A/N: This next chapter delves into the subject of parental abuse. Although it is not graphic but you feel uncomfortable about this subject please do not read this chapter. You have been advised.
Ch. 4: It's One of Those Days
"Alex, what happened," Melinda asks worriedly. "Was it the darklighter? Is Jackson being hurt? Come on tell me." Melinda was giving off waves of worry. Her eyes were pleading with Alex to hurry up and reveal his premonition. She was practically on the edge of her seat. "Please, we can't lose this innocent. Not this innocent," Melinda pleaded silently.
"Calm down Mel," Trish said soothingly. "Let Alex tell us what's going to happen."
"I've seen Mel have crushes before but she has never acted like this. Even when her last boyfriend was in that minor car accident, she was worried for sure but she wasn't hysterical," Trish reflected silently.
Alex tries to use an even tone so he doesn't set off Mel again, "It was bad but it's not what you were thinking. I think Jackson lives with an abusive father. And he will be acting out those aggressions right now on Jackson."
"Oh no! We have to help him out!" Melinda, a collected person normally, was ready to jump out the jeep and run to the apartment building.
Trish caught her arm and stopped her. "Wait," she said, "maybe we should get help from the police. This is domestic violence and not magical violence. We can't barge in their using our powers when there's no demons to fight."
"No! We can't waste the time. What if he's hurt really badly? And the fact that Alex had a premonition about it means we have to help him now." Mel was ready to orb out with or without the others, when Alex put his restraining hand on her too.
"Wait Mel. You have to calm down and think with a clear head. First of all we don't know which apartment he was in. I only saw the inside of the apartment, and the complex is eight-floors high. Second, you're the oldest so act like the mature person you always say you are," Alex reminds her. His words were like a splash of ice-cold water in her face. She had to reign in her emotions again and think clearly. The two hands on her hand were anchors and reminders to keep her head straight.
"Thanks, I really need that. You're right we don't know where he is, and we have to plan out what to do." Melinda was still ready to burst out to leave but she was now planning on what to do. She looked at her two cousins and was very thankful that they were there to remind her to keep the proper frame of mind. She gave each one a nod of thanks.
She took two deep breaths in an effort to remain calm and to put on a stronger front. With a pondering look on her face, she was trying to formulate a game plan. There was only silence for a few moments in the jeep. The other two just looked at each other but remained quiet to keep the uneasy calm from cracking. "Okay, I've got it!" Alex and Trish but jumped up in surprise at Melinda's cry. "Since I'm part whitelighter and part witch and so is Trish, maybe we can concentrate on Jackson and orb where he is, like the way Dad orbs to his charge when they're in trouble," Melinda says with a hopeful look in her eyes.
"Mel, that's a great idea. I'm in," Trish agrees. "Although I'm only a quarter whitelighter and can't orb, I will still give it my best to help our innocent and your boyfriend," Trish adds and giving Mel a small smile.
Melinda lets Trish's jibe pass and accepts her attempts to lighten the tense mood and gives her another nod in thanks. Melinda was in witch business mode and was wholly focused on saving Jackson. "Anybody have any ideas once we get there," Melinda asks.
"Yes. I remembered this short spell from the Book. It was suppose to only give a sleeping person a peaceful rest. But I'm pretty sure if we all say it, we can give it a Power of Three boost that'll knock that guy out cold without leaving any evidence of a struggle and maybe leave him with no memory of the situation," Alex answers.
"Aww, you just took the fun away. I really wanted to knock the abusive s.o.b. around with my telekinesis. I wouldn't hurt him…much," Trish replies hotly.
"Not this time cousin, we need to be a little bit more discreet. He is only human," Alex points out.
"Yeah, but he's as evil as any demon," Melinda says coldly. "Okay tell us the spell and we can get started."
Alex tells them the short spell and both girls quickly memorize it. Trish and Mel take hold of each other's hand and concentrate on finding Jackson's location. Alex waits patiently for them to find him. At first both girls couldn't sense anything. "Concentrate harder," Mel encourages. Suddenly, there was an echo of pain and hurt tingling their senses. With Trish's help, Mel quickly latches on to the emotions and zones in on Jackson's location. Mel quickly grabs Alex's hand as she orbs everybody out of the jeep and toward Jackson. Blue orbs quickly surround them as they headed toward their innocent.
****
Jackson was really happy about making some new friends. "Nothing can ruin this for me. Not even dad," he thought. "Well, hopefully he doesn't find out. I could never understand why he never wanted me to have friends. Either we move too much for me to make friends or he scares them away. God, I don't even know why I stay. I'm old enough to leave. I don't know why I take so much abuse from him. Maybe something's wrong with me." He takes his key out of his pocket and opens the door to their apartment.
As soon he enters, he hears, "You finally home boy! Where have you been? Huh?"
"Nowhere. I just came back from school," Jackson replies.
"Well get in here!" Jackson's father shouted. Jackson could here the distinct drunken slur that was accompanying his father's speech. "Oh god, I can't believe he's drunk again," Jackson thinks with disgust. "I really don't understand why I don't just leave right now. It's almost like something is stopping me. Maybe it's the guilt. I don't know but maybe I should just go and never come back." Jackson goes to the kitchen and finds a very drunk man. Liquor bottles were strewn everywhere, and the air was saturated with the stench of alcohol.
"What're ya lookin', huh?" Jackson's dad demands. The older man started to get up and lumber toward Jackson. Jackson watched his dad make the drunken walk toward him with bottle in hand. "I asked you a question. I expect an answer. And didn't I tell to clean this place up, huh? Come on now answer me! I swear your good for nothin'. I don't even know why I keep you around." His dad takes a swig of the hard liquor and glares at Jackson with bloodshot eyes.
"Man, what's wrong with him today? I haven't even done anything, and he's really smashed today. That's it I'm gonna leave," Jackson decides. "You know what? I don't know why I stay around here either. You've treated me like crap for the last 13 years. And I've taken the abuse. God knows why I stayed but I've had it!" Jackson yells. He turns around ready to leave. Suddenly a strong arm grabs his shoulder and swings him around forcefully.
"I didn't tell you to turn your back on me. You should really learn some respect, boy," Mr. St. Claire threatens. Jackson stands straight and squares his shoulders but his father can see an old fear in Jackson's eyes. "Maybe I should teach you another lesson. You should really learn some humility 'cause you know you might get hurt. And leaving? I think not. I think you haven't gotten through your thick head that you owe me everything! I took you away from that orphanage and gave you a home, and this is the thanks I get. Oh no! It doesn't work that way, my boy. No, it doesn't." All the while his grip on Jackson's shoulder was getting harder and tighter. Both men stood six feet tall but the Mr. St. Claire was noticeably more muscular, and he could definitely back the promise of abuse in his voice. Jackson was cringing in pain but he wasn't backing down this time.
"Please, just let me go. I'll pay you back for whatever you think I owe you. But just let me go," Jackson says. His voice was tinged with anger and fear. He tries to get out of his adopted father's grip but that just made the older man grip harder. He even put his other hand on Jackson's other shoulder. He seemed like a man possessed. In fact, his eyes glowed red and was quickly gone before Jackson could notice.
"You see son, it doesn't work that way. I just can't let you go. In fact I'm kind of worried where you're picking up this rebellious streak. You haven't been telling your teachers about what's happening, have you?" Mr. St. Claire pauses but Jackson only responds with angry silence. "No…you're right. It couldn't be that 'cause you learned your lesson last time. Noooo, it must be something else. I know! You must've picked up some new friends." Jackson has nervous look in his eyes that gives him away. "How many times did I have to tell you not to make friends? They'll only let you down when you need them the most. In fact, where are they now when I do this!" Mr. St. Claire punctuates his drunken rant by forcefully shoving Jackson back on the refrigerator. The wind is knocked out of Jackson's lungs. He tries to get up but only slips back on the floor when his left foot rolls on a stray empty bottle.
"Please, just stop. I won't go. I won't tell anybody. But please just stop," Jack pleads. His strong façade has finally broken down, and only fear has taken its place.
"You see, Jack, it's too late for begging. I have to teach you a lesson now. You've got to learn that you shouldn't get away from me because I'm all you have left. You have no friends or family except me. Even your real parents left you all alone. So now I have to make sure you learn that I'm your only friend, your only family," as the older man is saying this he's taken a hold of Jack's chin and gives him what seems to be a caring touch. Jackson only has tears and fears in eyes. And two seconds after Mr. St. Claire finishes talking, he simply hits Jack. Jackson quickly covers his head with his arms before any more blows hit him. After five minutes, the only sounds that were heard were the grunts, flesh hitting flesh, and the repetitive pleas for it to end.
The two never notice the three witches orb in behind them. The three are appalled for a few moments that anything like this is happening. But they quickly recover and began the chant:
"Hear our words, hear our call.
In Hypnos' arms you must fall."
As soon as they finished the spell, they saw the older man stop his beatings and then fall on the floor. Trish uses her telekinesis to move the large man away from Jackson. What faces them completely takes their breath away in shock. They can't understand how the laughing young man talking to them in the jeep could turn into this frightened huddle. They see Jackson covering his head crouched on the floor. He was rocking back and forth and repeating, "Please stop…I won't go…please stop…"
At first Melinda couldn't move for heart was breaking at the overwhelming sight, but she recovers and immediately goes over to him and kneels down beside him. She takes him into her arms and holds on tight. She smoothes his long hair in a soothing manner. "Hey, we're here. You're safe, okay? Nobody is going to hurt you ever again," Melinda says with a hitch in her voice. She finally feels him relax and finds his arms has wrapped around her like a drowning man holding on to a lifeline. Trish with tears in her eyes puts a supporting hand on Melinda's shoulder, while Alex stands next to them with arms crossed in anger. They can't believe the harsh cruelty that an abusive parent can inflict on what is suppose to be their child.
Melinda feels Jack go limp in her arms and takes a look to see if anything is wrong. She sees that he has fallen unconscious but breathing normally. Either the shock or the pain has finally taken him out.
"Come on. Let's go and take him to dad. Make sure he's all right. My healing powers only work for me so we need to take him back to the Manor," Melinda says in a quiet voice.
"Yeah, let's go before I do anything to that guy," Trish says. She tries to wipe away her tears. Alex comes over to her puts a comforting hand on her shoulder. All Trish does is look up and puts a hand on top of his in a gesture of silent gratitude for the reassurance.
An unnatural laughter surprises the three witches out of their sadness. They turn to look over to where Trish moved Mr. St. Claire, and find that he's floating off the floor by a couple of inches. His eyes were glowing a fiery red and glaring at the three witches. Trish waves her hand back, using her power, but the floating man only moved back a few inches but otherwise he seemed unaffected. Melinda carefully puts Jackson on the floor and stands up. She raises her hands up and tries to freeze the 'man' but he only laughs.
"Ahhh! The next Charmed Ones. What? Is something wrong? Powers not working? Don't even try Alexander Cole Halliwell," he turns to Alex with a baleful gaze. He sees Alex with what looks like an blue energy ball in his hands. The girls were amazed that this person knew their names. "It's not like it's going to affect me. I know you've inherited only one of your father's powers. And it's only a pale comparison to a full demon's powers. An energy ball that could only stun. Ha! Pathetic! Put that away before you embarrass yourself. I see that my 'son' has made friends with some witches. I wonder if he knew. It doesn't matter. All that matters is you have ruined my plans."
Alex makes the "stun" ball disappear and shouts back, "Who are you?"
"What? The Charmed Ones don't know? Apparently you're not as well trained as I thought. If you must know, I'm the Source," Source states arrogantly. The cousins are shocked by the news and quickly grab each other hands to cast the Source vanquishing spell.
"Prudence, Patricia…" before the Charmed Ones could continue, the Source interrupts them, "Please save your breath. That old spell won't be working on me. You see I'm only possessing the body of one James St. Claire. My demonic manifestation is somewhere you can never find. And secondly, I am the most powerful Source that the Underworld has ever witnessed. Your hopeless spells and ineffective powers are no match for me." The Source tosses 'his' head back and laughs gratingly.
Melinda glowers at him. She shouts, "If you're so powerful. Then why beat up on an innocent. He's obviously weaker than you." She gives him a condescending look.
"You see witch," the Source saying the word 'witch' like it's something vile, "My collection of evil seers has foreseen that boy doing great things. Great things that would affect me directly. They couldn't clearly see if it was for my benefit or not because something was blocking their vision. So I took possession of this man in order to bend Jackson to my will. But something was blocking my influence on him. I could only prevent him from leaving this mockery of a family but I had almost broken him until you three stepped in." Again he gives them an evil look but as quickly as anger appeared on his face in quickly left and was replaced by a small smile.
"Well since I obviously can't continue with this plan. I'll just have to fall on a contingent one. Well I no longer have use for this human or this conversation so I will take my leave. Until we meet again," the Source said ominously. The man falls back on the floor, and the sleep spell broken. He looks around in confusion as if he has awoken from a horrible dream. Before either parties could approach each other, the man gave out a horrendous cry of pain as he was consumed in demonic fire. All that was left was a pile of ashes.
"That bastard!" exclaimed Trish.
Alex replies, "It wasn't enough that he had to ruin two lives but he took one of those lives just out of spite for us."
"I'm worried that this Source already has leg up on us. He knows a lot about us, and we know nothing about him except what Dad has said," Melinda says in worry. "Well, we have to get back to the Manor with Jackson and see if we can't sort everything out." Melinda took Trish's and Jackson's hands while Alex places his on her shoulder. Then, she orbs all of them back to their jeep. It was getting late, and they really need to talk to their whitelighter. They placed the unconscious Jackson in a seat, keeping him comfortable as possible, and they headed home. Everyone in the vehicle was uneasy. The Source has finally revealed himself to them, and it's obvious that it was going to be a treacherous road ahead of them.