Charmed: Chris and the Future

Chapter 1

Chris just left the supermarket holding a paper bag containing some food and beer when he heard a scream of a young woman. He dropped his bag and ran towards the sound he grew accustomed to hearing. He ran towards an alley, and he saw and energy ball soar through the air, which only motivated Chris further to the young woman’s scream. “Hey!” he shouted at the demon, who had another energy ball at the ready. The demon turned to glance at Chris and at that moment he flicked his wrists and the demon was gone. With nothing but a small pile of dust and a smatter of smoke to symbolise the demon’s recent demise. Chris heard a sniffle behind him, he turned to see the source of this sound. And there she was. A dark haired woman with olive coloured skin and hazel coloured eyes was crouched beside some old wooden crates with her hands half covering her face. “Hey” Chris said, gently. “It’s alright, the demon is gone. He won’t hurt you.” He crouched down so he was level with her eye line. She glanced up at Chris. “T-Thank you” She stuttered. “It’s alright. It is my job” He gives her a slight smile. She shyly smiled back. “Are you hurt? Can you stand?” Chris asked with concern. “Just a small graze.” She whispered. She reached out her arm to the wooden crates to support herself. But just before she could Chris grabbed her hand and helped her. “Thanks.” She said, again. “You’ve said that already.” Chris chuckled. “Sorry…” He smiled warmly at her, at let’s go of her hand. “I’m Chris, by the way.” “Bianca.” She steps forward and winces. Chris jumped forward to steady her. “Yeah, I’m not sure it’s just a graze.” Bianca sighed “I’m fine, I don’t need your help.”  Chris sighed with frustration. Bianca stepped forward again and winced, yet again. “Yeah, looks like it (!)” Chris remarked, his tone of voice dripping with sarcasm. “C’mon, I know somewhere we can go and get you help” Bianca opened her mouth to protest, but then she remembered his stubbornness and closed her lips. Chris clasped Bianca’s shoulder and they both disappeared in a swirl of blue and white lights.

They reappeared in a room clouded with darkness. Bianca quickly looked around to look for any clue for where this mysterious man has taken her. She felt Chris’ hand leave her shoulder and heard a faint click of a light switch. Then the room was flooded with light. She looked around and found herself in a small, shabby apartment with a cream fabric couch and a wide screen TV. With sports magazines and a few beer cans assorted across the room. They were obviously in his living room, in his apartment. Considering the photographs she can see. One of Chris wearing robes and a cap, obviously his graduation and a few other photos of 4 other people, 2 men and 2 women. Presumably his parents and maybe siblings? “Sorry about the mess.” He apologised. “It’s fine. I’ve seen worse…” She remarked. He walked over to her and helped her to sit on the couch. She winced yet again. Chris’ eyes darkened with sympathy. “Chris, I appreciate what you’re doing but I don’t need your pity.” Bianca said, truthfully. “Bianca, I don’t feel pity for you. I feel sorrow.” “Well, don’t, I don’t deserve it.” This sparks Chris’ interest, and he sinks on to the couch next to Bianca. “W-What do you mean” He stutters. She remains silent. Knowing that if he finds out what she is and what she has done, Chris will most likely vanquish her. Chris doesn’t push her on this and her silence tells him, she doesn’t want to talk about it. Instead, he just puts his hand over her knee and warmth covers her like a blanket and her pain just washes away, he repeats the process with a small scratch over her right eye. “You didn’t have to do that.” Bianca said. She didn’t want healing, she didn’t deserve. “I know I didn’t have to but I wanted to.” Chris replied. They both stared at each other in a comfortable silence. Then Chris frowned and broke the silence. “But there is one thing about this whole situation that is confusing me.” Chris said, with a puzzled look on his face. “And what’s that then?” Bianca said, amusing herself at his question. Silence. “Why haven’t you ran?” “I don’t understand.” “You are a human being, who has just been attacked by demons, has been orbed by a random stranger and I have just healed you. All with no explanation and you don’t even look surprised. So, what aren’t you telling me?” Silence. Neither Chris nor Bianca made any sound, for seconds, minutes, hours… Bianca’s eyes began to water slightly and she quickly blinked them away, hoping that Chris didn’t see. But he did. “Hey, it’s okay. You’ve had a long day. Do you have anywhere to stay tonight? Because if you don’t you can stay in my spare bedroom?” Chris said. His voice was soft and warm, making Bianca feel comforted. “Thank you for the offer but I really don’t wanna be any hassle.” Bianca said, while pulling down her black jacket over her elbow and covering her birthmark. Just before this went unnoticed Chris glanced down at the previously unseen birthmark. It looked sort of like a bird, almost feather like. He quickly shot his eyes up to look at her, hoping she didn’t see him gaping at her birthmark. He succeeded. Bianca stood up, and smiled at the fact that she was in no pain, thanks to Chris. She held her hand out to shake hands with Chris, once he realised this, he smiled and stood. He took her hand and they shook. “Thank you Chris, really. For everything. I would appreciate if you didn’t tell anyone about this, this isn’t about you. It is about me and my family.” Chris stood wordless, so when he did open his mouth to talk she raised her hand up to silence him, he closed his mouth. She graciously moved past him, opened the door, went through and closed the door. Then she checked if anyone was looking, when she realised she was alone, she shimmered back to the Underworld.