HALLIWELL 2024 –Eppy 1

Chris picked up the pace as he head down the busy San Francisco street on his way back to the club. As usual, he kept his head down and his face obscured by the hood of his worn, oversized sweatshirt. It was always best not to be recognized if he could avoid it. Of course, orbing would have been quicker and a lot less risky, but he enjoyed walking. It gave him time to think. And after his visit with cranky, old, Mrs. Noble he had a lot to think about.

Unfortunately and unbeknownst to Chris, he had been recognized. Up ahead, peering out from the corner of an alleyway, Crux and upper-level demon, spotted Chris and smiled before ducking back into the alley.

"He's coming." Crux said excitedly as he walked over to where Wyatt, Bianca and Jeremy stood waiting for his report.

"Are you sure it's him?" Jeremy asked.

Crux rolled his eyes.

"Of course I'm sure. Do you think I'm stupid or something?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?" Jeremy replied.

"Why you…" Crux began, before being cut off by Wyatt.

"Enough!"

"Jeremy…for God's sake. Why do you always have to start with him? We don't have time for this!" Bianca snapped at him.

Jeremy shrugged.

"Sorry."

Wyatt frowned at him before turning his attention to Bianca and Crux.

"Alright. You guys know what you have to do. Make it convincing."

"Not a problem." Crux replied, rubbing his hands together mischievously.

"Not that convincing." Bianca said, giving Crux a warning glare.

Back on the main street, Chris continued his brisk pace, when suddenly, a young woman darted out from around the corner and ran right into him. Chris grabbed onto her in a futile attempt to stop them both from crashing to the ground. It didn't work however, and they both tumble over one another and slammed onto the concrete sidewalk. Chris winced in pain. He was still recovering from his beating earlier in the week and this certainly didn't help.

As Chris rubbed his newly aching arm, while trying to forget the searing pain in his side, the girl jumped to her feet and to his surprise, and without a word of apology to him, started to run again.

But she didn't get far.

She was hit with an energy ball in the shoulder and went sprawling onto the concrete once again. Chris turned and saw the demon responsible for the blast standing behind him. He seemed oblivious to Chris standing there. He was focused solely on the girl and seemed to be taking great pleasure in his attack.

"Dammit!" The girl screamed, slamming the palm of her hand onto the sidewalk, which Chris thought was a rather unusual response. Most people are scared to death when attacked by demons, but this girl sounded more annoyed than anything else.

"You're dead!" The demon said, starting to advance toward her.

Chris looked at the girl anxiously. She didn't appear to be making any drastic moves to save herself. He wondered if perhaps she was in shock. He decided there was no time to wait for her to snap out of it. He raised his hand and telekinetically sent the demon flying backward into a brick wall. As the demon slid down the wall looking dazed, Chris turned his attention to the girl.

"Are you OK?" He asked, kneeling down beside her.

"Nicely done!" she said, ignoring his question. Then, turning her attention to the demon, she said, "We've gotta get out of here fast. He's going to snap out of it any minute and I don't think he's going to be too happy."

"I think your right." Chris said, glancing at the demon, who was still on the ground moaning. "Look…" he said, turning his attention back to the girl. " I can get us out of here fast. Just…don't freak out. Alright?"

Having said that, Chris placed his hand on the girls arm and orbed the two of them, to the first place that came to mind.

They reappeared at a beautiful Arboretum near the Golden Gate Bridge.

"Wow!" the girl said nodding her head. "I've never orbed before. That was…interesting."

"Wait…You know about orbing?" Chris asked.

"Of course," she replied nonchalantly. "What witch doesn't? "

"You're a witch?"

"Well, he wasn't after me for my good looks." She said, placing her hands on her hips and smiling at him.

It was at that moment that Chris finally took a good look at her and realized just how beautiful she actually was. She looked like she was probably a little older than him, with long dark hair, beautiful dark eyes, and a gorgeous body. He had to stop himself from staring at her.

"Nice place!" she said, circling around to take in the scenery. "You take all the pretty girls here?"

Chris felt his cheeks start to flush with embarrassment and his heart start to beat more rapidly. He looked down at the ground, hoping she wouldn't notice.

"No. It was…uh…the first place I thought of." Chris stammered.

"Oh. Did I embarrass you?" she asked, sounding amused.

"No…I uh…"

"Relax kid." She said as she reached out and patted his arm. "I don't bite. My name is Bianca."

"Chris." Chris responded.

"I know. Chris Halliwell." She replied, taking a seat on a nearby bench.

"You know who I am?" Chris asked incredulously.

Bianca smiled again, shaking her head.

"I hate to break this to you sweety. But everyone knows who you are."

"Not everyone." Chris replied sullenly as he rubbed his aching side and remembered the incident with the police officer earlier in the week.

He took a seat beside her on the bench.

"So, why was that demon after you?"

Bianca shrugged.

"Who knows? I'm guessing it has something to do with your brother though."

"Why do you say that?" Chris asked.

Bianca sighed and got up off the bench.

"A demon showed up at my place about a week ago. Told me Wyatt Halliwell had a job for me and I was to come with him."

"What kind of job?" Chris interrupted her.

"I don't know. I told him to get lost. I wasn't interested. I guess your brother doesn't take to kindly to being rejected."

"Never has." Chris said, rolling his eyes.

"So…" Bianca began, placing a foot up on the bench so that her beautifully toned leg was right in Chris' face "You gonna turn me in to your big brother or what?"

"Yeah, sure." Chris replied sarcastically. Then, realizing he was staring at her leg, he shifted his focus back to her face. "Because I'm all for whatever Wyatt wants."

Bianca laughed, then took her seat beside Chris again and sighed.

"Now what?" she asked him.

"I don't know." Chris replied. "Do you have any place to go?"

"Not really. I mean…they obviously know where I live. But you know what…don't worry about it. It's not your problem. You've already done enough."

"You could come stay with me."

Now it was Bianca's turn to be sarcastic.

"Yeah right. Because your brother has no idea where to find you?"

"Look, I can deal with Wyatt." Chris informed her. "And demons…they never bother us at P3. It's kind of an unwritten rule."

"P3?" Bianca said, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "You mean that old club that closed down years ago? You actually live there?"

"Yeah, I do!" Chris spat back defensively. "You know…it may not be as fancy and comfortable as you're used to, but like I said…we're safe there. But hey, if you don't want to come, that's fine with me. Good luck dealing with Wyatt and his demons!"

Chris got up off the bench and started to storm off. Again, orbing would have been faster, but he wanted to give her the opportunity to change her mind. And of course, she did.

"No wait!" she said, jumping off the bench and hurrying after him.

Chris smiled briefly but because he still had his back to Bianca, she didn't notice. Which was good because he didn't want her to know how desperately he was hoping she would change her mind.

With his expression serious once again, he turned back to face her.

"I'm sorry." Bianca said when she had finally caught up to him. "That was rude of me. I shouldn't have reacted like that."

"That's OK." Chris said with a fake pout as he kicked at the dirt with his foot. "The place is kind of a dump."

Bianca laughed and this time, Chris joined her.

"But seriously…it is safe. I promise. So what do you say? Come with me?"

Bianca smiled and reached out her hand to him.

"Absolutely. Orb away."

To be continued…