FOUR

Phoebe looked around the room she had been taken to. The armed men had hurriedly ushered her and Michael out of the manor into a panel van. She had no idea where they had taken her. After driving for what seemed like hours she had been unceremoniously dumped in a small room with no windows. The door was locked and she had no idea what was going on.

The men had taken all of her personal affects from her, including her watch, so she had no idea what time it was. They had also fastened a metal collar around her neck and sternly warned her not to attempt to remove it. As she sat in the room trying to figure out what was going on the door suddenly opened and a man wearing a uniform entered.

"I'm Captain Barger," said the man. "You were captured trespassing on restricted space. The collar is simply a precaution until we get this figured out."

"I'd like to get this figured out, too. Since when is my house restricted space?"

"What is your name?"

"Phoebe Halliwell."

"Halliwell? You're claiming to be a Halliwell?"

"Of course I am. I've lived there my whole life with my sisters."

"According to our records there are only two Halliwell sisters and neither is named Phoebe. Now, you want to give me your real name?"

"I told you. My name is Phoebe Halliwell. I don't know what your records say but they're wrong. I was born in that house and I've lived there my entire life except for a short time I spent in New York. Now if you'll just tell me what's going on here…."

"So I suppose you're a witch as well?"

"What? I… I don't know what you're talking about."

Barger took out a small device and pointed it at Phoebe. She watched as he manipulated several buttons on it and suddenly a blue light began to flash on the device.

"Ah, just as I suspected. You are a witch. My guess is you were in that house trying to get at some of the magical items rumored to be housed there. I can assure you there are no magical items hidden in that house. It was cleared out long ago. Now, if you'll just give me your real name, please."

"I've all ready told you, my name is Phoebe Halliwell."

"Very well, if that's how you want it. It's really just a formality, actually. As a confirmed witch you are required to be housed in one of our internment camps. For your own protection, of course."

"You can't do that. There are laws. And I haven't done anything. You can't do anything to me without due process. I want to speak to a lawyer."

"Under the Sovereign Protection Act of 1974 a confirmed witch is not entitled to an attorney. The United States Supreme Court has held that the rights afforded under the Constitution apply only to mortal citizens. It's fortunate for you that you're a witch. If you were any other type of magical being immediate termination is mandated."

"What?" Phoebe shrieked unable to believe what she was hearing. "This is insane."

"Now," continued Garber as if he hadn't heard her, "I am required to inform you that the collar you are wearing will remain permanently affixed as long as you are in the internment camp. I would suggest you not tamper with it or attempt to remove it. The results would be most unfortunate.

"You'll be transported to the internment camp where you will be given all the instructions you need. I suggest you heed those instructions. We will have your DNA and bioreadings so I'm sure it won't be very long before we're able to establish your true identity. And once we've done that we can begin to see if any of your other family members are undocumented witches."

"This is insane. You can't lock me up just for being a witch. I haven't broken any laws."

"You aren't being locked up. You're being taken into protective custody, just as any witch would. As I said the camp is for your protection. If you wish to come clean and provide us with your true identity you may do so at any time with the camp commandant. He'll be more than happy to take down all the information we require. Have a safe journey."

Garber left Phoebe in the room alone. She just sat in the chair staring at the door. Suddenly the world had been turned upside down. And she didn't have a clue what was going on.