Victor placed the newspaper down on the kitchen table with a shaking hand.
He had grown slightly worried when he had found neither Chris or Bianca in their apartment the previous morning…but he had not suspected this.
He hadn't considered the possibility that things could go so terribly wrong.
Witch Burned- "Sign of Hope For the New Year" Says Lord Wyatt
The headline of the Bay Mirror read in thick black letters.
The words were bad enough…but it was the picture that had caused the lump to build in his throat.
It was Katie.
The young witch his Grandson had befriended was tied to a wooden steak…her eyes full of fear as the flames brushed against her body.
She was the witch that Wyatt had killed.
She had been a wonderful young woman.
She certainly did not deserve such a grisly fate…
Victor didn't understand how anyone could stand by and watch such brutality. Everyone had been so diluted by Wyatt that they had lost all sense of right and wrong. They watched as witches were burned- and all they felt was relief. They had no idea that it was witches who had protected them from evil for so many years…witches, like his daughters, that had kept them all safe.
They watched as their last hope for the future crumbled before their very eyes.
Hope…
That was something that had died inside him as he had read the paper that morning. Katie's death- although tragic in itself- signified something even worse. If Katie had been captured by Wyatt, then the mission had failed…
Wyatt had won.
And Chris and Bianca were both gone…
Not dead, perhaps…but there was little chance he would ever see them again.
…and the baby…the ray of hope that had once kept him so optimistic…
Wyatt would never let such a powerful child live.
The witches had not been rescued.
Chances were even more had been captured.
The future was lost…
Victor slowly opened one of the orange pill bottles his doctor had prescribed him and placed two in his aged hand. He hesitated for a second before swallowing them both down with a gulp of water.
'Maybe it would be better not to take the pills…' his mind pondered. 'Maybe then, it would all end sooner.'
He wasn't sure if he wanted to live anymore…
It would be easier just to let himself go…
Things couldn't get better now…
They could only get worse.
The people he cared for most were gone. Wyatt was gaining more support everyday. Witches everywhere were being slaughtered. There was nothing left to hold on for. There was no hope…
Yes.
Death would be a welcomed escape.
A relief…
Closing the bottle of pills and pushing it to the side, Victor Bennet did something that he hadn't done in a very long time…
He buried his face in his hands, and cried.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Wyatt sat in his chambers waiting for Robert- the young witch that had informed him of his brother's mission- to arrive.
He had been sitting there for a long time, consumed with his many thoughts.
He had almost lost the other day… but he had barley made it in time. It had been close…too close for his liking. In the future he would ensure that he was more prepared. The next rebellion his idiot father decided to lead would be crushed before any witch could even set foot in the underworld.
"My Lord." Robert said with a slight bow as he entered the chamber.
Wyatt looked up abruptly and noted with displeasure that there was a smug look on the young witch's pale face…it was obvious that he thought he was being summoned to receive some sort of reward…
He was a fool.
With a dramatic sigh, Wyatt stood up and slowly made his way across the room. His blue eyes scanned the Robert, their cool appearance causing the young man to grow somewhat nervous.
"Thank you for coming so quickly." Wyatt said, his gaze intensely focused. "We have important matters to discuss…"
He paused for effect.
"Ye...yes, my Lord." Robert stuttered, becoming increasingly uncomfortable as the seconds passed by.
Wyatt smiled slightly. It gave him such joy to see others intimidated by his presence. It was a true testament to his power.
"I would like to give you what you deserve for telling me of my father's plans." Wyatt continued. "What do you think youdeserve, Robert?"
Drawing a deep breath, Robert put the smug look back on his face. "I don't know." He began thoughtfully. "An important place among your followers, perhaps."
He looked relieved now…
…but it was a relief that was premature.
After a brief second of silence, Wyatt burst out into laughter.
A fool indeed.
"I don't think that that would be a wise decision on my part." He said, placing a hand on Robert's shoulder and looking him directly in the eye. "You see, I only allow those I deem trustworthy into my legion…you are not trustworthy."
Robert paled and his eyes grew wide…this was not the response he had been expecting…
"You're a traitor, Robert." Wyatt continued, tightening his hold on the witches shoulder. "You betrayed my father and brother by coming to me. You went behind their backs…you made a deal with the enemy…you are nothing but a coward."
He paused for a moment to enjoy the look of terror on the young man's face. He knew what was coming next…
"I have now use for a traitor and a coward." He stated, his voice taking on an even darker tone. "I am truly sorry."
And, without a moment's hesitation, Wyatt flung an energy ball into the witch's stomach.
Robert cried out in pain and surprise before crumpling to the dirty floor of the cavern.
Dead.
"That, is what you deserve." Wyatt muttered, feeling no remorse for his act of violence as he looked down at the charred body.
He never had pity for those he killed…
And Robert really did deserve it- not only had he proven himself to be a traitor, but Wyatt remembered all of the pain this boy had caused his brother during their years at magic school.
Robert had always been smug…
An annoying little brat…
And a pathetic excuse for a person.
Wyatt took great pleasure in this revenge. Chris would thank him for doing it…he was proving to his brother that he did care.
Smirking, Wyatt bent down and ripped off the gold chain the young man had been wearing around his neck.
"Perfect" he said as he admired the object. "This will work." And with that, he orbed out of the room in a flurry of lights.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Chris landed painfully back on the bed and clutched his head in pain.
He had tried orbing out of the room once again only to be forced right back down. He knew that it was foolish to continue his attempts, but he had nothing else to try.
He was trapped in a strange room…an eerie illusion that brought back images of years past…
He needed to get out.
Chris still didn't know why Wyatt was doing this. He didn't know what his brother was hoping to achieve. Why was he here? Why wasn't he chained up in a dirty cavern somewhere with only the darkness for company? He had been under the impression that that was how Wyatt liked to keep his prisoners.
He glanced around the room once again and could not suppress the small smile that formed as his eye caught sight of a small wooden horse on the desk.
His father had given him that…
When he was five. It was the only Christmas present he had ever received from Leo, and despite all of the contempt he had built up for the man over the years, he had always kept it. It had reminded that sometimes, his father did care…and that maybe…one day…his father would love him.
Chris realized now how wrongly he had judged Leo. The past few months he had gotten to know his father more then he had in the previous twenty years combined, and he had discovered that he wasn't such a bad guy after all…
He had loved him.
He did love him…
The thought filled him with such satisfaction, even in this desperate time. Chris wondered what his father was doing now. He had been trapped for awhile and he knew that Leo was probably getting frantic. Maybe he was organizing some sort of rescue…
He wished that he could send him some sort of message, just to let him know that he was okay…that he was alive.
It must be horrible for Leo…not knowing…
Chris knew the feeling all to well. He didn't know if Bianca- the woman he loved- was okay. It was hard to sense for her now…he had tried, as he lay in bed, to pick up some sort of definite signal…but his weakness combined with the magical barrier Wyatt had placed on the room made that a difficult task.
All he could do was hope.
Hope that she and the baby were still alive…
Hope that somehow, everything would be okay.
Sighing with frustration, Chris slowly moved off the bed. He had not ventured from it since he had woken up here- fearful of what might happen if he did. But he had waited long enough…maybe he could find something that would help him escape…if he could get out, and get to Bianca, things would be okay.
They may have lost the first battle against Wyatt…but Chris wasn't ready to give up yet.
He could go back to magic school and he, Leo, and Katie could organize the witches again.
Katie…
After being hit by the poison the world had gone fuzzy…he wasn't sure if she had made it out. She should have left with the others…she shouldn't have stayed behind…
She was far too stubborn for her own good sometimes.
She had to be safe…somehow…he wouldn't let himself believe other wise.
She would have had enough sense to run once he was down…
Sighing again, Chris examined the left wall for any sings of an opening. That was where the door was supposed to be…
But he found nothing. It was a completely smooth surface…no cracks, no door, nothing…
"I don't know what you're doing, Wyatt!" he shouted up at the ceiling, hoping that his brother would hear. "But you had better let me out of here! I mean it! You'll be sorry…" he trailed off. There was no conviction in his words. They were empty threats. He was no match for Wyatt.
If Wyatt wanted him kept here forever, then here was where he would stay.
Powerless.
Alone.
Chris tried to fight back the lump forming in his throat and he turned slowly towards the desk. He could remember doing his homework there for hours as a kid. He had never really liked school…but he had been determined to succeed. He had always wanted to prove himself. Prove that he was worth something.
He reached out towards the wooden horse he had noticed a few minutes ago. It was old and worn…he had loved to play with it as a child. It had come from his father and, if he wasn't mistaken, it had once belonged to his father too…a long, long time ago. Tenderly, Chris placed his hand on the smoothly carved back; enjoying the familiar feeling of the beaten wood beneath his fingers…he could remember it so well…
Suddenly, he felt a strong tug in his stomach.
The room blurred before him. Everything became dark before, just as suddenly, everything solidified again…only now, he was in the manor's living room…
The lights on the Christmas tree sparkled in the dimming room. Torn wrapping paper covered the floor beneath it and a little boy sat playing with a brand new truck.
Blue orbs formed slowly next to the tree, causing the child to look up.
The child was Chris…
"Daddy, Daddy!" the five year old shouted as the form solidified into Leo. He tore across the room and jumped into his fathers arms. "You came!"
Leo smiled.
"There's my little guy." He said, hugging him tight and placing a kiss atop his dark hair. "Merry Christmas! Have you been a good boy for mommy?"
The child nodded enthusiastically. "Yep! Wyatt and I helped mommy cook today. We made a cake for dinner. A chocolate one!"
"That's great." Leo replied, placing Chris back down on the ground. "Have you and Wyatt been getting along?"
Chris smiled. "Yep. Wyatt's the bestest big brother ever!"
"Good." Leo chuckled slightly before leaning down to look directly at his son. "I brought you something special." He said, grinning.
The boy's green eyes grew wide with excitement.
"It was mine, when I was your age." Leo continued, handing a gold package to his son.
Chris instantly tore back the paper and smiled as he saw the little wooden horse inside. It may not have been fancy, or do any cool tricks, but it was better than all of his other toys…
His daddy had given it to him.
"Thank you." Chris said, still smiling as he gave Leo another hug. "I love it."
For that one moment, he was happy…
The scene faded and Chris found himself suddenly back in the room. His head was spinning and his heart was beating rapidly in his chest. He had just relived one of his distant memories…he had been there…it had felt so real…
He quickly took his hand off the horse and looked down at it, wide eyed. He had almost forgotten that day…but it had all come back…
It was almost like a premonition…he had never had one himself, but he had seen his Aunt Phoebe go all strange after touching certain objects.
But he didn't have that power…
The vision must have had something to do with the objects in this room.
Maybe this was part of Wyatt's plan.
Maybe this was why he was trapped here with all of his old things…
"Was that fun, Chris?" a cool voice asked from behind him.
Chris knew instantly who it was and he quickly turned around. Sure enough, Wyatt stood a few feet away, a satisfied smirk across his face.
"You bastard!" he exclaimed, the fury instantly growing inside of him.
Wyatt was the reason that every thing was so horrible…
Wyatt was the reason that his life lay in ruins…
Wyatt was the reason he was trapped…
He wanted nothing more than to pound him into the wall until there was nothing left to pound...he wanted him to pay for what he had done.
"Where's Bianca? What have you done to her?" he demanded angrily.
Wyatt shrugged. "Nothing …yet. She is very much alive. So is your child." He paused, obviously not wanting to pursue the topic. "Have you been enjoying your room?" he asked.
"What the hell are you trying to do?" Chris spat back, looking at his older brother with contempt. He knew that he was up to something.
"I'm not doing anything, Chris." Wyatt replied nonchalantly as he glanced around the room. "I am merely reminding you of what you have forgotten….the good….and the bad. One day soon, brother, you will remember why we should work as one. Why you need me…"
Chris scoffed and folded his arms across his chest. "I don't need you Wyatt. I never have. Get over yourself."
The older brother arched an eyebrow. "Don't you, Chris?" he questioned, obviously sure that he was right. "You've always been weaker…I've always protected you…stood up for you…"
There was a long pause before Wyatt continued. "Like I said…you've just forgotten…"
Taking a few brusque steps forward, Wyatt pulled a gold chain out of his pocket and tossed it at his brother. Acting on instinct, Chris grabbed the item before it fell to the ground…
The room faded once again…he was pulled into another vision…another memory…
A group of noisy first grade boys ran down an empty hall way of the magic school.
"Tag, you're it!" One cried as he tagged seven year old Chris on the shoulder.
Chris groaned before tearing off down the hallway after the rest. He was always the first to get tagged…he hated being 'it'.
"Na na, you can't get me!" The tallest of the boys mocked as he used his power to levitate above the others.
Chris glared- he didn't like Robert much- he never had. The boy was so cocky, thinking that he had the best power in the class.
Robert stuck out his tongue at Chris as he looked down from his position six feet up in the air.
Chris had had enough…he would show the boy whose powers were the best…
Concentrating on his target, he did something that, amazingly, he had never done at school before…
He orbed.
He orbed right to Robert and then orbed them both back down to the ground.
'Tag, you're it!' he declared happily as they materialized.
But the others stopped paying attention to the game. They were looking at him, starring… he was confused. Had he done something wrong?
"I thought you were a witch." One of the boys stated, his expression shocked.
It suddenly made sense.
Witches didn't orb…
"That's so gross!" Robert said with disgust. "You're dead!"
"I'm not dead!" Chris defended. "And I am a witch. My mom's a witch."
The boys simply continued to stare…
He knew just then that he was different.
He always would be.
Robert refused to leave him alone…'Only dead people can orb.' The boy insisted, taking pleasure out of Chris' discomfort.
'My…my dad is an elder.' Chris had replied, trying to sound proud of that fact even though he felt a sudden resentment towards Leo- he was the reason that Chris wasn't like the other kids.
'Fine, then you're half dead.' Robert drawled.
Chris looked back at the other boy, his green eyes beginning to well with tears…
Bam.
Chris snapped back to reality, his heart beating rapidly.
That was a day he had tried hard to forget…
It had been the end of his carefree childhood.
From then on, he had been ostracized by his class mates.
From then on, he had been an out cast.
And the only person who had defended him- the only person left to turn to- was Wyatt…
"What did you see, Chris?" Wyatt asked, looking at his brother intently. "Do you remember what that boy did to you? How Robert made your life horrible…"
Shaking slightly, Chris steadied himself on the bed. "The day…" he whispered to himself, looking down at the floor. "I orbed at school…"
Looking back, it seemed almost unbelievable that he had never done it in front of the other kids before…it had been his first power…it had always been so easy…instinctual…
But he had never done it at school.
Not until that day.
He could remember the day so well, and he wished desperately that he could take it back…do it over again.
Wyatt nodded. "And I was there for you, wasn't I?" he said quietly. "I was always there for you Chris…and I always will be."
Chris hesitated before answering.
"No." he replied, looking up at Wyatt with a cool expression. "You were different then…you're not the brother I used to know anymore. You may have been there to ease the pain when we were little, but now, you're the cause of everything that's wrong in my life. I hate you."
An expression that looked almost hurt crossed Wyatt's face. "You don't mean that." He said, his voice low.
Chris glared.
He did mean it.
He had never hated another person more than he hated Wyatt right now.
Glancing down at the gold chain that he still held in his hand, he felt a new wave of fear over come him. "How did you get this?" he asked, his eyes locked on Wyatt.
Wyatt smirked. "I think that's fairly obvious Chris." He replied, taking another step towards the younger Halliwell. "I needed something from Robert to bring up those particular memories in you…anything you touch while in this room will bring what you need to remember back to you…"
"How did you get it?" Chris asked again, dreading the answer.
There was a long pause.
"I took it." Wyatt stated, looking pleased with himself. "I killed Robert…and I took it…"
Chris' heart sunk as Wyatt confirmed his suspicion.
"I did it for you, brother." Wyatt continued. "He deserved it after all he did to you…after he betrayed you…"
"This is exactly what I mean, Wyatt!" Chris exclaimed, hot tears burning his eyes. "You can't just go around killing people…the Wyatt I knew wouldn't do this. He was good, you are evil…"
Wyatt looked taken aback and- if possible- slightly upset. "But, I did it for you. I thought you would want…"
"I don't want anyone dead!" Chris exclaimed, enraged. "No one deserves that!"
"He did."
"No." Chris shot back. "He didn't. No matter what he did to me, he did not deserve that fate. That's the difference between us Wyatt…you don't feel anymore, you care for no one…"
"I care for you!"
Wyatt's words echoed off the walls of the small room and the two brothers locked eyes.
Wyatt wanted his brother to believe him…it was the truth…he still cared. That was why he was trying so hard to get Chris at his side.
They were brothers.
Bound by blood.
Their bond was deeper than any other.
"You don't care about me Wyatt." Chris said, his voice considerably weaker now. He was tired of arguing…tired of fighting a loosing battle. "If you cared about me then you wouldn't have taken my girlfriend away from me. You wouldn't have trapped me here." He paused. "You may think you care about me. But deep down, the only person you really care about is yourself."
Wyatt said nothing for almost a minute. He simply stared at his brother…thinking…
"I do care." He said suddenly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I always have…"
He hesitated…wanting to say more…wanting to make him see…
But that would take time…
He just needed to be patient…let Chris come to the realization in his own time.
There was nothing he could say to convince him now.
Sighing, Wyatt gave his brother one final glance before orbing out of the room.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A/N- Hmm, that turned out oddly…the last part was originally a lot shorter, but it just kept growing! Ack! This isn't exactly what I hoped it would be- but then again, it rarely is. Yes, Wyatt actually does care…for now…
Lots of Bianca in the next one, and maybe some Leo.
Remember what I said about Chapter 22…it's coming…in either the next one or the one after…
I can't believe the response to the last chapter! It made me so happy. Sorry if this one is disappointing, it will get better. And sorry that Katie dies…I had been planning that one right from the beginning…along with a few others…muahahaha
REVIEW!
ilovedrew88- Thanks for the review. Glad you enjoy the room idea, no one else commented on it.
teal-lover- school sucks. Bah. Thanks for reviewing again. Happy you liked the twist (sorry I killed her)
Alyssa T- Awwww, thanks so much! Glad that I managed a successful death! Many chapters to come!
Quillsandbolts- THANK YOU SO MUCH. That was one of my nicest reviews yet! It made me so happy! You're awesome.
conni –Thanks.
charmedchick4eva- Thanks for the review!
Angry Girl- now you sorta know what the illusion is about. Shall explain more later! Thanks again!
Patricia L. Bryans- Wow, I actually made someone cry? Thanks for the compliments!
phoebe-x15- Yay, someone I almost made cry! lol. Thanks for reviewing! Don't hate Wyatt TOO much yet…he's just very conflicted…
Chris Drew Lover- Losta Chris/Wyatt in this one. Much more to come!
