Stolen Breath |William Herondale| ~ on hold due to school~

Chapter 6

In my dream, I was in my old house. Mama came to me, and I ran to her. "Mama!" I cried, tears streaming down my face, "Mama, how?" She smiled down at me sadly, then she began to fade. "Mama, no! Don't leave me! No, please!" She dissipated into mist, and then the scene changed. I was back in the Dark House. Mrs Black smiled evilly at me."No! But you're dead!"I screamed, and a sword impaled through my stomach. I looked down. It was my own. I pulled it out and turned around. Oliver, my blood on his hands. "What?" I cried. My brother had just stabbed me. He STABBED me. His green eyes were dark, soulless. "OLIVER!"I sobbed, as my blood ran out over me. Suddenly, Oliver turned into Lily. I gasped. "Lili?" She smiled, at me and said, in a different voice, "Definitely a Shadowhunter..."

And I was jerked back to reality. I sat up, my heart racing. A woman I didn't know, with brown hair and eyes, was looking at me. "Where am I? Where's Tessa? What's going on?!" I said, staring in fear at the unknown person. "Calm down, it's alright. Your name is Catherine, right? You're at the London Institute. My name is Charlotte Branwell".

"Yes, I'm Catherine, but please call me Cat. Also, Branwell?Like Buford Branwell?" I ask, tilting my head to the side. Charlotte looked shocked."Yes, very much like that. I am married to Henry Branwell, Buford's son. How do you know that?" "My parents," I said throatily, "They used to be friends with the Branwells before they left." "Your parents?" Charlotte asked. "Jonathan and Alyssa Rosehale. They're dead now." I said emotionless. Pretending it doesn't affect me makes the pain feel less, sometimes. "Oh. I'm sorry to hear that, Your parents were friends with my parents as well. The Fairchilds." "Oh, yes!" I said, happy there was something positive to talk about, "They mentioned the Fairchilds often. They said you were a very nice family." 
Charlotte smiled sadly. "I never understood why your parents left the Clave."
"Neither did I. They never explained why; they  just said that it had something to do with...someone..." I said. 

We sat in silence for a minute, then I remembered, "Tessa! Where is she?" I looked around, worriedly. "She's fine." Charlotte said, "She woke up just about an hour ago." "Can I go see her?" I asked. "Yes, of course, Catherine." said Charlotte warmly. "Thank you. Which room is she in?" "The first on your left. " 

I got out of bed. Suddenly, I was aware of my appearance. I was dressed in a plain white nightdress and I knew that I could absolutely not go out wearing this. "Aah, Mrs Branwell?" "Oh please, call me Charlotte." she said, her eyes twinkling. "Is there any clothes I could borrow to wear?" "Oh yes," she said, " in the corner there. It's one of Jessamine's. I'll let you change." 

She left the room. I turned to the corner of the room, and I saw this pretty dress, it was dark green and had lace on the sleeves. I put the dress, on, and it actually fit me quite well. 

I exited my room, making sure to make a mental note so I could remember where it was, and entered the first room on my left. "Cat! Thank goodness you're here!" said Tessa as soon as I entered. I sat down on the bed next to her. She was wearing a pretty red dress and she was nervously touching her angel necklace. A habit of nervousness. "Tess, are you alright?" I asked. "No, not really." said Tessa sadly, "It's just, I'm here is this place I don't know, filled with people I don't know, except for you, there's someone called the Magister who wants to marry me and use you for some unknown plot, I don't know where my brother is, he could be dead for all I know, and they say that I'm not human, that I'm something called a warlock, except they're not really sure and-" Her voice broke. I saw tears threatening to spill out of her eyes. I put my arm around her and gave her a hug. "It'll be alright, Tess. I know it will. You don't have to tell me." I say, patting her back. "Thanks, Cat." she said, her voice losing the tremble slightly.  

Charlotte then peaked her head into the room. "Uh, Catherine, Tessa, it's time for dinner now."

Once she was gone, I looked at Tessa again. "C'mon, Tess, let's go." She smiled, a happy smile."Let's go."

As we walked down to the dining table, I silently vowed in my head that I would always be there for Tessa. No matter what. We would face everything together. As all best friend friends should. 

And we did.