Pale sunlight

 "Pale sunlight filtered through the Halliwells’ attic windows, illuminating an old map spread out on the table. Salt circles, runic symbols, and a few red drops still dripping from a half-burned candle. Prue sat to one side, her chin resting on her hand, her eyes scanning the tracks. Piper sat opposite, a cup of coffee in her hand, smacking her lips nervously. Phoebe sat cross-legged on the couch, picking at her nails, her eyes glued to the map.

They didn’t speak for several minutes.

“We’ve marked all the attacks,” Prue finally said, pointing to the red circles.

“They’re moving in a spiral. Some kind of ancient magic formation.”

Phoebe nodded, letting out a breath.

“I have a feeling… it’s all leading right to this place. Our house.”

Piper frowned.

“And you just got a new toaster.”

The three of them laughed. Not because it was funny, but because they needed laughter to ease the truth: once again, evil was coming. And this time, it knew exactly who they were.

Prue put her hand on the map and said softly,
“Sometimes I wonder… if we weren’t the Charmed Ones, what would we be doing now?”

Phoebe laughed.
“I’d be a writer in New York, writing romance novels and dating long-haired guys.”

Piper smiled.
“I’d have a little diner where I’d be in control – not like I am now.”

Prue looked at them both, her voice low.
“And I… I’d probably still be trying to be the big sister. But if I had to choose again, I’d still choose to protect you two – magical or not.”

A moment of silence. A light wind blew through the attic, shaking the map. A small piece of paper fell out – Grams’s handwriting was clearly visible:

“No road is perfect. But when you walk it together, everywhere is home.”

The three sisters looked at each other. No words were needed.

And then, as always, they stood up, holding hands – ready to step into the next battle. Because the map may have changed, but their journey – sisterhood, magic, and love – was the only thing that would always be right."