Chapter Text
Coop straightened his tie in the hallway mirror, glancing toward the living room. "Are you almost ready?" he called out to Phoebe, who was perched on the couch, typing furiously on her laptop.
"Yeah, but we've still got plenty of time before we need to leave," Phoebe replied without looking up, her focus still on her latest article for The Bay Mirror. The steady click of her keyboard echoed in the room.
Peyton, passing by on her way upstairs, paused. “We’re going to be late,” she announced, her tone casual but certain.
Phoebe blinked, finally pulling her eyes from the screen. "Have you seen it?" she asked, her brow furrowed in concern.
Peyton shook her head with a patient smile. "Mom, I don’t see the future. I feel it. You know that."
"Right, of course. I’m sorry, honey." Phoebe shut her laptop, slipping it into her bag. "You feel like we're going to be late? Because of traffic?"
Peyton nodded, hands tucked into her pockets. "Yep. Lots of it."
Phoebe exchanged a quick glance with Coop, who was already reaching for the car keys. "Right. We’d better leave now, then. Peyton, can you go get your sisters?"
“Sure,” Peyton said, heading for the stairs. As she ascended, her voice floated back down, teasing lightly, “Better hurry before Aunt Piper sends a search party.”
Phoebe laughed, shaking her head as she grabbed her purse. "That's probably true."
P.J. lay sprawled on her bed, leisurely painting her nails. A romance novel sat open in front of her, and every few seconds, a gentle breeze would flutter the pages, turning them on their own. Peyton knocked lightly on the door.
"Mom says we need to leave now," Peyton said, leaning against the doorframe.
P.J. lifted her freshly painted nails and, with a flick of her wrist, summoned a gust of wind to dry them. "Alright, I’m coming," she replied, letting another breeze snap the book shut. She stood, stretching, before heading toward the door.
Meanwhile, Peyton moved down the hall, stopping at Parker’s room. The door was shut tight. She knocked, her voice louder this time. “Parker! Mom says we need to leave now.”
There was no response.
“Parker! Mom says we need to leave now!” Peyton tried again, her tone more insistent, but the silence lingered.
With an annoyed sigh, Peyton muttered, “Whatever,” and walked away, leaving Parker behind.
Inside Parker’s room, the only light came from a flickering candle on her desk, casting long shadows around the space. She sat cross-legged on the floor, her eyes fixed on the flame. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting—what should happen—but part of her believed that if she stared hard enough, maybe something would finally click. Maybe her powers would reveal themselves.
She narrowed her eyes, focusing harder, willing some kind of change. But as the seconds dragged on, nothing happened. The flame continued to flicker, untouched by whatever she thought she could do.
“PARKER! GET DOWN HERE NOW!” Phoebe’s voice suddenly pierced the quiet, startling her out of her concentration.
Parker jumped, her heart racing. She stood up quickly, frustration evident on her face. With a sigh, she turned toward the door, casting one last glance at the candle before stepping out.
As she closed the door behind her, the flame on the candle flickered out. In the dim light, a small puddle of water formed beneath where the flame had been, unnoticed by Parker as she hurried downstairs.
The whole family piled into the car, heading to the Halliwell Manor for Paige’s farewell party. The ride had been tense, with traffic slowing them down, but they finally arrived—only a little late. Piper was already at the door, welcoming them in with a warm but hurried smile.
“Get in here! Paige is just telling us about Henry’s new job,” Piper said, ushering them inside.
Paige and Henry were moving to New York for his new job—some high-profile police position that was taking the entire family across the country. Kat, Tamora, and Henry Jr. were uprooting as well, and neither Kat nor Tamora were thrilled about it. After all, it was their senior year.
“New York’s not that far, you know. I can orb to you whenever we need to,” Paige tried to reassure Piper, seeing the concern on her sister’s face.
“But I can’t orb to you,” Piper countered, sighing. “And Leo doesn’t have his powers anymore. Plus, Melinda doesn’t have Whitelighter abilities like Wyatt and Chris.”
“Hey, we’ll visit sometimes. Keep an eye on the twins,” Chris chimed in, giving his mom a reassuring smile.
Henry laughed good-naturedly. “Oh, don’t promise that. You two will be swamped with college life.”
Wyatt, grinning, leaned back in his chair. “I’ll visit for sure. Once I tell my girlfriend about my powers, I can bring her along.”
Piper raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp. “If it’s serious enough to tell her about magic, it’s serious enough to meet the parents.”
Wyatt’s grin didn’t falter. “Don’t worry, Mom. You’ll meet her soon.”
“Good,” Piper said, her voice firm, though her eyes softened slightly as she looked at her eldest.
The room settled into an easier rhythm, laughter and conversation filling the space, but there was still an undercurrent of bittersweet emotion as the reality of the move sank in. The family wasn’t breaking apart, but they were about to be separated in a way that wasn’t easily fixed by magic.
Everyone gathered around the dinner table, settling into their seats. Parker looked around, her expression hopeful. "Is Billie not coming?" she asked, her voice quieter than usual.
Piper gave her a sympathetic smile. "No, I’m sorry, sweetie. She couldn’t make it."
Parker’s shoulders slumped slightly at the news, and without saying another word, she sank into her seat, staring down at her plate. As dinner continued, laughter and conversation filled the room. P.J. and Melinda, both 17 and inseparable, sat next to each other, whispering and giggling between bites. Their bond was effortless, and it showed in every shared glance and inside joke.
Parker, however, sat more isolated, pushing her food around her plate, pretending to eat but not really hungry. At 15, she often felt a step behind her sister, both in age and in the ease she seemed to carry with her power.
“So, when are you officially moving?” Coop asked Paige, cutting through the lively chatter.
“We moved all our stuff this morning,” Paige replied casually.
“Really?” Coop looked surprised.
“Paige just orbed it all,” Henry said with a chuckle.
“Of course, makes sense. And you’re staying in New York tonight?” Coop asked.
“Yeah,” Paige nodded. “Henry has an important meeting tomorrow morning, so we probably won’t stay too late tonight. I’m sorry, Piper.”
Piper frowned, setting her fork down. “It’s your goodbye dinner. You can’t leave early!”
Paige offered an apologetic smile. “I know, but it’s just how it worked out.”
Before Piper could respond, Wyatt chimed in from across the table. “Mom, Chris and I were talking… we might need to head out soon too. We’ve got that… thing.”
Piper’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Can’t you hunt demons another night?”
Chris sighed, getting up from his seat. “We’ve been tracking this demon for a week. If we don’t go tonight, we might lose the trail.”
As Chris, Wyatt, Paige, Henry, and their kids started gathering their things to leave, Melinda looked over at Piper. “Mom, is it okay if P.J. and I head out too?”
Piper glanced around the room, feeling the evening slip away. “Yeah,” she said with a sigh, “the party’s over, it seems.”
Piper stood up and began clearing the plates. Phoebe moved to help her, exchanging a quiet look of understanding. P.J. and Melinda said their quick goodbyes, and Parker watched as they left, her gaze following them, but she stayed silent. The easy laughter and conversation had dwindled, leaving only the clatter of dishes and a quiet awkwardness at the table.
Peyton, Coop, and Leo were chatting, their conversation carrying on as if the night hadn’t shifted. Parker sat still, staring at the space where her sister had been, feeling more alone than ever but saying nothing.
As they carried the dishes into the kitchen, Piper glanced at Phoebe, her brow furrowed in thought. “Parker seems down today,” she noted quietly, her eyes flicking toward the living room where Parker still sat, withdrawn from the group.
Phoebe let out a soft sigh, her concern evident in the way she set the plates in the sink. “Yeah, she’s been like this for a while now. I’m really starting to worry about her.”
Piper raised an eyebrow, drying her hands as she stood beside her sister. “What do you think’s going on?”
Phoebe’s shoulders slumped slightly as she began washing the dishes, her voice low and thoughtful. “She hasn’t shown any active powers yet...”
Piper’s eyes widened in surprise. “Still? That’s unusual, right? I mean, P.J. could control the wind when she was, what, 8?”
Phoebe shook her head, her expression troubled. “More like 6, actually. And Parker’s 15.”
Piper leaned against the counter, processing this revelation. “But she does have witch powers, doesn’t she? I’ve seen her scry and make potions.”
“She does,” Phoebe said, her gaze drifting toward the kitchen door, watching Parker sit alone, disengaged from the conversation in the other room. “But she’s struggling. Her sisters and cousins are all showing off their powers, especially now it's P.J.'s senior year, and I think Parker feels... left behind. Like she’s somehow not enough.”
Piper’s expression softened with understanding. “You think she feels like something’s wrong with her because she hasn’t shown an active power yet?”
Phoebe nodded, the worry in her eyes clear. “Exactly. She’s been trying so hard, but nothing’s happening. And I just don’t want her to feel like she’s falling short. She’s got so much potential, but she’s stuck in this place of uncertainty.”
Piper placed a reassuring hand on Phoebe’s shoulder, her voice gentle. “We’ll figure it out. There’s got to be a way to help her see that power isn’t everything.”
“I hope so,” Phoebe murmured, her voice heavy with emotion. “I just want her to know she’s loved, no matter what. That she’s not defined by whether or not her powers have come in.”
Piper gave her sister a warm, encouraging smile. “She’ll know. We’ll make sure of it. She’s not alone in this.”
Phoebe managed a faint smile in return, her heart warmed by Piper’s support. “Thanks, Piper. I really appreciate it.”
As they continued cleaning up, the clatter of dishes filled the silence between them, but their thoughts remained on Parker. Phoebe’s gaze lingered on her daughter, her posture slightly slumped, a far-off look in her eyes. Piper noticed too, and a look of determination crossed her face.
“We’ll help her,” Piper said softly. “She’s going to be okay.”
Phoebe nodded, her heart heavy with both hope and concern. “Yeah. We’ll make sure she knows she’s enough, with or without powers.”
As they finished their task, their conversation turned to lighter topics, but the weight of their concern for Parker lingered, filling the air between them.
-
Melinda walked with a determined stride, her gaze set forward as she and P.J. made their way through the dimly lit streets. Her heart pounded in her chest, not from fear, but from the anticipation of what lay ahead. This wasn’t just another mission—it was her fight, and she had waited years for this chance.
For as long as she could remember, Wyatt and Chris had always taken the lead, battling demons and protecting innocents while she was forced to stay behind. They said she was too young and inexperienced to join them in the fray, and she had always felt sidelined. But tonight, none of that mattered. Tonight, she was going to show them all that she didn’t need her brothers’ orbing powers to hold her own. She was strong, she was capable, and she was ready.
“You good?” P.J. asked, her voice cutting through the silence. A gentle breeze swirled around her, responding to her every thought.
Melinda nodded, gripping her athame tightly. “More than good. I’ve got something to prove.”
P.J. raised an eyebrow, sensing the intensity in her cousin’s voice. “To who? Wyatt and Chris?”
Melinda’s lips tightened into a thin smile. “To myself.”
They approached a narrow alley, the air thick with tension. A lower-level demon had been causing trouble in the area, and it was up to them to deal with it. For P.J., this was just a mission. But for Melinda, it was the chance she’d been waiting for.
P.J. halted, sensing the shift in the air. “He’s close,” she said quietly.
Melinda’s heart quickened. “Good. Let’s end this.”
The demon materialized from the shadows, a smug grin plastered across his face as he looked between the two girls, clearly unimpressed.
“Two little witches? They really sent you after me?” he scoffed, his voice dripping with mockery.
Melinda’s jaw clenched, but she didn’t let his words faze her. “You have no idea what we can do.”
The demon lunged toward them, and in a split second, Melinda reacted. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned her telekinetic powers, sending a nearby trash can hurtling toward him, knocking him off balance.
P.J. followed her lead, summoning a gust of wind that slammed the demon into the wall. He groaned, trying to recover, but Melinda was relentless. Channeling her telekinesis, she lifted him off the ground, holding him suspended in the air.
“I’ve spent my whole life watching from the sidelines,” she said, her voice low but fierce. “Not anymore.”
The demon writhed in her grip, fury replacing his arrogance. “You think you can take me down, little girl?” he spat, his eyes glowing with dark energy.
Melinda tightened her grip, focusing her energy. “I know I can.”
In one swift motion, she sent him crashing down to the ground, followed by a powerful shove that sent him sprawling. But as he hit the pavement, he managed to gather his strength for one last attack. With a roar, he unleashed a surge of dark energy aimed directly at them.
“P.J.!” Melinda shouted, barely able to react in time. They both instinctively dove to the side, the blast missing them by inches and exploding against the wall, sending debris flying.
“Now!” Melinda shouted, regaining her focus. She raised her athame, her heart racing. In a quick thrust, she plunged it into the demon’s chest.
He let out a final, agonized scream before erupting into a shower of green goo, splattering the alley and the girls. Melinda stumbled back, shocked, but exhilarated.
Breathing heavily, she turned to P.J., who was also catching her breath, her eyes wide. “Did we just…?”
“Yeah, we did,” P.J. replied.
Melinda laughed, the weight of years of waiting lifting off her shoulders. She had fought—and won. “I’m just getting started.”
-
The car ride home from the Halliwell manor was filled with chatter. Coop and Peyton were deep in conversation, their voices overlapping as they excitedly talked Phoebe’s ear off about school and plans for the weekend. But despite the noise, Phoebe’s focus remained elsewhere. Her eyes kept darting toward Parker, who sat quietly in the back, staring out the window, her expression distant.
Phoebe’s heart ached with concern. Parker had been quieter than usual all evening, and it was impossible for Phoebe to shake the feeling that something was wrong.
When they finally arrived home, and the car doors slammed shut, Phoebe saw her chance. “Parker,” she called softly before her daughter could slip away. Parker stopped, hesitating for a moment, but didn’t turn around.
“Is something wrong, honey?” Phoebe asked gently, her voice filled with the kind of warmth that only a mother could offer.
Parker’s response came quickly, but it lacked conviction. “No.”
Phoebe stepped closer, her eyes searching Parker’s face. “You know you can talk to me if there is, right? Whatever it is, I’m here.”
Parker’s shoulders tensed slightly, her gaze still focused somewhere far off. “Yeah, I know,” she said, her voice quiet, almost detached. “But I’m fine. Really.”
Phoebe didn’t press further, sensing the barrier Parker had put up. She watched as her daughter turned and walked toward her room, her footsteps echoing in the hall.
As Parker disappeared into the shadows of her room, Phoebe stood in the hallway for a moment, her heart heavy with worry. Something was wrong, and no matter how much Parker tried to hide it, Phoebe could feel it.
She would just have to wait—be there for her daughter when she was ready to talk.
Parker sat alone in her dimly lit room, her eyes fixed on the flickering candle. She tried to focus, willing something—*anything*—to happen. But as usual, nothing did. Frustration bubbled beneath the surface, gnawing at her.
Just then, she heard the front door creak open, followed by footsteps in the hallway. P.J. was home.
Parker stood up, her curiosity piqued, and quietly stepped out of her room. She spotted her older sister heading toward the bathroom. But something was off—P.J., who always looked pristine, was a mess. Her hair, normally styled to perfection, was covered in what looked like green slime, and her clothes were splattered with the same gooey substance.
“What is that?” Parker asked, her face scrunching up in disgust as she eyed the mess.
P.J. turned briefly, her expression a mix of irritation and exhaustion. “None of your business!” she snapped, before slamming the bathroom door shut behind her.
Parker stood in the hallway, staring at the closed door. Of course, she knew what it was—*demon blood*. She’d heard about it enough times, even if she hadn’t been allowed to see it firsthand. But why was her perfect sister, the one who always seemed to have everything together, *covered* in it?
As Parker stood there, a mixture of frustration and jealousy began to churn inside her. P.J. had been out fighting demons—while Parker remained powerless, stuck in her room, staring at a candle that refused to do anything but burn.
-
The next morning, P.J. and Parker stood at the bus stop, waiting for the school bus to arrive. The first day of the new school year carried a different kind of energy for both of them. P.J. was on a mission. She had spent extra time making sure her clothes were perfectly styled and her hair fell just right. This was her senior year, and as a cheerleader and one of the most popular girls in school, she had a plan. All she needed to complete her high school triumph was a popular boyfriend—preferably the quarterback, Jack. *If I get him, I’m practically guaranteed prom queen,* she thought with a smirk of determination.
As the bus pulled up, P.J. tapped her foot impatiently, her eyes rolling at the sight of the smelly, overcrowded bus. “Ugh, I can’t believe I still have to take the bus,” she muttered under her breath. Jack probably drove his own car today, like always.
P.J. stepped onto the bus with a mixture of annoyance and urgency, her eyes already scanning for any potential social interaction. But she knew Jack wouldn’t be here. He had his own car and would never lower himself to ride the bus with everyone else. She settled into her seat, crossing her arms, but her mind was racing with thoughts of how she would win him over.
Next to her, Parker sat quietly by the window, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery. She didn’t share her sister’s enthusiasm for the start of the school year, nor did she care about Jack or prom queens. P.J.’s impatient energy barely registered with her. To Parker, it was just another school day—a day she’d rather spend lost in her own thoughts than caught up in the whirlwind of high school social politics.
As the bus rattled along, P.J. flipped her hair back and huffed, clearly irritated by the mere presence of the bus. Parker didn’t even look at her, too used to her sister’s dramatic flair. She just kept staring out the window, finding more comfort in the quiet blur of the outside world than in the chaotic world her sister thrived in.
As soon as P.J. stepped off the bus, her eyes scanned the school grounds with laser focus, seeking out one person—Jack. She spotted him easily, standing with a group of his friends, laughing about something. P.J. straightened her posture and positioned herself just right, waiting for the perfect moment. When Jack finally glanced her way, she seized the opportunity. With a subtle flick of her hand, a gentle breeze began to blow, perfectly catching her hair, making it flow like something out of a movie.
Parker, walking a few steps behind her, rolled her eyes. *Really, P.J.?* she thought. She had seen her sister use that trick a hundred times, but it never failed to amuse—or annoy—her. Without another word, Parker turned and walked away, uninterested in whatever game P.J. was playing.
P.J., on the other hand, kept her focus, feeling like she was in total control of the moment. The breeze swirled around her, just enough to give her that cinematic look she was going for. This is it. He’s definitely going to notice, she thought, her confidence surging. But just as she prepared to take a step forward, a bright flash momentarily stunned her.
The wind stopped instantly as P.J. blinked, her concentration shattered. She spun around, confused, trying to figure out where the flash came from. Her eyes landed on a girl from the yearbook committee, who gave her a quick smile before scurrying off. P.J.’s brow furrowed. Why would they be taking pictures on the first day of school? Normally, the yearbook geeks didn’t start snapping photos until spring, when prom and graduation approached. It was way too early for this.
Still puzzled, P.J. turned back to where Jack had been standing, but her heart sank when she saw he was already gone, caught up in conversation with his friends as they walked into the building. She let out a frustrated sigh. Defeated… for now.
With a deep breath, P.J. adjusted her bag on her shoulder and headed toward her first class. She’d have to rethink her strategy, but this was just the beginning. She wasn’t giving up that easily.
Melinda was driven by an intense desire to be the best—at everything. She wanted to ace school, get into the best college, just like her older brothers Wyatt and Chris. But more than anything, she wanted to prove herself in the fight against demons. Last night's fight had been too close for comfort. Even though they’d only faced a lower-level demon, it had nearly taken out both her and P.J. The memory of it gnawed at her, fueling her frustration. She knew she could do better, but something always seemed to go wrong. She needed to train harder, push herself more, and prove she could stand alongside her brothers.
Later that day, as P.J. was heading home from school, her mind on the evening ahead, Melinda intercepted her, her eyes bright with determination.
“I found a haunted house we can check out tonight,” Melinda said, her voice low but filled with excitement.
P.J. immediately glanced around, making sure no one was within earshot. She was a senior, a cheerleader, and determined to keep her reputation spotless. The last thing she needed was for anyone to hear her talking about haunted houses or demons. She rolled her eyes, clearly less enthusiastic than her cousin.
“Are you serious?” P.J. said, exasperation in her tone. “I was covered in that disgusting goo last time! It took forever to get out of my hair, and my clothes were ruined!”
Melinda winced, though she quickly masked it with determination. “That won’t happen again. I promise.” She was resolute, already thinking about how to avoid another disaster. This time, they would be prepared. They had to be.
P.J. sighed dramatically, crossing her arms. “Fine. I don’t have any plans anyway.” While she'd much rather spend her evening focused on more glamorous things—like figuring out how to win over Jack, the quarterback—she didn’t want to leave her cousin hanging.
“Good,” Melinda said with a satisfied nod. She was already thinking about the challenge ahead, determined not to let anything go wrong this time. She needed to prove herself.
Parker noticed her sister P.J., along with their cousin Melinda gathered in a lively conversation. They were animatedly discussing plans for the evening, and Parker could hear snippets of their conversation as she walked by.
“It’ll be a fun adventure,” Melinda urged.
Parker’s heart sank a little as she overheard this. Her family was planning a supernatural adventure, and once again, she wasn’t included. The realization that her sister and cousin were going on these outings without her stung, and she couldn’t shake the feeling of being left out.
Parker was standing alone outside the school. The bustling energy of the end-of-day crowd faded, leaving her feeling more isolated than before.
With a sigh, Parker made a decision. She turned on her heel and began to follow the direction her sister and cousin had taken. Her steps were purposeful as she trailed behind them, curiosity and a desire to be part of something pushing her forward.
She followed them through the streets of the town, her mind swirling with mixed emotions.
Parker arrived at the entrance to the haunted house, observing from a distance as P.J. and her cousin prepared to go inside. She hesitated for a moment, then made her way toward them.
As Parker approached the haunted house, she kept her distance, hiding behind a nearby tree to avoid being seen. She watched as P.J. and her cousin Melinda entered the spooky, old building. The excitement in their voices and the camaraderie they shared was evident even from where Parker stood.
Taking a deep breath, Parker decided to follow them inside. She carefully slipped through the door just as it closed behind them, making sure not to be noticed. The interior of the house was dimly lit and filled with eerie decorations, but Parker’s attention was focused on her family.
She found a hidden spot near the entrance, just inside the door, where she could observe without being seen. As she watched, her sister and cousin immediately set to work, treating the haunted house like an elaborate escape room challenge. Their familiarity with the setting was clear—they moved with a practiced ease, as if they had done this countless times before.
A ghost floated around the room, clearly distressed and trapped in a continuous loop. All witches, including Parker, could see ghosts. The ghost seemed unable to interact with its surroundings properly. The spirit was trying to reach a letter lying on a dusty old table, but each time it got close, it would loop away.
P.J. and Melinda, with a mix of seriousness and playful banter, began to work on solving the puzzle. They discussed their observations and formulated a plan, their teamwork evident in their coordinated efforts.
Melinda, who had always been particularly insightful, quickly deduced the ghost’s problem. “It looks like he’s trying to read that letter, but he can’t pick it up because of the loop. We need to help him get it.”
With a sense of purpose, Melinda approached the letter, carefully picking it up. She read it aloud, her voice resonating with a mix of authority and empathy. The ghost’s form began to waver, and with a final, grateful glance at the letter, it disappeared, freed from its loop.
P.J. picked up the paperweight from the table as a keepsake. She showed it to Melinda with a grin, and they laughed and celebrated their successful resolution of the ghost’s plight.
Parker, watching from her concealed spot, felt a pang of loneliness. The laughter and light-heartedness of her family, while heartwarming, only highlighted her own sense of isolation. The connection they shared in these supernatural adventures was something she longed to be a part of, but tonight she felt like an outsider, hidden away in the shadows.
As the laughter continued and they began to exit the house, Parker made a quiet, hasty retreat. She slipped out the door and moved away before anyone would notice her. The cool evening air felt stark against the warmth of the group’s camaraderie. As she walked away, the sound of her family’s laughter echoed in her ears, a bittersweet reminder of the connection she wished she could be a part of.
As Parker hurried home, she made sure to get there before P.J. to avoid any potential confrontation about her unexpected absence.
Parker couldn't stop looking at P.J. as she got home. The paperweight still in her hand.