CHARMED
"PAYBACK'S A WITCH"
by J. B. Tilton
email: aramath@isot.com
Rating: PG (for mild language)
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
"Ms. Hellfire" and "Heartbreak City".)
* * *
When Prue astral projects to save an innocent, her body
disappears and she finds she can't return to it. Things get worse
when they discover that if she doesn't return to her body within
twenty-four hours, she'll die.
* * *
ONE
Prue drove home in a very good mood. Things at work were
finally beginning to look up. She had even been able to take off
early. And the weekend was beginning to look as if it might be quiet,
too. She was looking forward to a long, relaxing rest.
She pulled up behind a line of cars and stopped. There wasn't a
light at this intersection. Why should traffic be backed up? Maybe
there was an accident up ahead.
Then she saw the smoke. She had been so engrossed in the drive
home she hadn't noticed it. Thick, billowing, black smoke filled the
air ahead. Obviously a building was burning.
Just then she saw a policeman moving among the cars ahead. He
stopped at each car for a moment and spoke to the driver of each car.
Then he moved on to the next car in line.
"It's going to be a while, miss," said the policeman when he
reached Prues' car. "An old warehouse caught fire a bit ago. We're
having to reroute traffic around the warehouse."
Just then the policeman's radio squawked to life.
"Be advised, there appears to be someone still in the warehouse.
Efforts to reach the individual are being hindered by the flames and
heat."
"I'll find another way around," said Prue.
She backed the car into a driveway and turned around. She
pulled around the block and located a deserted alley. With everyone
concentrating on the fire, she decided she'd be safe for at least a
few minutes.
She knew this wasn't going to be easy. She'd never astral
projected so far before. But there was an innocent in danger. She
knew she had to try. She looked around to make sure she was alone,
and then closed her eyes. She concentrated for several seconds, and
then projected into the burning building.
Flames leapt around her everywhere. Thick, black smoke filled
the entire building. Anyone caught in the conflagration wouldn't last
very long. Suddenly she saw a form through the smoke. She made her
way to the form. It was a young woman who was groping her way through
the smoke and flames. But in her confusion, the woman was heading
deeper into the building instead of out of it.
Prue looked around. Les than twenty feet away was an exit.
Once outside the woman would be out of any immediate danger. The
firemen could take care of her then.
"This way," shouted Prue over the roar of the flames. "There's
a way out over here."
Prue grabbed the woman's hand and began to lead her to the exit.
The woman offered no resistance. Prue pushed the exit door open and
they stepped out into the cool, fresh air outside.
The woman dropped to the ground gasping for air. Prue looked
around. No one had noticed them yet. But that would change at any
minute. She didn't want to be around to answer a bunch of questions.
The woman was safe from the fire. Any moment a policeman or
fireman would find her. Prue closed her eyes and concentrated. Once
back in her body, she could go on her way without any interference.
But nothing happened. Instead of returning to her body, she
remained standing over the woman. She must be too far from her body
to return. She heard men shouting and getting closer.
Prue crouched behind a nearby dumpster. Three firemen came
running up and found the woman still sitting on the ground. Once of
the men told another one to get the woman to the paramedics.
After the men moved on to fight the fire, Prue slipped out from
behind the dumpster and headed for her car. Once at the car, she
should be able to return to her body easily. If she could just get
there without being spotted.
Prue looked up the alley and saw her car parked right where she
had left it. IT had taken her several minutes to reach the car, but
she had been able to avoid being seen. Looking around to make sure
she wasn't being observed, she made her way to the car.
Prue reached the drivers' door and froze. From most
indications, the car appeared to have been undisturbed. The keys
still hung in the ignition. Her purse and cell phone lay in the
passenger seat.
But her body was gone. Someone had taken it and she had no idea
where it was.
"PAYBACK'S A WITCH"
by J. B. Tilton
email: aramath@isot.com
Rating: PG (for mild language)
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
"Ms. Hellfire" and "Heartbreak City".)
* * *
When Prue astral projects to save an innocent, her body
disappears and she finds she can't return to it. Things get worse
when they discover that if she doesn't return to her body within
twenty-four hours, she'll die.
* * *
ONE
Prue drove home in a very good mood. Things at work were
finally beginning to look up. She had even been able to take off
early. And the weekend was beginning to look as if it might be quiet,
too. She was looking forward to a long, relaxing rest.
She pulled up behind a line of cars and stopped. There wasn't a
light at this intersection. Why should traffic be backed up? Maybe
there was an accident up ahead.
Then she saw the smoke. She had been so engrossed in the drive
home she hadn't noticed it. Thick, billowing, black smoke filled the
air ahead. Obviously a building was burning.
Just then she saw a policeman moving among the cars ahead. He
stopped at each car for a moment and spoke to the driver of each car.
Then he moved on to the next car in line.
"It's going to be a while, miss," said the policeman when he
reached Prues' car. "An old warehouse caught fire a bit ago. We're
having to reroute traffic around the warehouse."
Just then the policeman's radio squawked to life.
"Be advised, there appears to be someone still in the warehouse.
Efforts to reach the individual are being hindered by the flames and
heat."
"I'll find another way around," said Prue.
She backed the car into a driveway and turned around. She
pulled around the block and located a deserted alley. With everyone
concentrating on the fire, she decided she'd be safe for at least a
few minutes.
She knew this wasn't going to be easy. She'd never astral
projected so far before. But there was an innocent in danger. She
knew she had to try. She looked around to make sure she was alone,
and then closed her eyes. She concentrated for several seconds, and
then projected into the burning building.
Flames leapt around her everywhere. Thick, black smoke filled
the entire building. Anyone caught in the conflagration wouldn't last
very long. Suddenly she saw a form through the smoke. She made her
way to the form. It was a young woman who was groping her way through
the smoke and flames. But in her confusion, the woman was heading
deeper into the building instead of out of it.
Prue looked around. Les than twenty feet away was an exit.
Once outside the woman would be out of any immediate danger. The
firemen could take care of her then.
"This way," shouted Prue over the roar of the flames. "There's
a way out over here."
Prue grabbed the woman's hand and began to lead her to the exit.
The woman offered no resistance. Prue pushed the exit door open and
they stepped out into the cool, fresh air outside.
The woman dropped to the ground gasping for air. Prue looked
around. No one had noticed them yet. But that would change at any
minute. She didn't want to be around to answer a bunch of questions.
The woman was safe from the fire. Any moment a policeman or
fireman would find her. Prue closed her eyes and concentrated. Once
back in her body, she could go on her way without any interference.
But nothing happened. Instead of returning to her body, she
remained standing over the woman. She must be too far from her body
to return. She heard men shouting and getting closer.
Prue crouched behind a nearby dumpster. Three firemen came
running up and found the woman still sitting on the ground. Once of
the men told another one to get the woman to the paramedics.
After the men moved on to fight the fire, Prue slipped out from
behind the dumpster and headed for her car. Once at the car, she
should be able to return to her body easily. If she could just get
there without being spotted.
Prue looked up the alley and saw her car parked right where she
had left it. IT had taken her several minutes to reach the car, but
she had been able to avoid being seen. Looking around to make sure
she wasn't being observed, she made her way to the car.
Prue reached the drivers' door and froze. From most
indications, the car appeared to have been undisturbed. The keys
still hung in the ignition. Her purse and cell phone lay in the
passenger seat.
But her body was gone. Someone had taken it and she had no idea
where it was.