THREE
"Hey, Leo," said Phoebe, noticing Leo in the living room with Prue and Piper as she came down the stairs. "I didn't know you were here."
"I called him," said Piper. "We thought he might know something that wasn't in the book."
Leo seemed just a bit nervous. That was understandable. His relationship was just beginning to progress with Piper. But she insisted on breaking up with Dan before they progressed any further. Understandable, but it did leave Leo in a sort of Limbo until Piper had dealt with Dan.
"I didn't find anything in the book," said Phoebe. "Nothing that fit with what I saw, anyway."
"You're sure you saw something?" Leo asked. "It wasn't a trick of the light or your imagination or anything?"
"No, it wasn't a trick of the light," said Phoebe, just a bit annoyed. "It was a young boy about eight or so. He was sitting in the middle of the attic going through some of our photo albums. Ask Prue and Piper. They saw the albums in the center of the floor."
"Calm down," said Leo, "I'm just exploring all possibilities. I believe you saw something. It's just odd that it was a small boy, that's all. I can't see how a boy would be of any use to demons. Even their own children aren't able to control their powers at that age."
"Demons have children?" Prue questioned.
"Yes," said Leo. "They're very similar to humans. In fact, there have been reported cases of humans and demons having children together."
"Half demon children?" Phoebe questioned. "I didn't think that was possible."
"Well, many demons do have a human form," said Leo. "The half demon offspring aren't exactly common but there are some that do exist. Most don't have any powers or their powers are severely limited. They don't pose much of a threat to anyone."
"So you think this kid might be one of these half demonic children?" Piper asked.
"I don't know," said Leo. "Like I said, I've never heard of demons using children in their plans. Of course it could be a shape-shifting demon. For some reason he's assumed the shape of a small boy."
"We're familiar with them," said Prue. "When dad came back he was involved with some shape shifters. But they never shifted into kids as far as I know."
"And you say he wasn't after the Book of Shadows?" Leo asked Phoebe.
"No," said Phoebe. "In fact, the only thing that seems to have been disturbed are the photo albums he was apparently going through. It doesn't appear the Book of Shadows was disturbed at all."
"We think he might be trying to learn about us," said Prue. "That's why he was going through the photo albums."
"That's possible," said Leo. "Word about you is beginning to circulate through the magical worlds. News of the Charmed Ones is beginning to spread."
"But what could he learn about us from old photographs?" Piper asked.
"I don't know," said Leo. "It might be some elaborate plan and whichever demon it is needs information on you. Without knowing who or what he is it's very difficult to make any determination."
"What magical worlds?" Phoebe asked.
"What?" Leo asked.
"You said news of us was spreading through the 'magical worlds'," said Phoebe. "What magical worlds?"
"Well, the White Lighter realm, for one," said Leo. "And there's the underworld where most demons live, for another. There are a whole host of places inhabited specifically by certain magical beings. We always knew the Charmed Ones would show up eventually. Now that you have news of that is beginning to spread."
"Oh, okay," said Phoebe. "I just guess I never figured there were other places out there."
"More than you can imagine," said Leo. "Anyway, I'll see what I can find out about this boy. In the mean time you three be careful. He could be very dangerous. You need to be on your guard."
"We always are," said Prue. "Thanks, Leo. Let us know what you find out, okay?"
"That's what I'm here for," said Leo.
He looked uncomfortably at Piper for a moment and then orbed out of the manor.
"This has to be hard on him," said Phoebe.
"Yeah, well, things will be better soon," said Piper. "I just need to deal with Dan first. Leo understands that."
"That can wait for now," said Prue. "First we need to find out who our little visitor was. He might be back. Phoebe, is there anything else you can tell us about him? Something that might not even seem important?"
"Not that I can think of," said Phoebe. "Like I said, he appeared to be about eight years old, he was wearing a T-shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers."
"Sneakers or running shoes?" Piper asked. "There are a lot of different kinds on the market, you know. It might help to narrow down who he is."
"Now that you mention it," said Phoebe, "they were unusual. They were the kind Grams used to buy for us for school, remember? Just an old generic type."
"Grams used to say we didn't need designer clothes for gym," said Prue. "I used to sneak out and buy my own when she didn't know about it."
"Prue Halliwell breaking the rules?" Phoebe asked.
"I wasn't breaking any rules," said Prue. "It was my money and Grams never said we couldn't buy our own shoes with our own money. I just didn't want to be the only girl in gym with no-name shoes, that's all."
"That sounds like a Phoebe rationalization," said Piper.
"Anyway," said Prue, redirecting the conversation, "anything special about these sneakers?"
"No," said Phoebe. "Only that they looked brand new. They weren't scuffed or dirty or anything. In fact, his clothes looked brand new. Like he had just gotten them."
"That's interesting," said Prue.
"What is?" Piper asked.
"Well, it rained a couple of days ago," said Prue. "How did he walk across the yard and not get any mud on his shoes or the bottom of his pants legs? There wasn't a speck of mud in the attic."
"He probably appeared there just like he disappeared," said Phoebe.
"Probably," said Prue. "But where did he come from and where did he go to when he left here?"
"If we knew that," said Piper, "we might know who he was and what he wants."
"It feels like we're missing something," said Prue. "Like the answer is starring us right in the face only we can't see it."
"Maybe it has to do with Phoebe recognizing him," said Piper. "She did say he seemed familiar."
"He does," said Phoebe. "But I still can't remember from where."
"Well, keep on it," said Prue. "In the mean time I'm going to have another look around. I know there's something that will give us a clue to his identity. We just have to find it."
"I'm going to look around upstairs again," said Phoebe. "Maybe I missed something the first time."
"Well, dinner will be ready in a few minutes," said Piper. "Don't take too long or it will get cold."
"We'll be right back," said Prue.
Prue headed off into the house as Phoebe headed upstairs and Piper headed into the kitchen.