"Find anything?"
"Will, I found a site on the Powers For Life; but I couldn't find anything that would help. It's mostly just a recruiting site letting people know that 'THEY CAN HELP'. I was about to close the page, and search some more when I saw this."
Piper got up out of her chair and stood behind Phoebe who pointed to a strange looking icon in the bottom corner of the screen.
"It's a link that send me to a screen to leave messages to the webmaster, but there is another link on that page marked Controllers. I clicked on it, but it requires a password to get in. I'm trying to bypass it now. Any luck with the Book Of Shadows?"
"Some. I found Controllers. Their only real power is to persuade good witches to use their powers on innocent people. They use these meeting, at least that's what they call them, but it's actually a mind game they play. They implant thoughts into their victims heads telling them that what they are doing to right, and will help everyone. My guess is Nancy was right, because Paul and Sarah saw what was really going on, they never let the images sink in. The rest we already know. Nancy was pretty much right on the money."
Piper was cut off by the sound of the computer making a sound. They turned their attention back to the computer screen and saw a message flashing across the front.
BYPASS COMPLETE: ACCESS ACCEPTED
"Hey, I'm in. Now let's look and see what these Controllers are up to. Look at this Piper. It's a message board for all the Controllers. No wonder you need a password to get in. They need to keep it safe from unwelcome eyes, like ours. You know, there is this really great message board on SafeSearchers. It has all these great people on it, and they talk about all kinds of stuff like…"
"Phoebe, tell me later, right now let's concentrate on this board!"
"Oh, right, sorry. Well, it looks like there are about fifty or so Controllers. At least one for each state. Let's look and see if the one in our area has anything interesting to say. Hey here he is, it says;"
TO ALL LEADERS:
I HAVE ALMOST FOUND THE CHARMED ONES. WE WERE RIGHT, LETTING GIRL GO. SHE HAS LED US RIGHT TO THEM. I AM WORKING FOR ONE OF THEM RIGHT NOW, AND WILL LET YOU KNOW THEIR EXACT LOCATION WITHIN DAYS!
BOB
S.F. LEADER
"Piper do we know a Bob?"
"That's the name of the guy I hired to help run the club. I can't believe this, now I have to go through the interviewing process all over again."
"Piper focus, the important thing right now is that he doesn't know where we live, or they would already be here. When does he work again?"
"Tonight, why?"
"Well we better call Prue and come up with a plan. This message was left yesterday. So he thinks he's closer to having all us together."
"Should we tell Nancy?"
"No way. She might get even more worried because they are so close and try to run. Physically and emotionally she can't handle that."
They quickly got on the phone with Prue and filled her in on what they had found. After rushing through the last of her work, Prue ran into Jack's office, asked him to cover for her, and without waiting for a response ran to her car driving home as fast as she legally could.
"Well the book says you have to have a strong mind, and heart, and I'm sure we do. So we have to do like Paul did and make them think that they have us convinced to use our powers on innocent people. Then when they least expect it, we'll use our powers on them."
"Prue your babbling. I think your hanging around Phoebe to much."
"Hey, what that suppose to mean?"
"Guy's come on. Don't you get it? These are low level demons. The only real reason no one has been able to kill them, is because the book says that a surviving member of a victim's family must both be a witch, and say the spell. We just have to weaken them long enough to say the spell, and make them go away for good."
"According to the book, once you kill a Controller, any witches that were turned to warlocks by him, will revert back. They didn't willfully use their powers, so they are not full blown bad."
"Great, we have a plan. Piper, why don't you call Dan and see if he can sit with Nancy. She can't be left alone. Once these demons are gone, Nancy won't be afraid to stay with us."
"Good I kind of like not being the youngest in the house."
Piper went to the phone and called Dan. Several minutes later she returned to her sisters, who were reading through the book one more time.
"He'll be here in about an hour."
"Good, now call Bob and set the plan in motion. Phoebe and I will head down to the club and set things up."
As Piper turned to the pone, and Prue and Phoebe each grabbed their coats a voice in the distance came though loud and clear.
"Please don't do this. I don't want you hurt because of me."
They each turned around to see a very tired looking Nancy sitting on the top of stairs, tears running down her face.
"Nancy how long have you been sitting there?"
"Long enough to know that I lead them to you. I guess the cloak wore off when Grandma died. Their mind games are stronger then you can ever imagine. Dad had to practice for a long time to get strong enough to fight off their images. Mom only survived because Dad was talking to her, in her mind. I know what you want to try, but I don't think you know what your getting into."
"Nancy, don't worry we have it covered. Besides we're not going up against all of them, just the one in our area. Once we destroy him, the others won't dare come after us."
"Wrong! Once you call Bob, he'll tell the others faster then you can blink an eye. If you think the others aren't going to show up to watch you guys be tested your nuts. I'm talking thirty, if not all fifty will be there."
Although the girls had not realized this, they had to convince Nancy that they would be fine, so they put on brave faces and acted like this was not new news.
"Don't worry, we'll be fine. We can take care of ourselves, we just have to STICK TOGETHER. After we take care of this problem you won't need to be afraid anymore."
Nancy shook her head, stood up from the stairs slowly, and turned making her way back to her room. Once inside she closed the door and slid down to the floor, her back against the door. Closing her eyes she silently prayed.
"Mom, Dad, if you can hear me, please stop them. I can't watch them die too…"
Phoebe was about to go after Nancy, but Prue grabbed her by the arm, keeping her in her place.
"Let her go. It will do no good to talk to her now. She is going to worry until this is over. Piper make the call, I want this finished, one way or another, tonight."
With a shaky hand Piper picked up the phone and dialed the number that Bob had provided.
"Hi boss what can I do for you?"
"How did you know it was me?"
"Caller ID. Is something wrong?"
"No sorry. I just wanted to know if you could come in early. We have a new band showing up tonight, and we have a lot of work to do before hand. I can't get the rest of the staff to come in, so it would just be you, me, and my sisters. I just hope that's enough hands to take care of everything."
"Don't worry Piper. I'm sure we'll have ENOUGH HANDS to handle everything."
Bob replied as he hung up the phone with a smile on his face. Walking over to his computer he quickly logged onto the message board. Back at the manor Phoebe stayed connected and watched as the message from Bob appeared on the screen only moments after he hung up with Piper;
ATTENTION ALL
COME ONE COME ALL
CHARMED ONE'S TEST TONIGHT
4:00 PM
BE THERE TO SEE THE FUN!
BOB
S.F. LEADER
The girls watched as one by one over thirty responses came through all saying that they would be there, and the number of responses kept rising.
"I'll bet when all is said and done all fifty will be there. Now what?"
"We do just like we planned. Phoebe and I will go to the club now. As soon as Dan shows up, make sure to tell him to leave Nancy alone. Tell him not to go upstairs, unless Nancy yell for yelp. She is too upset and knowing him, he would want to help. Make something up if you have to. Then get to the Club as soon as possible."
Piper agreed and watched as her two sister left not even going upstairs to say goodbye to Nancy. Once Dan arrived Piper told him that Nancy was sound asleep and would probably be out for the rest of the night. She told him they had given her a pain killer that knocks her out completely, and to only go up if she calls. Dan agreed without question, kissed Piper goodbye and then made himself comfortable on the couch ready to watch the ball game on TV.