Once again thank you so so so much for the kind reviews! I appreciate them greatly! I've been writing like a crazy woman these last few days, so hopefully you all enjoy what I have. Feel free to suggest ideas and/or constructive critism, I just want to improve! :) ps disclaimer still applies from last chapter and over the whole story!
Her thoughts were interrupted by a piercing scream, even before the memory could fully develop. She followed the shriek down a concrete tunnel, running towards it. At the end of the hall was an open door, leading to her worst nightmare. Chris chained to a stonewall, whip burn marks staining his upper body. His perpetrator remained in the dark while Chris breathed heavily. Using all his strength he tried breaking through the restraints, but all it did was dig the cold metal cuffs into his raw wrists more. This brought attention to the tattooing of a code on his forearms.
"How could you betray me, Chris?" The roar of the attackers voice echoed throughout the room. It was a familiar voice. Chris dropped his head, too tired to keep it lifted. His overgrown bangs fell forward into his eyes. A small drop of water fell in front of Chris. Piper wasn't sure if it was sweat or a tear.
"You killed her. You killed them all. Penny, Patricia, Henry, Melinda…" The last name seemed to be the hardest to say for Chris. Another drop of water came and Piper simply understood it wasn't sweat. Her Whitelighter was in tears, something until this recent trip through memory lane she didn't think was possible. "Why, why… They were family… and you slaughtered them like pigs… WHY?"
"You don't understand, Chris. You're still caught up in the whole good versus evil… It's all about power, now. They were weak." Wyatt stepped out of the shadows and Piper's heart skipped a beat. She shook her head in denial.
"The twins were only eight! God knows what your guards did with Melinda before they killed her…" Chris' body began to tremble. He lifted his head, staring at Wyatt with disgust for a moment before putting it back down.
"If you had just joined me, Chris…" Wyatt smiled. Chris breathed heavily. His lip curled.
"Don't."
"I'm giving you another chance, Chris. No one else has to die. Just come with me." Wyatt offered a hand and looked at his brother's eyes. They were closed eyes. Chris began to laugh. Wyatt was startled at this unusual behavior. As well was Piper.
"Or what?" His laugh was of a mad man. "You have no one else to kill! I'm the only one left! You don't have any leverage over me."
"Don't get too cocky. I can always bet your life." Wyatt was anxious to see if his brother would call his bluff. His rage was growing inside him.
"Ah, yes. But then why waste your time playing this little game of cat and mouse? If my life is really that disposable, why keep me alive all these years? Face it. You need me for something. You've tortured me. You've killed the people I love. Yet I'm still alive. How did I survive the plague, huh? Last I remember I was in an alley, and then I'm in a bed. Fever free. Did a shit job healing me, Wy." He was face to face with his older brother, now. Wyatt had crept forward. "How're your Whitelighter powers holding up? Last time I saw your orb they were dark."
"Don't push your luck, kid." Wyatt spit out. "I'm stronger than you."
"Oh yeah? If you're so sure you're more powerful, why cuff me in the first place? Untie me, Wy. I dare you. We'll see who deserves that sword for real." His tone became serious. He was desperate, but he didn't show it in his voice. "Come on. I'm bleeding and dehydrated. I haven't had something solid to eat in four days. What's the risk? At least humor me."
"You're pathetic." Wyatt took another look at his trapped brother and left the room, not even bothering with the door. Piper was waiting for the next memory to begin, but it wouldn't. She sat down against the cold wall for a few minutes. She was looking at Chris, who stayed motionless until he lifted his head to watch the ceiling. He began to whisper.
"I'm so sorry, mom. This isn't what you wanted. God… god, mom… if you can hear me… I'm sorry… I promise I'll save him… I promise I'll save our family… tell everyone I love them… I swear…I'll save him." She saw a final tear slip from him and then the memory changed. Chris was hunched over an antique wooden desk, carefully studying a document. He took off reading glasses and placed them down next to his work. He took a deep breath and sipped his brandy. Piper almost thought he was a lawyer before a girl walked in.
"Abis abit rabeady?" She was jumpy.
"Yabaeh. Cabalm dabown. Yabou'll gabet abit whaben yabou nabeen abit. Whaby tabhe cabode?" Chris put his glass down and stood up, holding the document. He attached a post it note to it. She shook her head confirming his suspicion of a bug. "Aba paberfect rabeplica, abas yabou wabished."
"Take the key for box 946. You'll find it in the left drawer." She winked and then walked over to take the parchment. Chris smiled.
"Pleasure doing business with you." His voice was drenched in sarcasm.
"Hate you too." She sent him a silent air kiss and Piper finally got it. If it starts with a vowel it's true. If not, it's the opposite. The other code was easy enough to crack and was a bit surprised the person listening in couldn't crack it, too. Chris got a pen and scribbled on his hand. 649. He opened his right drawer to find it empty. He pulled the drawer all the way out and flipped it upside down. She'd planted the key on the under side of the drawer. He ripped it off and put it in his inside suit pocket. Chris drained the remaining brandy in his half filled cup and walked out. Piper followed him through the office and down to the mailboxes. She stood confused for a moment. There couldn't be more than a hundred boxes. She watched as Chris counted over six rows and up four. He then subtracted nine from the number of the box and found his new box. The key fit perfectly. Inside it was a small package with a letter attached. Chris read the letter. Once you find this, I need you to understand what I am about to tell you. For you, N- Ps: Now
"Mr. Perry, you're under arrest for the forgery of the Declaration of Autarchy." Chris orbed away the package behind his back before bringing his hands above his head. Piper watched them approach Chris with the strangest handcuffs she'd ever see. "And for being unreported."
"Unreported? For what?" Piper blurted. The cop spoke into his walkietalkie.
"Sir, we've got another one. Bringing him in, now." Chris grew anxious. He struggled with the cops as they tried to handcuff him. The cop on the mic came over with a syringe. "Mr. Perry, I really don't want to have to do this."
"I'll go with you guys. Just keep that away from me." He steadied his hands and let them cuff him. Blue orbs went to the cuff, stripping him momentarily of his powers. An old face entered the scene. The girl from upstairs flashed a government issued ID.
"I'll get him the car, I don't want any civilians seeing this. Go find what was in that box." The girl gave them an authoritative look. "Now."
"Yes, ma'am." The cops left without question. The moment they were out of sight, the girl unlocked the handcuffs. Chris absorbed the blue orbs containing his magic.
"Thought I told you to run." She cocked a gun and checked around the corner for anyone.
"Thought I told you I'm not into costumes." He retorted. She smiled, handing him regular handcuffs. "What's this?"
"We've got to stay undercover. You can't go walking around the streets of San Francisco anymore, Chris. He's on to you." He offered his hands and let her cuff him. "Come on, big boy."
"So now what?" He whispered, as they walked through the abandoned lobby.
"Now we go home." She replied, as they blinked out. Piper was immediately transported to their new location. There was cots set up along the wall with a portable fireplace and a cooler full of food. The only other thing in the warehouse was a stretcher with first aid material and a small brown package on the bed to the right. They opened the box together, both eagerly awaiting the material inside. "The copy is with team zero, they're switching them out as we speak. Hopefully, when Wyatt realizes it's a fake you'll be in the past sorting things out before someone is killed."
"Right. So lets get this thing opened." He pulled the drawstring and unwrapped it. They opened the box to see a syringe containing the cure. They were both breathless. "That's it. We reproduce this and… this pandemic is over. Get this out as soon as possible."
"Of course. What are you going to do?" She closed the box carefully and held it.
"They took Cal." He broke the news to Natalie slowly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a coin. "I got the SOS this morning."
"Chris, I'm so…" She started.
"I heard her in my head while it happened. They ambushed her refugee point. Got away with fifteen. Fifteen witches… All sent to the camps." He shut his eyes. "She told me to flip for it. Heads I continued with the plan. Tails and I go help her. Let fate decide, she said."
"Be careful," She swallowed heavy. "I hear they -"
"I know, but I have to risk it. Natalie, I promised Mel I'd look after Cal." He brushed his hand through his hair. "Fifteen witches… waiting to be burned. I can't let this happen. Not Cal… The least I can do is keep my sister's best friend alive."
"Just… remember what's at stake. Chris, if you don't go back to the past to save him… is she wort-"
"Shut up and do your job. I'm still in charge here. Until I leave you're still second in command. Now, if you'd excuse me I need to change to go get Cal."