Prue Alone Chapter 3, a charmed fanfic

Return of Ethos

Prue lit the candle, poured two cups of coffee and sat down with
Jenny in the dining room at Halliwell Manor.

"Two years. Two years since we first met. Two years since that
fateful night," said Prue finger her cup looking very thoughtfully.
It left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Penny for your thoughts," chimed in Jenny.

"OK. You know what really scares me," replied Prue barely looking at
Jenny.

Jenny took Prue's hand. "Are you still bothered about that night?"

"No. It's the fact that I did move on. I did make it without my
sisters. All those times we said how we couldn't make it without each
other and here I have. Through mortal life and magical problems, I
DID MAKE IT. I did make it. But without Piper and Phoebe," mourned
Prue.

"Yes you did. After someone you love dies, you have to carry on
without them. And you proved that you could. I'm sure neither of them
would have doubted it for a minute."

"I know. But I did have you, Jenny. We did have each other. Thank
you. I really needed someone who knew about all this. Someone who
would console with me. Someone who knows all the problems us witched
have," said Prue clasping her hand. She finally smiled, just a little.

"Hey, the same here Prue. You don't get many attachments bouncing
around in the white lighter world. I knew I could always orb in here
for a chat. Thanks, yourself," said Jenny smiling.

"Sure. And now to those who aren't here. Phoebe, Piper. Here's to the
two of you. May you have peace wherever you are. You will always be
loved back here at the heart of Halliwell Manor. I really miss you
guys. To the Charmed Ones," said Prue as she raised her glass.

"Absolutely," said Jenny joining her.

Prue put down the cup and just stared into the flame. Thinking.
Thinking. Thinking.

"Prue. Prue? Snap out of it. This isn't a wake or a séance. You
invited me her to chat and remember," smiled Jenny.

"Oh right. Sorry. Let's see the club's doing fine. That new room we
added on really brought in the business. The work at the magazine is
slowing down a bit. I'm thinking of
opening my own studio now," said Prue flatly.

"Really?" asked Jenny.

"Yea. I think I need to be on my own now. Also Mark and I seem to be
getting more serious," said Prue now smiling just a bit. Things had
really been heating up between the two of them lately.

"This is news. Why do you say that?" asked Jenny.

"Well, we're driving up the coast to Santa Rosita to meet his
parents. He hasn't asked me, but he did say that he might be
interested in us being permanent. We haven't discussed it seriously,"
sighed Prue.

"So Miss Independence may be settling down?" asked Jenny with a
little irony in her voice. "Is it what you want?"

"I think so. I've always been so sure about what I've done before
this. This smells of danger and I kind of like it. I don't know what
I'm going to be doing tomorrow. For once my plans are not set and
they are not my own," giggled Prue as she sipped her coffee.

"Big change, Prue. You've been alone for awhile now," Jenny reminded
her.

Prue agreed. "I know. And I really think I'd like to change that. I
miss the closeness with someone. And Mark is a good man. I could
spend the rest of my life with him. I'm sure of it," smiled Prue. She
was a little hesitant, but it didn't show.

"And what about me and the rest that I represent?" asked Jenny
looking Prue straight in the eye.

"I don't know how he'll take it. I just know he might be the one. I
really am not interested in marrying a white lighter or a demon. Andy
taught me that and I never forgot it. So if it's my destiny, then
I'll be Mrs. Mark Grayson. If not, then well we'll see.
Cheers!" toasted Prue as she sipped the coffee again and then stirred
it quietly contemplating her life.

The wind blew off the water as the waves played with the sand. The
sun had just come up over the hills and the shadows were long. Prue
and Mark walked along the beach looking at each other.

"Penny for your thoughts?" asked Mark.

"Just happy. It's so peaceful up here not like the city. My Mother
used to bring us to the shore before she passed away. I always loved
it here," said Prue watching the birds play.

Mark looked in the same direction. "It suits you. You belong away
from all the noise and frustration from the city."

"Well as long as I can still get to work on Monday," gushed Prue.

"You never let me get away with a thing. That's one of the things I
love about you,"
said Mark.

"IF only you knew everything!" said Prue quietly.

"Go ahead and tell me. I want to know everything good and bad," said
Mark holding her and looking in her eyes.

"Well, it depends upon how you look at it. Where do I start?" said
Prue. "Life isn't everything you see. There is more than behind the
facade you see. Things you can't even imagine and understand. Things
that you only hear rumors and legend about. But these things are
real, Mark."

"Things? Like what? You're really Princess Leia queen of some other
planet? Aliens really exist? Prue, what are you trying to say? You're
talking in circles?" said Mark shaking his head.

"Um, I don't really need the levity, Mark," said Prue. "This is hard
enough."

"Go ahead, Prue. I'm listening," he said looking at her lovingly.

"Um. My sisters and I are...um witches. Genuine broom riding,
cauldron stirring, spell casting witches," said Prue looking straight
at Mark.

"Seriously?" he asked chuckling a bit.

"Absolutely!" she said with determination. "See that rock?" Prue
concentrated on it. It moved toward them slowly. "I can move things
with my mind. My sisters had other powers."

Mark jumped back a bit. "That's a trick, right?" asked Mark. The rock
moved back to where in hand been and then jumped into Mark's
hands. "God! Then it's really true. Prue? It's unbelievable!"

"My father couldn't believe it either. In fact he eventually left us
because of it. If you feel the same way I understand, Mark," said
Prue trembling a bit.

"Prue. No I wouldn't. I'm sure this is something I can work out. I
love every bit of you even the weird and unbelievable parts. So with
your powers you can do anything?" he asked.

Prue explained, "No not really. We're only supposed to help other
witches and mortals. Even though my little trick can come in handy,
the big things we can't do. They always come with consequences. And I
have even been not using my telekinesis. I prefer to be independent
of it."

"Prue, you don't have to worry about me. So I get a little extra
magic in my life. I will appreciate you all the more. That spell you
cast over me is for keeps. Okay, my darling?'
asked Mark lovingly.

"Definitely. I love you more than anything, Mark Grayson," said Prue
reaching up and hugging him tightly.

"The feeling's mutual, the future Mrs. B.," he said holding her
tightly.

The surf rolled in and out washing away the little footsteps that ran
down the beach. Two sets side by side lined where the waves had just
washed away.

"Come on kids. Run passed Mommy and then let's head back," called out
Prue Grayson. She put the camera to her eye shooting picture after
picture.

"That's it. Time for some dinner," she called down the beach as she
stood up straight and tall still thin and dignified with her long
hair blowing in the wind. The children ran back to their Mother.

"I saw some shells, Mommy," explained little Wendy, a blonde six-year-
old girl who had a touch of Piper in her.

"Birdie, I see a birdie," said an excited Jonathan pointing down the
beach.

Wendy wrinkled her nose. "It was dead. Yuck!"

"Everything does die eventually," said Prue calmly.

"Can WE bring it back?" asked Wendy opening her eyes wide.

Prue took their hands and walked toward the car. "No, Wendy. When he
is gone, he is where he is supposed to be. Life's is like that."

"Poor birdie," exclaimed Jonathon.

"Yes, it is sad. I'll race you back to the house!" cried Prue
changing the subject.

The sun was setting as they reached their beachfront house near Santa
Rosita. Their father had just arrived home and saw his family coming
form the beach.

"Daddy!" the two kids exuberantly called out as they ran to hug their
father.

"Hello, darling," said Prue looking lovingly at her husband. She
sauntered over and kissed him gently on the cheek.

"Have a good day?" he asked one and all.

"Yeaah! We ran up and down the beach and saw the sail boast and
surfers." Exclaimed Wendy.

"It was very peaceful out there," said Prue tossing her hair
back. "Too bad I have to head into the city tomorrow. Darlene said
that she'd watch Wendy and Jonathan."

"What's the occasion?" asked Mark sending the kids into the house.

"That new Russian art museum is having a grand opening and I'm
covering it. I should be back before six. And I can run by the club
and check on things," said Prue looking way from her husband.

"Prue. I know you. Nothing's going on at that hour. You're just going
up there to reminisce," Mark said patiently reaching out to hold her.

"No not really. It's just soothing and I just like to sit there and
think," said Prue thoughtfully.

"Why don't you take one of those offers and let it go. You're never
visiting it at night any more," suggested Mark.

"Let it go? No. It's just a place where we all used to relax and be
ourselves. It's worth more than anything else. You see, I used to run
up to the camp where I saw my Mother drowned just to think. Now P3
gives me that same serenity. Besides it's all that's left of the
three of us," replied Prue.

Mark replied, "But you still have your memories." He held her tightly,

"I know. But they are just so much more vivid there in the quiet of
the empty building."
said Prue softly. "I can be close to them there."

"Now, you're not seeing ghost there are you? What about your old
house?' he replied half in jest.

"That's full of memories too, but those of us growing up with Grams.
The club was the only place we really felt like sisters, where we
could really be ourselves after Grams died," Prue said now really
thinking back.

"Go ahead and have your time but remember we have a dinner date
tonight. I wan to be alone with my lovely wife," Mark said gazing
deep into Prue's eyes.

"I haven't forgotten, Mark," said Prue smiling. "Just you and me,
darling. Let me go get something out for your dinner,"

Mark smiled as she walked away marveling at both the strength and
fragility in his wife.
She had lost so much, but had taken on her family with the same gusto
she had everything else.

Prescott Street had changed little in decades. Driving to the Manor,
Prue had forgotten she needed Grams' old linen tablecloths for a
dinner next week. After thinking long and hard about her sisters, she
parked in front of the old Manor. The yard looked good. It had been
taken care of by a neighborhood boy. Next door a for sale sign
reminded Prue that things had changed. She walked up to the front
door, put the key in the lock and walked in. Plastic drop cloths
cover all the furniture, while dust covered the pictures and knick-
knacks. Prue looked melancholy standing in the empty deserted house.
After she married Mark she was determined to make a better life for
her children in his parent's San Rosita, but the Manor was too
important for her family and their future not to keep in the family.
Its position in the cosmos and the world of good and evil also meant
it could not be sold or even rented to those who would not
understand. She surveyed the room squinting concentrating on the
scene. Slowly she walked over to the fireplace mantle brushing the
dust off the last picture of the three of them.

"We never could figure what happened to this picture. No one felt
this touchy-feely the day Grams took it. Piper, Phoebe. It's been ten
years. Who knows where you three might have been. I miss you guys."
Prue smiled, brushed off the rest of the dust and placed it lovingly
back on the mantle where she felt it always belonged.

After a deep sigh, Prue turned toward the stairs and went to fetch
the tablecloth. Walking up to the attic Prue opened the door
switching on the light. Nothing happened.

Prue sighed thinking that she had to spend more time here or have
someone else check it out regularity. Prue being Prue preferred to do
it herself. Grabbing the emergency flashlight she turned it on. A
firefly provided more light that it did.

Looking up Prue exclaimed, "Are you trying to tell me something? I'm
still here when you need me, but I need my own life too. Without my
sisters, I HAVE to have my own life!" Light appeared to Prue off to
her left as she swung around and exclaiming,
"What the hell?"

Two glowing figures appeared. The after worldly spirits of her two
sisters.

"Hey, Prue,"" waved Phoebe.

"Ummm, you're looking pretty good, Prue," said Piper tossing her hair
back.

"Whoa! Where'd you two come from?" asked an astonished Prue,

"That's mine line!" said Piper cutely.

"Well, we saw you here and we came. It's just totally fantastic to
see you, big sister," said Phoebe lighting up.

"So how you've been?" asked Piper.

"Fine. Great, I'm married and have two children now," said Prue still
a little unsure of her situation.

"We know. My niece and nephew are sooo cute," gushed Phoebe. "Wendy
so looks like me!"

"Yep. Just like the kids Leo and I never had. Prue, there are a
couple of others things we wanted to tell you about. I know we of
this side shouldn't mettle in the affairs on your side, but we think
you've been awful melancholy lately," suggested Piper

Prue retorted," No, I'm fine!"

"So who's been prancing around the dance floor at P3 at 8 o'clock in
the morning? Or should I say morn'-ing? Hmm?" asked Piper.

"I just come there to think. There is often a lot on my mind and it
has a calming affect on me," replied Prue now recovered and defending
herself.

"Well, Prue. Not that you do it all the time but all that brooding
just isn't good for you. You have to let go," replied Phoebe with her
half a psychology degree.

"I'm not brooding!" smiled Prue brushing them off.

"Um. Prue, sitting in the middle of the stage for two and a half
hours is not good for you. If you're thinking that deep then the
floor may open up and swallow you. Not an unknown occasioned in our
line," Piper remainder Prue. "So maybe it's time to let go of that
old dusty building."

"Piper, it was your life," replied Prue raising her voice just a
little.

"Life is the operative word. I'm beyond that now. Don't' turn it into
a memorial. Besides I spent entirely too much time there when I was
living anyway. Thing's like that don't mean anything here. Think of
that all the things I could have done. Anyway Prue. Forget about it.
Move on!" ordered Piper.

"You have such a wonderful family. Dream of them. Remember us, but
not too much. OK?" asked Phoebe raising her eyebrows glowing just a
bit as she did in life.

"It was just all the best of times we had together. The laughter and
tears. We were oh so close then. It was a very special time and that
reminds me so much of then," said Prue holding back a tear.

"That loud noisy expensive money loser reminds you of the good times.
It reminds you of us? That is not exactly a compliment, Prue,"
retorted Piper playing wither hands.

"Money loser? We've done quite well. And those we're good times,
Piper," said Prue a little taken aback.

Phoebe chimed in. "I think Piper means that we did have other good
times too. And most of them were right here. Right here at Halliwell
Manor. And as long as you have it, you have the best reminder,
sweetie," said Phoebe in her little girl voice.

"Yep. Look at this place. It reminds you of a museum, though right
now the whole house looks like a museum's attic. Give it a rest,
Prue. You wanted to live your own life. Give up mine and sell the
club. Live and love your family up in Santa Roseta. If you need to
remember or just to talk, then we'll be here. And that's our advice
to you from beyond the grave," finished Piper who crossed her arms
and smiled very lovingly at Prue.

"If that's what you want. I'll do it. Now what's this about another
message?" Prue asked her dearly departed sisters.

"Remember Ethos, that Demon that was released from that ancient
Chinese ring?"
asked Phoebe.

"That was a ceremonial hi-sin from the sixth century. But we tricked
him back into the ring we threw from the bridge into the bay. Case
closed. Right?" asked Prue perplexed.

"Nope. Last week it washed back up on shore and now he's possessed a
schoolteacher from Sausalito and he's determined to come after you,
Prue. He knows we're gone, but he's determined to finish off the last
of the Charmed Ones," said Piper.

"So I just trick him back into the ring. That should be simple
enough!" said Prue.

"Nope. He dropped the ring into the foundation of the new Funston
Plaza building.
It's under several tons of concrete by now," replied Phoebe.

Prue looked peeved. "Great! We should have destroyed the ring the
last time we had it."

"Well. If memory serves me. A certain antique loving older sister
didn't have the heart to destroy something that valuable or that
beautiful," quipped Piper.

"Or that deadly. Makes no difference now. You've got be prepared. So
get your butt back to your home, Prue," said Phoebe. "Í think you'll
find Jenny there to help you. We've kind of used up all our box tops
and have to get going. But we'll always be here. Bye!"

"So long, sweetie. It's good to see you. "Love ya," sniffed Piper as
she and Phoebe vanished from the attic.

"Wait. But how do I stop him? How DO I stop him by myself? Back to
the old Book of Shadows. Out from the trunk it flew and Prue started
pouring over it for the millionth time.

Carrying a satchel full of potions, Prue struggled back into her
house having forgotten her other appointments. She never ignored
warnings when the messengers had traveled so far. Her first reaction
was to leave her children with the neighbor, but then her motherly
instinct set in as she decided to guard and watch them herself.
Leaving a message for her husband she packed and headed for Halliwell
Manor.

"You mean were going to your house to do MAGIC!" said Wendy excited.

Prue shook her head driving nervously back into the city. "No
sweetheart. Mommy has to meet someone later and we're all going to do
it together. SO fasten your seats it going to be a rough night!"

Dragging the old Halliwell cradle out of the attic, Prue stuck Wendy
into the cradle and Jonathan into Piper's old bed. Prue sat shotgun
in the hall to wait. Her kids are part of the Halliwell line and she
assumed they would be safer with her. Pulling out her phone, she
called Mark.

"Prue, I got your note. I'm worried sick. What's going on?" he asked
stammering.

"Something from my past. Something is coming after me. I'm sure of
it. My sisters warned me," replied Prue softly.

Mark shook his head and replied, "Your dead sisters?"

"That's right. They wouldn't have done it if it weren't true. I'm
really safer here in the Manor. So are the kids, darling," said Prue
slowly and lovingly.

"I'll come and join you. We can face this together," said Mark. "I
can be there in..."

"No! Please don't. I already lost my first love in a similar
situation. So I CAN take care of this myself, darling. Please. I
couldn't live, if I lost you too. Please stay there. Wendy and
Jonathan have magical blood in them and they are safer with me. I
don't know how long this will take. Tell Samantha we took an
impromptu vacation. I will be back soon, darling. I know it. Sleep
well and don't worry. Good night," said Prue shedding a couple of
tears.

"No, I will worry. Good luck, my only love," said Mark and the phone
went dead.

Prue clapped the phone shut and stared off into the half darkness of
the hallway. The clouds passed over the half moon as the light
shinning through the windows dimmed and brightened again. Prue felt
tense and worried. Would things be all right? Did she
have the right to subject her children to such danger? What would the
morning bring?

Piper, Prue and little Phoebe were playing in Grams room who was
downstairs fixing breakfast. The children had wandered into her room
and jumped on her bed. Their game of airplane had broken into a
pillow fight. Prue and Piper kept hitting each other while Phoebe
cheered them on. Boom. Prue got hit. Once. Twice. Three times…

Whoa. Prue sat straight up in her chair while something was wriggling
in her lap. Too hard to be a pillow.

"Morning, Mommy!" chirped up Steven. "I'm hungry!"

Prue looked at her son misty eyed. She seemed so happy dreaming of
tussling with her sisters, but they are gone now. And here's her son
smiling up at her. Prue grabbed him tightly rocking him. She loved
him so. That's why she had children. That's why they
were with her now.

"You know I love you sooo much," said Prue.

Jonathan shook his head. "Me too, Mommy. I love you too! I'm
hungreee!"

"And we'll take care of you now! Let's check on your sister first,"
explained Prue.

"Oh. Jay." Jonathan said agreeing with great enthusiasm.

Prue found Wendy asleep so she took Jonathan to the kitchen and
pulled out some instant oatmeal. Not much else in the house and she
didn't trust the old refrigerator that had been shut down for several
years.

"We have got to do something about this house," she said to herself.

Jonathan just ate his breakfast as only a five year old could.

After breakfast she rummaged through the found some of Phoebe's old
toys.

"There these should keep you busy, Steven. Wendy is a little easier
to amuse. I'm sorry the cable isn't connected and we don't have the
new starlight systems here. Add something else to the list," sighed
Prue.

After reading to Wendy, she drifted back to sleep. While Wendy rode
up and down in tune to Prue's breathing, the sound of breaking glass
came from the conservatory.

"What the hell? That sounds like trouble," Prue said out loud to
herself. Putting Wendy down she told them both to stay put. Worrying
about her children, she wishes that they would be safe while she was
away. A bright glow appeared around them that
formed a dome. Touching it Prue received a shock. "A forced field?
This is new. What other tricks will I have up my sleeve? Don't touch
it, kids. Mommy will be back quickly," said Prue sweetly and she
headed for the conservatory.

That's everything to date. Hope everyone likes it.

Two large sections of the windows had been shattered inward and the
clear and colored glass was scattered across the floor and the tarp
covered furniture. No one else was in sight. With her senses in
overdrive Prue surveyed the room. No footsteps, no sounds and the
dust had not been disturbed. Still a cold chill ran up Prue's spine.

Whoosh! All the air in the room seemed to swirl around her as the
tarps flapped in the wind and the dust took to the air giving it a
musty gritty feeling. A flash occurred and some warlock or demon
appeared in a tuxedo and large red cap laughing heartily. He motioned
toward Prue knocking her to the ground. Ethos had returned.

"You aren't so tough without you're sisters helping you. Well, I will
not be banished again by the likes of you. Prepare to die!" he
hissed.

Prue looked up form the floor ready to freeze him, but another
thought came to her. Closing her eyes another Prue appeared next to
him, followed by one behind him and two more in front of him.

"I am not alone," said the first Prue.

The second one grinned with a slight evil tint.

Prue number three motioned at Ethos' feet giving him a hot foot.

Turning around very confused Ethos faced the fourth incarnation of
Prue.

"Don't underestimate this witch," she warned sending him flying
across the room.

The second Prue reached up and froze him in mid-flight.

"Shall we?" asked Prue number three.

"Absolutely," replied the other three.

In unison they recited:

"Ethos prisoner of thy ring,
Thou shant see another spring.
From this sphere thou shall go,
Be banished down into hell's hole."

Immediately a long hollow cavern opened up in the conservatory that
spit multicolored smoke and fire. The scent of burnt cedar and
brimstone could be smelled in the wind that whipped up through it.
The wind seemed to come a live and clutched the frozen body of Ethos.
Becoming aware of the grasp, he moaned and then was drawn into the
hole. More smoke and flame followed by the hole closing up not
appearing to ever have been there. Only a faint smell of ash remained.

The real Prue opened her eyes as her multiple partners disappeared.
She stood up, sighed and called to the wind, "Thanks for the help
guys. You did great." Back in the parlor, the shimmering force filed
vanished as grabbed both of her kids tightly. "Momma loves you both
so much. Now I can take you home safe and sound." Though in the back
of her mind, Prue still had a lingering fear for the safety of her
children. Could she keep them safe forever?

Safely back in their beach house, the kids ran in to meet Daddy. Prue
dropped the suitcases in the front hallway looking totally exhausted.

"Go run and play. I want to talk to Mom. Now scoot," Mark whispered
to his children who kissed him and ran off.

"Must have been pretty bad," said Mark whom stood up looking lovingly
at his wife.

"Bad enough," replied Prue shaking her head in agreement.

"Want to talk about it?" he asked sympathetically.

Prue took one step toward him. "Only in your arms." Mark put them out
and hugged her
tightly. "That was the first time I ever really feared for the lives
of my kids. I've been going after demons and warlocks for all these
years on my own and that's the first one that came after me. It's all
changed since it's not only me anymore."

"Well you can keep them safe. You're very talented with your hocus-
pocus stuff and you're motherly instincts will help keep those kids
safe. I don't worry about Wendy and Jonathan. I worry about you
working too hard and worrying too much," said Mark taking her chin in
his hand.

Prue smiled and then looked grim. "I really could use some extra help
in that respect and I was thinking.." said Prue slowly.

Safely back in their beach house, the kids ran in to meet Daddy. Prue
dropped the suitcases in the front hallway looking totally
exhausted.

"Go run and play. I want to talk to Mom. Now scoot," Mark whispered
to his children who kissed him and ran off.

"Must have been pretty bad," said Mark whom stood up looking lovingly
at his wife.

"Bad enough," replied Prue shaking her head in agreement.

"Want to talk about it?" he asked sympathetically.

Prue smiled and then looked grim. "I really could use some extra help
in that respect and I was thinking.." said Prue slowly.

Safely back in their beach house, the kids ran in to meet Daddy. Prue
dropped the suitcases in the front hallway looking totally
exhausted.

"Go run and play. I want to talk to Mom. Now scoot," Mark whispered
to his children who kissed him and ran off.

"Must have been pretty bad," said Mark whom stood up looking lovingly
at his wife.

"Bad enough," replied Prue shaking her head in agreement.

"Want to talk about it?" he asked sympathetically.

Prue smiled and then looked grim. "I really could use some extra help
in that respect and I was thinking.." said Prue slowly.

"What? What was my Pruie thinking about? You never come up with small
plans. What's the big secret?" he teased her.

"The children are getting older and the schools are really good back
in the city. And most importantly my family's house kind of helps its
witch occupants. It's the center of this big magical nexus. The Big
of Shadows resides there and all our magical
paraphernalia," explained Prue looking very concerned at her husband.

"Go on," he said flatly.

"And the house is kind of falling into disuse. We could still come
out her on weekends. I really love it here, but the Manor might be a
better place to raise our children. Each of the kids could have one
of my sisters' rooms and we could have the master bedroom. My job is
still in town. I you had any late nights you could stay at the beach
house," said Prue running off the ideas.

"But you'd like to move back to your home in the city. I see," he
said looking alike some look that she couldn't tell.

"There is a lot more to do in the city. I still have a few friends
and maybe I could take a greater interest in the clubs. And.." said
Prue.

"Ok. If that's what you want. Pruie I want to be where you are and if
that's at Halliwell Manor then so be it. It is a lovely old house and
we can still spend weekends up here," repeated Mark. "When do you
want to do it?"

"When? Oh not for a while. The Manor needs a lot of work and I just
don't know where to start. Maybe the kids rooms, no the parlor, no
definitely the conservatory. I need to replace those broken windows.
We used to do a lot of that," admitted Prue smiling at the old
thought.

"For now, how about soothing that's not froze or delivered? I'm
cooking for you tonight!" announced Mark.

As wonderful as the offer was, Prue still ended up helping him. She
still enjoyed doing it for the most important thing was that they
were all together again.
Ghost Story

"Oh the donuts that they serve you,
they say they're mighty fine,
but one rolled off the table and killed a friend of mine.

Oh I don't want to be at Girl Scout Camp.
Gee Mom I want to go,
But they won't let me go,
Gee Mom I want to go home!"

The roar of the Girl Scouts could be heard over the crackling of the
fire at Camp Ya-som-im-ny. As the camp counselor announced that Troop
2877 would have a skit next, Prue looked over at Wendy, a tall
beautiful dark haired ten year old talking and laughing with her
fellow scouts. It had been more years that Prue wanted to admit to
since Grams had sent her to the same camp. Prue glowed in the
experience until she heard the oohs and ahhs of the other campers as
the fire shoot up flame in brilliant shades of blue and red and
orange seeming to form shapes and animals. Glancing over at Wendy she
could see her with her eyes closed humming to herself. Suddenly her
eyes popped open and Wendy saw the angry eyes of her Mother staring
directly at her. Wendy knew that she shouldn't be performing in front
of everyone. Wendy squinted at Prue and Prue shook her head in
showing her anger only slightly. This was the unspoken language they
used to discuss these kinds of things in front of outsiders. Wendy
shot her "who cares" look as the Girl Scouts clapped at the end of
the skit. Wendy stopped and sat there fuming at her Mother wanting
her stop her fun.

Asking the scouts what they would like next, the consensus was to
hear a really scary story.

Wendy yelled out, "My Mom knows the scariest ghost stories. Real
ones," she said getting back at her mother.

"Mrs. Grayson. Care to tell us one?' asked the counselor.

Prue was caught, as all she could do was agree. Wendy had boxed her
into a corner again. Wendy could be one stubborn and pride filled
witch, not unlike her mother. "Sure. Now let me think back. When I
was a little girl here at this very camp "

"Now Double Blade Brown was a miner who worked in these hills looking
for GOLD.
Many years ago they dug mines in these hills and found GOLD. With his
pickaxe he could dig in a day what took the average miner a week to
do. Double Blade Brown worked so hard that the mine foreman paid me
twice the pay of a normal miner. All
other miners liked Double Edge Brown. The more tunnels he dug, the
more gold they found and the more bonus money the company paid them.
All the other miners like him except Shamus McPhee. Shamus McPhee did
not like him. He did not like him being so popular and most of all
did not like him earning all that extra money. Money that he felt
that he should be making. So one night while Double Edge Brown slept
Shamus McPhee slipped into his cabin carrying a huge double bladed
axe. With a handle six feet long and a head weighing thirty pounds.
The biggest, tallest sharpest axe in all of gold mining country. He
walked in determined to deal with miner Brown. While his victim slept
in his bunk Shamus McPhee snuck up on him. The moon was full that
night and the light shone in the window on Double Blade Brown. He was
facing away from Shamus McPhee, but he stirred in his sleep. Turning
over on his back his right arm fell off the side of his bed. Smiling
evilly he reached up with the axe and swung it down. WHOOSH! CRASH!
The axe stuck in the floor of the cabin after cutting off the arm of
Double Blade Brown.
He screamed in pain. OOOOOOOH! And then went silent. Was he dead? Was
he dead? Shamus McPhee did not know. He wasn't breathing. Walking
over to the bed he leaned over. Not a sound. He leaned very closely
and poked at the body. Suddenly he couldn't breath. The left arm had
reached up and grabbed him by the throat. Tighter and tighter as
miner Brown's eyes filled with hatred slowly closed his fist around
Shamus McPhee's neck. Tighter and tighter. Then he threw him down on
the floor next to him. Shamus McPhee coughed and sputtered trying to
breath again. Double Edge Brown stood up from his bed with only a
tiny red bleeding stump in coming out of his right shoulder. The
blood was as red as his eyes that were filled with hatred and
vengeance. He picked up that axe, pulled it hard from
the floor where it had been so deeply embedded. Shamus McPhee looked
up at Brown and saw him raise that axe. He swung it down missing him
as Shamus McPhee rolled out from under him. He kicked Double Blade
brown to the ground. Still stunned a bit form the accident, McPhee
was able to flee. Flee into the woods. Brown got to her feet, still
weak and when to the cabin door not seeing his assaulter and yelled
out, "McPhee. McPhee, McPhee, McPhee!"

"One cold winter morning, Double Blade Brown was cutting wood to
heat
the miner's cabins. Right up there near the nature cabin. WHOOSH!
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! He cut down wood right and left. A noise disturbed
his concentration, as he looked at one of the many old mine entrances
in the hill. It could have been a flash or light, an animal or some
vagrant, but something tweaked in his brain and he saw Shamus McPhee
at the entrance of the mine. "McPhee! McPhee!" he yelled as
the
person disappeared into the mine. "McPhee! McPhee!" he
shouted as he
ran up the hill and into the mine entrance. The darkness did not stop
him. He could hear his footsteps echo up and down the
tunnel. "McPhee! McPhee!" he called out as that too echoed up
and
down the tunnel. Thump, thump, thump went the sound of his feet on
the rock floor. Thump! Thump! Thump! Down the dark tunnel he ran.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Then a hollow wooden sound could be heard like
that of a wooden footbridge. Finally. "Crack!" Double Blade
Brown
crashed through the rotten timbers that had sealed up a vertical
shaft. Down, down through the darkness he plummeted splashing into
the cold water that hand flooded the tunnel below him. Still holding
onto his heavy axe he sank to the bottom. Not another sound could be
heard in the tunnel.

The next day after Double Blade Brown did not return, a search party
was sent out. Finding his tracks in the snow they traced him to the
abandoned mine and followed the tracks he left in the mud down the
tunnel. The freshly broken board indicated his final fate. Saying a
short prayer, the mining company sealed up the mine and posted a sign
next to the entrance. "Here lies Double Blade Brown. Miner and
Woodsman Extraordinaire." And if you don't believe me go up
behind
the nature shack and look. You'll find it there. The final
resting
place of Double Blade Brown."

Pure sat back and smiled to herself. Every girl around the edge of
the fire was staring at her wide-eyed holding onto something.

"Now for the scary part. Remember no one ever found his body. The
body of a man who had a very restless spirit. An unfulfilled task in
life. Many years ago I sat around this very campfire site hearing the
same tail I just told you. My troop and I were in the old Mi-mi-do-
thum cabin near the mess hall which burned down not long afterwards.
None of us slept that night. The wind whistling through the trees
sounded like the mournful cry he made and the sound of the woodland
animals sounded like his axe cutting down those trees. All night long
we just starred at the patterns in the ceiling. After hours they
seemed to form shapes that starred back at us sending shivers down
our sides. OOOOOO. The next day we were up earlier heading for the
showers. From the showers into the woods we saw a strange new path
that was not there the night before. Curious we followed it down the
hill to the camp director's cabin. Behind the cabin was the
biggest
neatest stacked and precisely cut pile of wood you ever saw. Still
smelling of the sap from the free cut wood. What was especially
strange was that except for the main lodge, no one burned firewood at
the camp. The next few days more of these strange paths and piles pf
wood appeared. My cabin mates and I were up at the nature cabin
looking for pine cones and found the old mine entrance. Mounted on
the rock was the old worn sign proclaiming the final resting place of
Double Blade Brown. What was curious was the way the plank across the
entrance had been pushed out leaving a large gap at the bottom. We
came to the unexplainable conclusion that the restless spirit of the
fabled woodsman had returned.
What were we to do?"

Prue looked over the girls each concentrating on her awaiting the
next segment. All expect for Wendy who had seen scarier demons and
warlocks than this. "Cast a spell on him and banish him!" she
called
out.

The other girls quickly got on and pushed the same idea. Though close
to what Prue really did, she gave Wendy a dirty look. Wendy returned
the same. Even though her answer was to hold a séance, Prue
continued
the story.

Now Double Blade Brown was a miner who worked in these hills looking
for GOLD.
Many years ago they dug mines in these hills and found GOLD. With his
pickaxe he could dig in a day what took the average miner a week to
do. Double Blade Brown worked so hard that the mine foreman paid me
twice the pay of a normal miner. All
other miners liked Double Edge Brown. The more tunnels he dug, the
more gold they found and the more bonus money the company paid them.
All the other miners like him except Shamus McPhee. Shamus McPhee did
not like him. He did not like him being so popular and most of all
did not like him earning all that extra money. Money that he felt
that he should be making. So one night while Double Edge Brown slept
Shamus McPhee slipped into his cabin carrying a huge double bladed
axe. With a handle six feet long and a head weighing thirty pounds.
The biggest, tallest sharpest axe in all of gold mining country. He
walked in determined to deal with miner Brown. While his victim slept
in his bunk Shamus McPhee snuck up on him. The moon was full that
night and the light shone in the window on Double Blade Brown. He was
facing away from Shamus McPhee, but he stirred in his sleep. Turning
over on his back his right arm fell off the side of his bed. Smiling
evilly he reached up with the axe and swung it down. WHOOSH! CRASH!
The axe stuck in the floor of the cabin after cutting off the arm of
Double Blade Brown.
He screamed in pain. OOOOOOOH! And then went silent. Was he dead? Was
he dead? Shamus McPhee did not know. He wasn't breathing. Walking
over to the bed he leaned over. Not a sound. He leaned very closely
and poked at the body. Suddenly he couldn't breath. The left arm
had
reached up and grabbed him by the throat. Tighter and tighter as
miner Brown's eyes filled with hatred slowly closed his fist
around
Shamus McPhee's neck. Tighter and tighter. Then he threw him down
on
the floor next to him. Shamus McPhee coughed and sputtered trying to
breath again. Double Edge Brown stood up from his bed with only a
tiny red bleeding stump in coming out of his right shoulder. The
blood was as red as his eyes that were filled with hatred and
vengeance. He picked up that axe, pulled it hard from
the floor where it had been so deeply embedded. Shamus McPhee looked
up at Brown and saw him raise that axe. He swung it down missing him
as Shamus McPhee rolled out from under him. He kicked Double Blade
brown to the ground. Still stunned a bit form the accident, McPhee
was able to flee. Flee into the woods. Brown got to her feet, still
weak and when to the cabin door not seeing his assaulter and yelled
out, "McPhee. McPhee, McPhee, McPhee!"

Double Edge Brown did not find him, that night, that week or that
year. But as he raised
that huge monstrous act to the sky he swore that he would find him.
He would find the
man who had done this to him. The mine foreman who still kike Brown
knew that he
would never work in the mine again. Brown had nowhere else to go now
so he learned.
He learned how to use that huge axe. He could cut timber for the
supports for the mine, or
for the kitchen, He could slip boards for building or wagons so
precisely that all were
amazed. But his true calling was to take that big double bladed as
and swing it right and
left and right and left making trails and cutting down every tree in
sight. And as she herded it a huffing and a puffing he mumbled
something to himself. No one dared can close for he cut down
everything in his axes path. But underneath his breath one could hear
him saying, "McPhee! McPhee! McPhee!"

Pure sat back and smiled to herself. Every girl around the edge of
the fire was staring at her wide-eyed holding onto something.

"Caroline Stillwell, our camp counselor was very in tune with
nature.
She could charm the animals and get them to perform tricks. It turns
out she was a Wiccan, a practitioner of the nature arts and mystical
powers that emanate from all of nature around us."

"She was a witch?" asked Lucy sitting near Wendy.

Prue shook her head. "No, this was faith not her profession. She
believed in nature and was in tune with it. When my cabin mates and I
told her our concerns, she agreed to help us. So at midnight everyone
in her cabin went down to this very campfire site. Preparing a tall
fire we joined hands and circled it. Caroline dressed in a long white
robe chanted for several minutes and told us to begin chanting, too.

Nature's spirits hear our plea,
Woodsman's spirit get up and flee,
Death's dominions take him away,
Not to bother us beyond this day.

"Reciting this over and over, the fire burned hotter and hotter.
"Do
not let go, children," said Caroline. "We are safe in our
circle."
Suddenly a noise came in the direction of our cabin. Someone was
stomping noisily through the woods. He was calling out, "McPhee!
McPhee! McPhee!' At he edge of our campfire site was the tall
woodsman swinging his giant axe over his head. His eyes glowed like
to bright coals, as did the remains of the stump of his
arm. , "McPhee! McPhee! McPhee!" he continued to call out as
he
approached our circle. We kept chanting our spell because we were too
scared to move. Caroline saw him approach; looked up to the sky
making another plea in a language we didn't understand. The fire
jumped higher as what could only be the grim reaper himself job form
the fire and grab at the axe man still swinging his mighty axe. The
spirit was sucked up and pulled into the fire still
screaming, "McPhee! McPhee! McPhee!" and his mighty axe flew
inches
over our heads striking down a strong oak. The last tree ever cut
down by Double Blade Brown. Immediately the fire went out and we were
done. Nothing was ever heard of again about the ghost of Double Blade
Brown. I should know. I was there. So you disbelieve me? Hmm? Mrs.
White? What type of tree is that stump you're sitting on?"
Prue asked
pointing to her.

"Oh, dear. Some kind of hardwood." She said embarrassed
talking to
the whole campfire.

"Like oak. That is the tree that the axe fell. The axe of Double
Blade Brown!" said Prue sitting back, crossing her hands and
finishing the tale.

"My goodness," said the camp director. That was quite a tale.
Thank
you, Mrs., Grayson. Kimberly, would you start the final song,
please?"

The Girl Scouts finished up with Kum Ba Yah. As the girls began to
file back to their cabins, Prue motioned her daughter over to the
edge of he campfire site.

"Just what were you doing back there young lady? Performing
you-know-
what in public in front of mortals!" said Prue sternly.

"Ma-thur! I was just having a little fun. No one got hurt. Magic
can
be fun. You never even use your powers. I like t show my
creativity,"
explained Wendy very precisely and very grown up.

"Wendy Grayson, You have a great gift, but you don't want to
be
exposed or worse attract some demon or warlock. Nothing attracts them
like performing magic. I don't want anything to happened to
you,"
stressed Prue.

Wendy shook her head. She could be as strong, proud and stubborn as
Prue herself causing them to clash often. "I promise to watch
myself,
but I don't THINK there are any around a Girl Scout Camp."

"Just remember what I told you. Now off to bed, Wendy," she
said
kissing her.

"Night, Mother," said Wendy turning away. With one last
thought she
asked how much of that tale was true.

"Just the background. I never vanquished a spirit until AFTER I
became one of the Charmed Ones. Good night, sweetie. I'll see you
next Saturday. And don't forget to change your underwear!"

"Yes, Ma-thur," replied Wendy shaking her head.

Early the next morning Prue was up walking out her towel over her
shoulders. Humming one of her favorite tunes, she walked down the
steps and to her surprise found next to the cabin a fresh cut pile of
wood three feet high and eight feet long.

"Cool. Someone is trying to scare us," she said out loud.
Walking
down to the showers she also noticed a new path leading from the
showers out into the woods that seemed to end a hundred feet into the
woods. "Weird!" thought Wendy.

Throughout the day similar reports came from the other parts of the
camp. A calm stillness came down over the camp and few people slept
for the second night in a row.

"AHHHHHHHH!" came a scream watching up Wendy's cabin just
as the sun
was coming up. Running outside Lucy who was heading to the necessity
had found a dead deer just behind their cabin. It had been purposely
killed with some large sharp instrument. Blood was splattered all
over the outside wall and run down the hill. Wendy headed for her sat-
phone.

"Ring. Ring!" went the phone beside Prue's side of the
bed. "

"What time is it?" mumbled Prue. Though it was almost six
Prue was
still upset. "Uh, hello!"

"Mother. He's here! He's here in our camp right now!"
said Wendy
urgently.

"He who, sweetie!" asked Prue sitting up.

"Double Blade Brown. He left a calling card out behind our cabin.
This deer was chopped a deer to death!"

"Honey, it couldn't have been him. Someone is just trying to
scare
you," said Prue trying to reassure her.

"That's what I thought when I found the stacked wood
yesterday,"
cried Wendy.

Prue shook her head a moment. "Wood?"

"Mommy, I'm scared," said the usually unflappable Wendy.

"All right. I'll come up there this morning and look around.
Stay
calm," said Prue.

"Bye, Mommy!" sniffed Wendy.

Mark turned over. "What's up?"

"Oh, something funny is going on up at the camp. Wendy's
worried
which makes me think something is up. I'm heading up there,"
said
Prue looking worried.

Prue headed out quickly and got there just after breakfast finished.
Walking past her daughter's cabin she walked up to the hill where
all
the abandoned boarded up mines were. Approaching the one she hand
mentioned in her story, it had not changed much in thirty years. More
brush had grown up around it, though she could tell some people had
just looked at it probably because of her story. The old sign still
hung next to the boarded up entrance. The old oak board looked more
weathered than she remembered, but were still quite solid. Behind the
bushes she found some fresh splinters a hole in the board. Reaching
inside, she could feel that the board had been hacked again and
again. Splinters covered the ground outside. Somehow someone had
broken out of this old mine. But could it be? Prue was quite
perplexed. She went to find her daughter.

In the craft shack Prue found Wendy not really paying attention to
the basket she was supposed to be making. She brightened up seeing
Prue. Not trying to look too worried she created her Mother.

"It is good to see you. The whole camp is on edge with rumors.
Two
more deep animals have been found," said Wendy quietly.

"Mrs. Grayson? You are back early. We didn't expect you until
the end
of the week," said the craft cabin counselor.

Prue smiled. "I heard here was some trouble and.."

"No, nothings wrong. Everything is fine," she claimed as she
walked
off.

Prue could tell that there was a problem. Though she couldn't
spend
the night, she had brought her dark demon busting clothes to watch
and wait. She was determined to catch whatever was out there.

Taking a position halfway between the sealed cave and her daughter
cabin, Prue crotched behind a rock and waited. The full moon rose in
the sky as the lightened ever so slightly. Prue shifted trying to
keep both her legs awake. These late night vigils were easier when
she was younger with her sisters, she thought massaging her calf. A
little light appeared behind her and she turned around startled.

"Just me. Thought you could use some company," said Jenny.

Shaking out the fright Prue scowled at her white lighter. "You
really
got me that time. Still its good to see you. Know anything about my
target here tonight?"

"No. The Elders don't keep close track on errand spirits.
Just those
in the good vs. evil racket. Though it seems this rampaging spirit
came to your call. 1-800-PRUE'S SPELL."
said Jenny raising one eyebrow looking cute.

"Yea, I kind of figured that out thinking her. I get rapped up
telling this story that gets sidetracked to a vanquishing and before
you know it fiction is coming to life. Thank God no one has been
hurt. I need to find him and send him onto wherever we send craze
spirits to," explained Prue.

"Heaven, most likely. Shhh!" hushed Jenny.

Sounds could be heard coming from behind them. The crush of leaves
and sticks in the underbrush, the slicing of fresh cut trees and a
low moaning of a lonesome voice. "McPhee! McPhee! McPhee!"

"That's him!" exclaimed Prue as she rushed at him. With
one waved of
her hand, his axe flew and stuck deeply in a large tree trunk. He
turned angrily to Prue with his red eyes blazing. They glowed in the
bright moon light. Prue tried to freeze, but he just gave an evil
grin and disappeared. Pivoting on her heel, she saw him over by his
axe pulling it from the tree. Prue sent out a fireball at him that
set the ground cover and tree on fire, but did not phase him.

Jenny orbed in behind her. "This is one tough ghost," said
Prue
trying freeze him. No effect as the ghost appeared behind them.
Grabbing Prue and Jenny, Prue closed her eyes. Multiple Prues
appeared all around Double Blade Brown. He swung his axe making them
all the Prues vanished vanish. Prue winced as she tried to recite:

"Nature's spirits hear our plea,
Woodsman's spirit get up and…"

Double Blade Brown pulls out a handkerchief and stuff it in her
mouth. A mute witch has little bit, thought Prue who struggled in his
grasp. Jenny orbed out as Prue was thrown to the ground. Double Blade
Brown starred at Prue who felt paralyzed. Raising his axe above his
head he stared down at Prue smiling evilly as his eyes glowed
brightly. Prue could not even kick at him in her present state.

"Brown, over here!" called out a far off strange voice.

He ghost looked up, anger filled his eyes and he took off after him
swinging his axe wildly.

In orbed Jenny who pulled he gag from his mouth and rubbed her arms
and legs back from the paralysis. "Go get, champ!" she
encouraged
helping Prue up. Prue saw him running toward the old mines after a
ghostly figure. Starting again Prue recited:

"Nature's spirits hear our plea,
Woodsman's spirit get up and flee,
Death's dominions take him away,
Not to bother us beyond this day,
Away send him for better or worse,
Remove form this camp the woodsman curse!"

Reciting it three or four times Double Blade Brown stopped in his
tracks. He started to dematerialize as Prue approached him. Looking
down at Prue through the same red eyes that looked less forbidding he
whispered, "Thank you for releasing me!" Then he was reduced
to white
fireflies and disappeared.

"Thus ends the legend of Double Blade Brown," sighed Prue.
Seeing the
axe she picked the heavy implement up. "Not exactly a wall
trophy. In
fact this is one souvenir best thrown in the fire."

"He was a victim of his own thirst for revenge," said Jenny
running
her hand up and down the axe handle.

"Yea, but with a little unnecessary help from me," replied
Prue. "If
I hadn't summoned him, then.."

"Then he wouldn't be a peace now. What you did wasn't all
THAT bad,
Prue dear," retorted Jenny.

Another person approached them. Prue a little startled asked,
"Uh,
was that you who called him?"

"Aye," he replied.

"Thanks. I was in a pretty bad place at the moment. Prue
Grayson,,"
she said offering her hand. "And you're?"

The tall man grinned and disappeared replying, "Shamus
McPhee."

"That wasn't?" asked Prue looking very perplexed.

"The target for the ghostly woodsman quest. I quickly brought his
spirit back. It was the only thing that would stop Brown. And it
did," replied Jenny smirking just a bit.

"Whoa. That was a heavy duty end run there. My thanks to you and
whoever helped you," said Prue brightening up.

"You're welcome. Oh. Got to go. Take it easy Prue," said
Jenny as she
found herself along again. Looking at the axe Prue concentrated on it
and it burst into flame. Secondly, the axe head melted and soon it
was gone.

"Good," said a great relieved Prue as she headed for her
care. Camp
Ya-som-im-ny and her daughter were safe again.