Disclaimer: I do not own them they belong to the WB. Halliwell’s Episology (Year 4 & a half): Scaring Her

“Ahhhhhh!!!!” That was a high-pitch scream.

Seconds later, someone jumped out of bed. Then, footsteps were heard racing along the corridor. A door slammed open and the lights in the room came on.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, anxious but not loud as she hurried to the bed. She could see the other one sitting up on the bed too with wide eyes staring across the room, at the one who did the screaming.
“The Boogyman! The Boogyman!!” The little one screamed murder as she held her teddy bear tight.
“Pheebs, there is no boogyman at all.” 10 year old Prue broke into a relieved smile knowing that her baby sister has just had a bad dream only.
“No!! The boogyman is here!! It is here!!!!” Little Phoebe emphasized the last word so much that she was like stretching her jaw too awkwardly outwards exposing her little teeth. And 8-year-old Piper burst out giggling with sleepy eyes.
Just then, Grams walked into the room. “Why are you screaming so late at night sweet pie?” It was directed at Phoebe and the little one pouted her small lips back in response. “Go back to bed Prue, you need the energy for the test in school.” Grams gave the oldest sister a gentle push.
“I want Prue to stay!” Phoebe shouted unhappily while reaching out her hand for Prue.
“Phoebe, be quiet.” Grams coaxed.
“I don’t wanna be quiet!! I want Prue to sleep here with me!!” Phoebe yelled and though she has the smallest frame, her voice could get pretty loud.
“Phoebe!” Grams tried to hush her. “You will wake up the neighbors.”
“Worse, you might wake the boogyman too.” Said Piper innocently.
“Piper!” Grams and Prue exclaimed at her.
“She is loud!” The middle one replied in defense. The next thing they heard!

“Bahhhhh!!! Whaaaaaaaa!!!”
“Shhhhh!!!” The three of them put a finger to their own lips, startled for the countless time when it happened.

Nevertheless, they were amused at how quick the big drops trickled down her little face, and even when she bawled out like that, it did look like the entire world did something wrong to her.

The little one reached out her small hand and grabbed hold of her sister’s shirt. “Prrrruuueeeeee! P!” She took a second to stop, swallow whatever was in her mouth then, “Prrruuuueeeee!!!!”

Grams signed and shook her head. She used to share this kind of headache when their mother was around but the situation has changed, the head and heartaches were all alone for her to handle.

Prue could sense her grandmother’s fatigue. Work at daytime, babysitting them took most of her free time and the rest were caught up with boyfriend’s stuff. So she did the most sensible thing.

“Grams, you go to bed. I can take care of Phoebe, I’ll sleep with her tonight.” She offered.
“Are you sure?” Grams asked as she looked at Phoebe. The latter pouted more and she turned away to look at the other side, obviously sucking in anger.
“Oops.” Piper exclaimed. “She is angry now.”
“PIPER IS NAUGHTY!!” The youngest Halliwell rebuked back at having being teased, and pointed an accusing finger at her second sister.
“Piper!” Grams pretended to scold. Then to Prue and Phoebe, “I don’t think it is a good idea!”
“Don’t worry Grams, if she wants me, no one can make her change her mind, not even giving her the biggest lollipop will do that. I’ll be fine sharing the bed with her and who knows, by the time you check on us again, we’re already off to dreamland, right Pheebs?”
“I don’t wanna the boogyman here.” The little one said softer then, stained cheeks about to dry.
“You’re such a baby.” Piper added.
“AHHHH!!!!!” Phoebe showed her tantrum at her, hitting the teddy bear on the bed at her direction while imagined beating her up, since she was young to realize that throwing would be a better idea.
“Ok Piper, you go back to sleep too and stop making fun of your sister.” Grams said as she moved to her side, tucked her in nicely, pulled the quilt around her and planted a kiss on her head.

Turning to her other two granddaughters, she watched dearly as the older one tucked the little one in bed and climbed in after her. The old lady felt pride glowing in her heart. Approaching them, she could still hear the tiny sobs of the crying one as the older put her hands around her, hugging her tight.

She bent down enough to peck a kiss on each of their heads. Before she goes, she whispered into the oldest ears. “I’m proud of you Prue, sleep tight with Phoebe.”
“I will Grams, you too. Night.”
“Night.” Turning to go, she stopped at the door. “Sweet dreams my darlings.” With that, she switched the lights off and closed the door.

For a moment, nothing stirred in the dark room. The young sisters were trying to go back to sleep, not for one though.

“Prue!” She whispered, hardly. “Where is the boogyman?”

Prue has kept her eyes open and counted the time. She knew this would come. It always does.

“Pheebs!” She whispered back. “The boogyman is in the basement.”

Silence.

“What is he doing there?” Whispering.
“He has to sleep too.” Whispering.
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“But he scares me all the time.”
“Try not to think about it, it will go away.”

Silence.

“But I have to think of something.” Wincing in a whisper.
“Hmmm! how about thinking of Piper as a naughty girl.” She whispered back, delighted to have come up with something.
“I hear that Prue.” That was Piper’s voice. “I’m 8, not 6 you know?”
“So pretend you are 6 if you want to sleep.” Prue threatened.

Hearing nothing again, the oldest was satisfied her threat worked again.

Silence.

“Prue?”
“Phoebe, its late, go to sleep k? We have school tomorrow.” Prue coaxed.
“Ok.” She replied.

Silence.

“You think the boogyman will go to school with me?”

Piper was heard giggling beneath her quilt and Prue felt funny too. Funny ways of her sister to bring up her own fear.

“No Phoebe, the boogyman doesn’t go to school. They’re stupid.”
“Really?” Prue recognized that tone. Curiosity.
“Yeah, that’s why he never leaves the house, always in the basement. So long you don’t go there, you’re safe.”
“Ok.”

Silence.

“Prue, I’m tir!” She yawned. “..tired.”
“Night night Phoebe.” Prue said gladfully.
“Night night Prue. Night night Piper.”
“Night night Phoebe.” The middle answered.

Silence. This time! for real.


Many years later! So late one night! Halliwell’s manor.

“AHHHHHH!!!!!” A scream pierced the silence of the darkest hour.
“Woah?? What??” Prue rose upright on the bed. “Demons?? Piper??” Phoebe??” Trying to chase off the last wink, she stumbled out of bed, got caught in the covers and went straight for the floor.
“Damned!!”
“Prue?!!” Piper came dashing into her room. She tried flipping the switch but nothing came on. “Prue, are you all right? The lights don’t seem to be working.” She said as she approached where she thought was the bed but ended up stepping on her sister’s hand.
“Ouch! Piper, that’s my hand in case you didn’t wear your thermal goggles!” Prue scolded.
Piper jumped back. “Sorry! I’m so sorry! But I can’t see a thing. Why did you close that curtain of yours? Sleeping naked? Again?”
“Right! Pervert!!” Prue said as she picked herself up. “Come on, let’s get to the main power. Damned way to halt a good sleep!” She scolded again.
“And I was having a VR session with Leo.” Piper grumbled.
“Look who’s talking, you mean VSR. Virtual SEX reality huh?”
Piper hit out at her sister while giggling with embarrassment. “Oh you caught me now but can this HURRY?! My sleep awaits ME!!” She growled.
Prue laughed. Then she stopped walking. “Wait! this is strange.”
“What?”
“Where’s Phoebe? After we took so long, she should be the next one to come! wait!”
Piper connected. “If I were with you, then who was the one screaming?”
It didn’t take them long. “Phoebe!”

Holding hands, they moved quickly towards where they thought was their youngest sister’s room. Never mind the bumping into walls. They threw the door open.

“Phoebe?” Prue called out softly.
“You there?” Piper added.

No respond.

Prue slowly moved in further, hoping to navigate rightly to her bed. Touching base, they realized that she wasn’t there.

“Where is she?” There was panic in Piper’s voice. “The lights all out, where could she be Prue? You think a demon or warlock has got anything to do with this power failure and our Phoebe missing?”
“Come on Piper, you’re freaking us out here.” Prue decided to play it cool.
“Where is she then? PHOEBE?!!!” The middle one yelled aloud.
“Woah Piper!”
“Any suggestions?”

Silence.

“PHOEBE?!!!” Prue shouted at the top of her voice.

Nothing.

“Ok, let’s get downstairs, to the kitchen.” Prue ordered.
“Whatever for?”
“To get that powerful torch we owned honey.”

After some time, when the two sisters finally got to the kitchen and the torch, they were relieved that finally light was with them.

“Now, find our missing sister.” Piper said as she headed towards the living room.
“Wait Piper, don’t you think we should head to the basement first? Check out the main fuse box, fix it and flood this manor with better lights? Easier?” Prue asked the obvious.
“Right. Let’s go.” Piper agreed.

Standing in front of the basement door, Prue opened and it swung wide with a creaking sound.

“AHHH!!!! BOOGYMAN!! BOOGYMAN!!!”
“AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!” Prue dropped her torch, very startled.

The sound of the torch dropping down the stairs was heard, then silence.

“Phoebe?” Prue tried in a whisper.
“Are you here?” Piper followed her sister’s tone while gripping her arm tight.

Silence.

“Phoebe? Answer me.” Prue prompted again.
“Prue?” Very soft. “Piper?”
“Where are you?” Prue asked, searching to penetrate through the darkness.
“Here, in the basement.”
Piper was relieved no one saw her rolling her eyes and getting further pissed, or rather, amused. “Of course Pheebs, but where? Which part?”
“I dunno!” She was really very soft. “You have to find me.”

A few moment later, armed with a candle in hand, Prue led Piper down the basement stairs. By the little light, they couldn’t pinpoint their sister’s location.

“Careful!” The youngest whispered. “The boogyman might just jump out on you guys.”
“Phoebe!” Piper snapped in a whispering tone. “There is no boogyman here! It never exists! Stop scaring yourself!”
Prue nudged at her. “Stop it!” She was whispering too. “You’re the one scaring her now!”
“Prue!” She literally seemed to beg. “Hurry! I’m scared!”
“Stay there honey, I’m coming! here! I found the box!”

A few seconds later, Prue pulled a plug and the lights came back chasing away all the darkness. The two older sisters after getting used to the sudden flooding of lights, searched around the entire basement. There their little sister was, crouching beside the old couch holding a torch to her chest like holding onto it for dear life.

“Prue!” She shouted, sprang up and lunged for both her sisters. “Great, you’ve come for me!”
Piper rolled her eyes again. “Awww! don’t worry Pheebs, we will never let the boogyman get you.”

Prue reached out to hit the middle one on her head, earning a soundless ‘ouch’ from her.

“It’s horrible! So horrible!!” Phoebe was about to let loose her tears.
Prue glared at Piper and mouthed silently. ‘See?!’

And many minutes later, after knowing that their sister had merely gone downstairs to fetch a glass of water. That was when the power fused and the lights went out. Determined to oust her fear for the boogyman, she armed herself with a torch and headed down the basement. But when the batteries went flat since they were old, the youngest witch lost it!

Silence.

“Prue?” She whispered. “When will the boogyman really leave the basement?”
“Whenever you’re willing to kick it out honey.” Prue whispered back, trying to cover up a yawn and barely managed.
Silence.

“What if it decides to come up here tonight?”
“It won’t sis.” Prue replied as she wrapped her arms around her sister tighter and cozier.
“Why?”
“It’s stupid remember? It doesn’t know how to climb the stairs.”

Silence.

“You know, it’s kind of silly to come up with that answer Prue, but I think I can live with it.” Phoebe whispered.

Prue answered with a helpless look but she couldn’t resist playing a smile on her face.

“So, are you feeling better now?”
“Mmmmm!”

Silence.

Phoebe yawned. “I’m beat Prue, night.”
“Night sis, and sweet dreams.” The oldest said. ‘Finally’ she thought.


She waited a short while. The soft breathing of someone sleeping told her that the light was green. Heaving a sign of relief, she closed her eyes. Somehow, she felt like the old times, watching her sister getting freaked forever by the!.