One morning at the Potter house, Gloria Potter sat with Josiah, her adopted son, in their home's small home-office, where she home-schooled the boy. The desk was just big enough for Josiah to do his school-work on. Gloria sat watching as Josiah worked out the math problems that his mother had just given him. She began to remember Josiah's first day at middle school after they'd enrolled him. Josiah had used his magic to move things and even tried to lift some boys that had surrounded him at recess. The Elders had sent special people that they called 'Magical Erasers' to wipe all memories of people at the school, so that no-one would remember any of the magic Josiah had performed; after that it was decided that it would be better for Gloria to teach Josiah at home. Gloria had previous training as a teacher, so was able to carry out the task fairly well and had managed to school the boy successfully past his twelfth birthday.
"Mom, can we have a break?" asked Josiah, feeling tired by all the math problems he'd been trying to work out and thinking it was about time for a break.
"Okay, it's nice outside, so why don't you go out and play in the back-yard," said Gloria with a smile. "I'll call you in about fifteen minutes." Gloria watched happily as Josiah ran out of the room toward the kitchen where the back door was. Her son was a lot safer at home in the daytime, and hadn't needed to change schools and leave friends behind when he'd reached high school age; it had just meant that Gloria had to increase the difficulty and amount of the boy's school-work. Josiah had several friends nearby, so he didn't miss out just because he didn't go to a normal school and mix with other children.
Josiah was very clever for his age, as he'd read a lot of books before he'd reached eight and learned a lot from them; he'd often sneaked books out of the library of the cruel boarding school where his abusive father had sent him at six-years-old. Josiah had more knowledge that a lot of children his age so should be able to get a good job after he graduated.
Gloria was distracted when Terrence walked into the room. "Gloria? We have a visitor who has important information for us." Terrence looked behind him and ushered the visitor into the office.
Gloria examined the visitor thoroughly with her eyes: the woman was fairly tall with shoulder-length curly blonde hair. She looked to be in her mid-twenties; only years younger than Gloria. "Mrs. Potter, my name is Pamela Larabee, and my Whitelighter brought me here because I am fearful for my brother's magical child, Christopher Adam. He has already shown that he is very special, as he was born on a very special date: the seventh day of the seventh month. In our family the number seven is a very powerful number and we believe his being born on that date is an omen that he will grow up to become very powerful. He will protect many innocents and vanquish many evil beings. We fear that demons will learn of his existence and try to harm him."
Gloria had been listening intently to everything the young woman had told her, and then she reached out and rested her hand on the woman's right shoulder. Gloria's eyes suddenly closed as she began to receive a premonition.
Gloria saw the grounds of a large ranch. Bodies littered the ground; most of them were dead. A small blond boy knelt by one of the women, continuously asking "Mama?" Mama didn't answer though. Gloria could hear the women's pulse until it stopped, and the woman was dead. The premonition ended and Gloria opened her eyes.
"I can sense that you felt great pain and loss. I have empathic powers and feel your emotions."
"You were right to fear for your nephew's life. You must stay here with me, while Terrence and Josiah go to the boy's home and protect all there from harm."
"I cannot stay; I need to move to a safer place," said Pamela; then she gave Terrence directions to the ranch in Indiana and disappeared into thin air; while Terrence went outside to get Josiah and orbed away with him.
CH7 - CH7 - CH7 - CH7 - CH7 - CH7 - CH7
It was fate that made Terrence and Josiah arrive at the ranch after demons had already killed all the workers and little Chris's relatives. Chris had been turned invisible by his mother just in time, and the demons had left in disgust, unable to find the young witch they'd been sent there to kill as well as all the other people. When they'd all shimmered or blinked away from the scene of the carnage, the invisibility power used on Chris wore off and the boy became visible again.
The little boy with blond hair stood crying as he looked at all the people lying on the ground of the ranch. He wanted his mama to hug him, but when he'd gone over and tried to wake her up, she hadn't opened her eyes. The infant's name was Chris Larabee and he was two.
Many little blue and white lights appeared, then in the middle of them appeared a man and a tall boy with blond hair. The lights slowly disappeared and the two walked over to the crying child. They both somehow knew that the little blond boy was their innocent: Christopher Adam Larabee.
"It's okay, we're not going to hurt you," said the boy as he picked up little Chris and hugged him tightly. The child settled in his arms and soon fell asleep, feeling safe.
"Quickly Josiah, there's more coming," said Mr. Potter urgently. Josiah ran to him carrying Chris, then grabbed Terrence's hand as the blue and white orbs re-appeared around them. Slowly, the group vanished, leaving the lights to slowly disappear afterwards.
CH7 - CH7 - CH7 - CH7 - CH7 - CH7 - CH7
Gloria was making some sandwiches for the rescue party, confident that they'd rescue their little innocent, when she heard Josiah and Terrence arrive back in the living room. She heard crying as well - it sounded like a little boy's crying. He kept saying 'Mama' between his sobs.
Gloria walked into the living room, desperate to meet their rescued innocent. She stopped and looked at the cute little blond who was held by her twelve-year-old son, Josiah. The little boy was fidgeting in the older boy's strong grip and looked very unhappy.
"I want Mama," said Chris - he wanted to go home and be with his Mama, who'd probably be awake by now; he didn't want to stay here with these strangers.
Gloria walked closer to Josiah and gently took the little boy from him. She hugged the boy, stroking his hair comfortingly. "I'm sorry, but your mama had to go away. We'll look after you until we can find your aunt." Gloria remembered her premonition - everyone at the ranch was dead, as though the demons had been ordered not to leave any survivors.
"Terrence, come into the kitchen and help me finish the sandwiches for everyone," requested Gloria, anxious to know if Chris's family was indeed dead at the ranch.
Gloria settled Chris onto the sofa and turned on the TV for him. Gloria handed Josiah the remote. "Josiah, Dear. I'd like you to watch Chris for a while - see if there's something suitable on TV for him to watch."
Gloria walked behind Terrence to the kitchen, hoping that Chris would be okay without any adults for a short time.
Josiah sat beside the little boy, who looked at him curiously. "Let's see if there's any cartoons on, shall we?" said Josiah, as he picked up the remote from the coffee table.
"Toons," said the little boy, remembering how funny some of the cartoons he'd seen were.
Josiah smiled when he found a cartoon on one channel and sat back to enjoy it with Chris, who now seemed a lot calmer.
CH7 - CH7 - CH7 - CH7 - CH7 - CH7 - CH7
Josiah crept into the spare bedroom where Chris was sleeping and looked down at the sleeping boy. "I'm so sorry you lost your parents," he whispered to the boy. "Mom and Dad will take good care of you now and so will I. I'll be the best big brother to you, I promise."
Chris began to stir; he felt air in his ear. He opened his hazel eyes and looked at the boy crouched down by his bed.
"Hello, little guy."
"I want Mama," said Chris - he wondered where his mother was. Then he began to cry.
Josiah carefully picked up the child and rocked him gently - his mom had taught him how to handle younger children for when they rescued any more innocents who were children.
Gloria ran into the room, carrying a wad of paper tissues. "Did you wake him up?" she asked Josiah sternly, before she sat down on Chris's bed.
"It was an accident, Mom." Josiah handed the child to Gloria, who started to wipe the boy's eyes and try to hush him.
"When he's asleep I'd prefer it if you left him alone. He's suffering, and during his waking hours, things will be hard for him to deal with. He needs some juice, so can you go and half fill a baby-cup for him please?" Gloria had bought supplies for when they'd need to look after their child innocents including ones as young as Chris or even younger.
"Sure," said Josiah, glad to make up for his mistake. He hadn't meant to upset Chris or his mom. The boy left the room to carry out his task.
"I wonder what power you have," said Gloria, looking at the little boy on her lap, who had calmed down and was looking at her with interest. The little boy was fairly quiet, not wanting to stay with the Potters.
To be continued...