, I'm listening," Clary said.

It remained silent for a long moment and Wren quickly grew uncomfortable. "That settles it," the redhead said. "See? I told you she's one of us," Jace said, slapping Alec's shoulder as he walked past him. Clary glared slightly at Alec as she too walked past him. Simon went to follow when Isabelle grabbed his arm. He turned to her and she linked her arm through his. Wren shook her head at the sight before following after them.

••••

The drive to the City of Bones was almost completely silent. Wren was uncomfortable sitting in the back of Simon's van with Jace, Alec, and Clary. At this point, she wished she had just stayed home. The van came to a stop and Simon parked it. Everyone began exiting the van, with Wren being the last to leave it, albeit very reluctantly.

She felt a chill creep up her neck as her feet touched the ground. She immediately began checking their surroundings but was met with nothing but darkness. Wren wasn't sure if she should be relieved by that. "Yeah, this place isn't creepy. Not at all," Simon said as he looked around the darkened area.

"Don't tell me you're afraid," Isabelle said with a teasing tone. "Are you kidding me? I was born afraid which sounded a lot better in my head," Simon replied to which the dark haired girl laughed. "Let's check it out," Alec said. He and Isabelle began walking. Clary went to follow but Jace stopped her. "Wait here a minute. I wanna see if it's safe."

He then began walking after the other two Shadowhunters. "Why are we doing this? We don't even know these people," Simon said as soon as Jace was out of hearing range. Clary didn't reply at first, just watched Jace's retreating form. "I just wish my mom had trusted me enough to tell me about all this," she said. That didn't answer his question at all, Wren thought. The redhead probably hadn't even heard him speak as she was too busy staring at Jace.

She looked over at Simon. "What is it? What's wrong?" She asked him. "How are you not ultra freaked out by all of this?" He asked her. "I guess I just always felt like there was something missing. Some void I couldn't quite explain. Things are finally starting to make sense. But none of it's gonna matter unless I get my mom back," Clary explained.

"Then let's do that," Simon said. Wren began to feel out of place as she stood a little behind the two. They were having a friendship moment, one that she wasn't apart of. It felt strange standing by and listening a the while having nothing to contribute. She should've stayed in the van.

"Clary. Come on, it's all clear," Jace said. Wren began walking forward first in an attempt to escape the awkward feeling that she felt. "Let's go," Clary said to Simon. She then began walking beside Jace, a smile on her face. It was so obvious that she was crushing on him. Simon gripped Wren's arm and pulled her back slightly.

"Maybe we should have started your plan back at that club," he whispered. She looked at him through narrowed eyes. "Seriously? That's what you're thinking about right now?" She questioned, pulling her arm from his grasp. "I don't like the way he's looking at her," he said, eyes on Jace. "You mean you don't like the way she's looking at him," she replied, giving him a look.

He looked back at the two who talked quietly to each other. "I hate to say it but I think the plan's dead," Wren continued. "Just like that? We haven't even started yet," Simon whispered. "What do you want me to say, Simon? I didn't think Jace would come into the equation and that she'd start crushing on him. I'm not sure what to do here," the blonde responded.

"You could take Jace out of the equation," he suggested and she scoffed. "And how the hell am I supposed to do that?" She asked. "I don't know. Work your charm like you did on the bartender," he replied. Simon tripped over a rock and nearly fell, grabbing tightly onto Wren's arm to stop himself from face planting. "Ow." She smacked his hand off of her arm. "Sorry," he muttered.

"Managing to get drinks from a bartender and getting a guy to stop crushing on a girl are two completely different things. And the latter makes me more uncomfortable than the former," she said once the two began walking again. "You're plenty capable of getting Jace more interested in you and less interested in Clary," he said. "No I'm not. And even if I was, I wouldn't do it because it wouldn't feel right. I mean he likes her and—"

"I like her," Simon cut in. "I know. But she likes him," she replied. Simon looked away angrily, his eyes on Clary. "I'm not an expert in this sort of thing Simon so I really don't know what to do. Maybe if—" She stopped herself, shaking her head. "Maybe if what?" He asked. "Nothing, it doesn't matter," she dismissed. "But maybe it's time to move on. Isabelle seems to be interested in you and she's pretty so maybe give her a chance." And with that, Wren continued forward, pushing to walk ahead of him.

"I can do this," Clary was saying to Jace. "Yeah, you can. You're Clary freakin' Fray. You can do anything," Simon confirmed as he came to a stop with the rest of the group. Simon began to walk forward but was stopped by Jace. "All right, hold up." Simon scoffed, "Surprise, surprise. No mundanes allowed, just like in the training room, right? Wrong! I've seen every horror movie ever made and the funny best friend who gets left behind dead man," Simon said. The last sentence made Isabelle laugh.

"You're not that funny," Jace retorted. This made Wren snicker quietly, covering her mouth to muffle the sound. Jace had heard it though and sent her a smirk. She looked away from him. Clary had noticed, her eyes looking between the two for a quick moment. "But by all means, go ahead," the blond continued.

Simon began walking forward again. "Of course, the minute you enter, you'll die." This made Simon stop again. "Problem is, now I don't trust you," he said. "He's not lying," Alec spoke up. "Now. He was before," Isabelle said. "The rune energy in the City of Bones will kill any mundane who dares to enter, so, please," Alec said tiredly.

"The Brothers creep me out," Isabelle said, "I'll mind the mundane." Of course she will. Wren suppressed a smirk. "Your sacrifice is noted, Izzy," Jace said sarcastically. "Talk about sacrifice. I'm missing a financial analysis class," Simon told his two friends. "I can't be here anymore, so, Jace, I'm gonna mind the perimeter," Alec said. He seemed very fed up with Simon.

"I'll go with you," Wren spoke up, already moving to follow him. "No," he dismissed. "Too late." She was at his side in an instant. "Good luck, Clary," she called to her friend. Alec sighed in annoyance. "Go back to your mundane friend, mundane," he groaned. "And third wheel on whatever's gonna go on between him and Isabelle? No thanks," Wren said with a head shake. Alec sighed again.

"Look I get it, you don't like mundanes. But do you have to be so rude?" She said. "Stop speaking to me," Alec said. Wren crossed her arms and stared ahead into the darkness. He was such an asshole. The two walked around, with Alec searching the perimeter, for a few minutes before eventually returning to where Simon and Isabelle were. Alec lazily leaned against a wall whilst Wren went to stand a little bit away from the three.

She didn't want to be there anymore. She wanted to be a good and supportive friend to Clary but she wanted to go home more. "So, is cracking someone's mind open supposed to take this long? Maybe we, or you should go check?" Simon said. "Jace has it covered," Alec stated almost instantly.

"Take my word for it. The Silent Brothers are quite unpleasant," Isabelle said, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. Wren looked at her incredulously. "What's that supposed to mean?" She asked at the same time Simon said, "That's not helping. Not at all."

"What if Clary can't handle the Brothers? What does that—" Alec's patience had run thin and he interrupted Simon's talking. "It literally never stops talking," he said. "His name is Simon. You don't have to degrade him as if he's not a person just because you don't like him," Wren defended, glaring at Alec. Simon wore a smug smile as he looked at Alec who rolled his eyes.

"Is he always so charming?" Simon asked Isabelle. "Firstborn. Heavy is the head that wears the crown," Isabelle replied. "Mmm. I feel his pain. Only son. Mother wants me to be a CPA," Simon began explaining.

The dark haired girl stepped closer to him. "And you? What do you want?" She asked. She actually seemed to be interested. Maybe he would find a relationship with Isabelle after all. "Me? Um well, I'm in a band," he replied. This made Isabelle smile, "Yeah? What type of music? Let me guess. Indie rock?"

Simon smiled too, "Yeah." Isabelle's smile seemed to widen a little. "Got anything on your phone?" She asked "I do. We recorded our last set. We killed, right Wren?" He said. "They were alright," the blonde joked. "We were more than alright," Simon said. He patted the pockets of his jeans. "It's— I left my phone in the van," he realized.

"Let's go get it," Isabelle said seductively. "Yeah," he said. "Yeah," she replied. "Where is it going?" Alec asked as the two began to walk past him. Wren rolled her eyes in annoyance. She didn't like him. "We'll be right back," Isabelle said. Alec gave her a look. "What? He passes the time," she said. Wren's face scrunched up at her words. "I can hear you guys, you know?" Simon said.

The two walked away after that, leaving Wren and Alec alone. They remained silent, something neither of them seemed to mind. Wren didn't want to talk to him anyway.

Clary and Jace slowly walked out and back into the night after a few more minutes had passed. Alec noticed them first. "What happened? What did you find out?" He asked. "Valentine is Clary's father," Jace replied. "The evil guy?" Wren asked, looking between her friend and the blond. "Wait a minute. You're telling me this girl shows up out of nowhere and she's Valentine's daughter? Did it occur to you that she might be a spy? This might be part of her plan?" Alec began accusing.

"That's enough, Alec," Jace said. "Do you think I planned for my mom to get kidnapped? Or—or for Dot to be taken? Or to have a giant sword dangle over my head and find out that my father is one of the most dangerous people in the world? Really?" Clary exclaimed. She then looked around. "Where's Simon? Where's Simon?" She asked, the second time she addressed Isabelle who was returning to the the group. Simon was nowhere in sight.

"I told him to stay in the van. I've searched everywhere," Isabelle answered. "He's gone?" Clary asked loudly. "I can't find him," Isabelle replied, out of breath. "You were supposed to protect him!" Clary shouted. She then looked at Wren. "And what were you doing while Simon was going missing?" She asked, her tone accusing.

"What?" The blonde asked. "He's our friend, how could you just let him go off alone?" She continued. "He wasn't alone, he was with Isabelle. I can't believe you're blaming me for this!" Wren replied. She was shocked at Clary's behavior. None of this was her fault. If anything, it was Clary's. But she wouldn't tell that to the redhead, even if it was something she should hear.

Clary shook her head and began rushing forward. "Simon!" She shouted. "Ugh, these mundanes are killing me," Jace said. Alec looked at Wren with an unreadable expression before following after Jace and Isabelle with Wren hot on their heels. Clary ran back to the van, skidding to a stop at the open door.

"Simon!" She yelled again. "Is that the mundane's name?" A new voice shouted. The group turned to look up. A man was stood on top of a structure along with a woman who was holding Simon upside down by his ankles. "Oh my God," Wren muttered. "I'm afraid Simon's coming with us," the man continued. Clary charged forward, only to be stopped by Jace.

"No! No, he's not a part of this," Clary shouted. "And it'll be my pleasure to kill you unless you return him," Jace said. "Careful. We'd be violating the Accords," Alec said. "I'm afraid your sidekick's quite right. The Night Children have broken no laws. We're negotiating. The mundane, unharmed, in exchange for the Mortal Cup. And the clock is ticking. Tick-tock, people," the man said.

"Clary!" Simon yelled. "No wait!" Wren shouted, moving forward. But it was too late as Simon had already disappeared along with the man and woman. "Simon! No! Simon! Simon! Simon! Simon!" Clary shouted into the night air.

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Here's chapter seven. I honestly can't wait to get through season one and jump into season two. Two and three were way more interesting in my opinion and the acting was way better too. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Please be sure to vote and comment. DO NOT COMMENT FOR ME TO UPDATE!