by J. B. Tilton email:
Rating: G
Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
(Authors note: This story takes place between season 2 episodes "Heartbreak City" and "Reckless Abandon".)
When is an innocent not an innocent?
ONE
The young man turned into an alleyway and hurried up it, glancing over his shoulder. He should have known better than to cut through this section of town this time of night. It was a bad section of the town. And 3:00 a.m. was not the best time to be alone. He wasn't sure, who or what was after him. It had only been by sheer luck he had avoided the first attack. He hadn't waited around for a second attack.
But whatever it was, it couldn't be human. It had thrown fire at him. Fire that no doubt, would have incinerated him instantly if it had struck him. Now, he was running blindly down an alley trying desperately to stay alive. As he passed a dumpster someone grabbed him. They pulled him down behind the dumpster and put a hand over his mouth.
"If you want to stay alive," said the young woman staring back at him, "don't make a sound."
The man was too startled to respond. He had no idea how this young woman in her early twenties could protect him but she seemed confident she could. The woman peered around the edge of the dumpster. Curious, the man also peered around the edge. Farther up the alley, from the direction he had just come, came his pursuer.
About five feet tall the creature was a dark purple color. It wore no clothes and its eyes were a dull red that glowed in the darkness of the alleyway. Suddenly another woman stepped out from behind another dumpster.
"Boy, you're an ugly one," said the woman.
"Witch," hissed the creature.
"Hey, Piper, he recognizes me," said the woman. "I guess I should be flattered."
"Nah," said Piper, stepping up next to her sister. "I wouldn't be. He reminds me of your last date."
Suddenly the demon shot a ball of fire at Prue. Almost as quickly, Piper raised her hands and the demon and the fireball froze. Prue reached out with her telekinetic power and slung the fireball back at the demon. It was vanished in a conflagration.
"Phoebe," called Prue.
Phoebe pulled the man up and they stepped out from behind the dumpster.
"What was that thing?" asked the man.
"Something that wasn't your friend," said Leo, stepping into the alley. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," said the man, "thanks to them. I didn't know what I was going to do when it came after me."
"Just stay out of this part of town," said Phoebe, "and you should be okay."
"Anthony," said the man. "Anthony Hobart."
"Well, Mr. Hobart," said Prue. "You should be okay now. You better be getting home."
"Yeah right," said Hobart. "Thanks again."
Realizing his mysterious benefactors weren't about to tell him who they were, Hobart hurried out of the alleyway. The sisters watched as he got in his car and drove away. Leo then orbed them back to the manor.
"I wonder what he was doing in that section of town at this time of the morning?" asked Prue.
"I'm just glad Phoebe's premonition came early enough for us to protect him," said Piper. "I wish the demons would be a little more considerate when they attack. Can't they ever attack in the afternoon?"
"I guess not," said Phoebe, "because I just got another one."
"Now?" questioned Prue. "What is this, premonition day?"
"Can't answer that," said Phoebe, "but it seems Mr. Hobart is about to be attacked again. At his home."
"Leo," said Piper.
"I know, I know," said Leo. "I should get frequent flyer miles as much as I orb you guys around."
He immediately orbed them out of the manor.