Bound: The Gift of Desire Ch. 13

Chapter 13 - A Dark Horse

George barreled through the doors the way he came, down the hall, and to the main entrance.

The Genie said, "George, the bracer! She'll need it to get through the barrier!"

"Piper, while you're back there, open my bag! I nabbed one of their cuffs for you!"

"Kay!" she replied, fishing through his bag while bouncing on his shoulder. "Keep steady and watch your hands, perv!"

While he hadn't meant to get handsy, he braced her on his shoulder by grabbing the most available piece of her body, which happened to be her panty-clad behind. He quickly adjusted by wrapping his arm around her thighs instead. "Sorry, Your Highness!"

"Oh, go soak your head!"

The main doors gave way, and George was finally outside. The sun was setting, and the clouds made blue, purple, and orange bands across the sky. From over his shoulder, Piper said, "I didn't ask, but I assume you have some way of getting us out of here?"

"I... may have forgotten to plan that far ahead."

"Are you for serious right now?" She groaned. "Maybe there are keys in one of those trucks!"

"Good..." but George stopped. Several vehicles sped down the dirt road toward them, two trucks and a van. They swerved to a stop at the top of the parking lot, blocking the road, and close to a dozen men, all dressed like Manticore goons in their black slacks and neon purple security t-shirts, hopped out and began setting up. Only, this time, they had weapons. Rifles and sidearms. On top of that, the trucks had ATVs ready to deploy. In the distance, George could hear dirt bikes revving their engines.

"What is it? I can't see!" said Piper, struggling to angle herself for a better look.

They trained their weapons on the fleeing teenagers, and their intentions were clear. Lethal force was on the table. Without answering, George cut to the right and bolted into the forest.

Piper finally saw what George saw and said, "Oh... that's not good."

George made a beeline directly for the edge of the shroud. Once outside, he could use the Genie's powers more freely. "Is your bracer on?"

"Yeah! Thankfully, they resize themselves!"

He then focused on navigating the maze of twisting trunks and gnarled branches on his way to the shroud. The trees slowed him down, but he was still faster than any of them, and when bullets began whizzing by, he was grateful for the cover. Finally, he made it to the barrier and set Piper down.

"What is it? Why are we stopping?" she asked.

"Go on through. I'll be with you in a second. I have to prepare the source first." George dug the orb out of his bag and held it up. "I'll be quick. I promise," he said to both of them.

To his surprise, Piper didn't argue. She nodded, stepped carefully through the shroud to avoid hurting her bare feet on the forest floor, and then waited for him on the other side.

"Here goes, Genie," he whispered.

"Don't keep me waiting," she said. She was trying to be playful, but George could sense her anxiety.

But there was no time to be sentimental. Her misty essence was sucked into the source with pitiless efficiency, and her warmth disappeared. He had convinced himself that he was ready this time. No force in the universe was going to keep him from her. He strode forward, and just as he was about to cross the threshold, a gunshot broke through the stillness of the dead forest. A bullet smashed through his shoulder, forcing him to fling the orb through the shroud until it landed at Piper's feet.

"George!" Piper screamed.

He collapsed from the force. Blood poured from the wound as George struggled desperately to stand. If he could get through the shroud, the Genie would save him. He was almost through when another bullet struck him in the back, through his lung, and he went down again. He could barely breathe and thought his arm might fall off, but he kept trying to crawl the last few feet to safety. The curse hardly needed to do anything at that point, but it seemed to know this might be its only chance. George cried out from the pain surging through his body until it turned into a gurgle.

Piper didn't hesitate. She picked up the orb and jumped back through the shroud. She opened her spellbook and traced the symbols she needed. But, just as the spell was about to go off, the tablet ran out of power and shut down.

Piper shook it and pleaded, "No, no, no! Not now! Please! I can't lose him again!"

The orb responded. It turned from solid stone into a tiny pink star and hovered before her. Energy arced toward the tablet, flickering it back to life. In mere moments, it loaded its OS and was ready to blast. Piper could feel the energy emanating from the orb, supercharging the device beyond its limits.

"Wow," she whispered.

The enemy was closing in, their weapons trained on her. Piper clenched her jaw and growled, "You messed with the wrong witch." Then, she summoned all the willpower she could muster, her intentions wild and unfocused but driven by a raw emotional desire. The trees around her suddenly burst with life. In an instant, new leaves and branches surged forth and formed a wall of dense vegetation almost a meter thick and dozens of meters wide. It continued growing throughout the forest, trapping several Manticore goons in a maze of bramble-studded roots.

The forest within the shroud had become a lush alien jungle.

The orb turned back into stone and then fell, but Piper managed to grab it before it hit the ground and stashed it in the front pocket of George's hoodie. The tablet suddenly died, and a small plume of smoke puffed out from inside the case. It had been pushed beyond its limits, but she didn't have time to care.

Instead, she turned her attention to George. There was blood everywhere, and panic washed over her. "Oh, Christ. C'mon, you clod! We gotta hurry!"

George was on the brink of consciousness. He was practically dead weight and delirious between the curse and his wounds. "Don't... leave her inside," he pleaded.

Piper stopped. "What? What did you say?"

He tried to speak, but his lungs were filling with blood. Instead, he reached forward with his good arm and tried to crawl, but it was useless.

Piper took his arm and began dragging him to his feet. Angry and desperate, she yelled, "You aren't done yet! Get up! I said, get... up!"

With her help, George finally reached the barrier, but that was as far as she could get him before he collapsed again. His weight dragged her down, and they ended up in a heap next to a tree just outside the shroud. They could hear the dragons struggling with the forest in the distance.

With George's remaining will, he summoned the Genie. Piper had almost forgotten about the source, and she watched in awe as the mist billowed from Piper's pocket to surround them. It was clear to her that this was no simple vapor. She could feel a powerful presence within it, struggling to keep itself hidden from her magical sight.

George reached out with the last of his strength, and Piper watched as the mist intermingled with his fingers. It swirled down his arm to his chest, and his wounds began to close. In mere moments, his body was whole. Even his clothes were mended and clean. The mist seemed capable of magical feats even the most powerful practitioners of the Art would struggle to perform. She had her suspicions about what it might be. But whatever, or whoever it was, shared a powerful connection with George.

The Genie's voice flowed through his thoughts. "Can't get rid of me that easily."

George coughed and then smiled. When he opened his eyes, he saw Piper leaning over him. "My hero," he breathed.

Piper swallowed and looked like she was struggling to hide her emotions. But she held it together. "Can you get up?" she asked, her voice shaking.

George was already feeling better but checked his chest and shoulder anyway. Unsurprisingly, everything was great. If anything, he felt stronger than he did before. He started to sit up when Piper touched his chest and pushed him back down.

"Hey, take it easy, big guy," she said.

George gave in to her gentle push and lay back down, then stifled a laugh.

"What?" she asked.

"You just asked if I could get up and then pushed me back down. Which is it?"

"I... I don't know! Shut up!" she said, giggling nervously from embarrassment.

George took her hand and sat up again. "Sorry for bleeding on you," he said.

She looked down at the wet stains darkening the blue garment and shrugged. "Hey, it's your hoodie. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time I've had your fluids on me." She thought for a second and grimaced, then added, "Don't... think about that too much."

"I'm not touching that one," Genie quipped.

Relieved, George chuckled. He was alive and pain-free, thanks to his two best friends. While Piper was familiar, he still felt like he was just getting to know her. But he liked her a lot. She was driven, caring, brilliant, and funny. Though they were different, Piper and Genie shared a common trait. Everything about them was magical.

He gently squeezed her hand and said, "Thanks for saving my bacon."

Her cheeks reddened, which only highlighted her freckles. "Well, sure... It's no... you're welcome."

But their brief respite was interrupted by men yelling over engines. Piper's spell had bought them time, but only some.

They helped each other up. George said, "Think you can send another one of those beacons? Call for backup again?"

She held up her spellbook, which still left a trail of acrid smoke behind it. "Not without this guy. And I think he's had enough."

"Could we lose 'em in the forest, maybe?"

"Doubtful. We can't outrun them, and I'm not making out with you until they give up."

That gave him an idea. "Maybe we can."

Piper covered her mouth reflexively, "No, for serious. My breath is terrible, and your lips are so poofy."

"No, not... what? Nevermind. I mean, maybe we can outrun them."

"Oh... how?"

George's imagination was alive with images of her riding him piggyback. "How are you at horseback riding?"

"In just my panties? Are you nuts? Have you ever ridden a horse before?"

Genie said, "I can fix that." Mist swirled out of the source in Piper's pocket and enveloped her. It disappeared after a few moments, leaving her in comfortable, skin-tight equestrian leggings and leather riding boots. Genie also cleaned the blue hoodie and resized it for Piper's build. Everything accentuated Piper's lithe frame and hugged her curves to maximize her allure.

Piper stood still, her mouth open in shock.

While impressed, George couldn't help but wonder, "So you can make her new clothes, but not her own bracer?"

"Mundane clothes to make her look and feel sexy for you. Come on, Master, keep up."

But Piper didn't seem amused. She stood frozen in place as she thought intensely about something. Finally, she said, "George... why am I suddenly wearing a thong?"

"She doesn't want panty lines," said Genie innocently.

"Uh... magic?" said George.

Piper shook her head. "Whatever. I don't suppose you can summon a horse for us, then?"

"In a manner of speaking." "Okay, Genie, turn me into the fastest horse you can, with a good saddle for her."

No sooner had he finished his command than he was transformed into a magnificent black horse with a long white mane and tail. "Ta-da! Horsie George!" the Genie announced proudly.

George whinnied and pranced around Piper in a tight circle to get used to moving like a horse.

Piper smirked. "Okay, that's pretty cool."

George moved so the saddle was next to her and motioned with his muzzle to get on. It was a European style made of fine, supple leather, embossed with intricate designs, and held together with dark, shiny buckles that reflected light in a subtle shimmering rainbow. There was no bridle or reins to hold onto, just a few sturdy straps.

Piper tried to mount him, but her feet didn't reach the stirrups. "Why are you always so big?" Piper mumbled. But then, more mist flowed from her pocket, creating a sparkly step. Piper looked down at the bulge in her hoodie where the source was hidden and gave it a pat. "Thanks," she said before stepping up and swinging her leg over. Then, once her feet were secure in the stirrups, she gave George a pat on his muscular neck.

And not a moment too soon. They heard shouting as a squad of Manticore goons found them, and the engines were rapidly getting closer. George took off running without a destination in mind. His only notion was getting far away from the shroud. However, the forest was dense and the floor uneven, forcing George to slow down over rough terrain. Piper held on tight with her legs and leaned forward to avoid low branches.

"We need to head for a public place!" suggested Piper. "They can't do whatever they want with witnesses around!"

George grunted in agreement but had little sense of direction without his phone. He knew from the setting sun which way was west, but the forest looked completely different from the air. "Genie, where's my phone?"

"I'm keeping it safe with the rest of your stuff in an extra-dimensional pocket! Why?" she asked as if it were obvious.

"Can you get it to Piper? She'll know what to do with it!"

"Sure thing!"

Piper felt the lump in her pocket expand. "What the?" She reached inside, and sure enough, George's phone awaited her. No sooner had she powered it on when it started ringing, and Lizzie's number appeared on the screen. Piper answered, "Hello?"

"Piper? Is that you?" she squealed.

"It's me..."

But she was cut off when Lizzie began screaming ecstatically. "Oh my god! We've been looking everywhere for you! Are you okay?"

"Lizzie! Lizzie! I'm okay! I need your help! Are you at your computer?"

"Uh, Yeah! Of course!."

"Can you still do that thing where you track signals?"

"I'm already tracking you. I knew you were at the Filmore! I just knew it!"

Suddenly, a dirt bike crested over the hill from behind, heading right for them. It kept a safe distance, presumably to await further orders. But its engine was loud enough that Lizzie could hear it.

Piper yelled, "Hold on!" Then she turned and extended her hand to loose a gout of opaque white fog, filling the forest behind them to hide their escape. The biker was forced to change gears and slow down to avoid hitting a tree.

"What is that? Are you at a monster truck rally?"

"No time! Lizzie, can you direct me to the nearest main road? I don't know where I am!"

"Sure," she said, immediately plotting a route for them. "You're a little out of the way. That's all private land. Let's see..."

Another dirt bike was approaching from their right. This one was less inclined to keep its distance and started getting dangerously close.

"If you turn south, there should be an old service road. From there, you can follow it west, and it will eventually hit an interstate. It's a ways, though."

"Turn left, George! We'll try to outrun them!"

George obeyed. He cut through a thicket of brambles that might have shredded his legs if he wasn't protected, then leaped over a pile of rocks. He did his best to move so as not to jostle Piper too much.

"Is George there? Jerk told me the place was empty."

"Damnit," Piper spat. "Lizzie, I need you to do one more thing for me! Call my mom and tell her Piper said code yellow!"

"Sure. What's code yellow?"

"Just do it! I'll call you later, okay?"

"Okay! I love you, Pipey!"

"I love you too!" she said, ending the call and stowing the phone. She hugged George's muscled neck and said, "We're looking for a service road, then...."

As she spoke, one of the riders caught up to them and was about to zap Piper's leg with his baton. But George had spotted him and horse-kicked the bike, utterly obliterating it and sending the rider flying.

It was far more carnage than he had meant to cause. Worried, he said to Genie, "Is he still alive?"

There was an uncomfortable pause before she replied, "Define alive!"

"God dammit..."

"Try not to lose sleep! Guy was a sleazeball!"

Piper patted him on his neck and said, "There! I think I see the road!"

George could see it, too. Down a steep hill was a muddy, single-lane dirt road, bumpy, rough, and overgrown from neglect. He was starting to feel hopeful that they might make it out of this. All he had to do was run, and they could hide out in town while they planned their next move. But once he made it to the road and turned west, his hopes were dashed when a black truck barreled down the road directly at them.

Piper squeezed him with her legs and hugged his neck while George flipped himself around and ran in the opposite direction. The road was relatively clear compared to the forest, and George was able to open up. While the truck chased them, George galloped full speed down the muddy lane. The exhilaration from such a powerful transformation was almost enough to make him forget that he was going in the wrong direction. Almost.

"They're trying to herd us back toward the rest!" Piper yelled.

Sure enough, they rounded a bend and spotted a rider on an ATV heading right for them. George was going too fast to change course, but the rider didn't flinch. Instead, he pulled out a pistol and fired wildly, sending gunfire all around George. Any shots that would have hit him were caught by the Genie's pink mist and deflected, but George knew it was only a matter of time before a stray bullet hit Piper. He was afraid to veer away and risk exposing her. So, with nowhere to go but forward, George lowered his head and braced himself for impact. The rider didn't flinch. His bracer glowed brightly as he leaned on the gas, ready to risk a collision. Piper was practically flat against George's back and clenched her eyes shut.

But George was ready. He angled his muzzle just enough to bash the ATV with the side of his head using all his might. The four-wheeler tipped, its wheels losing traction in the air until they rode up George's muscled shoulder and careened off the path. The truck swerved just in time to miss it.

Piper hollered back, "Hah! Get wrecked!"

But George wasn't celebrating. Ahead of them, Manticore had set up a roadblock with their vehicles. And behind it was a firing line, ready to gun them down. To make matters worse, the road was flanked on either side by rocky cliffs.

"There's no way out," said Piper.

"There has to be a way," he thought. But George knew this was a lost cause. If he somehow managed to get out of this trap with Piper unharmed, they'd just have another one ready for him. Manticore would run him in circles until George inevitably made a mistake.

And then, he remembered his father's advice. If you can't find a way, then make one.

"Genie! Time for a wish," he announced.

"Lay it on me!"

"I wish to be transported with Piper to the most romantic place she knows!"

He felt the tingle rush down his elongated equine body, and Genie said, "It will work, but I don't know where that is! Just so you know!"

"Do it!"

"As you wish!"

Piper and George were surrounded by a magical mist, their vision obscured, just as Manticore breathed a hail of gunfire at them. But the bullets hit nothing but air. When the fog cleared, the witch and her dark horse were gone.