Shadowhunter in the Apocalypse

The office smelled of coffee and parchment. Reed sat across from Hale, the desk between them covered in open files and thin folders.

He had finished his report.

Hale nodded once, his face unreadable.

"Well done, you handled the situation perfectly as expected." Hale said finally, leaning back in his chair, his pride clearly showing.

Across the room, two Apostles in white watched with interest. Their garments shimmered faintly under the light, spotless as if dirt refused to cling to them. Each bore a halo above their heads, a perfect circle of radiant energy that hovered weightless.

The elder Apostle, a man with silver hair and eyes that glowed faintly with light, folded his arms. His voice cut like a blade through the room.

"I have some questions, how exactly did you neutralize them, Hunter Reed?" His tone carried the force of command, as if questions from an Apostle were meant to be answered immediately. "Our investigators tell me bullet-like wounds were found on some of them, Please explain."

Reed's eyes slid to him, then away again as if the man were no more important than a buzzing fly. He turned instead to Hale. "Commander Hale. If there is nothing else, I will be taking my leave."

The refusal was deliberate. The silence afterward was very heavy.

Hale smiled faintly, pleased. "Of course, Reed. You have done more than enough. Get some rest."

The Apostle's jaw tightened, unused to being ignored.

For a moment, the air itself seemed to protest. Then the Apostle lowered his gaze, though the tightness in his shoulders remained.

Reed rose. His eyes passed briefly over the younger figure who had come with the Apostle. A girl, perhaps eighteen or nineteen by his guess. Her white suit hung stiffly on her petite body, as if she had never worn the uniform long enough to make it her own. She stayed silent, her eyes darting between the whole drama. Apprentice, Reed decided. She was probably an important heir that was learning how "great negotiations" were done between Apostles and Shadowhunters.

Reed winked as he caught her gaze on him as he was moving towards the door.

Her cheeks colored instantly, she looked down quickly, as if embarrassed she had reacted at all. The elder Apostle's mouth drew into a hard line, his dismay plain.

Reed laughed softly, amused, and let himself out to locate the clinic ward

Reed walked past rows of curtained-off beds, the muted beeping of machines, the faint scent of antiseptic in the air. He passed Hunters who gave him short nods, some out of respect, others out of fear.

At the end of the corridor, Mia's door stood open. Naturally, she had been given her own room. No one questioned it. A father looking after his daughter, even if that father was Commander Hale himself, was an indulgence no one dared comment on.

Reed stepped inside.

Mia sat on the bed, cross-legged, arms folded tight across her chest. Her hair was loose, falling around her shoulders. A tray of untouched food sat on the table by her side. She looked up the instant he entered.

"How are you feeling?" Reed asked.

She gave him a look sharp enough to cut glass. "Like everyone thinks I was shot through the chest. I was drugged, Reed. Drugged. That's it. I woke up, I'm clean, and now I want to go home. But everyone keeps staring like I'm a corpse that forgot to lie down."

Reed smirked faintly and leaned against the wall. "So you're fine, except for the endless complaining."

Her glare sharpened, then softened just a little. She tugged at the blanket and muttered, "So are you hear to yell at me, for being so irresponsible? For sneaking out? For getting kidnapped? Whatever lecture you've been rehearsing. Can it please wait till tomorrow. I'm too tired today."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm not going to yell at you."

That made her pause. "Really?"

"Really." Then he grinned. "I'm just going to train you until you either die or learn how to escape from that situation yourself."

Her mouth fell open, words lost in the air.

"Get some rest, you will definitely need it."

Reed pushed off the wall and walked toward the door. He stopped with his hand on the frame when he heard her mutter something.

"What was that?"

"I said…Thanks. For coming to save me."

He turned his head just enough for her to see the faint smile tugging at his mouth. "It's what any good mentor would do."

He opened the door. "Remember to be in the training room at ten sharp."

The door closed behind him, leaving her staring at the empty space with eyes caught between frustration and gratitude.

And guilt.

From her pocket she brought out a vial of thick liquid, she felt thankful that everyone misunderstood her intentions of going to the club and that everything working out the way it did.

She would really have hated herself if because of her, her friends were kidnapped and killed.