Chapter 6

Last night the police received an anonymous phone call concerning child endangerment and abuse at one Harding's youth centre in the heart of the city. only to discover something even more heinous. A home for young people from troubled backgrounds, it has long since had a less than favourable reputation in the area, for drunken behaviour, violence, and prostitution. Last night at 11.30 pm police stormed the building and uncovered the dead body of a 15 year old boy, who had apparently been stabbed through the heart with what looks like an athame knife. Officers say that the place was filthy, appallingly run and several of the children were kept locked in their rooms with no bathroom facilities. When questioned, staff claimed to have no knowledge of the incident. The building is currently being condemned as police and social services investigate the serious lack of care, at this children's home that was supposed to be meeting the needs of the city's most vulnerable children.

Five of the children at the home Tom Harris 15, David Glass 15, Sean Harper 15, Tanya Rock 14 and Paige Mathews 12 were taken in to custody late last night arrested on suspicion of murder.

The eldest of the five youths could be heard to shout this as he was taken away in handcuffs "I am his servant, and anyone who defies me will be crucified. I've killed once, and I'll kill again. Tiberius will free us all!" Police have yet to identify the man known only as Tiberius, who may or may not be a witness to this awful crime.

This statement has led local churches in the area to insist that a devil worshiping cult is behind the murder. Father Mac had this to say on the matter.

"Tiberius is only a code name for Satan. These cults are very real, but people just don't want to believe that children could be involved in anything like that. But Satan is out there and preys on the weak and innocent, your kids. He will do anything to make them stray from the path. He may offer them power in exchange for murder, and some cannot resist. Because these kids were dumped in care and forgotten about, they turn to evil."

The victim whose family has yet to be found remains unnamed for legal reasons.

"Oh my actual god!" Phoebe exclaimed, gaping at the article, "You don't suppose it's really her do you."

"It's more than likely." Prue explained, she sounded more than a little shocked "She's in care, you said that she would end up in a children's home, that her fosters were on the verge of throwing her out."

"But Paige, a murderer, I don't think so somehow." Phoebe began to chew her fingernails, "What we gonna do."

"Us? We're gonna do nothing. It's not my problem and you will stay well clear!" Prue pointed her finger, and pulled back the newspaper, "It didn't say she murdered anyone, just that she was arrested on suspicion of murder. It was obviously the boy who did it. The one who said he had killed and would kill again. I'm sure she will be released if she is innocent, and if she isn't then she'll go somewhere where she can get help."

"Tiberius, I've heard that name before." Phoebe muttered, not really listening to Prue's usual rational explanation, "I've read it somewhere."

"Looks like you do pay a little bit of attention in school then. Tiberius was a roman emperor." Prue announced rather smugly, the initial shock at seeing Paige's name in the paper had died down and thoughts of her plans for the evening popped into her head. "Anyway. I'm meeting Andy tonight so you have to do what Piper tells you and I've told her once and for all that if you leave this house she's to call the cops."

"Hmm." Phoebe nodded, "Can I have the paper back?"

"Why? You've read it." Prue asked suspiciously, "Look I know you must feel bad about Paige, but there is nothing you can do about what has happened. Anyway that girl sounds like a whole lot trouble we don't need right now."

"She's my best friend." Phoebe insisted indignantly and hung her head.

Prue scoffed loudly and folded her arms. "Pull the other one sis you just met her on Friday. A couple of weeks ago it was Alexi, a few months back it was Georgia. Who's it gonna be next Jamie lee flaming Curtis!"

"Well neither of them has ever stuck by me like Paige did." Phoebe said haughtily "She never said one word to the cops the other night. She could have told them I talked her into to robbing that store, which I kinda did."

Prue's eyes widened and she snapped "Now there's a big surprise." She then grudgingly handed the paper back to her sister, "Just don't bother…"

"What?" Phoebe exclaimed.

"You know what! Don't bother going all Nancy drew like you did in fifth grade and almost got the FBI involved." Prue warned, remembering the mess Grams had had to fix during Phoebe's last attempt at being a private detective.

"I was ten years old! How was I to know he really did just like to make giant dolls that look like people." Phoebe could remember when she had spotted a finger poking through the blinds of the guy across the street's blinds. Needless to say he moved after being investigated for months by a ten year old and then having his house done over by the police and being called the body snatcher by most of the kids in the neighbourhood.

"So you went for the only logical explanation. That he was serial killer, who chopped people up." Prue shook her head but was fighting the urge to laugh.

"Yeh well, like I said I didn't realise." Phoebe was embarrassed; people had teased her for years after that mishap.

"Yeh well just make sure you're chores are done today." Prue began to moan; as per usual. It was impossible to have a nice conversation with her without it turning into lecture "You're not going to be lazing about as usual, from now on you help Piper and do you're bit. I'm going to have to work out my notice, but soon I'll be around more to help. Till then Piper will take you to school and go in with you and all that."

"Yeh, don't worry I got the list that was taped to my door thanks." Phoebe groaned in reply.

"Good," Prue said sincerely and almost smiled "I'm glad to see that you are finally turning a corner. Your attitude has really improved in the last day or so. Keep it up."

"Yeh know Prue. You're beginning to sound like a teacher, it's really not good." Phoebe joked, smirking slightly. "What's with the text book praise?"

Prue smiled, but her eyes looked sad, she couldn't see the humour. "I have no choice. You think I want to be this way. I want to be out clubbing, going to college and having a life. I'm not trying to make you feel guilty, but I don't do all that stuff, because of you."

"Oh really, well no one asked you to stay." Phoebe hissed, and turned to go upstairs. "You love throwing the fact that you had to leave college back in my face!"

"No Phoebe I didn't mean it like that!" Prue called after her. She wanted to say No Phoebe I love you but she couldn't bring herself to, instead she let her go and hopefully cool off.

Screw Prue, so far up her own ass it's not funny anymore. Tiberius, Tiberius. Phoebe thought as she ran up the stairs and to her new attic bedroom. Where have heard that name before? The book of shadows? Yes he was in my book of shadows."

End of chapter 6.

Yes very short chapter. I may write more tomorrow.