The Shadowhunters

Angst, Tears, and Madness

"I only wanted you for a challenge, really," Will said. "It was surprisingly easy," Will shrugged. Each word was a stab into heart. "Maybe a good shag or two, but since you're

obviously not going to give me that…" Will gave another non­committal shrug.

"You absolute…" Tessa started, but she was cut off.

"I already packed your bags for you," Will said. "They're in your room, ready to go." Will handed her an envelope. "Plane tickets to New York. I figured I might as well be nice and

let you go back home. Spare you the humiliation. They're scheduled for next week."

Was this really happening? "But…" Tessa said.

"You won't believe how easy it was, Tess," Will said, interrupting again. Tess. The nickname that only he used for Tessa. "Sure, you had taken longer than others, but you

succumbed to my charm anyways," Will smirked. "For a few kind words and some books, that was all it took."

He used her. She was just another challenge. Will hadn't changed at all. Was the indifferent mask Will had put on when Ella died not a mask? Was it the true Will? Was the kind and

amazing Will Tessa had came to know just… an act?

Tessa didn't know what to say. She felt betrayed, confused and above all, hurt. She wanted to cry and scream, pound her fists into Will. But she sat there, as still as a statue.

A tear slid down her face, landing on her shorts.

Will placed the envelope of her plane ticket back to New York City beside her. "Next week, remember that," Will said shortly.

Tessa looked up, glaring at him with her crying eyes. A flash of regret filled Will's eyes, but it was gone so quick that Tessa thought she imagined it. "You haven't changed at all,

have you? You're still that boy who hurts everyone around him as a sport. You still push everyone away. One day, you'll end up alone because you don't allow anyone in your heart."

Will stayed indifferent. "Goodbye, Tess," he said shortly before walking away, leaving Tessa alone and crying.

She was just a challenge. She was just a game to him. He never really cared about her. Will never loved her.

But the worst part about it all. The worst part of this entire game…

Despite it all, Tessa still loved him.

…

"William Owen Herondale!" Cecily shouted angrily. Will did not wince. He kept his emotions hidden and steeled as his sister stormed into the empty Institute library. Empty except

for Will. Behind her was Jem. Both looked murderous as they glared at Will.

"Why would you say those things to Tessa?" Cecily asked angrily, standing in front of him.

"I broke up with her. End of story," Will said, flipping the page in his book. Then Jem grabbed Will's collar roughly, forcing him to stand. His fist was upraised. "Are you going to

punch me, James?" Will asked, a humourless chuckle following his words.

Jem punched Will then, making Will fall back onto his wooden chair. Will laughed again, the same cold laughter. His lip was bloody and he touched it, eying the blood on his

fingertips.

"Will stop," Cecily said, voice slightly quivering. Will did not stop his cold laugh. "Will, stop. You're scaring me," Cecily said, nearing Will. Will stopped her with a cold glare.

"You should be scared, Cecy," Will said. "I'm completely unstable. I'm unbalanced. You all should stay away."

"What happened?" Cecily asked.

A silent tear slid down Will's cheek, which was hastily wiped away. "Leave me alone," Will said, returning to his book. But his book was snatched out of his hands.

"Great Expectations?" Jem asked. "Isn't this Tessa's?"

"Tell us what happened," Cecily pressed.

"Our dear, darling mother," Will spat, venom filling his voice at the mention of his biological mother, "made me sever ties with Tessa. If…" Will shook his head.

"William," Jem said quietly.

"She's powerful," Will continued. "You know that she can make or break your life with a snap of her fingers. She's just that powerful," Will said. "If… If I didn't send Tessa away…

she would have ruined her. Tessa would have been a disgrace in the world. She would never be a writer. Finding a job at McDonald's would be hard. For someone like Tessa, just

living at a house while everyone else works would be unbearable. Tessa tried so hard to become a writer… It's on her bucket list. To publish a book. I can't… I can't…" Will said,

putting his head into his hands again.

"I can't let it be because of me that she can't fulfill her dreams. She would be ruined," Will finished.

Jem and Cecily could only look at the miserable Will as he sat in the library, silent tears falling down his cheeks.

…

Edmund Herondale did not bother to knock as he entered his wife's office. She was sitting at her desk, a triumphant smile on her face. Edmund felt sickened by it. She had singlehandedly

ruined her son's life and she was smiling as if it was something to be happy about.

"Edmund!" Linette said. "Will is…"

"Absolutely miserable," Edmund cut in. "He's depressed. Sad. What other adjectives do you have to add? Angry? Mad?" Linette seemed surprise at Edmund's fuming tone.

"What do you…"

"Don't play with me, Linette!" Edmund roared. "I cannot believe you! You have taken it far enough!"

Realization dawned on his wife's face. "Theresa," she spat. "She is only there for our money!"

"You're wrong!" Edmund said, towering over his wife. "Why do you think our children have been happier? Because of her! You've ripped out their happiness out of their lives and

they'll just hate you more. They won't come running back to you now that you've taken her out of their lives. You threatened her. I cannot believe you," Edmund said, slamming his

hands on her table.

"I…" Linette seemed to be at a loss for words.

"That woman…" Edmund said, voice quieter. "I had fallen in love with the woman that was compassionate. I had fallen in love with the woman that made my heart pound and she

was beautiful, kind and understanding. She was stubborn, of course, but it only made me love her more."

"But you…" Edmund continued. "I don't know what happened. You were always overprotective and I'm sorry that I stopped this too late. When Ella died, you snapped. My only regret

is that I didn't stop this soon enough. Will and Cecily shouldn't be dictated by you. They are people. Not untrained dogs!"

Linette sat down on her chair, eyes wide.

Edmund did not stop on his rant. "Why, Linette?" Edmund asked. "Why?"

"I'm sorry," Edmund said then. "I cannot be with you when you are not the woman that I had fallen in love with. Bring her back, Linette. Before it truly is too late."

And Edmund left, leaving Linette sitting alone in her office.