Sisters Bound

Part 3 – Another home?

By: Silverstar

Hello again. Sorry for the wait for those of you who are reading this. I was hoping for some more reviews, but I'll take what I can get and move on Thanks to those of you who reviewed, and here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

I had been staying with the Mathews' for one week, and there had been no word from Susan or the police. I was getting antsy and I wanted to go home. I missed it. It felt weird waking up each morning to a different house and a family that was not my own…

Sighing to myself, I got out of bed and walked around my small room. Mike and Jamie hadn't made me go to school this past week, but I knew that come Monday I would be going back, and I wasn't looking forward to it. When I finally headed downstairs I saw Paige sitting in the family room watching Saturday morning cartoons. I then thought back to last Saturday with a frown and walked into the kitchen. Jamie and Mike were sitting at the table talking, but hushed as I came in.

"Good morning Piper," Jamie greeted, looking up as I entered. "You're up early today," she then said, smiling as I walked over to the refrigerator to pour myself some orange juice.

"Yeah…I haven't slept well lately…" I answered, looking over at the clock to see that it was 8 in the morning. I hadn't realized.

"Piper, what do you say to taking a trip over to your house today? So you can get some more of your things," Mike then proposed, looking at me over his shoulder. Surprised, I starred at him for a few moments before I found myself nodding my head.

"Yes…yeah, I'd like that," I finally said.

"Good. We'll head over after we drop Paige off at dance," he replied. Smiling slightly, I put my orange juice down on the counter and headed back up to my room. I was going home! I hadn't felt this happy since…Tearing myself away from those sort of thoughts, I headed for the shower to get ready. I guess, somewhere inside, I thought that once I was home, things would go back to normal. My family would be waiting for me there.

The car was silent as we drove away from Paige's dance school and headed towards Prescott Street. I clamped my hands together to keep them from shaking and stared out the window as anxiety built up inside of me. How long was it going to take to get there? It felt like we'd been in the car forever! Yet…we kept driving…and driving…and as soon as I thought I was going to explode with anticipation and impatience, I saw Mike turn the car onto a familiar street – Prescott Street. As we pulled up and into my driveway, I let out a sigh, not realizing until then that I'd been holding my breath since we entered the neighborhood. Trying to steady my shaking hands, I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the car. Mike and Jamie followed me up to the front door and inside as I pulled out my key and unlocked my home. It was just as I remembered it. The sun filtered in through the old antique glass windows and covered the family room as well as the main hallway. I walked through the room…the place where I'd last seen my family, and looked for signs of them…There were none. Disappointed, I then walked into the kitchen and found that a pot of uneaten soup still sat on the stove. As I went to lift it down and throw it out, Jamie stopped me.

"Piper, we need to talk," she said softly, and I looked up at both of them. Sighing softly, I sat down at the kitchen table I had sat at all my life and the Mathews' sat across from me.

"Piper," Mike began, "We know that Susan is trying to find a foster home for you…but we've been thinking…"

"We'd like you to stay with us," Jamie continued. I starred at these two people in shock as thoughts of new homes and a new life swept through my head. How…how could they bring me back here to my home, and then ask me to move in with them…permanently? How…? "Before you say anything," Jamie then continued, "I want to tell you that we've thought this through. Did you know that Paige was adopted?" I slowly shook my head. "We have never been able to have children…but have always wanted them. We believe that there is a reason for everything, and that God put you in our lives for a reason. We really would like to have you come and stay with us."

"Wha…What about my sisters?" I asked, tears coming to my eyes. "The police…the police will find them. They're going to be found!" I said, my voice rising in level as I forced the tears back. "Are you willing to have them as well?" I couldn't believe this was happening. It was like they didn't exist…I believed that Prue and Phoebe would come back to me. It was the only thought that had gotten me through the past week. But now…now the Mathews' were asking me to move in with them…it was like I'd be leaving my sisters and my family behind. I couldn't do that!

"Piper," Jamie said gently, reaching out to put her hand on my arm. I pulled away.

"My sisters are coming back!" I screamed. "I still have a family!" Shoving myself up from the table, I ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs, heading for my room. As I entered I ran forward and threw myself down on my bed by habit. As I lay there, crying into my pillow, I felt slight comfort from just being in my room. Then, I looked over at Phoebe's bed, and that comfort was gone. It wasn't the same in this house without my sisters. Wiping my eyes, I pulled my knees up to my chin and wrapped my arms around them. Without my sisters here, I knew I'd never be able to stay in this house. But…they would come back! They would…

"Piper?" I heard Jamie whisper from the other side of the door. "Can we come in?" I didn't answer her, but in a few seconds she entered with Mike behind her. "Hey honey," she said softly as they walked over towards me. Jamie slowly sat on the edge of my bed as Mike stood behind her. "We're sorry we made you upset." I looked over at her for a minute before laying my head on my knees and letting a few tears fall.

"I'm sorry…" I finally whispered. "It's not your fault."

"Sweetie, you have nothing to feel sorry about. You're sad, upset, and angry. That's natural. We just thought that you might like to come and stay with us. And…with your sisters…we'll deal with it when it happens. This is a lot of change for us too, but we're willing to make an effort." I looked over at her at this comment and noticed how carefully worded the statement was. The fact was that they didn't believe my sisters were coming back…but if they did…I wouldn't be kept from them. Maybe they'd move in too…or maybe we'd be placed with another foster family.

"What about the house?" I then asked, wiping the tears from my face.

"The house is still yours," Mike then said. "I've spoken with social services. Susan assured me that no one will touch it. You won't have to worry about paying any taxes or such until you turn 18. Any other expenses will be covered by insurance money"

"And you can come back here to visit any time you want," Jamie added in. "We wouldn't think of keeping you from it." I looked up at both of these people…they were offering me a home out of the kindness of their hearts…could I accept? I glanced around my bedroom, my eyes wandering from my shelves of books to Phoebe's desk, piled high with the new make-up her friend had given her, and then to Prue's purse which I had borrowed the week before. Yes, I missed this place, but I knew I couldn't stay here. Even if I were able to legally live here…I wouldn't be able to face the memories. At least, not for a while.

"Thank you," I finally whispered, looking over at…my new foster parents. Then, with a slight smile, I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around Jamie as I let some more tears fall. "Thank you."

"Oh, you are so welcome," she whispered back as she wrapped her arms around me and held me in a hug. "Now, why don't we pack some more of your things, just to tide you over. We'll come back for the rest later." I nodded, and then wiped my tears as Jamie helped me off my bed and Mike went to get a few boxes.

We returned to the house a half hour later and Mike carried my boxes of clothing, bathroom supplies, and books up to my room. I still couldn't believe that this was going to be my new home…It was a little overwhelming. Later that night, as I was unpacking up in my room, I thought back on the night that everything had changed. What were those things that had attacked? Their faces still haunted my dreams, and every morning I still didn't understand what they were. All I knew was that they scared me. I didn't understand where the fire had come from or how Grams had fought them off, but I wanted to find out. Maybe if I found out, then I could get my sisters back. But…I didn't know where to start. I guess I'd have to start at the manor, but…I couldn't go back there with the Mathews'. I'd have to go alone. Would that be dangerous? What if they came after me again? Sighing, I pulled a small bear out of the last box and looked at it. My mover had given this to me on my third birthday…that was one of the memories of her that still remained in my head. Prue had been so jealous…and Phoebe…well, she was just a baby. I smiled at the memory as I hugged the bear close. I had to go back, no matter what.

"That's a nice bear." Looking over to my left, I saw Paige sanding at the door. That's right, I had left it open.

"Thanks," I replied. "My mother gave it to me." Paige smiled when I said this and then walked in and sat down on my bed. I followed suit.

"Mom says that you'll be staying with us from now on," she then whispered. "She says your family is gone…I'm sorry you lost them…" I forced myself not to cry as I sat there starring at this little girl. She somehow reminded me so much of Phoebe…

"Thanks…but…my sisters…I'll find them," I said back.

"Well…until you do…can I be your sister?" Paige asked, and I smiled.

"I'd like that," I answered, and her smile made me smile.

"Paige!" I heard Jamie yell, and I looked down at my new 'sister.'

"Oh yeah! I was supposed to tell you that we're eating now. Come on." I watched Paige leave the room and I sighed. This was the start of a new life. Putting down my bear, I walked towards the door and downstairs towards the people that I would soon call my family.

School on Monday was the hardest thing I'd ever done in my life. As Jamie dropped me off I pleaded with her to let me stay home…but she insisted that my education was important, or something like that. How important could 8th grade really be? I mean, come on!

"Please Jamie," I begged. "Please don't make me go…"

"Piper, you're going to have to go back eventually. Don't you want to get back into a routine?" Sighing, I slung my book-bag over my shoulder and got out of the car. As I walked through the halls of my school I found people left and right staring after me. No one spoke to me…but I knew they were looking at me with pity. The death of a woman in a good neighborhood and the kidnapping of two children made the news. They all knew what had happened to me. The few girls that I was friendly with in school gave me hugs and told me that they had been trying to get in touch with me…they were so sorry and asked if they could do anything. I just shook my head and asked if we could not talk about it. I knew they probably wouldn't be willing to do much for me anyways…its not like they ever did before, but it did make me feel a little better knowing that a few people at least pretended to care. As the bell rang I followed them off to class, my head down and my mind in a state of chaos.

When school finally let out I felt exhausted. I wanted to go home…and that was where I was going to go! Shoving aside my shyness, I walked up to a girl that I knew lived in my neighborhood and asked for a ride. After staring in shock at me for a moment, she quickly nodded and let me slide into her car after her. Her mother was very polite, giving me her condolences and such, and I just nodded and thanked her, mostly keeping quiet. As we pulled up to my house I thanked them again and jumped out quickly, wanting to get out of the uncomfortable situation. Here I was, standing in front of my home. Taking a deep breath, I walked up to the front door and let myself in. All was quiet.

"Prue! Phoebe!" I called. There was no answer. Why did I still think that I would find them here? Turning around, I slowly shut the front door behind me and then wandered into the kitchen. The soup was still on the stove. Sighing, I poured it down the drain and then cleaned the pot before putting it away. The kitchen always made me think of Grams. At the thought of my grandmother, I remembered one of the reasons I wanted to come here alone. I wanted to find out what those things were that attacked us…and how Grams had defended us. Deciding to start where the event had occurred, I walked back through the front hallway and into the family room. Unfortunately, the police had gone over every spec of it – there was nothing to find. But…I couldn't give up…Prue wouldn't want me to. Taking a deep breath, I gathered myself together and climbed the stairs up to the second floor. I then walked slowly and quietly down the hallway and into Grams' room. It smelled so much like her…Climbing up onto her bed, I buried my face into her pillow and breathed in.

"Grams…" Just being near her smell calmed me, and my lack of sleep came rushing back to me. Moments later, I felt my eyelids close, and I was asleep.

"Piper! Thank God!" I awoke to these words only 45 minutes later, and I fought consciousness as I felt someone sit down next to me and shake me gently. I liked it here…

"No…I want to be with Grams," I mumbled, turning over to my other side and shoving my face even further into the pillow.

"Piper, honey," the woman said again, and in my more wakeful state, I recognized that it was Jamie's voice. "You really worried me! You just can't take off from school like that." Sighing, I lifted my head, leaned up on my arm, and turned to look at her. She seemed relieved to find me here.

"I'm…I'm sorry," I whispered, and then collapsed back down onto the bed. "But…I…" I couldn't finish, only because I had so many thoughts and so many emotions built up inside of me. I just looked into Jamie's eyes, and then closed mine.

"Piper, Piper! Can I see your room?" The sudden commotion got me to open my eyes again, and I looked over at the doorway to see Paige.

"She'll show you in a minute sweetie," Jamie told her, and then she turned to me. "If you want to come here that's fine, but you have to let me know somehow, alright?" I slowly nodded and then tore myself off of Grams' bed as Paige pulled at my hand.

"Your house is so big!" she told me as I took her down the hall to my room. Yeah…it was big…Big and empty. That thought made me frown as Jamie ushered us downstairs, out to the car, and back to my new home.

To Be Continued…