Chapter 38

Chris stayed inside his bedroom. He didn't wander out of his room at all since he spoke to Wyatt. It wasn't because he wanted to. He had no choice. Wyatt put up a force field, caging Chris inside the apartment complex. But, Chris just decided to stay in his bedroom because outside were demons, warlocks, and darklighters that he would prefer not to socialize with.

He wasn't allowed outside, a punishment from Wyatt. Chris was only allowed outside if Wyatt would join him, but Wyatt never asked Chris if he wanted to go outside. So, Chris opted to stay in his bedroom and stare out at the smoking city below.

Though he wished he could do that the entire time, Wyatt wouldn't allow it. He dragged Chris to the meetings. Well, more like orbed him to the meetings. He never had a choice. He would hide in his bedroom, locking the door and keeping everyone away, but that didn't prevent Wyatt from orbing him out.

Chris sat in the meetings, half-listening to the discussions. He only paid attention when one of the demons, warlocks, and/or darklighter burst into flames and die at Wyatt's hand. Chris also only paid attention when Wyatt would call out his name and ask him for his opinion. Wyatt never accepted it, but that never stopped him from asking his younger brother.

It was after a meeting when Wyatt requested Chris to stay behind. Chris remained in his seat as everyone else got up and left. Caroline gazed at him before leaving through the doors and Chris wondered if she told Wyatt something.

When everyone left, Wyatt turned his chair so that he was facing Chris. Wyatt's hair had grown longer and appeared more ragged than cleaned. His blue eyes looked gentle, but Chris knew that in seconds, they could burn in fury. Chris gulped and shifted in his seat.

Wyatt tapped his fingers on the table. "How long are you going to be mad at me?"

Chris turned away from Wyatt. He stared away, ignoring his older brother. He focused on the table, intensely staring at the wood circles. Wyatt watched his brother ignored him and was not pleased.

"Look at me Chris," said Wyatt sternly.

Chris slowly moved his eyes away from the table and up to Wyatt's blue eyes.

Wyatt leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "How long are you going to play this silent game with me?"

Chris shrugged. "I don't know," he answered truthfully. "However long it takes."

Wyatt did not smile or laugh at Chris' answer. The corners of his mouth dipped down as his eyes fell into slits.

"You know, I would appreciate some gratitude from you," said Wyatt. "I did a lot for you these past few years and your behavior towards me…well, it hasn't been nice."

"Did you expect me to be nice to you when you hold me against my will?" asked Chris.

"I'm not holding you against your will," said Wyatt. "You're allowed to go wherever you want."

"But not without you being right next to me or another babysitter," commented Chris.

"I just want to protect you," insisted Wyatt. "It seems that every time I let you on your own, you get in trouble."

"Well, it doesn't look like you have to worry about that anymore," said Chris as he stood up and walked out of the door.

BREAK

Leo orbed to the top of the Golden Gate Bridge. It was daring for him to do that and if anyone back at Valhalla knew where he orbed to, they would be worried. Leo, however, wasn't worried. He wasn't afraid of death. If he died, he would at least get to see Phoebe, Paige, Prue, Penelope, and Chris and Piper. Death did not scare him.

What scared him the most was being left behind as everyone else left. He didn't want to live while everyone that he ever loved died around him. His next fear was losing Wyatt. He couldn't lose his last son to evil. He couldn't lose his last child. He loved him too much to let him fall off the edge. Plus, he knew that this wasn't Wyatt's destiny. His destiny was to save the world. Not destroy it.

"What a surprise."

Leo turned around to face the person who spoke and saw Wyatt standing behind him. Leo searched his son's face, noticing drastic changes since he had seen Wyatt. His son's hair had grown longer and it was curlier. His once innocent blue eyes stared fearlessly and confidently, almost to the point of pride.

Leo turned the rest of his body to face his son. "Hello son."

Wyatt took a step forward. "Father," he said in a proud tone. "So, what brings you here?"

"I wanted to take in the view of the city," said Leo. "Try to sense people in need of help. Of saving."

Wyatt let out a bitter laugh. "Oh please," he said. "You and your beliefs…always feel like people need to be saved."

"They do," said Leo and he stared sadly at his son. "Wyatt…"

"Do you sense anyone in trouble?" asked Wyatt. "Go on ahead. Close your eyes and sense."

Leo stared at Wyatt questioningly, but Wyatt gestures that he wouldn't do anything to Leo. So, he closed his eyes and tried to search for anyone in trouble or in need of assistance. He kept his eyes closed, rapidly searching for any trouble. After a few quiet moments, he heard a voice enter his mind.

"I want out of here. Oh God…I want out of this place. I need out!"

Leo concentrated on the voice. He had heard of it before. Maybe an old charge? He used all of his energy to concentrate on the voice, to get a location of the person. Yet, he couldn't. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't locate the troubled person. It was almost impossible and the voice was going in and out.

"You can't sense anyone."

Leo opened his eyes and stared at his son. "What?"

"You don't sense anyone," said Wyatt. "There's no one here that is in trouble."

"That's not true," said Leo and Wyatt raised his eyebrows. "I sensed someone. Well, no, but I heard them. They needed help."

Wyatt was quiet for a moment, roaming in his own thought before speaking. "Yet, you couldn't sense their location," he said. "Well, you still can't. You didn't sense their location," he said. "What kind of Elder are you?"

Leo shot a look at his son. "I'm the Elder that risked not ever going back to Heaven so that I can save you Wyatt. You're my son and I'm here to help save you from yourself."

Wyatt smirked, his lips laughing at Leo's declaration. "I'm touched," said Wyatt, mockingly. "Too bad you didn't feel this way towards Chris. Maybe then, he would be alive and standing with us too."

Leo closed his mouth and his heart swell and burst. He turned away for a moment and then looked back at Wyatt. "I-I didn't…Wyatt, if I knew…I would have saved him. I would have done everything to save him just like I would for Piper. But, they're dead. You can't keep bringing them back from the dead. They're dead. Gone."

Wyatt glared at his father. Leo watched as Wyatt's eyes brightened, burning and his face turning red. Then Wyatt shot his hand at his father and Leo was struck with an energy blast. When the energy ball collided with Leo's stomach, he flew off the bridge. As he was falling, Leo thought maybe this was his time. If he didn't orb out, maybe he would die. Collide to the pavement and get run over by cars. Yet, it would be selfish. Selfish to let his only child be left alone in this world, with no one there to try to save him.

At the last minute, Leo orbed and returned to the bridge where Wyatt waited. "You know, Dad," he said as Leo reappeared in blue and white lights, his wound from the energy ball healed. "I knew that your job was more important than family, but I thought family was still at least in the top five. I guess you proved me wrong."

"Wyatt…"

"This is why Chris hated you," said Wyatt. "You don't give a shit about us. All you care about is your goddamn self and your job! Now, I know why I have no family left."

"Wyatt…"

"Next time," said Wyatt. "If you ever trash talk Chris or Mom I won't hesitate to kill you."

Leo's mouth hung open. He blinked furiously, shocked from Wyatt's cold, unemotional statement. Leo closed his mouth and gulped. "Wyatt, I didn't mean it that way. I love Piper and Chris. They're my family. Family is important to me. Very important," Leo sighed. "I'm afraid that you're not grieving correctly. Your anger is controlling you and your decisions. Wyatt, you can't let it control you. It's going to destroy you and with your vast powers, it's going to destroy the world."

Wyatt scoffed. "Please," he said. "I'm have done my grieving. I got my revenge. I just learned the truth about the world."

"And what's the truth?"

Wyatt's lips grew into a smirk as he stared amusedly at his father. "The truth is that there's no good or evil."

"No," said Leo, shaking his head. "No, that's not true."

"It is," said Wyatt. "The world doesn't work through good and evil. The world is run by power and whoever has the most rules it."

"And so you think that it is your right to rule?"

"Yes."

"Come on Wyatt," said Leo desperately. "That's not what you were meant for. That wasn't what you were raised to believe."

"What mom and the aunts believe got them killed," said Wyatt. "The endless battle of good versus evil. It never ends. They just use us as pawns and replace us as soon as they don't need us."

"Wyatt…"

"I won't allow my family to be pawns, Dad," said Wyatt forcibly. "I don't want to lose another family member to those stupid ideals of good and evil."

"What about Penelope?"

"What about her, Dad?"

"She died from your demons!" he shouted. "From your ideals!"

Wyatt fell silent and Leo thought that he had won this battle. Leo looked hopefully at Wyatt, praying that mentioning Penelope's death at his demons' hands would bring Wyatt back into the light.

Leo was disappointed.

"Those were rogue demons," said Wyatt, finally. "I ordered my demons not to kill anyone."

Leo crossed his arms in front. "So you're saying that Patty's premonition of you walking through the hallway, flanked by demons was false. That you didn't send the demons to Magic School?"

Wyatt raised his eyebrows at the mention of his cousin. "Patty's still having premonitions. Interesting. And she saw me walking down the hallway of Magic School?"

Leo nodded and Wyatt's smile grew. "Looks like little Patty's power is developing, but no. She's wrong or at least, you guys misinterpreted the premonition. What she saw was me and my demons arriving after the brutal attack by the rogue demons. But don't worry," added Wyatt, "I took care of them. For Penelope."

"I would believe you if I knew you were still the same son I carried around the house," spoke Leo, but Wyatt simply shrugged.

"Well, Dad," he said. "I would believe in that if you were ever home. You never came home, not even for Chris' birthday parties or events. You were never there for family events."

Wyatt paused and looked out towards the city, "Speaking of family," he said as he returned his dark gaze to his father. "Where is the family? I've been dying to see them again."

Leo opened his mouth, but then he clamped down. "They're safe," he said. "That's all you need to know."

Wyatt took a dangerously big step forward. "They're my family," said Wyatt. "My flesh. I want to know where they are. Tell me where my cousins are."

Leo took a step backwards. "I can't tell you Wyatt. There are other people that I need to protect. Other people that I have to look after and telling you where the family is will put the others at risk."

Wyatt's eyes burned. "Are you telling me that you have been hiding wanted witches from me?"

Leo didn't answer. Wyatt was getting very angry and his temper and magic mixed together was shaking the bridge. Leo tried to steady himself, but it was hard as Wyatt walked forward.

"What are you planning father," questioned Wyatt. "Are you forming a Resistance against me? Is that why you won't tell me where everyone is? Is that why you are protecting traitorous witches from me?"

"I won't allow you to kill them for something stupid, Wyatt."

"And I won't allow you to steal my family from me," said Wyatt and his voice turned proud like as he spoke again. "I will find them."

With that statement, Leo decided to orb out. Wyatt watched his father burst into blue and white lights, flying up to the sky. Wyatt smirked. His father was afraid of him. Maybe he would give up his foolish idea that he needed saving. He didn't need saving. His family needed saving and he was the only one who had managed to get his head out of the sand. He was the only one who could save his family from dying like his mother and aunts.

Wyatt sighed as he thought about his younger brother. He remembered Leo speaking about someone needing help, but not getting a location. Wyatt immediately knew that Leo was hearing Chris' pleas.

Why did his brother have to be so much trouble? No wonder his mother was exhausted when she spent the day with Chris. He was a handful and his stubbornness didn't help Wyatt any.

He was thankful that he managed to hide Chris' location from Leo. No matter how hard Leo would try to sense for Chris, he would never be able to locate him.

Wyatt closed his eyes and sensed for his brother. Chris was in his room and his thoughts were of those begging to leave the apartment. To go outside.

Wyatt opened his eyes as a thought came to him. Maybe it would cheer Chris up?

BREAK

Chris sat on his bed. He was reading a book, but got easily bored with it. He had read it before and rereading it again didn't make the situation he was in any better.

He wanted to leave. He wanted to explore outside and save innocents from the savage hands of warlocks, demons, and darklighters. But he couldn't, because he was trapped in the apartment. Just getting some fresh air would be welcoming, but he couldn't even touch the window in his bedroom without being shocked back by Wyatt's force fields.

Chris decided to fall back and take a nap when Wyatt orbed into his bedroom. When Chris saw Wyatt standing in front of his bed, Chris gave a loud sigh. Not another meeting.

Chris noticed his brother holding a white bag. Chris stared at it until Wyatt tossed it to Chris. The younger Halliwell brother caught it in his hands. He examined the bag suspiciously.

"Open it," said Wyatt.

Chris slowly untied the white bag and peered inside. He reached down and pulled out the first object. "A bag of gummy bears," he said as he continued pulling out more things. "A bag of sour gummy worms…a bag of M&Ms, and Red Vines." Chris flickered his eyes to Wyatt who was smiling. "Candy? What's it all for?"

Wyatt sat down on the bed. "We, brother, are going to the movies."

Chris cocked his eyebrow. "The movies?"

Wyatt nodded his head. "Yeah, I made arrangements so that it's just you and me at the theater tonight."

Chris put down the Red Vines. "Why are you doing this?"

Wyatt looked hurt. He resigned as he turned away from Chris. "I just want to hang out with Chris. You keep saying that we never do anything together anymore. So, I thought we could go to the movies."

Chris stared at the junk food then to Wyatt. He could sense his brother was trying his best to get Chris to be happy and Chris felt a pang of guilt for what he was doing to his brother. Yet, he shouldn't. His brother trapped him inside the apartment complex with demons. With Demons.

"Are there going to be any demons with us?" asked Chris.

"Do you want demons around?"

Chris shook his head and Wyatt snapped his fingers. "Okay, no demons. You still want to go?"

Chris picked up the bag of sour gummy worms. He remembered the times when they were younger and how they would go to the movies often, wanting to watch a marathon of movies at the cinema. Yet, the cinema workers would catch and kick them out. However, Wyatt always convinced Chris to orb to the restroom and return to the seats. When their mother found out, she was so angry that her powers went haywire and blew up the grandfather clock.

"Chris?"

Chris pulled himself out of memory lane and looked up at his brother. "Uh, sure. Yeah, it sounds like fun."

Wyatt's smile grew bigger. "I was hoping you would say yes," he said as he stood up from the bed. "We'll be leaving around eight."

BREAK

Chris and Wyatt sat in the middle of the theater room. No one else was in the room besides him and Wyatt. The screen was a typical theater size with the regular commercials. Chris asked Wyatt what they were going to watch, but Wyatt refused to tell him.

"It's a surprise, Chris," said Wyatt. "But, don't worry. You'll like it."

Chris settled into his seat and pulled out the Red Vines. Wyatt took the sour gummy worms and they both started munching on the snacks. Chris was guessing the few movie trivia questions and answered them all correctly, beating Wyatt. His brother claimed he didn't know them because he was too busy doing other things whereas Chris just sits all day. Chris wanted to smart back, but held his tongue. If he made Wyatt angry, it would ruin the night and this has been the first time he was allowed out of the apartment complex in a long time.

The lights dimmed and the screen glowed in multiple colors. The sound shook the seats and rattled their eardrums. Chris slumped in his seat to be in a more comfortable seating. The title came and Chris laughed. They were watching the Marx Brothers' Duck Soup.

Wyatt glanced at his younger brother. "Told you would like it."

Chris smiled at his brother and ate another vine. The three Marx Brothers appeared on the screen and Chris laughed through the film. Happy, he kept glancing over at Wyatt, seeing a small smile playing on his lips. It was just like the old times…

"My lord?"

Chris snapped his head in the direction the voice came from and saw a demon standing next to Wyatt.

Wyatt glanced from Chris to the demon before returning to the movie screen. "I thought I said I didn't want to be disturbed under any circumstances."

Chris watched as the demon began to tremble. He was obviously afraid of the consequences for the interruption or that the news wasn't worthy of an interruption.

"My Lord," he spoke again. "There's been an attack at the…" The demon paused and stared at Chris. He lowered his head and talked softly. "…at the you know where…"

Wyatt's face scrunched up and his eyes expressed annoyance. He turned to the demon. "Leave."

Chris smiled as the demon shimmered out. His brother wasn't going to ditch him to deal with demons and other magical problems that is halting his expansion of his empire.

Wyatt turned to Chris. "Chris," he said gently, yet firmly that made Chris' heart drop. "I have to…"

"I know," said Chris. "You have to go. It's very important."

Wyatt nodded his head. "Yes, it is, but I'll be right back. It won't take very long. I promise."

"Okay," said Chris, remembering Leo telling him those same words before too. "I'll just stay here and finish the movies." Chris grabbed the sour gummy worms from Wyatt's hand, eating a blue and red worm. "Go on," he said to Wyatt. "You better hurry up or things might get worse."

Wyatt stood up. "I'll be back, Chris. I promise, but for now, I'll have someone here to be with you."

Chris rolled his eyes. "I don't need a babysitter, Wyatt. I can watch a movie by myself. I'm eighteen, not eight."

Wyatt smirked at his brother's comment and ruffled his hair. "Okay," he said. "If something happens, you call me."

"Aye, aye Captain," said Chris as he ate another worm. Wyatt then orbed out, leaving Chris alone in the theaters.

The next flick came on and it was another Marx Brothers film. Chris laughed alone and felt awkward when he realized he was the only person in the big theater room laughing. Chris glanced around and realized how lonely he was.

As he watched the movie, Wyatt didn't come back. Thirty minutes since he departed, he hadn't returned. Chris was thinking of calling him, but decided against it. Wyatt only wanted him to call if it was an emergency. Like, if he was in danger. He wasn't in danger. He was just lonely.

Chris stood up, needing to use the bathroom. He walked out of the theater and found the main area to be completely empty as well. Chris searched around and found the theater's restrooms. Chris went inside and quickly did his business, walking right out when he heard a commotion outside. Chris looked through the glass and saw a young woman struggling with another person. Chris looked closer and saw that the woman was clutching her purse and so was the other person.

"Help!" the woman screamed. "Someone help me!"

The man then yanked and the woman tripped and fell face first on the sidewalk. Chris ran outside and towards the woman. The woman slowly got up to her knees as Chris bent down, helping her up.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned that she might have broken her wrist.

The woman's eyes were filled with tears as she sobbed. "T-that man! H-he stole m-my purse!"

Chris looked down the sidewalk and saw the man still running down, holding onto the woman's purse.

Chris turned to the woman. "Stay here," he said and Chris went after the man.

Chris was a fast runner, but the man's long head start, but Chris at a disadvantage. Deciding to use magic, Chris turned into an alley and orbed. He reappeared in another alleyway, hearing fast paced steps. Chris watched as the robber ran past and Chris jumped on top of him.

The both fell down, with Chris landing on top of him. The man rolled and tried to strike at Chris, but the young witchlighter dodged the attack. Chris elbowed the man in the gut and the robber groaned as Chris pinned him to the ground. With a raised fist, Chris plummeted it into the robber's face. The robber's eyes rolled up to his head and he fell unconscious.

Chris stood up and pulled the purse out of the robber's hand. Chris stared down at the man in disgust. "You're no better than demons," muttered Chris as he waved his arm at the robber. The robber disappeared in a flurry of blue and white orbs, disappearing from the sidewalk. Chris thought about how the robber would like his new buddies, the bald man and Marko.

Chris orbed back to the woman. The woman stood with her arms wrapped around her. When she saw Chris' orbs, she gasped and stumbled backwards away from him. Chris held up his hands. "It's okay," he said. "I'm not here to hurt you."

Chris handed her the purse and she carefully stepped forward to take it. Chris reached it out further. "It's okay," he said.

The woman then snapped it out of his hands and held it close. She looked through it and smiled. Chris figured she was happy nothing was missing. Then, the woman looked up at him and smiled apologetically. "Thank you," she said innocently.

"You're welcome," he said. "I didn't mean to scare you…"

"Well, I know that now," she said. "It's just, I've only known your type as being bad."

Chris nodded in understanding. "Yeah, it doesn't help when demons are roaming around. But, I'm a good witch."

"Like Glinda."

Chris nodded again. "Like Glinda," he said. "Where are you heading? I can take you there."

The woman shook her head. "No, that's okay. I can walk by myself."

"Yeah, I can see that," said Chris and the woman frown at Chris' comment. Chris gave her an apologetic facial expression. "It's just not safe walking alone at night. Especially during times like these."

"Times that your kind caused?"

Chris sighed. "Yeah," he said reluctantly. "Here, just let me give you a ride. All you have to do is hold on."

The woman eyed Chris, studying him to see if he's trustworthy. After a minute, she reached out her hand. Chris took it and asked where she needed to go. The woman gave him her address and he orbed her to her home.

When they arrived, the girl stood frozen. She looked straight at her house and then she slowly looked over at Chris. "How did you do that?"

Chris shrugged. "I don't really know. I just think of a place and I go there. Nothing much to it."

The woman slowly nodded at him like he was crazy, but still thanked Chris for rescuing her purse and taking her home. She walked up to the steps and put the key inside the lock. She turned it and opened the door. Before walking into her home, she turned around. "You know," she said. "You're different from the others."

"Is that a good thing?" asked Chris and the woman nodded.

"Yeah," she answered with a smile. "It's a very good thing."

Chris smiled as the woman closed her door. Chris could hear her locking it. He thought about her comment as he walked away from her house and towards the city.

BREAK

Chris hand somehow managed to wander into the city. It was quiet and unnatural. He remembered San Francisco being a lot louder at nighttime, not deadly quiet. Chris kicked an empty soda can along the sidewalk until he lost it into an alleyway.

Chris wondered if Wyatt noticed that he wasn't at the theater anymore, but figured that he didn't. If Wyatt returned and noticed he was gone, Wyatt would have orbed to him by now. Chris turned around the corner and lifted his head to make sure he wouldn't run into anyone.

However, he didn't see anyone. Instead, he saw his mother's old club, P3.

Ever since their mother's death, the club had been closed and bordered up. Chris hurried over to the club, staring at the sign. The club had once been very popular place to go to at night. He remembered how he and Wyatt would stay in the back, playing games, working on homework, or sleeping as their mother worked the club. Sometimes their cousins joined them, but usually it was just he and Wyatt.

Chris grabbed the door handle, but it wouldn't budge opened. Chris looked around and when he noticed no one was watching, he orbed inside.

The place wasn't exactly the same way he remembered. The table and chairs were all gone and a thin film of dust blanketed the area. Spider webs appeared in every nook and corner, dangling and crawling on their webs. Chris walked over to the bar, but found that it was cleaned. There was no liquor in the building. Chris stared at the stage, remembering the many famous bands playing on the stage. He remembered his Aunt Phoebe and Aunt Paige dancing like two crazy teens to Kings of Leon.

Chris walked towards the back and found the room that his mother would put him and Wyatt in as she ran the club. Chris opened the door and saw that there was still the couch that Wyatt and him slept on during the night. The empty bookcase stood in the corner as the metal closet was pushed to the side. Chris walked further in and also noticed that a few posters were still stuck on the wall. Chris stared at the walls, searching when he finally found what he was looking for.

One day, as he and Wyatt stayed inside the room, Wyatt took a black sharpie and wrote his name on the wall. He gave the sharpie to Chris and told him to do it to. Chris remembered asking why.

"Because, it will last a lifetime," answered Wyatt. "You'll never die because your name is on this wall."

Chris scribbled his name on the wall at the same time Aunt Phoebe walked into the room with Prue and Penelope. She got their mother and Piper Halliwell was not pleased with her two children degrading her club. However, they couldn't take it off and they were grounded from using their magic, but Wyatt cheated his punishment.

Chris smirked as he read his name below Wyatt's. He touched his name and gave a small smile. The good old days. Chris turned around, but didn't see the boxed next to his feet. He hit them and they toppled over, making a soft sound.

"Whose there?"

Chris spun around. Someone else was inside the club. Within a second and hearing the sound of footsteps approaching the room, Chris orbed out of the club just as the footsteps got louder and turning into the room.

BREAK

Leo went walking around the streets throughout the rest of the day. After Wyatt's confrontation, Leo needed time to think about what he was going to do with his son. He couldn't give up on him. Piper would be disappointed with him if he gave up on Wyatt.

Leo sat down on a park bench, closed his eyes, and thought of Piper. Her long brown hair blew in the wind. Her brown, determined eyes, yet still kind and caring stared cautiously over the younger Halliwell family members. All the Halliwells had the same nature. They were all stubborn, determined, but kind and caring. Even his sons' were like that. Now, Chris is dead and Wyatt seemed to lose his kind and caring trait.

Leo heard chiming sounds and opened his eyes to find he had orbed himself to P3. He looked around and sighed sadly. It died the same day Piper died. Depressing and dirty, it didn't look like anything it once was before. Crowded, lively, and colorful. Leo wandered to the middle and took in his surroundings. How many times have he and Piper danced on this very floor? How many times did he see Prue sit and relax on the couches with her younger sister Phoebe, laughing and giggling over gossip and guys? How many times has he seen Paige dance happily to the music?

Now, it was dead. There was no laughter. No smiles. No happiness. No music. It was dead. The only things left are memories of what it once was and can never be.

Leo sighed and went over to the bar. He dragged his finger across the counter, dust dirtying the tip of his finger. He remembered when he orbed dozens of roses onto this very counter for Piper. He remembered when they made love in club as well.

As he traced his fingers along the countertops, he heard the sound of boxes falling over.

"Whose there?" he called out, but no one responded.

It sounded like it was coming from the back room. Leo walked over as quickly as he could to the room. When he reached the room, he found it empty with a few boxes scattered from the original stacked pile. Leo dropped his shoulders. It must have been mice.

Leo walked into the room and took a look around. How many times has he been in this room? Not very much, but he remembered finding Chris and Wyatt in the room, sleeping on the couch. He stood by the door, watching them both sleep. He didn't want to bother them, so he let them sleep as he watched. They were so young. Just tiny boys living in a room as their mother went to work. Leo wished that he could have orbed the kids up to the Heavens to hang out with him while Piper worked, but the Elders wouldn't allow it. They told him that he had responsibilities and the Heavens were meant only for Elders, not children.

Leo turned and saw the writings on the wall. He traced his sons' names with his finger as tears dripped from his hazel eyes. He wished he could go back in time. Go back and not accept the Elder position. He wished that he stayed with his family, watch his boys grow up. Maybe even have another child with Piper. Have three kids like her two younger sisters. Maybe a daughter. Piper wished to have a daughter.

But as Wyatt pointed out a few years ago, that can never happen anymore. He ruined those chances. Leo looked away from his sons' names and went to the couch. He sat down and rubbed his hair with his fingers frustratingly.

He ruined this family. And it's his responsibility to fix it. He needed to push himself forward. He needed to forget the past and focus on the future if he wanted to save the last members of his family.