The world collapsed as the window shattered violently down the stairs. Into a darkening abyss that was my basement, I disappeared.

---

The books were my escape, they always were. I hid there and when I needed to, I let them take me away. I would sit down in the basement and lay against the bed of pillows, falling into oceans of ink and letting my brain wander away from my body.

I was a dragon rider, a witch, a shadowhunter, a spy, and most of all, I was an assassin. I read each book with glee, seeing how the authors wove their characters into actions like defending the weak and taking out those harming them. I wanted to be those assassins that helped others.

Mom came down one day, seeing me all wrapped up in blankets as if I was a mummy. I was reading City of Bones for the fourth of fifth time, the pages worn against my fingertips. She came in front of me, taking me out of the safe asylum of the Nephilim and into my basement once again, all dark except for one pure light.

“Zee, dinner is ready.” She said. I looked up to her, smiling. I loved my mother. She was kind and always understood my love of books and the need for more. In fact, she got me started on reading and my karate lessons when I was younger. Every day after a match, she would take me to the secondhand bookstore and let me buy one book. Sure, it was incentive to do well in my karate lessons, but I enjoyed it and was anxious to do well.

“Thanks, Mom. I’ll be up after this chapter.” I nodded. She patted my knee affectionately and walked upstairs.

I took my time, absorbing the entire story as I finished the chapter. I both loved and hated Jace at the same time, but I enjoyed Clary’s character. She kind of reminded me of myself.

“Zila!” My mother called again. I set the book down and raced past the endless shelves and up the stairs. I closed my eyes as I ran, imagining myself a shadowhunter, an assassin, someone who was taking light steps, invisible to the rest of the world. I focused on how I was running, thinking about how to make myself quieter.

I put less force into every step, making them not crush down heavily on the wood, but touch down before springing off. I was faster and silent, a deadly combination. I couldn’t help but grin.

I could be a great spy, if only I lived in another world.

Skidding across the hall, I landed in the kitchen, kissing my mom on the cheek as I picked up my plate. She was the only family left that I had so I made sure to do everything to thank her for supporting me.

“Don’t forget to bring your plate up.” She reminded me. I nodded.

“I will, don’t worry.” I grinned as I hopped down the steps back to the comfortable basement of our small house. I scarfed down the food while I kept on reading, occasionally breaking for air.

I ran back upstairs, nearly chucking my plate in the sink, running water over it, and then throwing it back in the dishwasher. I couldn’t miss a single moment to read my book!

And as I turned back down the hall, that’s when the window exploded.

The glass flew like shattered dreams away from a dead mind. The frame shattered on the impact of whatever had caused the explosion. The night infiltrated my home, spilling into the lights.

My first reaction was the duck. I turned away and covered my face out of fear. As soon as the noise stopped, I turned up to see what had caused this catastrophe. Three men with black ski masks and grey shirts on had burst through the window like cannon fire and now were recovering from the initial impact. My mom ran to see what had happened, causing their attention to be directed to her.

“GO!” She yelled at me as soon as she saw the intruders stand up. One had a baseball bat aimed to strike her down. I took off to the first place my brain took me: My basement.

My feet swiftly took me down the steps, making my footsteps lighter and faster. As soon as I was past the door, I closed it behind me, locking and shoving as many chairs as I could behind it.

Sixteen years old, and already having my house broken in.

My brain raced to try and figure out where to hide. Green eyes scanning the room, I spotted my desk. As soon as I saw it, I took off, diving behind my desk and pulling a chair in front of me and blanket around my shoulders. They shouldn’t see me here.

There were many loud noises upstairs. Too many loud noises. I wanted to go back and help my mom, but I knew she could take care of herself. Besides, it would do us no good if both of us were dead.

There were loud bangs on the door, a rhinoceros with a gun charging it multiple times. The door’s hinges knocked off, a loud cracking sound echoing around the room. The chairs spilled back as two men rampaged into the room.

I could only close my eyes against the tears. If they found me, I would be as good as dead.

Grunts, no sounds, filled the room. Things were being upturned, spilled, my precious bookshelves tumbled to the floor in utter defeat.

But after minutes, or maybe hours, had passed, the footsteps retreated, and the sound of a door closing filled the air upstairs. The racing of my heart slowed to a steady thrum before I took away my cover.

The room was a horror scene.

Everything was upturned and spilled, by I hadn’t been discovered. As soon as I decided it was safe enough to go upstairs, I sprinted past the broken doorway and up the stairs to where I had last scene my mom.

Blood, but no body.

She wasn’t here.

Notes

Hey everyone!

Finally, it's up!

I'm going to be writing this because the author that was going to do this didn't have the time to write it, which is fine! I'm just going to take over and start writing. Sorry about the wait...it's been long overdue!

I really hope you enjoy this prequel, and hopefully the other author will get Virgo's story up, but she hasn't responded to my messages as of late, so I hope she'll get on sooooooon!!!!!

As for now, shadows keep you, my lovely readers! :)