"Wait a minute," said Hobart back at the manor, "What do you mean it was a demon? You mean like horns, a pointed tail and a pitchfork, that kind of demon?"
"Well, they don't really look like that," said Prue, "but yeah that kind of demon."
"That's crazy," said Hobart. "Demons aren't real."
"Then you tell us what it was," said Piper.
"Some kind of animal?" offered Hobart.
"An animal that talks and throws fireballs?" asked Phoebe.
"And walks away from a four story fall?" added Prue.
"Okay, maybe not an animal," said Hobart, "but a demon? Come on."
"By the way," said Phoebe, "Why was it able to throw fire? I thought that power was reserved for upper level demons?"
"I don't know," said Pure. "Maybe some upper level demon gave them that power to take out Mr. Hobart."
"That one called you something," said Hobart. "Charmed Ones. That's what it said. It seemed to know you've fought these demons before."
"We've tangled with one or two," said Piper.
Just then Leo walked in from the kitchen.
"Good," said Prue, "maybe we'll get some answers now.
"Not many," said Leo. "They don't know what's going on. There doesn't seem to be anything special about Mr. Hobart."
"I could have told you that," said Hobart.
"That doesn't make sense," said Piper. "When demons go after someone they usually have a reason."
"Maybe he pissed a demon off," offered Phoebe.
"I don't think so," said Hobart. "I'm a third grade teacher. My life is pretty dull really. As far as I know I haven't done anything to make anyone mad."
"What about your parents?" Leo asked. "Maybe these demons are after you for something they did."
"My mother was a research assistant at a medical laboratory," said Hobart. "I never knew who my father was. My mother never said."
"Okay, I'm at a loss," said Piper. "He's an innocent who hasn't pissed off any demons and who's mother, at least, had no connections to demons. I'm not sure what else is left."
"Maybe its something he's going to do," suggested Prue. "Didn't the...they know anything about that?"
"I don't know," said Leo. "They didn't say, but I'll check back with them. There has to be some reason demons want him dead. Demons don't usually kill an innocent without a reason."
"I'll check...upstairs," said Phoebe. "It might be able to tell us something."
"While you're at it," said Piper, "find out what kind of demons those are. I'd like to prepare a defense in case one of them shows up again."
"Good idea, said Prue. "And I'm betting they aren't acting alone. There must be a higher-level demon giving them their orders. If we can find out which demon it is maybe we can find out why it's after him."
"I haven't done anything," protested Hobart. "There's no reason for anyone to want me dead. I don't even have any parking tickets."
"Someone wants you dead," said Prue. "And I'm sure they have a reason even if you can't think of one. The sooner we find out what it is the sooner we can put an end to this."
"Prue, Piper," said Phoebe in her warning voice, " we might have an answer sooner than we think."
They all looked up to see a purple demon standing in the entryway.