Don't Tell A Soul

I pulled my knees to my chest as I stared out at nothing. I could feel my body shaking but it didn't really register with my brain that it was because I was sitting in the park with no coat on. I couldn't remember exactly how I'd even gotten to the park, my head was pounding. I rubbed my forehead with the palm of my hand but the pain didn't go away.

"Come on, Prue. Get a hold of yourself," I said, shivering. I needed to get home or else Grams would throw a fit for me being out so late.

Slowly I tried to stand but my legs wouldn't support my weight. I slumped back onto the bench. What was wrong with me? I looked around me to try and figure out where I was. All I saw was the dark outline of trees in the distance. This was starting to get creepy.

"Ok, it's just a park. You've kicked demon ass way worse than this," I tried to console myself. I was a witch damn it. I could protect myself, right? Well maybe not because right now my thoughts were a bit groggy.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself up from the bench a second time. This time I was able to stand up. I took a few deep breaths and started to walk down the path before me. One foot in front of the other I had to remind myself as I progressed down the path. Suddenly there was a bright light shining in my eyes. For a second I thought I had passed out but I realized it was the street light. Why was it so damn bright?

"Damn it," I groaned as I stumbled out of the brightness and back into the dark. The darkness felt good. My vision was still kind of blurry from the light but I could swear I saw a phone booth up ahead. Yeah, there was definitely a phone booth there. I was starting to get my bearings.

I started to fish in my pockets to see if I h ad any spare change for a call. I know I couldn't walk home from here. It was way too late and would be even later by the time I got in. It seemed to take forever to reach the booth. My legs felt like they were tied down with sand bags. When I finally reach the booth I was short of breath and had to lean against the side to catch my breath.

"What the hell is wrong with me?" I groaned, once more rubbing my eyes. The blurriness seemed to have persisted, even after I'd been out of the light for a while. Trying to ignore the unease growing in my gut, I pulled the phone booth door open and stepped inside. I finally found a quarter and shoved it clumsily into the slot. I picked up the phone and just stared at the key pad. I found a phone but who was going to call?

"No way am I calling Grams," I decided aloud, dialing the other number that I knew by heart. The other end rang a few times before someone finally picked up. I held my breath, waiting to see who had answered the other end of the line.

"Trudeau residence," a tired sounding Andy answered.

"Oh Andy, thank God you answered," I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"Prue…" he trailed off, realizing it was me.

"You know it's like almost midnight right?" he asked after a pause. To be honest I didn't know what time it was. I'd managed to forget my watch at home.

"I know…I'm really sorry," I rambled.

"Is something wrong, Prue? You seem kind of upset," he noted. Damn he knew well.

"I honestly don't know…look I'm in the park and I need a ride. I know it's late and everything but would you mind coming to get me?" I begged. I hoped he wouldn't be too annoyed at the late night wake up call.

"Yeah, sure. Where are you?" he asked. It sounded like he had grabbed a pad and pen or pencil. God how was I supposed to tell him where I was when I had no idea. I looked around, squinting to try and see clearer. It helped marginally.

"I'm in the park….near the fountain," I supplied. At least I thought it was the fountain.

"Ok…just stay there I'll be there soon," he told me and we hung up. I slowly placed the phone back in the cradle and slumped against the inside wall of the booth. I was really tired and my headache was only getting worse. It was then that I noticed a pain in my stomach too.

"Can I get a break here?" I shouted. All that did was make the sound bounce back at me. I pushed the sliding door open and dragged myself towards what I took to be the fountain. Thankfully that's what it was and I managed to sit down on the edge. I wished the water was on, it would have felt really good right about now. I closed my eyes and lay down on the smooth stone. As I took in a deep breath, it finally hit me.

The music was loud as I and a couple of my friends walked into the front hall. There were a lot of people around, dancing with drinks in their hands.

"Hey Prue," one of the girls hosting party greeted.

"Hi, great party," I commented.

"So glad you could make it. Grab a drink," she said and I moved farther into the room. I picked up a cup of punch from the table near the stereo and leaned against the wall. I felt kind of strange being here without Andy. But his parents had said he couldn't go out tonight. Technically Grams had said the same thing too but I had desperately wanted to come tonight. I tried to push those thoughts out of my head as I sipped my drink. I caught a guy staring at me from the across the room. He nodded his head towards the hallway. Great, some loser wants to try and dance.

"What?" I started to ask but he cut me off. He grabbed me by the arm and the next thing I knew I smelled something as it pressed against my mouth and nose. I tried to scream but nothing came out. Everything blacked out.

The next thing I knew I was lying down somewhere but I didn't recognize where I was. I tried to open my eyes but they felt heavy. I felt my skirt sifting and in my foggy mind I started to realize what was going on. I opened my mouth but I couldn't seem to make my voice work. It was as if I had cotton balls shoved in my cheeks. Suddenly I felt a sharp pain and I managed to cry out.

"No," I begged as he came into view for a split second.

"Shut up," he snapped and I felt my cheek sting from where he hit me. Tears began to well up in my eyes as the pain continued. I thought about using my powers but I couldn't risk exposing magic. Grams would kill me.

After what felt like an eternity he stopped and I felt the cloth over my face again. The darkness came again The next thing I knew I was sitting on the park bench.

Suddenly I felt my arm being shaken and I sat bolt upright, scared that the guy was back for more. To my great relief it was Andy. I struggled to my feet and just clutched his chest. He held me without asking anything.

"Come on, let's get out of here. You're freezing," he finally whispered. I just nodded and let him lead me to his car. I climbed in and wordlessly buckled my seatbelt. He pulled out of the park and back onto the main road. He started towards the Manor.

"No," I said abruptly. He pressed down on the brakes.

"No what?" he asked, looking at me.

"I can't go home," I whispered.

"You sure?" he queried, concern in his voice.

"Yes…can I please just stay at your place?" I begged. I could not face Grams.

"Yeah. Of course," he answered and he turned the car around.

I don't know what time it was when we got in but I knew it was late. I half expected Andy's dad to be up, furious that Andy had left in the middle of the night. But the house was quiet.

"Come on," he said, ushering me towards the stairs to his room. My stomach did a flip flop.

"Can I just crash on the couch?" I asked, not sure I could sleep in his bed with him after what happened.

"You sure you don't want to talk?" he wanted to know.

"I'm sure. I just want to sleep," I mumbled and headed for the couch. He followed shortly with a pillow and a couple blankets.

"Night, I love you Prue," he whispered, kissing my forehead lightly. I watched him go and pulled the blankets tighter around my body.