Chapter Seven - Just A Dream.
Tessa led Magnus into the warming comfort of her home, Jem - who was right behind them - was walking with the usual uncanny soundlessness of all Silent Brothers. The inside of the house was rather large with an ornate coatrack stood in the hallway, coats already hung on the hooks. Doorways lined both sides of the hallways and Tessa led Magnus into an open one on the left, the windows were open and a cooling breeze was blowing through them. To one side a large fireplace sat still and empty and above that on the wall was a large painting of Tessa and Will with their children as Magnus stared at the painting, he realised how much Will looked like Alec.

A sharp pang of pain stabbed through his chest and he slumped down into the nearest leather chair to continue examining the room. Large bookshelves lined the walls but Magnus wasn't really paying much attention. 'Will. Alec. Alec. Will.' Magnus thought, it wasn't the first time he'd noticed Alec's similarities to Will but it was the most painful. "Magnus? Are you feeling okay? You're awfully pale." Tessa asked moving quickly towards her dearest friend. He nodded weakly, "Exhaustion," He said, "From making Portals." From the look on both Tessa and Jem's face he could see that they weren't fooled but, fortunately, they didn't press him for further information. "Perhaps, I should show you to your room? Then if you feel up to it later you can join us for dinner later on?" Tessa asked. Magnus nodded, "I would be most grateful Tessa, thank you." She arched an eyebrow and smiled, "The stairs are just down the hallway. James, I will be back to talk again with you in a moment." She smiled again and headed down the corridor, picking up the cat carrier, and leading Magnus up towards the first floor of the house. "James, it was good to see you again." Magnus smiled and hurriedly followed after Tessa.

Magnus was led up a winding staircase onto the first floor and shown to an open door on the right. The bedroom was about the same size as the living room downstairs, if a little bit smaller. He turned to smile at Tessa as he took the cat basket from her. "Thank you Tessa, this will be most comfortable." She nodded, glancing down at the yowling cat in the basket. "Would you like to meet him?" Magnus asked, she nodded again a smile playing on her lips as she reached behind her to shut the door; Magnus opened the basket. Chairman Meow shot out of the open basket and landed lightly on the floor his grey striped fur sticking up in spikes from his little tantrum. "Chairman Meow, Tessa. Tessa, Chairman Meow."
"Pleased to meet you Chairman." Tessa smiled as she knelt down to stroke the tiny kitten. She watched as the cat sniffed her hand once before rubbing his face on her palm, Tessa smiled. "He's so adorable."
Magnus nodded, "And he likes you. Which is good."
"I'll come and wake you when dinner is ready." Tessa said, straightening and walking from the room. Magnus moved to lay on the bed; the minute his head hit the pillow he fell into a deep sleep:

'The stone room was icy cold, the walls and floor made of black marble. Magnus stepped through the ancient doorway, which creaked as it swung shut behind him with a slam. He spun to face the wall behind him by the door had gone, he ran a glittered hand along the hard cold wall: the door had disappeared! There was no escape! The room was filled with too many shadows, too many lurking dangers; he had to move, it wasn't safe here. He set off at a run down the marble corridor, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of an incoming attack. There was a door at the end of the room.

Magnus skidded to a halt in front of the door, yanking brutally on the handle. It didn't budge. He was trapped! "Magnus." A voice in the shadows whispered. Magnus's steady heart rate sped as he rattled the round door handle, again to no avail. 'Come on! Come on! Please!' He screamed internally as blue sparks shot from his fingertips to the lock; he twisted the door handle again... nothing. He sighed frustratedly banging his head on the wooden door, hard. "The room is spell-proofed. Your magic won't work here." The voice called again followed by another whisper of his name. This time he turned to spot Jace and Isabelle stood behind him, both of them were coated in crimson blood. "Help me. Please?" He asked. Isabelle shook her head, "We can't Magnus." She said.
"Can you at least open the door?" Magnus asked, looking beseechingly at Jace this time. He, too, shook his head.

Magnus threw his arms up in the air in frustration, "Shadowhunters!" He cried, yanking - and even kicking - at the door but it still didn't budge. "You should be glad that door doesn't open," Isabelle said, "you haven't seen what we have." Magnus ignored her, yanking and shooting more sparks at the door to no avail. Suddenly an overwhelming sense of dread filled his soul, although he couldn't understand why, as Jace said, "Do you really want to see him?" He pushed past Magnus, leaving a bloodstained handprint on Magnus's shoulder as he stood in front of the door scrawling a rune, Jace glanced once over his shoulder at Magnus before swinging the door open and stepped back.

Magnus ran forward into the room followed by Jace and Isabelle but he instantly regretted his decision. The room was an exact replica of Alec's bedroom at the Institute with the photos of Magnus and Alec on the wall, and one of all the Lightwood family on the desk. A small pile of tattered books were resting on top of the desk and the wooden wardrobe stood open revealing tattered clothes of Alec's. There was something wrong about Alec's room - something missing, something badly wrong - Magnus looked around the room in the darkness, he couldn't make out much, not even with the light from the open door. Two witchlights flashed into bright blue lights, the same shade as Alec's eyes. Magnus's mouth dropped open. The wallpaper was torn and shredded and there were bloody handprints on the walls, blood had soaked into the floorboards Magnus's eyes landed on the figure lying deathly still on the bed. Tears were frozen in their tracks on the pale cheeks it was only when Magnus looked at the inky black hair did Magnus recognise the figure.

He fell to his knees, tears pricking his eyes. "Alec." He whispered. The figure was indeed Alec and he was lying completely still. Magnus slid slowly towards him; placed two fingers on Alec's pale bloodied wrist. There was no pulse. "Alec hates himself. His whole existence and it's your fault. They're just battle scars." Jace whispered in Magnus's ear.
"You did this to him." Isabelle whispered. Tears rolled down Magnus's cheeks, smearing makeup but Magnus didn't care. 'I did this.' Magnus thought. "Alec I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He whispered, clutching Alec's pale cold hand in his warm one. He didn't even look back as Jace and Isabelle ran forward with shinning Seraph blades drawn...'

Magnus woke with a strangled yell, Chairman Meow glanced up where he was perched on top of Magnus's chest. Magnus was drenched in a cold sweat and he rubbed his eyes trying to rid the image of Alec from his memory. "It was just a dream." He whispered, "Just. A. Dream."

*****

"Alec?" Isabelle said, knocking on her brother's bedroom door, "Come on Alec, open the door. You have to eat at some point!" She knocked again almost dropping the tray in annoyance. She went to knock again but this time the door opened and she was stood in front of Jace. She glanced over Jace's shoulder trying to see her brother, when she spotted him sat on the windowsill she glanced over at Jace. He shook his head answering her unspoken question. She smiled sadly. 'Hearts are made of glass and the shards definitely cut you when they break.' She thought as she side-stepped Jace and moved to stand beside Alec. "Don't give me that look Iz." Alec said not turning his face away from the window.
"What look?" She asked, placing the tray down on the windowsill in front of Alec, he didn't touch it.

"The look that says: 'My brother is dying inside and I can't save him.'" He said, "Besides I told you before, you can't save me from this, it's like being hurt by a million tiny invisible papercuts everyday. You can't help me."
"Alec, we only want to help." Jace said.
"You can't." Alec sighed, "You can't stop the memories. No one can." Alec turned his face to stare at his siblings, "Don't look so horrified. I'll be fine." Isabelle shook her head and grabbed her brother in a hug, Alec was shocked at first but eventually he hugged her back. Jace stared at Alec, unmoving, Alec glanced at him. "I'm not hugging you," Jace said, "don't look at me like that. Hugs are a girl thing."
"Yet you didn't mind a few days ago." Alec smiled, a ghost of a smile one that Jace took to mean: 'I'm not happy, but I'll attempt to make myself look fine.' He smiled back before reaching across and hugging his Parabatai. "Everyone loves hugs." Jace muttered as Alec laughed.
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A/N:

By the Angel Raziel!!!

You are all so amazing!!! You lot have already really enjoyed the past six chapters I have been writing for you all, I love writing this story for you as you are all amazing readers! I LOVE reading the comments you guys are leaving! Especially the ones which I've had recently where people have been saying they are addicted to this story. It means a lot to hear you say that! :') I read that comment yesterday and I almost burst into tears. :'D

It means a lot to me, honestly. I can't remember ever getting such love for something I've been writing. Your support is much appreciated!!

Just to let those of you who have been crying through this story, you know who you are (I will not embarass you by naming you) but I have been sharing your tears so you're not alone! ;) By the way you all have nothing to fear about me putting this story on hold or not writing it any more - I WOULD NEVER DO THAT!!!!

Okay Chapter Eight is beckoning so I'd better run and if you read all of this pat yourself on the back, hug yourself for the upcoming feels and take this shiny Rune! *holds out Stele to draw Rune* Also this cup of coffee (black like my soul, of course!) *holds out cup of coffee* And write COFFEE in your comment at some point so I know. :)

Bye!!!

P.S. Again if you read all of this write COFFEE in your comment!!!

*takes Portal to my writing lair in the NY Institute*