Chapter 8: From Fear to Eternity Part 1

Occult Shop

Tanjella, the young owner of the Occult shop that Prue and Phoebe were shopping in, glanced over her shoulder at the clock on a nearby table that read 11:55 pm. Her eyes flickered to land on the two sister witches that were still looking through her merchandise. "Excuse me, but I'm getting ready to close now." Tanjella announced, causing Prue to look hurriedly down at her watch in surprise.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were open until one." Prue apologized, appearing confused as she could have sworn that open hours went until one in the morning.

"Normally, I am, but not on the eve of Friday the Thirteenth," she explained, acknowledging Prue's confusion as justified. "In fact, I kind of want to to be closed by midnight." Tanjella added pointedly.

Prue nodded quickly and spun around to face her younger sister that was still shuffling through some charms. "Well, we won't be much longer, will we, Pheebs?" Prue pressed, subtly hinting.

Phoebe rolled her eyes quickly and held up two different charms. "Okay, okay. So, input?" she prompted.

Prue's eyes flickered over the small objects in her sister's hands. "They're nice. Let's go." She offered with a slight shrug as Tanjella again glanced over her shoulder at the clock

"They're nice?" Phoebe quoted uncertainly, her eyes narrowing in thought. "That's it? Maybe I should pick another one…" she murmured, turning her back on her eldest sister and toward the charm tables again.

Prue raised her eyebrows, not really seeing the point of the whole excursion. "Phoebe, the woman wants to close," she reminded her softly.

Phoebe nodded in understanding, bringing around another couple of charms for Prue to look at. "I know, I know, but choosing the right good luck charm is a very big decision," she pointed out.

"We're Jedi," Prue reminded her sister of one of Buffy's many lessons. "Remember what Buffy told us that Master Kenobi had said? 'In my experience, there is no such thing as luck.' Then she said that in her experience, that Jedi make their own luck."

Phoebe glanced at her eldest sister and nodded remembering Buffy's lesson on luck. She pushed Prue toward the cashier's table. "I'll just get them both."

Prue's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why do you want both?"

"I'm giving one to little Padme," answered Phoebe dropping both charms down on the cashier's desk. "Her birthday is coming up remember?"

Prue sighed she had forgotten that her youngest cousin was going to be turning seven in a couple days. "I forgot."

Tanjella reached out and picked them both up. "Okay, do you want me to put this on Piper's order?" she wondered, ringing the charms up.

"No, I'll pay separately." Phoebe answered immediately.

"Cash or charge?" Tanjella questioned.

Phoebe bit her lip slightly and slowly turned to face Prue. "Uh, will you put it on a credit card for me?" she asked apologetically. She hastily continued as Prue pulled her credit card back out of her purse. "I will pay you back. You know tomorrow I have a job interview…"

"…And the good-luck charm for yourself is going to help you get the job," Prue finished with a shake of her head.

"I know what Buffy says," said Phoebe noticing her sister's look. "But it doesn't hurt to hedge your bets either."

"I guess not," said Prue as she passed the credit card to Tanjella, who quickly swiped it through the machine. "How much?"

Tanjella looked down at the numbers on the cash register. "$25.50 plus tax," she read.

"Okay." Prue allowed.

Tanjella started to turn away but turned back and pointed to a list of names beside the cash register. "Oh, but you get 10% off if you sign the mailing list."

Phoebe grinned and picked up the pen. "See, good luck already," she announced cheerfully, writing both of their names down.

Tanjella studied Prue and Phoebe for several moments as she turned back with Prue's credit card. "If you're interested, we're having a Wicca gathering for the spring equinox," she explained, passing them a flyer.

Prue bit her lip ever-so-slightly. "What makes you think that we would be interested?"

"Most witches are." Tanjella replied with a shrug.

Phoebe's eyes widened slightly and she exchanged a nervous glance with Prue. After all, till magic was revealed to exist to the world at large, it was closely guarded secret that they were Jedi Witches.

"We never said that we were witches." Prue spoke up after a moment.

Tanjella smiled knowingly and turned back to where the receipt was printing out.

Phoebe and Prue exchanged another quick glance. "Do you think she knows?" Phoebe hissed under her breath.

"How could she?" Prue returned just as softly. "We're not even in our robes."

Phoebe finished writing her name down on the mailing list while Prue signed the receipt copy and gathered their bags together.

Tanjella froze suddenly as the clock struck twelve. "Could you please hurry?" she pressed nervously.

Phoebe and Prue hesitated and looked at her in concern. "Is there a problem?" Phoebe wondered.

"I told you, I just, I want to be closed by midnight." Tanjella explained, hastily grabbing their stuff together for them and glancing worriedly over her shoulder.

Prue's eyes were narrowed thoughtfully. "Wow, you really take this Friday the 13th stuff seriously…" she observed.

Tanjella nodded swiftly. "Yeah, and you should too, especially this one."

Phoebe tilted her head to the side quizzically. "And why is that?" she questioned.

"Because once every thirteen hundred years, there's a universal convergence of negative energy on Friday the 13th and this is the year." Tanjella explained.

"Of course, it is." Prue agreed sarcastically.

"Be wary, my daughters," rang Revan's voice in Prue and Phoebe's ears.

Phoebe and Prue glanced at each other at the sound of Revan's voice.

The clock struck one last ring and Tanjella closed her eyes, mentally calculating. "Did you hear that? The clock struck thirteen. It's starting already," she announced, standing still for several more moments.

Prue and Phoebe exchanged another glance before Phoebe hesitantly reached out for their bags. "Goodnight, Tanjella," she offered and hurried after Prue to their car. Prue hopped in the driver's seat and Phoebe in the passenger side.

They drove off and a cloud of smoke appeared from the sewer they had been parked over. The smoke swirled until a demon appeared. He took a deep, refreshing breath of air before slowly turning to the building Prue and Phoebe had just left.

Halliwell Manor – Next Morning

The next morning Piper ran down the stairs, slightly anxious for the day ahead. She'd never been a fan of Friday the 13th, having terrible luck on a normal day. She knew from Buffy's lessons the fear was irrational and that she as Buffy had put it made her own luck. But like Phoebe she preferred to hedge her bets anyways. Piper grabbed the box of trinkets that Prue and Phoebe had bought for her, following her request of course, from the nearby table as she passed through the Conservatory and into the Solarium. She placed the box in front of her and looked hopefully inside. Rabbit feet and several necklaces that supposedly brought good luck. She pulled them all out and finally chose her favorite to wear. The others would be put to good use in her pockets or around her wrist. Piper glanced up as Phoebe walked through the Solarium, coming from the kitchen. To her surprise, Aurora was following close behind, both of them carrying cups of coffee.

"Think about it. When has she ever said it to you?" Phoebe pressed, making her way toward one of the tables.

"She hasn't known me long enough," Aurora reminded Phoebe.

Piper's eyes followed Phoebe and Aurora as they sat down at one of the tables. "Who said what?" she asked.

"Phoebe thinks that Prue hasn't ever said 'I love you.'" Aurora explained.

Phoebe rolled her eyes slightly. "I'm serious. Just think of a time. Just one," she insisted, turning her chocolate brown eyes toward Piper, officially including her in the conversation. "Whenever I say it to her she always says something like 'same here' or 'me too,'" she quoted in a bad imitation of Prue.

Piper appeared thoughtful as she realized Phoebe was actually justified in her reasoning. "You know, you're right," she realized, sounding surprised.

"Yeah, the girl cannot say the words 'I love you'. It's like some weird ..." Phoebe broke off abruptly as Prue walked in.

"Good morning!" Prue announced cheerfully. "Phoebe, have you called Buffy and told her about hearing Revan last night?"

"You heard Revan last night?" asked Aurora.

Prue nodded. "He told us to be wary."

"Of what?" Piper wondered.

"We don't know," Phoebe said.

Prue looked over at Phoebe with a wide smile. "Oh, that outfit looks great on you," she complimented enthusiastically.

Phoebe smiled gratefully in return. "Thank you for giving it to me."

Piper's eyes widened slightly. "Wait, you gave her that outfit? Are you feeling okay?" she wondered, teasingly reaching out with her hand to touch Prue's forehead as if checking to see if she was sick.

"It was an early birthday present." Prue explained, swatting Piper's hand away from her.

"For the next three years." Phoebe joked.

"Are you sure you are feeling okay?" Piper asked.

Prue rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "I'm fine really. In fact, I had a wonderful dream about Mom," she said. She noticed Aurora looked at her, a frown creasing her face. "What?"

"Mom and Uncle Anakin at one time had dreams about Grandma Shmi," explained Aurora. "They foresaw what happened to her."

Prue, Piper and Phoebe glanced at each other in understanding. They had heard the story of the incident that had led Anakin to turn to Dark Side briefly and that had nearly caused Dawn to fall as well.

"What was it about?" Aurora asked gently as she closed her eyes.

"Um, I was about four or five and I was reaching up, holding her hand, and she was taking me someplace. I don't know where, but it felt so safe." Prue explained knowing that Aurora was reaching into the Force to see her dream.

Aurora opened her eyes and smiled. "It was a good dream," she said as she stood up. "I am going to go call Aunt Buffy and let her know that you heard Revan last night." She turned and left the room.

Prue suddenly yawned. She jumped when Piper's hand flew over her mouth and she hastily pushed it away. "What are you doing?" she demanded in confusion.

"You have to cover your mouth when you yawn or you might let the devil in." Piper explained. "Especially on Friday the 13th!"

"Is that why you have all those good-luck charm things?" Prue asked, nodding her head in the direction of Piper's collection of trinkets.

Piper nodded. "Yep." She answered, poking at a stone, a rabbit foot, and her other amulets. "We're having a superstition themed fundraiser at the restaurant today. I'm going to need all the help that I can get."

"Piper, we're Jedi," said Prue. "Remember one of Buffy's lessons? Jedi make their own luck. So tell me you don't believe in charms and amulets actually giving your luck?"

"Well maybe I don't," Piper said sheepishly. "But with all the warlocks and demons we've seen. I don't want to take any chances either."

Prue rolled her eyes. "Piper, listen. demons and warlocks… they're real. Superstitions are like old wives tales told to explain somebody's misfortune."

Piper still didn't look convinced. "Statistics show that more bad things happen on Friday the 13th than any other day. I met Jeremy on Friday the 13th."

"Really?" Phoebe asked, tilting her head to the side curiously.

"Yes, and he tried to kill me. Afterwards I find out there's a superstition that any relationship started on Friday the 13th is doomed," Piper added dramatically.

Prue giggled, neither sister swaying their stance. "More bad things happen on Friday the 13th because people put energy into believing bad things will happen," she offered.

Piper's eyes flickered to Phoebe who she was under the impression would side with her. "Pheebs," she prompted hopefully.

Phoebe shrugged. "Actually, I prefer the upside of superstition. Good fortune, which is what I hope this little honey brings me at my job interview with the real estate agent," she spoke up, holding her charm up while getting to her feet. "Hey, will you give me a lift? I'm running late."

Piper grabbed her jacket from the back of her chair. "Sure," she allowed, following Phoebe toward the front door, leaving Prue at the table.

"Okay, well, have a great day, Prue. I love you." Phoebe called pointedly over her shoulder.

Prue was opening up the newspaper and didn't realize the hidden intention behind her words. "Yeah, me too," Prue answered.

Piper and Phoebe hesitated and glanced over their shoulders at Prue. Piper pulled her jacket on as she followed Phoebe down the hall to the front door passing Aurora who was still on the phone.

"Love you, Aurora," said Phoebe as she gave her cousin a hug.

"I love you too," Aurora said before returning her attention to the phone.

"I wonder if Prue knows she does that…" Piper murmured thoughtfully as she opened the front door to find Andy standing there. "Hey, Andy."

Andy smiled and quickly put his hand down at his side. "Hey, Prue in?" He asked, looking around Piper and Phoebe as if expecting to see Prue.

Phoebe gave a slight nod and turned back toward the inside of the house. "Prue, there's a policeman here to see you!" she yelled loudly, slipping out as Andy slipped in.

"See ya' later, Andy. We're running late," Piper added before she rushed out the door after her younger sister.

Andy waved farewell and shut the door behind him. He looked around and spotted Aurora, who was no longer on the phone. "Knight Skywalker," he said. "I'm here on official business. I need to speak to Prue."

"This way," Aurora said as she led Andy to the Conservatory.

"So, this must be bad news." Prue decided, glancing at Andy in a calculating manner.

"Why would you say that?" Andy asked.

Andy chuckled softly. "What makes you say that?"

Prue raised her eyebrows and looked toward the clock. "A little early for a social call," she pointed out. "Besides I actually heard what you said to Aurora."

"You're right," he allowed with a slight nod. Andy sat down in a seat across from Aurora and Prue. "We've had three suspicious deaths since midnight. All single female, all under thirty, one was a bookstore owner. Credit card company records show you were her last customer."

Prue's face fell quickly at the news as she glanced at Aurora remembering Revan's warning.

Andy's eyes watched Prue intently. "You remember anything out of the ordinary? Suspicious characters hanging around?" he asked.

Prue looked back at him, thinking his question through carefully. "No, Phoebe and I were the only ones in there. In fact, she was locking up when we left."

"Was the place in order?" Andy questioned.

Prue frowned in confusion. "Yeah, why?"

"Well, when we found her, her body was half-buried in debris, but the coroner said it wasn't her injuries that killed her. It was a heart attack," he explained. His eyes flickered over Prue and there was a hint of worry in his voice.

"A heart attack?" Prue repeated as she and Aurora glanced at each other, the same thought running through their heads. Why would a heart attack be cause for a murder investigation?

Andy nodded slightly. "Yeah, her hair had turned shock white; her face was contorted in terror just like all the others," he paused a moment, watching Prue closely. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were literally scared to death." Andy suddenly smiled faintly. "Do you visit Occult book stores at midnight often?" He wondered teasingly.

Prue rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Not normally. Phoebe needed a good luck charm for her job interview today. It was very last minute."

"Job?" Andy asked confused.

"The Jedi Order is not financially able to provide for its members on worlds that thrive on commerce, as Earth does," said Aurora.

"And we still have to pay bills, Andy," Prue added.

"Ah," Andy replied. He studied Prue silently for a moment before slowly standing up to leave. She'd given him all the answers that he'd come for, but he couldn't leave without warning her. "These killings look like some weird ritualistic thing. You might consider shopping somewhere else."

"Meaning?" Prue prompted, tilting her head to the side.

"Just be careful." Andy whispered, slowly turning away from her and toward the front door.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Aurora and Prue stood before the Book of Shadows as Prue flipped through it.

"Friday the 13th. Friday the 13th," Prue said when she finally found a page. "The Demon of Fear appears once every thirteen hundred years on Friday the 13th. He feeds on the fears of witches for his survival. Mom's handwriting."

"That is correct, my daughters."

Aurora and Prue looked up and saw Revan standing before them.

"As you both know I have been watching my children since before either of you were born, since I became one with the Force," Revan explained. "I have seen many things in that time including your mother's death, Prue. I wish I had foreseen what happened to her. But sadly like so many others of our family…" He looked pointedly at Prue. "To vanquish the Demon of Fear, you must trust in the greatest of all powers."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"That's all Revan said?" Buffy asked an hour later when she had arrived at the Manor. Prue and Aurora had filled her in on everything that had happened the night before, the police investigation and finally seeing Revan this morning.

"That is all he said," Prue said as she looked at Buffy across the dining room table. "Trust in the greatest of all powers. What is the greatest of all powers?"

"No idea," Buffy replied. "Revan has always been kind of cryptic.

"Buffy," Prue said. "There is something I want to mention." She opened the Book of Shadows, which lay next to her, to the page on the demon of fear. She turned the book to face Buffy. "I know you don't recognize the handwriting."

"You do?" Buffy asked as Prue nodded. "Your mom's?"

"Yes," said Prue with a sigh.

Buffy sighed knowing how Prue felt as she remembered when Joyce had passed away. "How old were you?"

"Seven."

"I want to mention something that Prue herself mentioned this morning," said Aurora. "Prue had a dream about her mother."

Buffy nodded as she looked at Prue. "You have heard the story on how Anakin fell. The incident that started him on that path and almost had my sister following him."

Prue thought about the incident on Tatooine how Dawn and Anakin had taken their anger out on the Tusken Raiders. She looked at her cousins and nodded.

"It's is alright to grieve, Prue," Buffy continued. "Even now. It's alright to miss her. But the one thing you have to remember as a Jedi is not to let the fear of what happened to her, happen to you. Fear can be very paralyzing, I know from experience. When you are faced with something that you are afraid of, center yourself in the Force. Let it guide you."

"Thanks, Buffy," Prue said.

"So, this demon," Buffy said as she looked down at the book. "Let's see it says here if he can kill thirteen unmarried witches before midnight on Friday the 13th, he'll be freed from the underworld to wreak his terror every single day."

"Which means we have to figure out how to vanquish him before midnight," Aquarra said.

"According to your mom your magical powers won't work if you are facing your greatest fear," said Buffy as she read from the book. She looked up at her cousin. "What is yours, Prue?"

"Water," Prue hesitantly admitted. She had never mentioned to anyone what she was truly afraid of. "Mom went up to the lake, there was a camp up there that Piper and I spent the summers at. Mom discovered that there was a water-based demon in the lake. She went to face it. I was there. I didn't actually see her drown, but I watched as they pushed her lifeless body by me on a gurney. I've been afraid to go back in the water ever since."

Buffy and Aquarra glanced at each other. They m moved around the table and sat down on either side of Prue; they both wrapped a comforting arm around Prue.

Prue looked first at Buffy and then Aurora and smiled as she let out a sigh. "Thank you," she said as they released her. "We should warn the other witches that might be targeted."

"Any idea how?" Buffy wondered.

"Tanjella gave me a flier for a wicca gathering and there's a woman named Zoe listed as a contact, I'm was thinking maybe she could help," Prue said.