Chapter 4: I'm Sorry

Phoenix flicked her wrists, aiming at the demon in front of her, but instead of blowing an arm off, the demon flinched back like nothing happened. She flicked her wrists again, but the demon slowed, breaking through her freezing. "I have no clue what to do." She whispered to herself. Phoenix ran towards a fiery pillar. This would give her some time. She looked from behind the pillar, and the demon was gone. Before glancing over her shoulder, she sensed two demons shimmering in behind her.

Phoenix startled and tried to leave, but a demon grabbed her mid orb. She screamed, orbing back in, her wrists burning under the demon's grip. She fought to get free, stepping on the demon's foot and ramming her elbow in its face. Raising her hands, she flicked them, trying to blow her demon up.

"I would stop if I were you little charmed one."

Phoenix froze. She knew that voice. She looked around her. The demons were gone, and everyone else in the room. She didn't like this feeling.

"Where are you, little charmed one?" Goggles yelled.

Phoenix looked down at herself in astonishment. She was right behind him, no longer behind the safety of her pillar. She must have turned invisible and walked out. But when? She didn't remember doing that.

Not wanting to waste time, Phoenix flicked her wrists, hitting Goggles in the back. He turned and lunged a fire ball in her general direction. "Now, this isn't fair little charmed one."

Knowing he was right, Phoenix turned visible, flinging her wrists again. Goggles fought through, freezing slowly, dodging her next attack. Phoenix orbed out and back in behind Goggles, throwing another blast.

Goggles giggled, "that tickles. Got anything else, little charmed one?"

Phoenix turned back to invisible. Something distracted Goggles long enough for him not to see her move. She felt this to be odd. Something was missing, but what, she couldn't put her finger on it.

A searing pain shot through her. Screaming, Phoenix looked at her arm. A fireball hit her. It felt different, stronger than what the demon in the forest had. Phoenix looked behind her. Goggles was shooting fire balls at random, hoping he would hit her. She dodged most, but one grazed her leg. She let out another scream. Losing concentration, she became visible.

"There you are." He grinned at her and threw another "Now, I was told to bring you back alive…. but they said nothing about what condition to bring you in." Goggles grabbed her, his hand glowing red.


Katie jolted, her sister's anguish causing her to wake. She quickly orbed to Phoenix's room, seeing her mom forming from her blue and white orbs.

"Phoenix, honey wake up!" Paige quickly went to Phoenix's side, turning her side lamp on before trying to grab her daughter's arms.

"Phoenix, wake up!" Katie yelled, helping her mom. She dodged a few punches and kicks.

"Phoenix, you are home." Her mother assured.

Katie watched her sister slowly stop her thrashing. Her screaming turned into panting. "Phoenix sweety you are here with us, listen to my voice."

Phoenix's panting slowed, and her eyes opened cautiously. "Mom?" she whispered; her voice cracked from the screaming. She cleared her throat, then looked at her left. "Katie?"

The two nodded. Phoenix looked around her room. Much of her stuff was broken. At that moment, her door opened, her father glancing through the doorway. "I got her some chamomile and lemon balm tea." Henry walked slowly in, handing the warm cup to Phoenix. She took it smiling sadly at her dad.

"Thank you, babe." Paige whispered, giving his hand a light squeeze before he left. She watched Phoenix take a slow sip while Katie whispered to her. "Was it Goggles?" Phoenix looked down at her cup, picking at the top and nodded. Paige sighed and looked at Katie. "Honey, maybe it's time you talked about it. We only know what happened through Prue."

"I don't understand."

"What don't you understand?"

"Katie and I have seen demons all the time. We have seen you and the aunts fight them. Why is this any different?"

Paige sighed, motioning Phoenix to move to make herself more comfortable. Katie followed suit on the other side, sandwiching Phoenix. "You said it yourself. You girls, along with your brother and younger cousins, hadn't had to deal with them yet because your aunts and I took care of them. Goggles and his odd creations were your first demons you had to take care of on your own." She gave Phoenix a side hug.

"Do you have nightmares? Nightmares of the demons you delt with?"

Paige sighed, "Sometimes."

Phoenix took another sip of her tea. "How do you get through it?"

Paige looked at Katie, then back at her. "Your aunts and father." She looked between the two again. "You two have each other, and your bond is stronger than anything." She hugged the two. "Remember, you two are only twelve."

"Wyatt vanquished demons when he was a baby." Kate pointed out.

"True, and you two did, too. But after a certain point, they left you and your cousin alone."

The twins glanced at each other, not knowing this bit of information. Paige could see the questions forming in their minds, but then Phoenix's demeanor changed. Phoenix looked at her mom and sister, then picked an invisible string on her bed. "I'm sorry."

Paige looked at her. She barely heard what was said. "For what?"

"Hurting the two of you. I should have gone with Hermione instead of following Harry."

"You know, sis, that's not in our DNA. Dad helps parolees and mom was a social worker and now helps innocents, with our aunts, and future whitelighters." Katie stated, giving Phoenix a bear hug. "I am sorry. I was mad at you because of what I felt. I felt every bit of what you went through. When aunt Prue told everyone what happened, I thought you were reckless." Phoenix looked down at her cup, taking another small sip. "I'm sorry I ignored you all summer." Katie gave her another hug. "I miss you and now you are leaving in a few days."

Paige smiled, "don't feel sorry baby," Phoenix looked up at her mom. "Who knows what would have happened to Harry if you didn't follow him. We told you to follow your instincts, and you did. I wanted to come to you so much. You and your sister were in so much pain. But you both are safe, and you have your aunts and I looking for your demon."

The three gave a group hug. Paige looked at the girls, their eyes began to droop. She moved to get up, Phoenix reaching to grab her hand. "Can you stay?"

Phoenix's voice sounded small. Paige sometimes forgot how young her girls were. She looked at Katie, who was nuzzled up by her sister. Paige smiled and sat back on the bed, snuggling close to Phoenix. "Of course."