12
Meanwhile, Paige and Lexi were settling in to Paige’s apartment. Paige sat Lexi down on the floor of her bedroom and pulled some of her toys out of her diaper bag. When Lexi responded negatively to all of her toys, Paige resorted to magic to form her own version of peek-a-boo. She orbed out and then orbed back in behind Lexi.
“Peek-a-boo!†Paige said brightly. Lexi jerked her head towards Paige. For a second, Paige thought she had scared the child, but then a grin broke out on Lexi’s face. Grinning herself, Paige orbed out, and then orbed back in on Lexi’s other side. “Peek-a-boo!†Paige repeated. Lexi turned her head toward Paige, and immediately burst into giggles.
Paige continued the game for a few more minutes. Seeing Lexi so happy made her feel warm and fuzzy inside—a feeling she wouldn’t mind having in the future. Maybe I really could do this. Paige thought again about the pregnancy test she had yet to take, but her thoughts were interrupted by a fussy Lexi.
“No, don’t cry,†Paige cooed. “We were having so much fun.†She stroked Lexi’s hair. “What do you need baby?â€
Lexi held her little arms up toward Paige and began opening and closing her hands. Paige smiled.
“You just want to be held, don’t you?†She scooped Lexi up into her arms and kissed her on the forehead. Immediately Lexi stopped fussing. Paige felt proud of herself for successfully comforting the child—for doing something right.
----------------------------
Prue continued down the hallway she had entered after leaving Max. Max. Although Prue hardly knew him, she couldn’t help but be suspicious of him. If he’s not a demon, then what is he doing here? He didn’t seem to know who I was, but what if that was all an act? What if he’s following me right now? Prue froze and turned to look over her shoulder. Satisfied that no one was there, Prue turned back around and continued walking.
“How the hell am I going to get out of here?†she muttered to herself. With her transporting potions destroyed, Prue had no way to travel. She immediately thought of calling Paige, but she wouldn’t be able to leave the baby, and it was too dangerous to bring her along. Deciding to worry about getting home later, Prue directed her focus to obtaining a rough estimate of how many demons chose to use magic school as a hang out. After all, she was the observer. The more information she could get, the better prepared she and her sisters could be.
Coming to a tee, Prue took the hallway to the right. After walking for a few moments, she heard voices coming from a classroom further down the hallway. Creeping silently toward the open door, she cautiously stuck her head around the corner. Demons, no surprise. But the funny thing was, they appeared to be sitting around a table, playing poker. Who knew demons played card games? Then after listening to the conversation, she realized that they were gambling for powers. Next to each player at the table sat a small collection of glass balls, which Prue assumed contained powers.
Inching closer to the doorway, Prue stuck her right hand around the corner and flicked her wrist. The pile of power balls belonging to the demon closest to the doorway toppled over, falling to the floor, each ball breaking. The demon cursed.
“I fold,†he grumbled. Prue snickered as she swept past the doorway. Some time later, after Prue had taken every hallway she could find, she returned to the large room. By her calculations, there was an average of about twenty demons lurking about the school, give or take. Nothing my sisters and I can’t handle.
Prue sighed, returning her thoughts to her transportation dilemma. She dug her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed Paige, hoping that maybe she had given the baby back to her mother. No answer. Prue wasn’t surprised. She thought for a moment, and then called up Phoebe at work. Phoebe didn’t answer either, but Prue didn’t know how she would have gotten her home anyway. Sighing, Prue dialed the manor. It was time to call Piper.
“Piper,†Prue said cheerily once Piper answered the phone. “How’s my favorite sister?â€
“Wondering what her sister wants from her,†Piper responded. “Is everything okay?â€
“Yeah, I’m okay,†said Prue. “I just need a ride.â€
“I’ll come get you,†said Piper. “Where are you?†Prue hesitated. “Prue?â€
“Okay, don’t get mad,†said Prue.
“Tell me you’re in this world, and I’ll be peachy,†said Piper. Prue gulped.
“Not exactly,†said Prue. “I’m at Magic School.â€
“Magic School?†Piper repeated. Prue could sense her temper rising. “What the hell are you doing there? That place is crawling with demons!â€
“I know, I know,†said Prue. “I’ve just been looking around.â€
“Well the tour’s over,†said Piper. “Time to come home.â€
“Yeah see that’s just it,†said Prue. “My transporting potions were trashed.â€
“Why didn’t you say so,†said Piper. “I’m coming to get you right now.†She hung up the phone before Prue could ask her how. Moments later, Piper appeared in front of Prue, holding the hand of a smiling Wyatt.
“Auntie Prue!†Wyatt said happily.
“Hey big boy,†said Prue. “Thanks for rescuing me.†She avoided Piper’s glare, and took Wyatt’s other hand.
“Ok sweetie, let’s go home,†Piper said to Wyatt, trying to suppress her anger.
“Uh-oh, somebody’s in trouble,†said Wyatt. Piper smirked as Prue grimaced. And then with a swirl of white lights, they orbed out.