Prologue
Have you ever just sat and wondered why life is the way it is? I have, more times than I can count. There are days that I wish I wasn't me, that I was someone else completely ignorant to what I see every day. But then I realize what I have been given is a gift. That's what Grams tells me anyways. Sometimes I believe her…other times I don't.
My name is Prue Halliwell and I'm seventeen. Not many people know that my sisters and I are witches, powerful witches known in the magical community as the Charmed Ones. We didn't really have a choice in the matter. Mom was a witch, so is Grams and every one of our female relatives. I can't remember how many times we've had to sit and listen to Grams lecture us on our family history and how important it is that we carry on the Warren legacy. It wouldn't be so bad if we didn't have so much damn responsibility. We're just kids. Grams just can't seem to remember that. She thinks that just because we are Charmed means we can do anything.
It's always "girls don't leave the potions ingredients lying around" or "I told you not to take the Book of Shadows out of the house" or something else that we've done wrong. Don't get me wrong, I love Grams. She's been great to us since mom died. But we can't be super witches. We're just not ready for that. And being the oldest, I get saddled with all the responsibility. How am I supposed to balance fighting demons, protecting my sisters, school and having a social life? If it's not one thing it's another. I
I guess everything has just been starting to crumble lately. I can't really explain why but it is. I know I need to be strong, but sometimes I just feel so sick of it all. I wish Grams had bound our powers when we were younger like she'd told us she had considered doing. Then maybe I could have a normal teenage existence and not have to worry about making up some excuse to go vanquish the newest demon. It doesn't seem to bother Piper or Phoebe as much. Phoebe loves every minute of it. She's going to get herself in trouble one day and she won't be able to get out of it. Piper takes it in stride. She doesn't always like the fact that we are the sole power protecting the world but she has never given up. Me, I'd as soon bind our powers and say "screw it".
The hardest part has been not telling people who I really am. I feel like I'm living a double life and that just sucks. I finally told my best friend, Andy, that I was a witch about two years ago. I couldn't keep blowing him off without explaining why, especially when we started dating. After the initial shock wore off, he has been there for me. Even when things get really bad I have him to lean on.
Ok…so I said life is starting to crumble. Well that was a little bit of an understatement. Life is spiraling out of control and I can't seem to pull out of the nosedive. I won't admit it to anyone, especially not to Grams, but I don't know what's going on in my life. I can't tell up from down half the time. I'm scared and that is not something I like to feel. Being scared means I'm not strong and in control. I need to be in control. But right now, control is the farthest thing from what I have.