Alec Lightwood had been in the orphanage for 6 years. Longer than almost any other kid. His parents, brother, and sister were murdered right before his eyes at the tender age of 9. When he first arrived, he was rebellious. He couldn't handle that these people didn't care. His family was gone and no one gave a damn! Headmaster Morganstern broke him of his rebellious attitude through beatings and harsh words. When he was through Alec was a hollow shell and perfectly obedient. As a reward of sorts for Alec's depression, the headmaster allowed Alec access to the library. Alec found solace in heroes. They understood the emotions Alec had to bury. Alec became withdrawn, he read constantly: in class, walking through the halls, eating. He was the perfect kid, he followed every rule except for lights out. He often would read by the moonlight long past when he should. He never spoke except to answer a teacher's question. Even then he wouldn't bother to put his book down and would answer so quietly the teacher had to strain to hear him.

Magnus Bane had only been there for 2 years, and he still had some fight left in him. He would pull pranks and make mischief never giving a damn about the consequences. He didn't care what opinion others would form about him, he knew who he was. His confidence made him quite popular, though he had his close group of friends. Among them was Jace Wayland who had lost his father, at the age of 10, in a freak fire. Clary Fairchild's mother had slipped into an impenetrable coma, the doctor's gave up hope and simply pulled the plug. Magnus knew everybody by name in the school, so when he noticed a pale boy with dark wavy hair and startling blue eyes reading by himself, he simply had to know who this was to have evaded his detection.

"Hey Jace, who is that kid sitting all by himself over there?" Magnus asked.

"I dunno." Jace answered with a shrug. Magnus asked everyone at the table and no one was able to produce an answer. With determination, Magnus stood up and strode across the room to this oddity before him.

Alec was too absorbed in his book to notice anyone had sat down. He reached the end of the chapter and lowered his book so he could process the roller coaster of emotions he had just experienced. He looked up and was thoroughly surprised to find someone watching him intently. The boy before him had caramel colored skin, skillfully disheveled hair, painted fingernails and the most lovely golden eyes. Alec had just been wondering where he got nail polish when Magnus asked "What's your name? Mine is Magnus Bane."

"Alec." he replied almost too quietly to hear. Magnus looked over his shoulder at his friends, who were laughing riotously at something Jace was miming out. When he looked back he found the boy named Alec had simply disappeared. Magnus looked all around, but there was no sign of him. With a shrug, Magnus went to his next class: Literature and saw Alec sitting in the back, once again enraptured by his book.

Magnus took the desk next to his and asked "What'cha reading?"

Alec looked up and was surprised to see it was the same boy from lunch. "It's about these people called Shadowhunters that go around and kill demons." Alec replied, for the first time showing a little light in his eyes.

"Sounds interesting," Magnus said "Do you usually read these types of books?" Alec nodded enthusiastically. Just then the teacher Mr. Hodge walked into the room and began class.

"So what other things do you do?" Magnus whispered. Alec looked at him incredulously, class had started they couldn't keep talking.

"Your going to get us in trouble." Alec pointed out.

"I'm not worried.", as soon as Magnus finished uttering the last syllable, both boys jumped as the teacher cracked his ruler off Alec's desk.

"Alexander, Magnus if you two are quite finished with your conversation, I would like to start class. Anymore disturbances and I will send you straight to Headmaster Morganstern. Am I clear?" Mr. Hodge finished in a tone that brooked no debate.

"Yes Sir." Alec replied immediately, Magnus just rolled his eyes. The teacher walked away and began droning on about Shakespeare.

"You liar, you told me your name was Alec." Magnus whispered to Alec.

"Alec is a nickname." Alec harshly whispered back.

"Well if you ask me, I like Alexander." Magnus whispered thoughtfully.

"Well I didn't. Now would you please leave me al..."

"ALEXANDER!" the teacher roared. " Go see the headmaster immediately for your insubordination."

Alec gathered his things and quietly left the room. On the way to the headmaster's office, Alec clutched his book tightly. You've really done it now idiot! Alec chidded himself. When he arrived, he knocked quietly on the door then entered. The room consisted of a large desk with papers scattered all around, a large chair in which the headmaster sat, a small plastic chair opposite the headmaster, a locked cabinet and a window with the blinds drawn tightly. Alec glanced uneasily at the locked cabinet, for he knew what awaited him in there. He sat shakily in the plastic chair.

"Alexander what an unpleasant surprise. Why are you here today?" the headmaster asked in an authoritative tone.

"The headmaster sent me for insubordination." Alec replied quietly his voice quivering.

"What would prompt such disobedience?" he asked.

"I lost my temper at some other boy," Alec began, "He..."

"Are you really going to blame your wrong-doings on another? You truly are poison, Alexander. A truly wretched being who corrupts any he meets. I am very disappointed in you." The headmaster delighted in watching Alec's head lower in shame. Alec knew every word to be true. "Now for your punishment," the headmaster stood up and unlocked the cabinet. From his implements of punishment he selected a simple brown belt. "You know the drill: remove your shirt and place your hands on the desk." the headmaster droned with a cruel edge to his voice. Alec complied without a word. The headmaster poured every ounce of hate he possessed into every strike. Alec made not a single sound, which drove the headmaster to go further than was necessary. Afterwards, the headmaster returned the belt to its home then re-locked the cabinet. "Now hand over your book, Alexander. You have lost your library privileges for the week. See to it that this doesn't happen again."

Insult to injury. Alec thought bitterly as he trudged off to chores. He missed his literature class completely. Usually he would have chosen the library to do his chores in, however he just got himself banned. So instead he chose the kitchen, it was usually not too bad. He set himself up in the corner and cut potatoes for 2 hours dreading the night. He skipped right over dinner and went straight to the dormitory to avoid the other boys. He can't avoid the pain, but damn if he would look weak in front of the other boys. He changed quickly and laid down on his stomach, pain biting into every thought. He wished with all his heart he had his book as a distraction. Without it the darker thoughts crept in. Alec spent the night tossing fitfully from his nightmares.

Little did he know a pair of golden eyes watched his distress with sadness in his heart.