The Innocent

[noazmale]

CHARMED
"The Innocent"
by J. B. Tilton
email: [e-mail]
Rating: K

Disclaimer: “Charmed” and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.

* * *

(Authors note: This story takes place between season 1 episodes “From Fear To Eternity” and “Secrets And Guys”.)

* * *

The Charmed Ones encounter a man who just won’t stay dead.

* * *

ONE

Prue pulled up and stopped at a red light. Traffic was unusually light for that time of the morning. She had no doubt that would change quickly.

“Phoebe,” she said, “are you sure you don’t want me to pick you up when you’re done? I’m sure I can get away for a while.”

“No, that’s okay,” said Phoebe from the back seat. “I don’t know how long I’ll be at the unemployment office. I can just take a bus or a cab home.”

“When I get my car our of the shop,” said Piper from the passenger seat in front, “you can use it while I’m working. I never realized how restrictive having only one car could be.”

“Just be glad the repairs are minor,” said Prue. “You’ll have your car back tomorrow. It could have been a lot worse.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right,” said Piper.

“Oh, my God,” said Phoebe, pointing across the street.

Prue and Piper looked to see a young girl about six years old suddenly dart into oncoming traffic. As she reached the middle of the street, she stumbled and fell. At that moment a city bus topped the hill. The driver saw the little girl and locked his breaks to avoid hitting her, but it was evident there was no way the bus would stop in time.

“Piper, freeze it,” screamed Phoebe.

“I can’t,” said Piper. “I’m not close enough.”

Before any of them could move, a man suddenly ran into the street, coming to the young girls’ rescue. He reached the girl barely ahead of the bus. With one great shove, he pushed the girl out of the path of the bus.

The girl was safe but the man was unable to move out of the path of the bus. It hit him full on as the driver tried desperately to bring the bus to a stop. The rescuer was knocked about twenty feet and came to rest in the middle of the intersection.

The sisters jumped out of the car to join the growing crowd gathering around the man. No one seemed to want to touch him. As if any physical contact might be contagious. Prue reached down and took the mans’ wrist, checking for a pulse.

“Excuse me,” said a woman, pushing her way through the crowd, “I’m a doctor.”

“I’m not getting a pulse,” Prue told the doctor.

“Are you a nurse or a doctor?” asked the woman.

“No,” said Prue, “but I do know some first aid.”

“I’m afraid first aid won’t help him,” said the doctor examining the man. “His neck is broken. I’m afraid he’s dead. He probably died on impact.”

“Oh, God, no,” said the bus driver, watching the entire scene. “He came out of nowhere to save that little girl. I just couldn’t get the bus stopped in time.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” said Piper, trying to comfort the man. “It was an accident. My sisters and I saw the whole thing. We’ll be glad to tell the police what we saw.”

Several of the other bystanders voiced similar remarks, but it didn’t make the driver feel any better. A quick check of the little girl showed a couple of bruises and some minor cuts, but she was otherwise uninjured.

An ambulance and police car arrived a few minutes later. The doctor dealt with the paramedics, making arrangements for the disposition of the body. The police began to interview the witnesses.

“It seems pretty cut and dried,” said one of the policemen, talking to Prue. “Your account of what happened appears to corroborate what everyone else told us. It appears to have been just a senseless accident. I’m going to write it up that way. Do you have any idea who the guy is? He didn’t have any ID on him.”

“No,” said Prue, “he’s just some guy on the street. I never saw him before.”

“Okay, thanks,” said the officer. “We’ll run his fingerprints. With any luck we’ll be able to . . .”

“Holy Mother of God,” gasped the bus driver, shock in his voice.

Everyone looked to see what he was talking about. Sitting upright on the gurney was the man who had been pronounced dead only moments before. He looked around, and then jumped off the gurney before anyone could move. Within seconds, he had vanished into the throng of onlookers.

“Maybe he was only stunned,” offered one of the paramedics, trying to make sense of it.

“He was dead,” insisted the doctor. “I’ve worked in the emergency room for twelve years, and I know a dead body when I examine one. I’m telling you he was stone cold dead.”

“Calm down, doc,” said the policeman who had been talking to Prue, “we believe you. But I have no idea how I’m going to write this one up.”

[noazmale]

TWO

“Maybe he was just stunned like the paramedic said,” said Phoebe, as the sisters talked at home that night.

“No,” said Prue, “I touched the body. He was dead, just as the doctor said. Besides, his neck was broken. It couldn’t have just spontaneously healed like that.”

“Well,” said Piper, “people just don’t suddenly come back from the dead, either.”

“No humans, anyway,” said Phoebe. “You think he was a demon or a warlock?”

“He sure wasn’t human,” said Prue. “I’m not sure what he is.”

“There’s nothing in the Book of Shadows about anything like this,” said Piper.

“I’ll go see Andy tomorrow,” said Prue. “He might know something that can help us.”

“Won’t he get suspicious that you’re asking?” asked Piper.

“We witnessed the accident,” said Prue. “Then we witnessed the guy getting up and walking away. It seems only natural we’d want to know what’s going on.”

“Just be careful,” said Piper. “We don’t want him any more suspicious than he already is.”

“I’ll be careful,” promised Prue. “But this man is still out there. We need to find out what’s going on with him.”

“He saved a little girls’ life,” said Phoebe. “It’s hard to believe he’s evil.”

“Maybe,” said Piper, “but Prue is right. We need to find out what’s going on with him.”

“I’ll check the Book of Shadows again,” said Phoebe. “Maybe I can find something Piper may have missed.”

The following afternoon, Prue walked into Andy’s office. He looked up at her from the stack of papers he was going through. He smiled at her and stood up.

“Well,” he said, “to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”

“Hi, Andy,” said Prue. “I was hoping you might be able to give me some information.”

“Have a seat,” said Andy. “What kind of information?”

“My sisters and I witnessed an accident yesterday,” said Prue. “A guy was hit by a bus. I just thought you might be able to find out about this guy.”

“You mean the dead man who suddenly walked away and vanished,” said Andy.

“You already know about it?” asked Prue.

Andy opened a file on his desk.

“What’s your interest in this case?” he asked.

“Oh, uh, just curious,” said Prue. “It’s not every day a man pronounced dead just gets up and walks away. I was just wondering if they found the guy and if he was okay.”

“No, we haven’t,” said Andy. “And as for getting up and walking away after he’s dead, he seems to do it a lot.”

“What do you mean?” asked Prue.

“My captain didn’t know what to do with this case,” said Andy, “so he gave it to me to look into. I have nearly a dozen reports just like the one from yesterday. A man, five feet eight inches tall, weighing about one hundred sixty pounds, around thirty years of age, black hair, and brown eyes. He seems to go out of his way to save people.

“Last week he pulled a woman out of a burning building. The week before he prevented a mugging and kept a woman’s husband from shooting her. The week before that he kept a guy from jumping off a building.

“But it’s always the same story. He seems to be killed. Smoke inhalation, a bullet in the head, and a fall from twelve stories. Then, a little while later, he just gets up and walks away like nothing happened.”

“Any idea who this guy is?” asked Prue.

“None,” said Andy. “His prints aren’t on file anywhere. Two weeks ago he got up off the medical examiners table just before the autopsy started. Are you sure you don’t know anything about this guy?”

“No, nothing,” said Prue. “Just as I told the officer at the accident, I never saw the guy before. We were just wondering if you had found out anything about him, just as I said.”

“Uh huh,” said Andy suspiciously. “Prue, if you do learn anything about him, I want you to let me know right away, understand?”

“I understand,” said Prue. “But from what you’ve told me, he hasn’t broken any laws. I don’t see why this is a police matter.”

“Just some questions we’d like the answers to,” said Andy. “Promise me you’ll let me know if you find out anything.”

“If you guys can’t find out anything,” said Prue, “I don’t see how I’m going to. But I promise to let you know if I learn anything about a man who can do what this guy seems to be able to do.”

“Good,” said Andy.

“Well, guess I’d better be going,” said Prue. “You look like you have a lot of work to do.”

“The paperwork never ends,” said Andy.

Andy watched Prue as she left the police station. Despite her promise, he was sure she wouldn’t tell him if she learned anything. She’d figure some way to explain it so that it wouldn’t seem like a lie. There was more to Prue Halliwell than she was letting on. One day he’d find out what her secret was.

[noazmale]

THREE

Phoebe had a restless sleep that night. She dreamt of the accident. In her dream, however, she was the one who had been in the cab. She awoke in a cold sweat just seconds before the truck struck the cab.

She couldn’t get the image of the woman’s twisted body out of her mind. It was bad enough she had seen it all. It made it even worse to know it had totally been her fault.

And it had been her fault regardless of what Piper and Prue said. If she had only gotten into that cab, she might have been able to prevent the accident. At the very least, an innocent wouldn’t have had to die in her place. She didn’t know how she’d be able to live with herself after what she had done. She didn’t deserve her powers. And she had no right to call herself a Charmed One.

The next morning Prue and Piper were already in the kitchen when Phoebe came down. She took her usual place at the table. She was also wearing a pair of white gloves.

“Are those mine?” asked Prue.

Prue didn’t use the accusing tone she normally did when Phoebe borrowed things without asking.

“Yeah,” said Phoebe. “I know I should have asked first. I hope you don’t mind. I thought I’d borrow them until I could get some of my own.”

“Sure, no problem,” said Prue confused.

“Honey,” said Piper, “it’s over eighty degrees out. Why would you be needing to wear gloves?”

“It’s very simple,” said Phoebe. “I get premonitions when I touch something. If I can’t touch anything, I can’t get a premonition. As long as I wear gloves, I cant’ touch anything. I may not be able to get rid of my power, but I can make sure I can’t use it.”

“Sweetie, that’s crazy,” said Piper. “You’re one-third of the Charmed Ones. Your premonitions are a part of the Power of Three.”

“Not any more,” said Phoebe. “I can’t be the cause of another innocent death. We still have the Power of Three. But I can’t have any more premonitions. Not knowing what the cost might be. I can’t risk killing someone else.”

“Honey, you didn’t kill anyone,” said Prue. “It was just a senseless accident, that’s all.”

“An accident I could have prevented,” said Phoebe. “If I had done something that woman might still be alive. She’s dead because of me.

“It was a mistake for me to get this power. Or any powers. I don’t have the right to call myself a Charmed One. The Charmed Ones don’t kill innocents. They’re supposed to protect them.”

“And we do,” said Prue. “But we aren’t perfect. Even if somehow the accident was because of that premonition, it’s not your fault. Or your responsibility. You did the best you could under the circumstances.”

“No, I didn’t,” said Phoebe. “I caused that woman’s death. And I’m not going to let it happen ever again.”

Just then there was a knock at the back door. Prue opened the door to find a man about her age standing on the back porch. He was dressed in work clothes with a pair of work gloves in his hand. He clothes had some fresh dirt on them.

“Hi,” he said smiling. “My name is Jeff. I’m filling in for your regular gardener today. He had a minor family emergency.”

“Okay, fine,” said Prue.

“Could I bother you for a glass of water?” asked Jeff. “It’s getting a bit warm out here already.”

“Sure,” said Prue.

She got him a glass of water as he waited in the doorway. He looked at Phoebe who simply stared down at her untouched cup of coffee. Prue handed the glass to Jeff. He drained it and then handed the empty glass to her.

“Thank you,” he said.

“No problem,” said Prue.

“Those are nice gloves you’re wearing,” Jeff said to Phoebe.

“Thanks,” she replied without emotion.

“They’re totally unnecessary, you know?” asked Jeff.

“What?” asked Phoebe.

“Prue and Piper are right, Phoebe,” said Jeff. “That woman’s death was not your fault.”

The three sisters looked at the gardener wondering how he knew their names and what they had been talking about.

[noazmale]

FOUR

When the man opened the door, he looked exactly as he had the morning of the accident. He hadn’t shaved in a couple of days and he needed a haircut. The bag of groceries sat on a table partially unpacked.

“Look, honey,” said the man, “I’m not really interested in any company. And even if I was, I don’t have any money so I couldn’t afford it.”

“I’m not here for that,” said Piper. “I’d just like to talk to you. I was at the intersection a couple of blocks away yesterday morning.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said the man, trying to close the door.

“I think you do,” said Piper, stepping into the doorway so he couldn’t close the door. “Interesting talent you have there. Walking around after you’re dead.”

“What do you want?” asked the man.

“My name is Piper Halliwell,” said Piper. “And I just want to talk, like I said.”

Come on in, Piper Halliwell,” said the man. “It’s not like you could hurt me or anything. So, what are you? A reporter maybe? You’re not a cop. You would have identified yourself up front if you were.”

“No, I’m not a reporter,” said Piper “Let’s just say I’m someone who’s curious how you can be hit by a bus and walk away without a scratch.”

“Good genes,” joked the man.

Piper wasn’t smiling. She looked intently at the man. If this man was a demon or a warlock, he wasn’t acting like one.

“What’s your name?” asked Piper.

“Malcolm Dowdry,” said the man. “Why are you so interested in me, Miss Halliwell? I haven’t broken any laws. If you’re not a cop or a reporter, then what do you want with me?”

“You haven’t answered my question yet?” said Piper.

“Why not?” asked the man. “Maybe once you think I’m crazy you’ll leave me alone. You want to know how a bus can hit me and then I walk away without a scratch? It’s because I can’t die. No matter how badly injured I am, my injuries will heal within a matter of hours. Even if I die, I come back to life. I am, for all intents and purposes, immortal.”

“You sound bitter about it,” said Piper. “Most people would be overjoyed at having an ability like that. They’d give just about anything for it.”

“Under other circumstances, I might agree with them,” said Dowdry. “But that’s just part of it, you see? I’m being made to do penance for my sins.”

“Your sins?” questioned Piper. “So you did something wrong and you’re being punished by being allowed to be immortal? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I told you that you’d think I was crazy,” said Dowdry. “I’m immortal because of a curse.”

“I don’t understand,” said Piper.

“You act like you actually believe me,” said Dowdry.

“Let’s just say,” said Piper, “that I have an open mind on the subject.”

“Most people think I’m off my rocker when I say I’ve been cursed,” said Dowdry. “No one believes in curses these days.”

“There are lots of things that science and logic can’t account for,” said Piper.

“Your turn,” said Dowdry. “Tell me why you’re so interested in me.”

“I might be able to help you,” said Piper. “If I knew more about this curse.”

“You can’t help me,” said Dowdry. “No one can. I told you I’m being punished. Punished by a witch because I killed her daughter.”

Suddenly Piper wasn’t sure this had been such a good idea.

[noazmale]

FIVE

Piper had felt as Phoebe had. If this man was saving people, how could he be evil? But if he was so willing to admit to murder, maybe there was something else to this.

“It was an accident,” continued Dowdry.

“What happened?” asked Piper, willing to at least hear his story.

“Three years ago,” began Dowdry, “everything was perfect. I had a thriving business. I also had a wonderful wife and two beautiful kids.

“Then, one night, I’m coming home from work. Suddenly this young girl about fourteen darted out in front of my car. There wasn’t anything I could do. Just like the bus accident yesterday. There was just no way for me to stop in time. The coroner said the girl died on impact.

“At the inquest, it was ruled an accidental death. I was never charged with any crime. As far as the law was concerned, no one was to blame. It was just a senseless accident.”

“But her mother didn’t see it that way?” asked Piper.

“No, she didn’t,” said Dowdry. “She held me responsible for her daughters’ death. She was waiting for me on the courthouse steps when I left the building.

“She told me she was a witch. She said she cursed me to regret killing her daughter until I had atoned for it by saving innocent people. I thought she was just crazy from the grief of loosing her daughter.”

“But she wasn’t?” asked Piper.

“No,” said Dowdry. “Almost immediately my business began to fail. Within a few months it went belly up. I lost everything I had spent years building up.

“My wife and I also started having problems. She eventually left and took the kids with her. Pretty soon even my closest friends quit returning my calls and even refused to speak with me. I lost my house and everything I owned.”

“A curse can be pretty powerful,” said Piper.

“Oh, there’s more,” said Dowdry. “I can’t hold a job. Eventually my bosses begin to find fault with everything I do and I get fired. And no matter how hard I try, I can’t keep my anonymity. Before long it becomes known that I can heal incredibly fast. I become an oddity and I have to move on.

“But the worst part is that I have to relive the accident over and over again in my dreams. Every time I close my eyes I’m back behind the wheel of my car. Every night I have to relive killing that girl over and over again.”

“That seems pretty extreme for an accident,” said Piper.

“I can understand her anger,” said Dowdry. “I can imagine how I would feel if someone had killed one of my kids. But it’s not like I did it deliberately. It was just a stupid accident.

“So, Piper Halliwell, that’s my story. You said you could help me. I don’t think you can. I’ve discovered that only the witch who bestows a curse can lift that curse. Except she seems to have fallen off the face of the Earth. No one can help me now.”

“You might be wrong,” said Piper. “Listen, if she was a witch, then this curse could be for real. But there are other ways to lift a curse.”

“How would you know that?” asked Dowdry. “Have you ever been cursed before?”

“No, I haven’t,” said Piper. “But I’m a witch, too. So I do know something about curses.”

“Oh, great,” said Dowdry, “just what I need, another witch. No wonder you were so interested in me.”

“I think my sisters and I can help you,” said Piper. “Like I said, there’s more than one way to lift a curse.”

“No thanks, lady,” said Dowdry. “You’d probably just end up making things worse than they already are. I’m not sure how they could be worse, but I told you, only the witch who bestows a curse can lift that curse. You start messing around and who knows what could happen.”

“But,” Piper began to protest.

“No,” said Dowdry forcefully.

He walked over and opened the door to the hallway.

“I’d like you to leave now,” he said. “If you came here looking for me it’s only a matter of time before a cop or reporter shows up. Guess I’ve been here too long. It’s time for me to be moving on.”

Piper just looked at Dowdry. She could tell he wasn’t going to listen to her. He had already decided there was nothing she could do for him. She picked up a pad from the dresser and wrote her phone number and address on it.

“If you change your mind,” she said, handing the pad to him, “I’m sure my sisters and I can help.”

He didn’t say anything as she left his hotel room.

[noazmale]

SIX

“You mean he wouldn’t even listen to you?” asked Phoebe at breakfast the next morning after Piper had told her sisters.

“No,” said Piper. “He said he didn’t want anything to do with witches.”

“You shouldn’t have gone alone,” said Prue, ever protective of her younger sisters. “It could have been dangerous.”

“But it wasn’t,” said Piper. “I guess I can’t blame the guy. Witches don’t have the best reputations to begin with. And when one curses you, I guess it’s enough to make almost anyone skiddish.”

“Well,” said Prue, “you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped.”

“I know,” said Piper. “I just wish there was some way to get through to him.”

Just then the doorbell rang. Phoebe went to answer the door as Prue and Piper continued talking.

“Did he say anything about where this all happened?” asked Prue. “Maybe we could locate the witch who put the curse on him and persuade her to take it off.”

“No, he didn’t mention the name of any place in particular,” said Piper. “He just spoke in generalities mostly. I got the feeling it was a long way off, though.”

“New Jersey, actually,” said Dowdry standing in the doorway to the kitchen.

“Look who stopped by for a visit,” said Phoebe.

Dowdry looked at Piper.

“You said you could help me,” said Dowdry.

“I said I thought we could,” corrected Piper. “We can’t guarantee anything. What made you change your mind?”

”You have no idea how realistic those nightmares are,” said Dowdry. “After last night, I decided it couldn’t hurt to let you try.”

“We’ll do what we can,” said Prue.

“What do I have to do?” asked Dowdry.

“Have a seat in the living room,” said Piper, “while we get ready.”

“What do you think?” Piper asked the other two while Dowdry waited in the living room.

“He’s kind of cute,” said Phoebe.

“About the curse,” said Piper in annoyance.

“From what you’ve told us,” said Prue, “it sounds like it’s pretty powerful. I don’t think a regular spell is going to break it.”

“That’s what I thought,” said Piper. “That’s why I suggested bringing him here.”

“A Power of Three spell?” questioned Phoebe.

“I don’t think we have a choice,” said Prue. “If anything can break this curse, it can. If it doesn’t work, I don’t know if there’s anything else we can do.”

“I’ll see what I can come up with,” said Phoebe. “But this is kind of short notice.”

“We understand, honey,” said Piper. “Just do the best you can. I’ll go explain to Dowdry what we’re going to do.”

Phoebe spent several minutes working on the spell. When she finished it, she looked the spell over. Not her best work, but it should do the trick. She went into the living room where Prue, Piper, and Dowdry sat talking.

“So this Power of Three spell should break the curse?” Dowdry was asking as Phoebe entered the living room.

“It should,” said Piper. “A Power of Three spell combines all of our powers. There’s not supposed to be any magic stronger than it.”

“But you have to understand,” said Prue, “it is possible it might not work.”

“I understand,” said Dowdry. “I just appreciate the attempt. If it doesn’t work, what then?”

“I don’t know,” said Piper. “But we’ll keep searching for any way to lift the curse. If you tell us everything you can about the witch who put the curse on you, we might be able to find her and persuade her to lift it.”

“Like I said,” said Dowdry, “she’s disappeared. It’s like she doesn’t want to be found.”

“Here we go,” said Phoebe, handing the spell to Prue and Piper. “It’s kind of crude but it’s the best I can do on such short notice.”

“We know you did your best,” said Prue. “Well, if we’re going to do this, might as well get it done.”

The three sisters stood next to each other facing Dowdry and began to recite the spell.

[noazmale]

SEVEN

“Power of Three, we call on you, to set this mortal free.

“Lift his curse and free his soul, and return what was meant to be.”

A soft yellow glow covered Dowdry for several seconds, and then vanished.

“Well,” said Piper, “I can’t say if it worked or not, but something happened. We should know after tonight. After we see if you have the nightmare.”

“Oh, it worked all right,” said Dowdry, smiling. “I can feel it. The curse is gone. I’m back to normal again.”

“Good,” said Piper.

“Yes, very good,” said Dowdry. “Now, I can get back to work. I’ve been away much too long.”

“What do you mean get back to work?” asked Phoebe. “I thought you couldn’t hold a job?”

Suddenly Dowdrys’ form changed. He was no longer human. His skin took on a dark amber color. His eyes changed to dark blue cat-like eyes. Each hand had only three fingers, with long, razor sharp claws. Two oversized fangs sprouted from his mouth and his ears became highly pointed.

“Demon,” gasped Piper.

“I must thank you ladies,” said the demon. “When that witch cursed me, she trapped me in that disgusting human form. Unable to access any of my powers. But you have remedied that. Now, I must be going. I have a great deal of work to catch up on.”

The demon vanished from the manor before any of the sisters could move.

* * *

In the three days since lifting the demons’ curse the sisters had been unable to find out anything about the demon. There were several entries in the Book of Shadows that fit what they knew about it. But without any further information, it was almost impossible to narrow it down further.

“I still can’t believe he was able to fool me like that,” said Piper. “I bought his whole story, hook, line, and sinker.”

“Don’t beat yourself up over it,” said Prue. “He fooled all of us.”

“I just wish we knew what type of ‘work’ he was talking about,” said Phoebe. “I hate thinking we set a demon loose on unsuspecting people.”

Just then there was a knock at the front door. All three of the sisters looked at each other.

“I doubt a demon would knock on the front door,” said Prue finally.

Nevertheless, all three sisters went to answer the door. Although Piper and Phoebe agreed with Prue, they felt it best not to take any chances.

Prue opened the door on an Asian woman. She appeared to be about thirty-five and was dressed in a typical business suit. Around her neck was a necklace with a pendant on it. The pendant was a silver sphere with a five-pointed star in the center.

“Can we help you?” asked Prue.

“I believe so,” said the woman. “I’ve come a very long way. And I believe you three are the ones I came to see.”

“Us?” questioned Piper.

“This is the Halliwell Manor, isn’t it?” asked the woman. “Home to Prudence, Piper, and Phoebe Halliwell?”

“Yes, it is,” said Prue.

“Then I’m at the right place,” said the woman. “My name is Amy Chin. I’ve traveled from the east coast too speak with you. It is an honor to finally meet the Charmed Ones.”

[noazmale]

EIGHT

“So, you’re a witch, too?” asked Phoebe when they had moved to the living room.

“Yes,” said Amy, touching her pendant. “This is the symbol of my coven. One of the responsibilities of my coven is to safeguard the prophecies about the three of you. That’s how I knew who you are.”

“We have prophecies,” said Phoebe. “Cool.”

“It also explains how someone was able to break my curse,” said Amy. “Only the power of the Charmed Ones could have broken that curse.”

The sisters all looked at each other. This must be the witch Dowdry had told them about. The witch that had cursed him for killing her daughter.

”You know we broke the curse?” asked Prue.

“I knew it the instant it happened,” said Amy. “And as I said, only your power was great enough to break it.”

“We’re sorry,” said Phoebe. “We didn’t know he was a demon until after we broke the curse.”

“I assumed as much,” said Amy.

Piper told Amy the entire story about Dowdry. She also told Amy of their search to find him and stop him.

“You won’t find him,” said Amy. “He’s very devious. He’s long gone by now. He won’t want to stay around with you knowing what he is. He’d be too afraid you’d come looking to vanquish him.”

“Not much chance of that,” said Piper. “We’re having trouble narrowing down just what kind of demon he is.”

“He’s a revenge demon,” said Amy. “He grants peoples’ wishes to punish those who have wronged them. His power only comes from those people, otherwise he’s as powerless as any mortal.”

“That explains why he didn’t attack us,” said Prue.

“Yes,” said Amy. “I ran across him several years ago. The story he told you is true in one sense. A man did accidentally kill a young girl. And her mother held him responsible, but the police ruled it an accidental death. The demon offered to punish the man for what he had done.

“But I discovered what he was doing. So I cursed him to remain in human form until he had atoned for everything he had done. I figured that was better than vanquishing him. The way I saw it, the demon gets punished for inflicting suffering on people and some good comes of it in the process.”

“We’re so sorry,” said Piper. “If we had known . . .”

“It’s not your fault,” said Amy. “The Charmed Ones are supposed to protect the innocent. That’s all you thought you were doing. There’s no way you could have known he was a demon.”

“We’re still sorry,” said Prue. “Is there anything we can do to help?”

“No,” said Amy. “But there’s something I can do. I’ll track him down and curse him again. This time I’ll make sure that any witches he comes into contact with will recognize him for what he is. So this won’t happen again.”

“If there’s anything we can do to help,” said Piper, “don’t hesitate to contact us.”

“Just having you around is more than you can imagine,” said Amy. “It takes some of the pressure off me.”

“What do you mean?” asked Prue.

“Before the three of you got your powers,” said Amy, “I was the most powerful witch in the world. When you showed up, you sort of knocked me off the throne, so too speak.”

“Oh, we’re sorry,” said Phoebe apologetically.

“Nonsense,” said Amy. “I’m glad you’re here. In the fight against evil you can’t have too many allies. I should be going. I have a demon to track down and a curse to bestow. With a little luck I should be able to catch up with him before he can do very much harm.”

“How will you find him?” asked Prue.

“It shouldn’t be difficult,” said Amy. “I know how he operates. I know what to look for.”

“Just be careful,” said Piper.

”I should be telling you that,” said Amy. “If you ever make it back east, stop by and look me up. I’m sure the others in my coven would be happy to meet you, too.”

“We’ll do that,” said Piper.

“She was nice,” said Phoebe after Amy had left.

“It doesn’t change the fact that we screwed up,” said Prue. “We have to be a lot more careful in the future.”

“I agree,” said Piper. “Some guy comes up with a sob story and we just bend over backward to help him. It just goes to show you things are rarely what they seem to be.”

“Especially with magic,” said Prue.

“That’s why they call it magic,” said Phoebe. “I guess we still have a lot to learn.”

“I think we’ll always have a lot to learn,” said Piper.

“Well, we learned one thing today,” said Prue. “We learned we aren’t the only ones fighting demons. It’s kind of comforting to know that someone else can understand what we’re going through.”

“Hear, hear,” said Phoebe. “Now, if you two will excuse me, I think I’ll go see what there is to munch on in the kitchen.”

The End