Legacy 102: Dark Night Lights 2
Xxx
After his night shift, Chris Halliwell returned home to the manor exhausted. After he returned from vanquishing that demon with Wyatt, a patient had gotten sick and he spent the rest of the night cleaning up after him. It wasn't fun, but it could be worse. At least he had not heard any more jingles. No matter what Wyatt said, he was sure he did not want to become a Whitelighter. All he wanted was for the Elders to stop bothering him and let him live his life the way he wanted.
Chris yawned as he walked to the kitchen and nearly tripped over a schoolbag lying in the hall. He silently cursed and kicked the bag aside. The manor had been a mess since his father had moved to Magic School and his younger cousin Henry Jr. had moved in. It had caused quite a lot of moving around, since Wyatt had now moved to the master bedroom, Chris had taken Wyatt's old room and Henry had taken his. So far, there was stuff lying everywhere, although Chris had to admit it wasn't entirely Henry's fault. Now that his father had moved out, Chris started to realize how much his father used to do around the manor. Now, nothing was being done. They needed to come up with a new system quickly.
When he reached the kitchen, Chris poured himself some juice and sat down. He would wait for the others to leave, then take a shower and go to sleep. A few moments later, Wyatt stepped into the kitchen freshly showered and carrying a large bag with camera equipment. At college, Wyatt had followed a class in photography and turned out to be a natural, so he now worked as a part-time freelance photographer. It was the same job his aunt Prue used to do, at least that was what their mother used to tell them, since they had never met Prue.
"Morning, where are you off to?" Chris asked.
"Hi, I am meeting Prue." Wyatt said. "She had this interview and she asked me to take a few pictures."
"Doesn't the newspaper have their own photographers for that?" Chris asked.
"I'm sure they do, but Prue asked me." Wyatt said. "And I could use the money."
"For what?" Chris asked.
"I don't know, how about groceries, clothes, stuff like that?" Wyatt asked skeptically. "Dad is gone now remember, we need to start making some changes around here."
"I was just thinking the same thing." Chris said. "We need to set up some kind of rules or system or something, especially with Henry."
"What about me?" Henry asked yawningly as he entered the kitchen with a sleepy head and just dressed in a shirt and boxers.
"We were just saying we're going to need to set up some rules around here." Chris said. "Like who does what chores, who pays for what, stuff like that."
"Oh, it's way too early for that." Henry replied as he walked to the fridge and poured himself a bowl of cereal. "We're out of milk." He added as he threw the milk card in the trashcan.
"I still needed milk." Wyatt remarked.
"Sorry." Henry replied with a shrug.
"Don't you have school or something?" Chris asked.
"First period is never really that interesting." Henry replied. "So what kind of system are we talking about here?"
"I think we should set up some kind of schedule." Wyatt said. "Figure out who cleans, who cooks, who takes out the trash, etc."
"Okay, so put up a schedule." Henry said. "Wait, can either of you actually cook? We've been getting take out all week."
"Uh… Not really." Wyatt said after exchanging looks with Chris. "Mom and Melinda used to take care of that, you know, they're the chefs of the family."
"Man, you're really hopeless." Henry remarked. "So I assume uncle Leo did pretty much everything here after they left?"
"Excuse me, what about you? You still lived with your parents until now." Chris replied annoyed. "What can you do?"
"I'm guessing more than you." Henry said. "We had a rotating schedule at home, since dad was at work like all the time and mom is a horrible cook. The twins and I did our fair share of chores."
"So you can cook?" Wyatt asked.
"Yeah, I guess." Henry replied.
"Great, then you can cook!" Wyatt said with a smile. "I have to go now or I will be late. We'll figure out the rest tonight or something."
Wyatt quickly drank his black coffee with a disgusted face and headed out the door. Meanwhile, Henry finished his breakfast and left the kitchen as well. Chris continued to drink his juice, but was caught off guard by a sudden jingle in his head and dropped the glass. He cursed and grabbed a towel to clean up the glass while the jingling continued. Why would this stupid jingling not stop? Perhaps he needed to make clear to the Elders that he was not interested. He did not want to see them, but they left him with little choice. After cleaning up, Chris dissolved in a column of orbs.
xxx
Chris reappeared in a column of orbs on top of the Golden Gate Bridge. He closed his eyes and focuses on reaching out to the Elders.
"I know you can hear me." Chris said aloud. "I want to talk."
A few moments later, a second column of orbs appeared on the bridge and took the shape of the Elder Odin, dressed in traditional Elder robes. Just seeing his arrogant face reminded Chris how much he hated them, not to mention Odin was the worst of them all, since he had deliberately tried to end the marriage between his parents for his selfish reasons.
"Why are you calling out to me?" Odin asked. "Don't you have a charge to take care of?"
"That is what I called you for." Chris replied. "I never asked for a charge and I don't want one."
"You cannot be serious. You called an Elder out here for that?" Odin snarled. "We don't always decide who gets charges, the connection is automatic. You were chosen for this, so stop complaining about it and do your job."
"I don't work for you!" Chris replied. "I don't want to work for you and I never will, so don't pretend you can boss me around."
"Show some respect." Odin replied in tranquil fury.
"Forget it, after everything you did and tried to do my family?" Chris remarked. "You don't deserve any respect. You Elders are nothing but a bunch of cowards hiding in your Heavens and letting others do all the dirty work."
"You dare…" Odin said furiously as his hands surged with lightning. "No matter who you think you are or what you think you deserve, boy, you are still talking to your better."
"Are you going to attack me now?" Chris asked defiantly. "Wouldn't be the first Elder to try hurting my family."
"What do you of that?" Odin asked as he calmed down and the lighting disappeared. "You were barely born when Gideon tried to kill your brother."
"Doesn't mean I don't know all about it." Chris replied. "I don't trust you Elders."
"You Halliwells, always thinking you're so above it all." Odin remarked with a demeaning chuckle. "You don't know the half of it. Did your family tell you why Gideon tried to kill him? Did they tell you what happened years later, when your brother was fifteen?"
"What are you talking about?" Chris asked confused.
Chris suddenly remembered the conversation he had with his brother two weeks ago, after the fight. It all had something to do with the moment Wyatt lost a part of his powers. His family never spoke about it, saying it was some kind of accident, but Chris always thought there something they were not telling him. Could Odin be talking about what happened to Wyatt, or was he just trying to mess with him? He was about to ask, when another column of orbs appeared and took the shape of Sandra, the female Elder.
"Enough." Sandra said. "Odin, you have said more than enough. I will handle it from here."
"No wait, what is he talking about?" Chris asked.
"Odin." Sandra said with a glare.
Odin nodded and disappeared in a column of orbs. Chris wanted to stop him, there was clearly something more going on here, but Sandra placed an arm on his shoulder.
"Chris." Sandra said. "I understand your hesitance about wanting to work with the Elders. But a connection to a charge is something very valuable."
"I don't want any of that." Chris said.
"I understand, but think of it from another perspective." Sandra said. "You have had your family your entire life to protect you and teach you. Not all witches have that. What if the charge calling out to you is lost or scared? It is your destiny to help charges as a Whitelighter."
"Why?" Chris asked. "Just because my father happened to be an Elder when I was conceived? I did not ask for Whitelighter DNA."
"It is more than that." Sandra said. "Whether you were born with Whitelighter DNA is only a small part of it. Becoming a Whitelighter is something you have to be destined for. You aunt and your brother, they were meant for it just like you. Meanwhile, your cousins were born with Whitelighter blood as well, but it is not in their destinies."
"So I can't refuse because destiny says so?" Chris asked. "I refuse to accept that."
"It is a little more complicated than that." Sandra said. "If you truly think this is not meant for you, we can talk later. But right now, there is a charge that is connected to you specifically. You are all she has right now and no other Whitelighter can help her. Please help her before you make your final decision."
"Alright." Chris said reluctantly. "But if I still don't want it after that, will you accept my decision?"
"Yes." Sandra replied.
"Okay, I will go talk to this charge, but don't get your hopes up." Chris said.
Sandra smiled and orbed away, leaving Chris alone with his thoughts. Odin's words about Wyatt still troubled him, but it was a concern for another time. Right now, all he wanted to do was sleep. After that he would check out this charge and finally be done with this mess. Longing for a hot shower and a warm bed, Chris orbed home.
Xxx
A little later that morning, Prue Halliwell stepped out of a taxi and decided to walk the last part to the hospital as she discovered the entire street was closed off by police cars. She wondered what was going on and hoped she could still get to her interview on time. However, as she came closer to the hospital, she noticed a large crowd gather along the entrance along with more police cars and fire trucks. A lot of people were pointing up at the roof of the hospital. When Prue looked up, she could vaguely see a man standing on the edge of the roof and realized he wanted to jump. She ran over to the crowd to take a closer look.
"Excuse me, what is going on?" Prue asked.
"He wants to jump, that is all I know." A woman replied.
Prue looked up again and covered her eyes to block the sun. She saw the man more clearly and suddenly seemed to recognize him. But it couldn't possibly be, could it really be him? Prue started going through her purse and pulled out the article about the man she was supposed to interview. She compared him to the man on the roof and her suspicions were confirmed. It was the same man. But how was that possible? He seemed like such a kind and happy man, he was just named volunteer of the year. Suddenly the crowd screamed and Prue looked up fearing the worst. Luckily the man was still standing there, but he was swaying over the edge. For a moment Prue thought she saw another man standing there with him, but a moment later there was nothing. It gave her a bad feeling and she felt like she needed to do something. She pushed her way to the front of the crowd, but was stopped by an officer.
"You need to stay back, miss." The officer said.
"Please, it is important." Prue said. "I'm from the Bay Mirror, I know him, I was supposed to interview him."
"Sorry, but I think that interview is cancelled." The officer replied.
"Dammit." Prue whispered as he officer turned away.
Prue knew she needed to get up there, she knew she could help the man with her powers if she could get close to him. The hospital was closed off and guarded, so she could not use the stairs or elevator. Luckily, she had another way to get up there. Prue left the crowd and headed into the alley on the other side of the street. When she was sure no one was looked, she closed her eyes and a pink light surrounded her until she faded away, leaving behind a glowing heart for a moment.
Prue reappeared in a pink glow on the roof. She saw the man standing a few feet in front of her and carefully put down her purse. She had to be careful not to startle him, or he would fall.
"Jordan?" Prue asked, remembering his name from the article.
The man quickly turned around nearly lost his balance. Prue gasped, but he managed to remain standing. He seemed scare and upset.
"Who are you?" Jordan asked.
"My name is Prue. I was supposed to interview you." Prue said. "But now I am here to help you."
"You? I talked to you on the phone, you're from the Bay Mirror?" Jordan asked.
"Yes, that's right." Prue said. "Can you please come down so we can talk?"
"No, I have to end this. I cannot take it anymore." Jordan said tearfully. "My life means nothing."
"Don't say that. I am sure that is not true." Prue said. "What about your family or friends?"
"I don't have anyone!" Jordan cried. "Nobody will miss me!"
"Then what about the children?" Prue asked. "The kids you help in the hospital? They love you. Their parents are so grateful to you."
"Someone will take my place, they won't miss me. Nobody will!" Jordan cried.
Prue did not know what to do. The man was unstable and in pain. She guessed that nothing she would say could calm him down. At least not until she felt how he felt. Prue closed her eyes and focused on Jordan, she reached out and wanted to feel what he felt. When her Empathy reached him, Prue gasped and wanted to cry out in pain. She felt overwhelmed by his emotions, his pain, loneliness and frustration. She could feel his desire to want someone to love him and his fear of being alone. She had never felt such horrible emotions, darker than she had ever experienced before. There was something about them that felt unnatural, like something demonic.
Prue realized that something was wrong here, that there was some kind of dark force at work. She reached out further with her Empathy and noticed something else. There was a dark shadow lurking near Jordan, like a black cloud in the shape of a man. It felt pure evil.
"Who are you?" Prue asked as she looked at the shadow.
"Who are you talking to?" Jordan asked confused.
The shadow turned to face her, at first it stood still, but then it started walking at her. Prue sensed a great hatred being aimed at her.
"Stay back!" Prue said.
When she shadow did not stop, Prue focused her power and fired a blast of psionic energy from her forehead, which expanded out into a wave and hit the shadow. It was forced back and cringed. It then stood up and took another step toward her while Prue took a step back. It then started moving faster and Prue screamed and covered her head by crossing her arms. However, before the shadow hit her, it dissolved and disappeared. Prue looked up and let out a sigh of relief. She then realized that Jordan was still on the edge and turned to him.
"Jordan, how are you feeling?" Prue asked.
"I feel… better." Jordan said confused. "I feel like a weight has been lift off my shoulders. I don't know what happened."
"I think it's better if you don't." Prue said. "Can you please come down?"
"Yes, I'm sorry. I have no idea what I was thinking." Jordan said as he stepped down from the edge. "This isn't me. I don't want this."
"It's okay, Jordan." Prue said. "You were going through something dark. It wasn't your fault. Did you happened to hear or see anything?"
"No, I just suddenly got all these bad thoughts in my head. It was like I was spiraling." Jordan said.
"I understand, believe me." Prue said. "What happened here is not your fault. You were confused. Listen, the cops will be up here any minute now that you're off the edge. They will probably want to admit you for your own safety. It will be okay, you're not crazy and you will be safe there."
"I understand." Jordan said while nodding.
"Okay, now comes the real important part." Prue said. "Nobody can know that I was here, okay? Neither of us will be able to explain it."
"But you helped me." Jordan said. "People should know what you did."
"No, they really shouldn't." Prue said. "Please promise me you won't say anything."
"Okay, I won't." Jordan said somewhat confused.
"Thank you." Prue said. "Now will you do me one last favor? Could you please close your eyes until I say you can open them?"
"Uh… sure." Jordan said with a frown.
Jordan closed his eyes and Prue quickly picked up her bag. She needed to get out of there before the police arrived. She would never be able to explain her presence without exposing her magic. She had more important things to worry about now, like finding out what that shadow was and why it was driving Jordan to jump of a building. Prue looked around to make sure she had left nothing behind and then beamed home. A moment later, the door to the roof was burst open and a squad of officers arrived on the roof. Jordan opened his eyes and looked around in confusion, wondering where his guardian angel had disappeared to.
xxx