Bound: The Gift of Desire Ch. 11

Chapter 11 - To the Rescue

Freedom. That was the only word that adequately describes the pure exhilaration of unassisted flight. After his rocky start, George was doubtful he'd be able to maintain his falcon body for long. He'd go slow and steady, take breaks, and check his phone to ensure he was on track. But George forgot all about that after a few minutes of soaring like a fighter jet. The rushing wind had its own invisible topography, and his highly evolved senses of touch and sight allowed him to navigate this new frontier like it was his backyard. Updrafts, downdrafts, and crosswinds felt as familiar as a stroll down the sidewalk. And before long, he'd forgotten his misgivings and allowed himself to enjoy that freedom. Like countless other outcasts, turning into a bird and flying away was a fantasy he'd often indulged in. Now, he was living that dream, and it was better than anyone could have ever imagined.

The Genie flitted around him, rolling and diving. Her feathers, shiny and colorful and trailing sparkles, reminded George of the mythological phoenix, renewing his world with her warmth and light. Her power and majesty left him in awe once more. What kind of tales would she have inspired if she lived in ancient times, he wondered. Indeed, perhaps they were forging a new legend, zooming over that countryside toward an uncertain destiny. It was a silly, melodramatic thought, but it made him happy. He'd always feared a future trapped in a prison of pain and misery. But not with her. With her, he was finally free.

"Master, look!" she shouted as she changed course.

He dived after her, and though they were extremely high up, his eagle-eyed form could see incredible detail at a distance. A vast shimmering dome stood isolated deep in the autumnal forest at the edge of civilization. It was mostly transparent and held within it a piece of the world like an enormous snow globe. Its gnarly dead trees stood in stark contrast to the lively red and yellow leaves of the healthy ones around it. In the middle was a large, rectangular, three-story building with a curved roof.

"That's it, I can feel it!" cried the Genie over the rushing wind. "Or... rather, I can't feel it! It's like a magical dead zone! I can't sense anything inside it! If we weren't attuned, we probably wouldn't be able to see it at all!"

"The perfect place to hide from someone like you! Let's get down there!"

The pair swooped lower and lower until they were close enough to take in the full scope of the place. The dome was several acres across and tall enough to fit the entire Stafford Regional football stadium with plenty of room to spare. Nearby were the remains of several other buildings that had long since crumbled into their foundations and been reclaimed by the forest. There was only a single dirt lane winding from the nearest state road for vehicle access, which led to a small parking area at the front of the building.

In its center stood the Filmore. In stark contrast to the ruins nearby, the structure seemed modern and well cared for. It was a monument to a longstanding legacy of extracurricular dominance, built of red bricks with a facade of gray columns and covered in purple dragon iconography. Near the front entrance was a convoy of trucks filled with what appeared to be alcohol and other party supplies, and several sturdy-looking men dressed in black trousers and t-shirts were busy unloading them. Some were smoking and drinking while they worked. George felt the Filmore was a cross between a basketball arena, a church, and a frat house.

Genie landed in a tree a fair distance away from the dome that gave her a clear line of sight to the front entrance, and George took a branch just below hers. "It's incredible," said Genie. "Ever since I awoke, I've felt this suspicious lack of magical... anything. It's like all the juice was sucked out of the world. But maybe... maybe it's just being hidden... hoarded."

George conjured memories of watching members of the Tabletop Club play card games at lunchtime. "I can confirm that aside from myths, legends, conspiracy theories, and gaming conventions, magic is rarely talked about."

"No, this is the real deal. Those bracers were simple. Persistent but simple. But... this is heavy stuff. It's definitely not natural, so someone with the power and knowledge must have created this for a reason."

"So... they're what? Enchanted?"

"Mmmhmm. I'd have to look at 'em more closely, but they seem like a simple performance enhancer. You know, just a bump in strength and speed when they need it. Probably makes them a little tougher, too. Nothing like I can do for you, of course. It's kinda cute, really."

George was hit with a sudden realization that completely obliterated the last vestiges of school spirit he might have been harboring. "Holy crap... they're cheating."

"Oh," the Genie said as she realized it too. "Yeah, now that you mention it, wearing enchanted equipment for a sports game is probably not common practice. I mean, I haven't seen much magic anywhere else." She shook out the feathers on her neck. "I have a bad feeling about this, Master."

With the Genie on edge, so did George. Indeed, it was the most serious he'd seen her since she first arrived and saved him from the curse. He pointed a wing toward the dome and asked, "What is that thing?"

"It's a shroud. It's preventing anything magical from going in or out and keeps the area hidden from those unattuned. I bet the bracers also act as keys to let the dragons come and go. Look, they're all wearing them."

George could see them, too. There were five young men, all powerfully built, lifting what looked like 15-gallon kegs of beer over their heads with ease. He couldn't tell if they were full, but the goons weren't struggling. But upon closer inspection, George recognized one of them by his spikey black hair and hooked nose. He was a vicious guy named Rocko, who'd consistently tormented George until he graduated several years prior. George examined them more closely and realized he recognized a few others too, not from the current team roster but from years past.

"They're all former football players," he said. "This must be what Lacy talked about when she mentioned a fraternity. You're in for life once Veiss hooks you in, gives you a bracer, and gets you involved in the club."

The Genie finished his thought. "And I bet he threatens to take the bracer away if you don't fall in line."

"Or blackmails you, or worse... dead in a ditch. And Piper is in there somewhere. She has to be, or..." He let out a quiet, mournful call. "Damnit, what do they want with her?" he asked rhetorically.

"Master, can we move closer? I need to take a look at this shroud."

"Sure. Let's find a place to change back."

They took off and circled around the shroud a few times before they found a spot out of sight on the western side of the translucent dome. The world seemed to shrink slightly as the Genie turned him back to his familiar human form and appeared beside him once more. Her beauty kept surprising him, and he couldn't help but appraise her with awe and adoration.

But the Genie was too focused to notice. She approached the shroud and said, "Okay, let's see what we have." Then, she reached out to touch its surface with her palm. The shroud reacted, instantly hardening and releasing a slight jolt, forcing her to yank her hand back. "Mother fuck... " she growled.

George was about to console her when his phone rang. Hastily, he searched his pockets for the device, giving it time to let out several loud loops of its jingle before he found it. Then he answered without checking who it was, just to silence it. "Hello?"

"Hey! There you are! Finally! Why aren't you answering your phone, dumbass?"

He hadn't thought about it until then, but where had the Genie put his phone while he was soaring as falcon George? "Sorry, Lizzie, I was... traveling. Couldn't pick up."

"Oh... well, don't text and drive, I guess. Anyway, do you want to hear what I found out?" she asked with tantalizing glee. George looked over at Genie, who was busy testing the shroud for weaknesses and cursing as the magical barrier continued to vex her. He was glad that at least one of them was having fun.

"Yes, please. I'm listening," he replied.

"Awesome! So, Manticore. They've been around for twenty-seven years, and aside from having a totally badass name, they seem pretty normal. Officially, they do event security and private protection. Ya know, bodyguards and stuff."

"Doesn't seem too outlandish."

"Oh, I've barely even started. I've been giving myself a crash course in the protection industry while I waited for you to pick up. It's pretty common for companies like this to have lots of pending lawsuits because their job is to get in people's way, and sometimes those people get hurt. But not Manticore. Squeaky clean."

"Isn't that a good thing?" said George as he watched the Genie kick the dome in frustration, making it shimmer faintly.

"Sure, but if you ask me, that just screams cover-up. And it isn't as though there haven't been incidents. It's just that nothing ever comes of it. Anyway, twelve years ago, it was bought by another company. Chroma Corp."

"The fusion guys?"

She laughed. "Yeah, them. But that's just their latest endeavor; they have claws in everything from restaurants to military contracts. Manticore is just their private security branch. And here is the best part. You ready?"

"I'm sitting down," he quipped.

"Yeah, hold onto your butt. Manticore's leadership and most of its employees are Stafford Regional alumni."

George wondered if what he saw was just a coincidence. "Football players?"

"Yep, how'd you know?"

"Uh, my source mentioned one of them," he lied, not wishing to give away too much just yet.

Lizzie huffed. "Right. Your super secret source. You're correct, though. I had my AI do some cross-referencing, looking for connections. All of them were students at Stafford and on the football team. And all were players whose careers went south fast, either from injury or some other drama."

"What kind of drama?"

"Oh, the yuge. Domestic abuse, assault, drug use. Nothing too crazy, but none of it good."

George mused, "It's like... some kind of retirement gig for washed-up athletes." After examining the Filmore and seeing the cadre of brutes moving about the place, George knew that his suspicions were correct and Lacy was telling the truth. But he couldn't get Lizzie involved any further than this. "Well, I just pulled up, and no one is here. The place looks abandoned."

"Wait, are you serious? It can't be!" she spat as she mulled over her data again. "You aren't fucking with me, are you?"

"No! I swear, I'm not!"

"Prove it. Turn on your camera and show me."

He panicked briefly but remembered that Lizzie probably wouldn't be able to see through the shroud anyway. He turned on his camera and held it up, aiming it at the building. Through his phone, George couldn't see the shroud or the Filmore inside it. There were only old burnt-out buildings being slowly devoured by vegetation.

"Damn," she muttered. "Sorry, George, I really thought we had it." He could hear her getting more emotional, and the defeat was evident in her voice. "What do we do now?"

George hated lying to her like that, but it was the only way he could think of to keep her from doing something dangerous. "Just... look after her mom for now, alright. She's gonna need support. I'll check back with you when I get home."

"Yeah," she whispered. "I'm sorry I... I really thought..." and she began quietly sobbing.

George felt like hot garbage. "No, I'm sorry. I got our hopes up. But you went above and beyond for me, and I really appreciate you. I'll call you later if that's okay."

"Alright. Thanks, George."

"Talk to you soon. Bye, Lizzie."

She sniffled. "Bye."

Once she hung up, George exhaled sharply and quietly chastised himself. Then he silenced his phone and put it away. The last thing he needed was the ringer going off at the wrong moment. Eager to put the incident behind him, he turned toward his companion and asked, "How's it going?"

She'd stopped cursing and was now regarding the shroud in quiet contemplation. She turned to face him, and George's heart sank when he saw the worry on her face. "Master, I don't think I can get through this. It's keeping any magic from going in or out and... I'm basically all magic."

"That's... inconvenient," he muttered. "What about me?"

"Without a bracer, probably not. You can try if you want."

Without thinking, George touched the barrier the same way she did.

"Wait! I was just joking!"

She was too late, and George was already pushing on it like a heavy door. Luckily, he felt no pain, just an impenetrable wall.

"Dummy!" she scolded. "You could have been burned or worse."

He shrugged. "My bad. I'm used to dealing with pain. I figured I could bear with it a bit." Turning back to her, he asked, "So what do we do now?"

"I should be able to enchant something to act as a key. That would get you through, but I'd be stuck out here."

"What about a wish? I could wish to... I don't know... fuck you against that wall over there?"

She perked up. "Ooh, try that!"

"Okay. Um, I wish for a quickie with you against that wall."

He felt her tingle down his spine, but nothing happened.

"Yeah, I didn't think so," she lamented. "Though, I could really use one of those about now." Then, she frowned and lowered her gaze as she spoke. "We're going to need my vessel. You're gonna have to smuggle me in."

George just cocked his eyebrow.

"We haven't had time to go over it, but the vessel holds another universe within it. It's completely separate from yours. So if I hide inside it..."

"I can just walk through and let you out on the other side. Brilliant! Only... I don't have it. I left it at..."

Before he could finish, she held up her hand, and the stone orb materialized, floating a few inches above her palm.

"... home. Then we're golden! Good job, Genie!"

She nodded, but George could tell from her forlorn expression that she didn't like this plan. "Genie?" he asked.

"I'm sorry. I was hoping it wouldn't come to this."

George was confused, so he waited for her to find the words.

"Ever since you released me, I've been able to feel you; your presence, your warmth. But once I return to the vessel, I'll be cut off until you let me back out. And if you don't, I might never get out ever again. I'll be alone in there." She turned to him, and the fear in her eyes broke his heart. "You'll be alone. I... promised that you'd never be alone."

Now he understood. "It would only be for a moment. Just long enough to get through the barrier."

"There's more," she sighed. "To keep the curse at bay, I need to be here, in the same universe. Without me, you'll be completely vulnerable."

"That means... all the misery, the pain... it all comes back."

She nodded. "Everything else will persist, so your appearance won't change or anything, but the curse needs my constant attention. It was seconds away from killing you before, and now I don't know what it will do if it has the chance."

After seeing how badly it affected her, George was ready to abandon the idea. "It's okay. We'll have to..."

"It's the only way," she said, cutting him off. "Master, promise me you'll go straight through the barrier and let me out as soon as you're on the other side."

"Okay, I promise," he said quickly.

"I'm serious. This is one of the only ways that my protection can be thwarted. We're toying with oblivion here. And if something happens to you while I'm gone..."

George pulled her in close and hugged her tightly. "I promise. You'll only be inside for a few seconds. I can handle the pain for that long. Trust me."

"I trust you. I just... I hoped I'd never have to go back there ever again. I-I don't want to be alone, Master."

It had only been a single day, and George was already having difficulty imagining life without her. "How do I let you out?"

"You only have to will it. You don't even have to speak."

"Okay. Let's get this over with."

"Right. Oh, wait," she stopped. Then, she swirled her delicate fingers, and a copy of the leather bracer appeared on his left wrist. "This should do the trick." Lastly, she bid the vessel to hover toward George and land safely in his hands. It felt warmer than he remembered. "Alright, Master, I'm ready. I'll... see you soon," she said with a bittersweet smile.

"Wait," he said and grabbed her hand.

She looked up at him, her big blue eyes glistening with hope. "Yes?" she asked.

He'd reached for her reflexively without really knowing why at first. There was a deep, unsettling fear somewhere in her voice between the words, and he knew she wasn't telling him the whole story. Regardless, he knew she could use some reassurance. "I won't leave you in there. Okay? I promise."

She let out a sigh of relief and nodded. "I'm ready."

George held up the smooth stone orb and braced himself in anticipation. And suddenly, his companion was enveloped in a pink cloud and drawn into the orb through what seemed like microscopic pores. The process was not gentle. The vessel vibrated violently in his hands, and there was a recoil, almost as if he'd caught a cannonball, once the process was complete. The first thing he noticed was how quiet it was. There was only the wind blowing through the reddening leaves and his thoughts for company, and he didn't much care for it.

Heeding his companion's instructions, George strode towards the barrier, intent on crossing as fast as possible. Though unsettled, there wasn't anything too alarming going on. As he walked through the shroud, he thought maybe she was just being dramatic. This wasn't difficult at all. Perhaps he didn't need her as much as he thought.

Then it hit him. What was he doing? Why was he going to all this effort for a silly girl? With his new body, he could land any bird he wanted. And Connor wouldn't be able to stand up to him anymore. Perhaps he should accept Coach Veiss's offer and officially join the team. Maybe he could take Connor's position. On the subject of stealing things from Connor, he could take Farah for himself, too. The idea was deliciously exciting. All he had to do was bury the silly rock in the ground and leave it behind, and then he could...

George suddenly felt the vessel's weight in his hand and thought, "I promised her that I'd let her out. I need to let her out, but... goddamit this is stressful. I don't need this crap. My life is complicated enough with this stupid curse..."

It was as if he'd been dunked in an ice water bath. He wasn't himself. The curse was taking over, poisoning his thoughts to separate him from the Genie, and he began to panic.

The ruse was up, and the curse reacted. The forest seemed to collapse in on itself, turning dark and foggy until he was alone in a cold, dead version of the world around him. But then, the hairs on his neck stood up as he felt the presence of something massive and loud approaching from behind. He turned and saw an immense black void barreling at him like an out-of-control freight train, wailing with a frigid, soulless roar. He clenched his eyes shut as the void smashed into him, forcing him to his knees. The pain was everywhere, in every limb, every strand of hair, every cell. It was blunt and sharp, hot and cold, crushing him flat and then yanking him apart. It was malicious misery incarnate. Angry at being thwarted, the curse tried to pulverize him into dust while it had the chance.

"No," he groaned. Summoning his rapidly dwindling willpower, he reached out from deep within, searching for her in the void.

Suddenly, the orb sprung to life and spewed pink mist all around him, billowing into a dense cloud from which his companion emerged. She wasted no time with pleasantries. With a look of steely determination, she held her hand to his chest, letting her magic spread throughout his body. Her eyes glowed with wild energetic plasma, and he could feel her warmth returning to him, chasing the curse back into its prison.

George struggled to catch his breath while his companion knelt close by, steadily replenishing his strength as their bond was reestablished. His heart rate returned to normal, and the pain subsided. After a few tense moments, he was exhausted but okay, and even the exhaustion was fading.

She embraced him more tightly than ever while he recovered. "Let's never do that again, please?" she pleaded softly. George could hear the stress in her quiet, breathy voice.

He held her and said, "That thing... it's horrifying."

"How did you live like that for so long?"

"I didn't." He separated from her and added, "Let's not think about it too much. We've passed the point of no return. We aren't leaving here without Piper."

"Right," she nodded. "Speaking of which, she's that way." Genie brought his attention to a woman's body in silhouette, surrounded by pink mist, several hundred yards away at the far end of the building. "She's alive. Thank goodness."

"You found her already? Nice." George examined her outline through several brick and concrete walls and noticed something odd about how she was situated. "Why is she sitting like that?"

"She's... chained to the wall? And gagged. And her feet are bound, I think." She paused and looked around, her mouth agape as she took in her surroundings. "Amazing... It's like we're on a different planet." Then she shook her head and added, "Whatever. Just make your wish, and we can go make out someplace safe."

He hesitated, but not for long. He doubted Piper would object to a few stolen kisses if it got her out of this jam. And since he was committing, he decided to add some pizzazz. "Okay, here goes. I wish for Piper to appear next to me so that I can give her a big romantic hero kiss."

The familiar tingle ran through him, but the Genie just groaned in frustration. "Erg! I hate this stupid curse and this stupid shroud! They can both eat my virgin asshole!"

"Hey, hey, what's the matter?"

"This place has its own rules, which wouldn't be a problem if the curse wasn't sapping my strength. No teleporting, no outside contact, no fun. It's almost as bad as my vessel. And for some stupid reason, I can't figure out, I'm still not getting anything from Piper."

"But she's okay?" he asked, dreading the answer.

"I think so. I mean, it's better than before when she straight-up didn't exist. But I still can't read her."

George was relieved it wasn't something more severe like she was brain-dead or worse. "Thankfully, we weren't counting on knowing her love life to save her."

"I know," she pouted. "But it isn't just that. I didn't say anything then because I wasn't sure, but remember your little friend earlier? The sister?"

"Persie? Yes."

"I couldn't tell much about her, but I just chucked that up to her being a child. I mean, if a person doesn't have desires or kinks yet, they would be beneath my notice. But Piper is just as mysterious. I can only give you a few details. Master, something is up with those girls."

He shook his head and said, "We'll figure it out later. Right now, we need to get to her and then get out."

She folded her arms and whined, "Aww, balls. And go through the barrier again."

George shrugged, "Sorry."

Genie blew some hair out of her face. "It's a good thing I like you. Okay then, let's see what we have." George watched as her eyes began to glow and flicker with pink light. Then she stared off into the distance without focusing on anything in particular. He wasn't sure what she was doing but didn't want to interrupt. Meanwhile, he amused himself by imagining the sound of the old dial-up modem noise.

"What?" she smirked when she noticed him looking at her.

"Nothing," he chuckled. "Need me to do anything?"

"Why don't you get us closer? This should help." Genie and the world around him suddenly grew to enormous proportions, and his senses changed, similar to when she transformed him into a falcon. Only now, he had the tiny fuzzy body and puffy tail of a squirrel. Then, with a poof, she disappeared to ride shotgun inside his head. "I'm just doing a little reconnaissance. Be right with you."

The transformation was more easily tolerated this time, and George was happy to have a task to focus on. While she did her thing, George moved with the speed and agility of a rodent ninja, bounding silently and purposely toward the Filmore. He took note of his surroundings, how the forest inside the shroud was utterly different. Instead of the brightly colored leaves of the autumnal forest around it, the trees closer to the building seemed dead and withered, with crooked trunks and gnarly branches. If that wasn't ominous enough, there was a disturbing lack of a breeze, and there were no other animals to be seen, not even bugs. He hopped through the rooty forest floor and then zipped up a tree. It was almost like he was running straight up the trunk; gravity was barely an issue. And as he sprinted along a branch, he didn't hesitate to leap to a new one when needed. He felt in his element, dashing through the treetops, up high, away from the danger.

Meanwhile, Genie had finished her assessment. "Alright. It looks like there are fifteen Manticore goons. Thirteen are straight, one is gay, and the last is bi..." but then she got quiet. "Sorry. You probably don't care about that."

He squeaked and said, "Not unless their kinks help us get her out of here."

"You never know," she chirped.

Then, George marveled at the sight of many figures highlighted in the Genie's signature pink mist through the trees and walls. He'd experienced things like this in stealth video games, where he'd have some ability to see enemies through barriers. And now, he'd been turned into a super squirrel, ready to come to the rescue.

But Genie seemed unphased and continued, "They all seem on edge. And look at those two. It's like they got pegged by a bear. Something must have happened." George watched as the highlighted figures moved through the building. A few seemed to be standing guard. Some were making trips to and from the trucks, some were lying down, and others were milling about deeper inside.

Impressed by her determination and focus, George felt cheeky and quipped, "I love Super Spy Genie, by the way. It's fire."

She giggled. "Yeah, well, I've discovered a few things about myself today. One: I can't stop fantasizing about us, nor do I want to. Two, when I want something, I'm relentless. And three..." But she stopped.

George landed softly on the next branch and kept running. "Yes? Three what?" he prodded.

"I think you're absolutely adorable as a squirrel. You're so goddamn fluffy; I can't stand it!"

George laughed out loud, which was very weird as a squirrel. But George could tell she was deflecting. "You, uh... you okay?"

"It's nothing," she said solemnly. "We can talk about it later. Gotta stay focused, right?"

"Right," he agreed.

Finally, George jumped to a branch high above one of the trucks where a couple of dragons were vaping. But then, they all came to attention when another truck pulled up. The driver-side door flung open, and a burly man in a neon yellow polo shirt and pressed black slacks hopped out. One of the men, dark-skinned with brown hair tied up in a messy ponytail, asked, "So what's the damage, Cap?"

The man tucked the smartphone he held into his back pocket and spoke with the air of someone used to being in charge. "Veiss is doing damage control with the Conclave. I have a feeling ol' Dick-kicker is in for a stern talking to once the higher-ups find out." The other men let out a satisfied chuckle. "As for us, he's just glad the situation is under control."

Genie whispered, "Dick-kicker?"

"One of Coach Veiss's many nicknames, I think," he replied.

The youngest of the men asked the captain, "You didn't tell him about the... ya know?" He had a buzzed head and looked like he'd just patched up a bloody nose.

The captain addressed him with a firm gaze. "What, Donny? You mean, did I tell him about how you got bitchslapped by a member of the Teen Girl Squad?"

Donny shrunk. "C'mon, man, I just... I've never seen this shit before."

The captain smirked. "Relax, kid. I'm just messing with you. No, Coach didn't catch whatever spell she used, so I didn't feel the need to bother him with the extra details. It doesn't matter, she'll be secure until the ceremony. Let's finish setting up, and then we can start the party early."

"Fuck yeah," said Donny in relief. The two high-fived excitedly, and Donny jogged away while the one with longer hair stuck around.

"I think I recognize that guy," said George, shifting his attention to the thick former athlete in charge. "I think it's... Plumber? Yeah, Charlie Plumber. He was captain of the team during the first undefeated season. The guy's a legend. What's he doing here?"

"He's a monster," said the Genie with pointed disdain. "He... did some bad things during college that got swept under the rug. He's done a lot more since. You don't want to know, Master."

The other man put his vape away, and the two spoke with their inside voices. "This change anything?" he asked.

"Having a witch for a princess? Can't see why it would."

"A witch?" thought George.

Genie gasped, "Of course."

The two started walking, and George trotted along the branch to keep up. "What about that spell she got off? How the hell did she get it through the dome?"

Charlie chuckled, "Bitch stole Donny's equipment."

"Fuck," he muttered. "That kid's gonna get us all killed. Where'd he come from, anyway."

"Class of '23. He dropped out of uni during his redshirt year. Dipshit couldn't keep his nose clean."

The other man just shook his head in frustration.

"Relax," said Charlie. He was clearly used to his compatriot's bellyaching. "We got to her before she did any real damage."

"Yeah, tell that to Chris and Gordie. You sure we can't get'em to a hospital?"

Charlie shrugged, "Just keep them high for now. I'm sure I can convince Coach to send a healer before the ceremony tomorrow. Just make sure the other guys don't see them. Don't want them getting skittish if the worst happens."

"Got it. What about the witch?"

"If Donnie did one thing right and used the right shackles, her magic shouldn't be a problem. But fuck that bitch. We'll keep her isolated until tomorrow. No food, water, visitors, nothing."

"What if she needs to take a shit?" he said, half-joking.

"We'll have Donny clean her up. Freak is probably into that."

The two bumped fists, then continued into the building.

Once they were gone, the Genie piped up, "This is starting to make sense."

"It is?" asked George, more bewildered than ever.

"If our girl is a witch, she's attuned to magic. I don't know what witches are capable of, but Piper must have been strong enough to break free somehow and send that beacon. It could also explain why she's hidden from me," George could feel her bouncing around excitedly in his brain. "She may be immune to the curse's effects. She must see right through it. So, instead, the curse reacted by erasing her from your mind. Hence the brain damage!"

"I don't think anyone has ever been more excited to utter that sentence."

Undaunted, she continued. "I'm going to start adding that to my explanations in the future. No matter what it is." She mimicked her voice, saying, "And then the nuggies started talking. Hence the brain damage!"

Just then, out walked George's old nemesis, Rocko, prompting the Genie to comment, "Speaking of brain damage."

He strode past the others and wandered around the side of the building out of sight, then he pulled out his vape and phone and began taking long drags as he scrolled.

Seizing the moment, Genie whispered excitedly, "Master, the coast is clear! Hurry while the door is open!"

He could tell from the person-shaped clouds roaming about that this was indeed a good opportunity. But he hesitated. And his brief window closed on him. "Wait, I don't see any other wildlife around. If they see a squirrel, won't they know something is up?"

"Hmm, okay. How about a housefly? Housefly George would be much smaller and harder to see. Not quite as cute, but I can work with it."

"What if you made me look like one of them? Then I could go anywhere I want." He shifted his gaze to Rocko's pink cloud around the side of the building. "What about him?"

"I don't know, Master. I'm worried his stink will rub off on you. Are you sure you don't wanna be something cuter? Like a housefly?"

Ignoring her, George navigated the maze of branches until he overlooked Rocko's position. He was focused on his phone, his thumbs a blur across the screen. "But you could do that, right?"

"Of course! But what happens when he returns, and there are two identical douchebags?"

"Uh... I could try and knock him out." But even as he said it, George knew he had no stomach for it. "I don't suppose you could put him to sleep or something?"

"I can't use my power to affect other people without a wish and... I don't think my wishers work in here anyway. At least our bond still holds, but..." She sounded heartbroken. Then she asked, "Hold on? What is he doing?"

George watched as Rocko rubbed his crotch through his pants, smiling lasciviously at the image on the screen. "Is he..."

"He's talking with someone. The shroud won't let me tell who it is, but... Master, I have an idea. Hold, please."

Suddenly, Rocko's phone started ringing, startling him and breaking him out of his reverie. "What the fuck?" he muttered with frustration. But he changed his tune when he saw who it was and answered immediately. "Oh hey, baby. What was wrong with my texts? Not doing it for you?"

George was doing his best to listen but couldn't hear the response. Whatever it was seemed to please Rocko, though, who started rubbing himself through his pants again. "Oh, I got you real horny. You really miss this dick, dontcha?" He looked around to ensure he wasn't being watched, then said, "I don't know. I'm on my break, but I'm a little exposed... Yeah, I guess it is pretty fucking hot. Alright. What did you have in mind, babe?"

Unsure when the Genie would return, George moved a bit closer, his tiny rodent heart beating like hardcore techno. He thought he could change into a tiger and pounce on him or fly up high and then turn into a hippo to crush him. But each idea he entertained ended with Rocko being maimed horribly. It wasn't like the movies, where he could just bonk him on the head and out of the story completely. But the sun was lowering, and he couldn't stay out all evening pondering his options.

"I'm back!" announced Genie, and George squeaked in surprise. It was loud enough that Rocko heard it and looked up. But thankfully, George was quick enough to get out of sight before being spotted. His companion giggled mischievously.

George collected himself and asked, "You love doing that, don't you?"

Her laughter intensified. "You're so jumpy!"

"I'm a squirrel. It's my nature."

"Well, time to nut up. His spicy little phone convo should keep him busy for a while, but not forever. Get to the ground, and I'll turn you into a goblin. I mean dragon."

George dashed back to the truck and tumbled to the ground, whereupon the Genie changed him from a squirrel back into a man. He checked in the rearview mirror, and sure enough, he was an exact copy of Rocko with the same spiky brown hair and hooked nose. There was just one problem. "Genie, my hair..." said George while pointing at the shock of silver hair still visible in Rocko's spikey mane.

"I know, I can't really get rid of it, no matter what form you're in."

"Shoot, that's gonna ruin the disguise."

A baseball cap with the Manticore insignia, several monstrous heads emerging from a central point, poofed into existence on his head. "How's that?" she asked.

He adjusted the brim to add coverage and thought he could get away with hood in the future now that the curse was under control. Once satisfied, he said, "It'll do. Thanks."

"Okay, George. Are you ready?"

"Never," he sighed. "But let's do it anyway."

Summoning his courage, George approached the main entrance. As he crossed the distance, he tried to psych himself up. "You can do this. You have the most powerful being in the universe watching your back. Just stay calm and think slow." But, no sooner had he thought of it than the heavy metal door swung open, and a clean-cut man wearing a neon green security t-shirt burst out. He paid George little mind as he brushed past. George tried not to flinch but couldn't help himself. Expecting the worst, he watched the young man jog out to one of the trucks, but thankfully, the disguise was doing its job.

The interior of the Filmore was more eclectic than the outside. The large main hall was devoted to the Stafford Regional football team, even more than the actual school was. There were trophies, medals, pennants, newspaper clippings, and small shrines dedicated to individuals who had gone on to do big things in the pros. But beside the carefully curated reverence were palettes of all kinds of supplies, mountains of beer cans and energy drinks, posters of sexy women in various forms of undress, years of graffiti in purple spray paint all over, and a brown, partially torn rug in serious need of a steam cleaning. George's inner manchild was impressed. It was the clubhouse every young boy wished they had.

The dragons had finished unloading their cargo, and most of it was deposited there, stacked haphazardly in front of the display cases. A few of them were busy breaking down the deliveries and taking them off to the rest of the facility. George did his best not to make eye contact with anyone and headed directly toward Piper's sparkly outline. Leaving the main hall through a pair of heavy double doors, George found himself in a hallway leading in two directions with plenty of adjacent rooms. Some men seemed to be hanging out there, but the bulk was just ahead, beyond another set of double doors.

Inside was a basketball court, or it had been at one point. George could make out the markings on the squeaky floor for the three-point line, and the nets were still in place, but it was clear that basketball was the last thing on anyone's mind. It was filled with metal folding chairs in messy rows, faced towards a stage with a raised podium emblazoned with the dragons' logo. Behind the podium were two ten-foot tall columns with heavy chains ending in manacles for someone's wrists and ankles. And behind that stood a massive circular edifice etched with glowing symbols. George thought it looked like a Stargate from the old science fiction show, except this one wasn't hooked up to fancy computers, at least none he could see. The typical pullout wooden bleachers were there to frame the court, rising up just beneath long railings, with additional annexes for other activities on an upper level on either side. The space was well-lit, and the scoreboard still worked, only it read nine-hundred and ninety-nine to zero in favor of the home team.

"What is that?" she asked, her voice hushed and trembling. "It's humming. Do you feel it?"

"Hey, bro, you cool?" asked a man just inside, next to the doors.

George looked around, expecting the voice to be directed at someone else.

"Yo, Rock!" the man asked again.

"Uh, yeah?" said George, surprised to hear Rocko's voice instead of his own. He cleared his throat and added, "What's up?"

"I thought you were going on a break. What happened? Your girl not into dick pics anymore?" he asked with a knowing smile.

It was the same person talking to Charlie outside, and George recognized him now that he had a closer look. His name was Darren Wilcox. He wasn't on the original team but looked like one of the older men there. George wasn't sure how to respond but did his best to play the role of a confident athlete with a hot girlfriend. "Yes. I mean... no. She loves my dick. Everybody loves my dick. I've got the best dick in... in..."

"Enough about the dick, Master," the Genie said gently.

George cleared his throat again and continued. "I was a little distracted. There's this... I don't know, this hum? You feel it?"

"Oh, that? You ain't seen nothin' yet. Tomorrow, that thing is gonna light up like a fuckin' Christmas tree. Then shit gets real." With every word he spoke, the man gestured with exaggerated hand movements, his fingers flicking imaginary lights into the air. "That's right. It's your first time. I remember the last one. Shit was lit, bro. You're in for a fuckin' ride."

George said, "Yeah, I bet. We're, uh... making a new princess, right?"

The man lost his swagger for a moment and looked genuinely saddened. "Yeah... it is what it is," he sighed. "I don't like that part, but you can't charge these things like your phone, ya know," he said, holding up his bracer-clad wrist.

"Y-yeah... bro. I know," he said, his mind drifting back to his virgin sacrifice theory.

The man steeled himself and put on a fake smile to lighten the conversation. "But hey, the party is crazy. Once D-Money and all the goody pro-ballers go home, it's booze and bitches all weekend. The other side sends some choice meat our way, too. You ever been fucked by a nymph, bro?"

"Uh, no. No, can't say I have."

Darren put a brotherly hand on George's shoulder and said, "Bro, during, do not look at their eyes. You'll literally go blind. Just stare at her tits or something."

"Oh, alright... maybe I'll wear a blindfold?"

"Yeah, yeah, you get me," he nodded. "Well, if your break's over, why don't you help us finish settin' up. Charlie's got us some good shit for the pre-game, and I'm ready to clock out."

Thinking fast, George countered, "Charlie told me to check on the girl, so... I'm gonna go do that."

"Isn't that Donnie's job?" asked Darren.

"Donnie's still messed up from earlier. And Charlie doesn't trust him after she escaped once already."

"You're doing great," whispered Genie.

"Pfft, I heard that. Donnie's on thin ice, man. Alright, well, go check, and let's be fucking done. My knees are killing me."

Seeing an opportunity, George quipped, "Wear knee pads next time you're sucking one off."

The man smiled at the jab and replied, "Man, only dick I'm suckin' is my own! Get the fuck outta here!"

"Yeah, yeah," said George while faking a laugh.

Eager to be out of sight before someone else noticed him, George hurried toward Piper's outline. It appeared he had to go through the locker rooms to get to her, but the door was locked.

"Frick," he muttered. He checked to see if anyone was watching him, and it didn't appear so. "Of course, she would be locked up."

"Maybe we can find a key?" she suggested.

That would take time George wasn't eager to spend. However, after examining the lock, George remembered practicing on one just like it long ago. He groaned. "Damn, if I had a shim and a screwdriver, I could open this in no time."

"What's a shim?"

"It's a little piece of metal you can fit into the mechanism. I could trick it into acting like I'm opening it from the other side. My dad... I learned how to do it when I was a kid."

"Neat! Maybe we can find one of those or... hold on. What am I saying? Be right back." With that, the Genie's cloud flowed silently under the door. A moment later, George heard the door unlock.

"That works, too," he mused. Then he slid inside before arousing any suspicion.

The Genie rejoined him. "Derp. I forget that I'm a cosmic being sometimes," she giggled.

Before them was a narrow hallway that zig-zagged further in, presumably so that no one outside could look straight into the locker room. They turned the corner and couldn't believe what they saw. Instead of a locker room, they found themselves in what could only be described as a dungeon. On the walls were old fading bathroom tiles, with several sections corroded or missing, exposing the grey bricks beneath. Only a single row of lockers remained. The rest had been replaced with several small cells secured with metal bars. The locks were far more robust than the one the Genie had opened earlier. George worried briefly about whether there were other prisoners, but the cells were all empty, save for obscene labels in purple spray paint on the back walls.

He read them out. "Slut, whore, tramp, skank. What the fuck..." he whispered.

"Master, I don't like this place. A lot of bad things have happened here."

"I don't want to know, do I?"

"Let's just hurry and get out of here, please."

Piper was close, just around a wall in what would have been the shower area. Instead, they discovered a new obstacle. The communal shower had been converted into a cell with a grid of heavy steel bars and a door in its center. It was simple but solid and well-constructed. Inside was a small cot fixed to one wall, and there was no natural light, only the oppressively bright fluorescent fixtures. There was no toilet, just a drain in the floor and a bucket in the corner.

Piper was chained at the back of this hellish place, stripped down to her bra and panties, blindfolded and gagged but conscious. Heavy shackles cuffed her wrists and ankles together, the former suspended from a pipe in the ceiling and the latter from a loop in the floor. She was bound at the knees with a braided rope that was clearly digging into her pale skin, leaving it red and irritated. They'd left her in what must have been an extremely uncomfortable position where she couldn't quite stand, nor could she sit. She was shivering and whimpered with every tired breath.

"Piper?" whispered George softly.

She was suddenly roused from her malaise and struggled against her bindings, angling her head around to hear him better. "Mmph!" she growled into her gag.

"Hang on. I'm here to get you out."

George was ready to tear the entire building down to get to her if he had to. But before he could get started, the Genie spoke. "Master, wait!"

"What is it? We're almost there?" he said while yanking on the door.

"I have to warn you. If Piper is a witch, I may have trouble hiding my magic from her, especially with the curse."

"It doesn't matter. I have to do something." He gritted his teeth and pulled on the heavy door with all his might.

"I know. Just... be careful, okay?"

Despite his newfound strength, the door held firm. Piper struggled, and George became more desperate with every frantic groan.

He stepped back and kicked the lock in frustration, but still, nothing. Then he noticed the bars were spaced wide enough to fit through if he were smaller. "Genie, make me a cat. I'll figure out what to do with the lock later."

Without a word, George was now a tiny black and white cat, small enough to squeeze through the bars easily. He changed back once he was on the other side and reached for Piper, but the moment his hands touched her arm, she recoiled, screaming through her gag.

"Piper, stop! It's me! Shhh! It's George!"

Piper wouldn't stop struggling. Fearing that her cries would draw unwanted attention, George removed her blindfold, hoping she'd calm down if she saw him. But as soon as their eyes met, they were both surprised and confused. Piper's hair was still in a messy braid, and the small amount of makeup she wore was running, leaving dark trails from the corner of her eyes. And those eyes were the same as the genies. Crystalline blue, almond-shaped, and slightly upturned. Even puffy and dirty from her captivity, her eyes were captivating.

Piper stared back at him with just as much befuddlement. Finally, she tried to speak. "Gwaore?" she managed through her gag.

Coming to his senses, George quickly untied the gag so she could speak. "Sorry, let me get this... there we go."

She started immediately. "George, what the hell?" she whispered harshly. What are you doing here?"

He froze as if he'd been caught stealing. "I'm, uh... I'm here to rescue you?"

"Rescue me? Who sent you?" she spat incredulously.

"Nobody. I found out you were in trouble, so I... I just came to get you."

"You came too..." she trailed off, giving up on that line of questioning. "Never mind. Get me out of these things. Hurry!"

"Right," he said. Her hands were bound with shackles the likes of which George had never seen. Two shiny metal bands clamped together tightly on her wrists and were connected by a heavy steel locking mechanism suspended from a pipe near the ceiling. It was covered with strange symbols George didn't recognize. However, the keyway looked rather mundane, much like the locks he once practiced on. But to get it open, he needed a tool of some kind. He was about to ask Piper if she knew where they kept a toolbox when he noticed a small metal hairpin tucked into her braid. "I need to borrow this," he said as he procured the pin and picked the lock.

"What happened to you? Why do you look so different?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" he said. His tongue was sticking out the side of his mouth as he concentrated.

"You're all... buff and stuff. And since when can you pick locks?"

"Master, I hate to rush you, but Rocko is coming back," the Genie warned.

"Almost there," he mumbled. "Two is set, three is binding, four... got it." The shackles came loose with the sound of a satisfying click. Piper lost her balance as her wrists slid out of the cuffs, causing her to grab hold of George to balance herself. "Gotcha," he said as he caught her.

"Thanks," she said, holding onto him tightly.

"Lean on me while I do your feet," ordered George. He then began the same process on the cuffs around her ankles.

The Genie commented, "These shackles are enchanted, Master. There is this sensation... like they're suppressing magic around them. Would make sense if Manticore knows she's attuned."

Piper braced herself on George's steady shoulders and said, "You didn't answer me."

"Huh?" he said as he did his best to focus on the shackles, not her bare legs.

"What happened to you? Yesterday, you were typical sicky mopey George, even more so, and now you're all Captain America. Did you get blasted by cosmic rays or something?"

George wasn't sure how to answer. In their rush to rescue her, George and his companion didn't discuss what would happen once they found her.

The Genie interrupted. "It's like before. I can hide myself, but I can't hide you."

"C'mon, George, don't ignore me. I hate that."

The cuffs around her ankles finally came loose and dropped to the floor with a thud. George stood, and as Piper shimmied out of the ropes around her knees, he said, "I got better."

She scowled. "You got better? Just like that?"

He realized immediately how that might come off as flippant. "Well, no, not... it's complicated?" he shrugged.

Her eyes began to water out of fury. "When you walked away, I thought..." She finally noticed the bracer on his wrist and stopped. She backed away, her eyes wide. "Oh God, please tell me you're not one of them."

"What? Oh, you mean this," he replied, holding up his arm. "This is just a replica. I needed it to get through the barrier."

"What!?" she yelled, then lowered her voice as she continued. "You mean to tell me this entire time you..."

"Piper, please," he interrupted. "We don't have time for this. They could come back here any moment. I'll give you the abridged version." Then, he reached into his bag and pulled out the Genie's vessel.

"Master, are you sure that's a good idea?"

George felt the smooth, warm surface of the orb in his palm. "I have to give her something. If anyone deserves my trust, it's her."

He opened his hand, and the orb raised into the air a few inches, hovering silently. The Genie's sparkling energy flowed gently around it.

Piper's jaw dropped. "No way," she whispered.

"I found this yesterday and activated it somehow. I don't completely understand it, but it saved my life. It helped me find you. It got me past the barrier, and... it can get us out."

But Piper was barely listening. Her attention was focused entirely on the orb. "George," she said, "this is a source."

"A what?" both George and the Genie asked in unison.

"Of magic, I mean," Piper clarified. "I thought I felt something weird, but I didn't expect anything like this. They're supposed to be a myth, and you just... found it?" Then, she suddenly seemed to come to her senses and said, "And you brought it here?"

"I told you, it helped me get to you. Without it, I would never have found this place."

She rubbed her temples and grumbled. Then she said, "Okay, okay, put that thing away before you poke someone's eye out. Fucking seriously..."

He quickly stashed the Genie's vessel back into his bag and sighed. This wasn't how he wanted things to go, and he didn't expect Piper to be so short with him. However, after examining her further, he realized she had to be extremely stressed and uncomfortable. Stripped down to her underwear, exposed for any and all to see, she was well composed considering her circumstances. He suddenly found himself relieved that he had gotten to her before more damage had been done.

For now, her shivering was something he could do something about. He dropped his bag on the floor and took off his hoodie. "Here," he said as he offered it to her.

She hesitated, glancing first at the garment and then back to him. "What are you gonna wear?"

"Would you just take it? You're shivering," he said.

She frowned, then took the hoodie from him gingerly. "Thank you," she said quietly.

George was out of his depth. She was a complete mystery to him, familiar yet distant. Without another word, she pulled the warm hoodie around her and zipped it up. Sized for someone as big and tall as George, It draped all the way down to her thighs, and her arms didn't come close to making it out of the sleeves on their own.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Am I okay? I've been kidnapped by a cult of devil-worshiping meatheads, and you've made some kind of pact or..." but she stopped herself and regained her composure. "I'm sorry. I know what you meant. I'm okay, I think."

"Can you walk?"

"I'm a bit wobbly, but I'll shake it off." As if to demonstrate, she took a few steps around the cell and shook the stiffness out of her legs. "What about you?"

"Me?" he asked.

"Yes, you, Doofus. Your pain isn't too bad, is it?"

"I'm good. I'm just so glad you're alright. I... I can't tell you how happy I am to see you."

Her attitude softened, and she curled her lips into a small, hopeful smile. "Really?"

"Yes, really. I've been..." he trailed off when he noticed many sparkly clouds were running around the facility.

"What is it?" asked Piper.

"They're coming. We gotta get out of here." He switched his thoughts to the Genie and said, "I think we've been made. It looks like they're rallying the troops."

The Genie said, "You should hide. Do you want me to turn you into something else?"

"No, they'll see that she's unbound, and that will just put her in more danger. Can you make us invisible? Like you did before?"

"To clarify," she began, "I didn't make you invisible. I changed others' perceptions. And I can only do that if it's for sexy purposes. Especially if you want to involve her."

"Figures," he said aloud.

Piper was getting more worried. "George, what's wrong? What are you seeing?"

George turned to Piper and said, "Look, we don't have much time. I have an idea of how to get us out, but I need you to trust me. Okay?"

"Of course I trust you," she nodded eagerly, "What's your plan?"

"Kiss me."

"Okay, and then..." she stopped, did a double-take, and said, "Wait, what?"

"I can hide us, but only if you kiss me."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "For serious?"

A group of clouds were gathering near the entrance to the locker room. "For serious. Look, this isn't a cheap thrill. It's just how the magic works. Please."

Piper seemed to understand, but he could tell from her eyes that she was nervous. "This isn't how I wanted this to be," she said, steeling herself.

George felt something familiar. She was disheveled and trembling, but the way she looked at him and wetted her lips in anticipation, the longing, the craving. It made his stomach flutter. "Me neither," he whispered.

Suddenly, the door to the locker room burst open, and the dragons were almost upon them. George flinched, but then, Piper shocked him by pulling him down so she could reach his lips. It was fumbling at first, but by the time Charlie and his team rounded the corner to the converted shower, the young couple had their arms wrapped around each other. George trusted that his companion would hide them, but just in case, he kissed Piper like he'd never have the chance again.

The gang arrived. Charlie, Donnie, and two others filled the small corridor before the cell. All of them except for Charlie were wielding black steel stun batons.

"What the flying fuck," Charlie growled when he saw it empty.

Donnie stepped forward and said, "I told you, man! This chick is right out of Harry freakin' Potter!"

"Quiet," said Charlie, calm but firm. "Get this door open."

Donnie fiddled with his keys. His hands were shaking, making it take longer to manipulate the heavy lock. Piper slid her hand down George's shoulder to his bicep and squeezed nervously, but her kiss never wavered. Finally, the door slid to the side with a heavy rattling clang, and the team huddled into the cell. As Charlie moved to gather the discarded bindings, George began slowly moving around the group toward the door.

A few moments of uncomfortable silence passed as Charlie examined the cuffs. Donnie piped up again. "I used the ones you told me! The anti-magic whatevers, I swear!"

"No," Charlie said firmly. Donnie silenced himself immediately. "She couldn't have got them open by herself." He unclipped the radio from his belt and held it to his mouth. "Darren, come in," he said.

"Yo, Cap!" came Darren's voice from the device.

"You said Rocko was on his way here?"

"Yeah, then I saw him walk in the front door. Didn't remember what I told him, not a clue. He's standing right next to me."

Charlie stood and worked through his thoughts. Meanwhile, George picked Piper up so he could move her more easily. She yelped in response before silencing herself, but no one noticed. Instead, she wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him harder.

"We've got an infiltrator," said Charlie.

George noticed that Donnie hung his keys on his belt, which gave him an idea. "Genie, can you get Donnie's keys?"

"I think so."

"Be ready to lock the cell when I tell you."

The Genie bounced excitedly in his head and said, "Yes, sir!" George then felt her presence leave him.

Suddenly, Charlie roared like a beast and smashed his fist into the wall near where Piper was previously held captive. The cell shook, and the wall cracked like it had been hit with a battering ram. Everyone in the room stood back a few steps. When Charlie pulled his fist back, his hand was bruised but unbroken, and pieces of the wall crumbled to the floor. The dragon symbol on his bracer glowed for a moment, then diminished. George used the commotion to move more quickly around the group. He was almost out.

Charlie shook the broken bits of the tile wall off his fist and spoke into the radio with a practiced calm, "Code Red. Check all the exits. Nobody goes in or out without my say-so. I want everyone on their radio. Darren, make sure everyone has their cuff. Get Jessie and Chill on their bikes in case they've already escaped. Rest of you, fan out. Search every room."

"What do we do about the dopple?" asked Darren.

"They'll be with the girl. Find the witch, and we find them. And remember, subdue and detain. We can't use her if she's dead."

Darren replied, "You got it, Cap."

But George was out. He slipped around the side of the door, his lips still mingled with Piper's, and kicked the door closed. "Go, Genie!" he commanded. His companion was ready, and out of the corner of his eye, he watched as Donnie's keys appeared in a puff of pink smoke and jammed itself into the lock. The heavy mechanism clanged shut, and George pulled Piper around the corner, out of sight.

The room erupted in panicky shouts as the dragons realized they were trapped. Charlie shouted, "Everyone shut up! Donnie, would you kindly open the fucking door!"

George took advantage of the confusion and led Piper toward the exit. There were no other clouds in the immediate area, but it was only a matter of time before that changed.

Charlie kept shouting until Donnie announced his keys were missing, and the room fell silent. Then there was the sound of an electric shock, and Donnie cried out, "Waah! Don't! I'm sorry, bro!" followed by more shocks and more cries as George shut the door behind him.

The basketball court was empty, but George could see other clouds moving in the adjacent hallway. Another exit was at the back of the court, but it had been bricked up long ago.

Piper tugged on his t-shirt and whispered, "This way, quick." She led him to a set of stairs next to the locker room they just left that led up into a gym with a wide array of equipment for every muscle group. There was a row of free weights on one wall with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and the floor was padded using an old, ripped wrestling mat. But it was deserted for now. Piper ducked and hid beneath a half-wall separating the gym from the basketball court below. George huddled next to her.

Piper wiped her mouth on George's sleeve, then said, "Did you have to use so much tongue? Blech."

"Sorry, I'm still learning."

She chuckled. "Well, it worked. Never heard of magic like that, but whatevs. Got any other surprises?"

"Tons. I'm still figuring all of this out. I didn't know magic existed until this morning." He tapped her playfully on the shoulder and said, "And you're one to talk. What's this I hear about you being a witch?"

Piper peered above the railing and said, "I've told you a few times. But I guess you don't remember that either." She ducked back down after she scanned the room. "I woke up a few hours ago. The last thing I remember was... our fight." She avoided eye contact and sighed. "I played dead when I heard one of them coming. I think he expected me to be awake because he was really excited when I wasn't. When he got close, I blinded him with a spell and decked him as hard as I could."

"Damn. Nice."

"Thanks. I've known for a long time that those bracers they wear are magic, so I stole it and tried to run. But then, I saw this thing." She motioned toward the basketball court and the humming stargate.

"What is it?" he asked.

"It's a portal. Can you believe it? An actual working portal. It's unreal."

After all the things he'd experienced that day, a magic portal didn't seem that outlandish, but Piper seemed to know better. He asked, "I'm guessing that isn't common, then?"

"George, I've been learning about this stuff my entire life and never seen anything like it. Or your source, for that matter. Magic this powerful isn't supposed to be around anymore. It's been waning for millennia. Or, that's what everybody tells me. Only a few bloodlines carry any power, and most of that is tiny compared to what you read about in the histories. The rest of us make do with what little we can scrape together. But all of that is nothing compared to this."

"Do you know what they're using it for?"

"My theory is that they kidnap girls and use them in some kind of ritual sacrifice to... something, and that charges the bracers somehow."

"Holy shit..." he muttered. "Are they literally devil-worshiping meatheads?"

She shrugged, "Could be. But there are plenty of extraplanar beings who could fit the bill. I guess it depends on where that portal goes." Piper balled her fist and growled, "I knew these pricks were up to something, but I didn't think they'd stoop to something so fucked up."

George followed along, doing his best to act like this was normal. "Okay, so what? Can we use it to escape?"

Piper's eyebrows went up in alarm. "Use it? Are you crazy?"

George shrank. "Well, why not? If we're not going to use it, why did you tell me all this?"

"George," Piper groaned. "Do you have any clue how to use it? Or where it goes? Knowing these assholes, it could lead to another planet, or a hell dimension, or... Florida!"

"Okay, okay, I get it. So if we aren't taking the wardrobe to Narnia, what are we doing?"

"When I saw it, I knew I couldn't leave this thing with them. We have to destroy it. Or seal it, at least."

"Oh gosh, I love listening to her talk shop! She might as well be moaning my name," quipped the Genie.

But George wasn't amused. He was already stressed out getting this far. Doing anything other than fleeing seemed foolhardy. "Piper, you've been kidnapped. From what I learned, they're into some bad stuff. They're connected all the way from our school to a megacorp, and with this portal, who knows where else. I spent all day trying to find you..."

The Genie chirped, "Actually, it's only been a few hours."

"Not helping."

"Sorry!"

He continued. "I had to join the football team, follow your beacon, then break in here to save you. And... well, just look at this thing. It's not going anywhere. I've been worried sick. Let's just get out while we can."

She scowled, "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I worry you? Did poor little George make a poopy in his diaper?" Her eyes began to water again as anger took over. "You've had me worried for years. I've tried everything I could to help you, and you either forgot, blew me off, or got worse every time. And finally, after years of trying, after I'd finally had the strength to let you go, you bought me lunch. And I thought, this is it. It's going to work this time." She leaned back against the wall and took several deep breaths as she stared at the ceiling. "I didn't throw away my chance to escape so I could send a distress call. I needed backup. I was hoping either my mom or the rest of the coven would eventually find me. Instead, I get you." Then, she wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "Years of nothing. And then you just show up. All better."

George listened and considered her words carefully. He wasn't sure how to respond or even if he should. There was so much he wanted to say to her, so many questions eating his thoughts. He wanted to apologize. He didn't know how deep her wounds went, but he knew he caused them. He'd been hurting her for years without realizing it. For that, he knew sorry wouldn't be enough.

"What do you need?" he asked softly.

"I need a damn tissue, or I'm gonna snot up your hoodie. Frick, why do I always cry when I get angry?"

"I put some in your bag," his companion noted.

George opened it and found them without having to look. "Here," he said as he handed some to Piper.

She snatched them up, immediately wiped her eyes and nose, then balled them up and tossed them aside. "Thanks."

"What I meant to say was..."

"I know, I'm deflecting. It's a defense mechanism." She finally made eye contact, letting him see the pain she struggled to control. But her expression gradually softened. "Maybe you're right. We should escape while we can." Then she hung her head in shame and said, "It was stupid to think I could do this on my own."

"You're not stupid." Then, he put his hand on his heart and said, "You just can't resist a challenge." They both chuckled, and George's spirit lifted upon seeing her smile.

Suddenly, the main doors burst open, and two men rushed across the court. Piper and George ducked beneath the railing just in time, and George watched their glowing silhouettes heading for the women's locker room. He knew that if they were going to do something, they needed to hurry.

"Okay, Piper, this is your show. How can I help?"

She sniffled and said, "Are you sure?"

"Piper, from now on, I am your faithful obedient servant, and your wish is my command."

"Nice," remarked the Genie.

From her brightened expression, George could tell that Piper liked it too. "Okay," she began, "Stage one..."

"Wait, wait, wait. There are multiple stages to this plan?"

"Think of it like a quest in an RPG. It's a big job, so we break it down into smaller parts. Stage one: I need my spellbook."

"You have a spellbook, too?"

She rolled her eyes, "And a wand, a broom, and a big pointy hat, and no, it's not a phase. Without my book, I can only do basic stuff. Casting the spell I need is gonna take a ritual, and if I get it wrong, well..." she mimed an explosion with her hands, flinging the floppy sleeves around.

George searched his thoughts, trying to remember if he saw a book like that on his way in. "It can't be too hard to find. A magic book would probably stand out."

"Well, okay, it's not a book, per se, more like a custom tablet. Magic is mostly digital these days. I just hope it still has power."

"Fancy," he remarked.

"It's not that big a deal. It just has a special OS. I assume you can move around without being seen somehow?"

He nodded, "In a manner of speaking. Any idea where it is?"

"Not sure," she said apologetically. "With the rest of my stuff, maybe. It has a Sailor Moon sticker on the back."

"Master, one of the injured ones is trying to use it to watch porn. I'll guide you."

"You're awesome, thank you." Turning his attention back to Piper, he said, "Okay, I think I know where it is."

George was relieved when she didn't question how he knew. Instead, she moved on and said, "Good. While you're doing that, I'll find a place to hide near the portal and try to prepare as best I can. Meet me there when you have it."

He nodded and suddenly noticed she wasn't wearing her glasses. Concerned, he asked, "Do you need me to find your glasses, too?"

"My what?"

"Your glasses," he repeated while pointing to the bridge of his nose.

"Oh, of course, you don't remember," she huffed in frustration. "Don't worry about it. I don't actually need them."

"Sorry. I don't mean..." It was clearly a sore subject, so George didn't press further. "Nevermind. What's stage two?"

"Stage two: I find the spell I need. I cast said spell without blowing us up and shut the portal down. Stage four: Profit."

"You skipped stage three," he pointed out.

"I'm leaving stage three open in case I forgot something. I don't want to shift stages around mid-plan. That's just confusing."

"Yeah, what are we, amateurs?" he said, playing along. "Okay, I'll be back soon. Stay safe."

George made to leave when Piper took his hand. "Hey," she said, "you didn't really join the football team, did you?"

"I was drafted, actually. There was a thing at lunch... I'll tell you later."

She nodded and managed to smile. "Later," she said.

Piper crept back the way they came with practiced stealth. George couldn't help but notice that even though his hoodie was covering most of her, it didn't do anything to hide her legs. She was more fit than he might have guessed.

"Master, I think I'm falling in love," said Genie in a dreamy sing-song voice.

George felt something, too. Something buried just under the surface.