A/N: This is the sequel to The End of the World? and takes place a year after my previous story left off. You may want to read my previous fic before reading this one; otherwise you might be a tad confused. And for all of those who are concerned about Cole and whether of not he will return, let me just say I would never keep him dead for long (wink wink). Oh, and as always please review, I love to know what you all think!
Disclaimer: I don't own Charmed, I am just borrowing them for the purposes of writing this story so please don't sue me!
Chapter One: Furtive Figure
The school bell rang incessantly. After hours of listening to the droning lectures of their teachers, recess was finally upon them. Parker pulled his navy coat from its hook and slung it over his shoulders. He trailed the hoards of children out into the playground. The brisk winter air blew his darkening hair about his rosy, wind-blown face. He zipped his coat up and walked slowly over to the vacant field. Winter was by far Parkers favorite season. He loved the smell of the cold, bracing winter air. This winter had been unusually cold that year which made Parker happier than he usually was that time of year.
"Hey Halliwell?" A blond haired boy yelled sharply to Parker. Parker turned around to face the boy and his friends.
"What do you want Louis?" Parker hated that particular group of boys. Since he was young, they had tormented and taunted him. Parker often yearned to turn them into some little, slimy, unpopular animal, but he knew he mom and his aunts wouldn't be very happy with that. The boys smugly waltzed closer to Parker until they were no more than a few feet apart.
"I think you took my book Halliwell." Parker glanced casually at the small paperback he held in his hand. One of the heavier built boys in the group took that as his cue to knock the book out of Parker's hand.
"Knock it off Louis, don't be such an ass." Parker said smoothly, picking up his book then turning around and walking away from the hoard of arrogant boys.
"Wait a minute," Said Louis, holding his hands up dramatically, "did Halliwell just call me an ass?" A few giggles could be detected from the group of them. Parker ignored their childish scoffs and continued walking. Without warning, Parker felt a brunt push from behind him, landing him flat in the muddy grass. "Now who's the ass?" Louis said haughtily before turning around and sauntering back to the more populated area of the playground. Parker pulled himself up from the ground weakly and examined his now, mud-covered, jeans and coat. He sighed heavily and attempted to brush away the filth. The wind blew excitedly and the school bell rang again, summoning the children back to class. Parker looked up from his soiled clothes and brushed his excessively wind-blown hair away from his eyes. He glanced briefly at the gate surrounding the field. His eyes stopped on a man, who stood close to fence, his hands wresting on its thin metal coils. He was dressed roughly in black slacks and a long, dirty, black overcoat. He had a cigarette resting menacingly in his mouth and a large black bag sitting next to him on the ground. Parker must have stared longer than he had intended because when the man caught Parker's gaze, he glared at him harshly.
"Whadda you starin' at kid?" The man spat coarsely. Parker, without answering, averted his gaze and quickened his pace until he had reached the school's large red doors. Before entering the building, Parker turned around to catch one last glimpse of the mysterious strange, but he had disappeared.