Magnolia’s legs ached, her head pulsed, but she pushed herself on. Sweat coated her body like skin, causing her clothes to stick to her slick body, her perspiration feeding the hungry coarse clothe. Sprinting through the forest, the young woman didn’t dare pivot around to glance at the taunting grips of nature. If asked why she would attempt such a thing, Magnolia would give the simple – to her, at least – and truthful answer: “Piper did it.” While that would be such a hard thing to grasp – how could someone force her to attempt the dangers of the new wild? – it was a relatively average happening in the ex-bartender’s life. 

“[i]Run faster![/i]” Piper commanded, and though she usually demonstrated a certain amount of rebellion to such typical orders, Magnolia complied. Her arms swung like pendulums at her side, slicing the air and propelling her forward. Behind her, the ropey vines reached for her like octopus tentacles, itching to snatch her and devour her carcass.

Alas, Magnolia could not run forever and she felt herself slow. Her lungs squeezed painfully with each breath and her legs burned with white fire, muscles compressing in on themselves. Desperate pants escaped her mouth unbidden, acidic slivers of terrible acquiescence in the form of agonizing breaths. With salty tears, she accepted her inevitable death and, as if sensing her resignation, the vines reached her, snaking around her ankle. It pulled tautly, sending Magnolia crashing to the ground and her nose slammed devastatingly into the once-concrete forest floor; a sickening [i]crunch[/i] and a rush of blood alerted the dormant Piper and active Magnolia of their shared body’s broken nose. 

The lucky vine that won the prize began to drag the fox-like woman deeper into the recesses of the woods, ready for a feast. That was when Magnolia felt the push. It wasn’t a physical push, but a strong mental shove that caused her mind to scatter with pin-pricking, sharp pain. Magnolia was drawn into the back of her own mind, replaced by the daring Piper.

The change was so abrupt and sudden that it was eerie. Magnolia’s desperate crying face altered into the smirking countenance of Piper.

“Bitch, don’t think you can get me!” The alter-ego shouted shrilly, her voice breaking with anxiety covered with bravado. She pushed her shoulder into the floor and propelled her body into a roll, landing on her back. Digging into the backpack carried especially for her, Piper grasped the cool metal of the gun and drew it on the squirming vine. Grinning gleefully, she pressed her finger harshly onto the trigger. [i]Bang! Bang! Bang![/i]

Once released from the grips, Piper struggled to her feet and darted from the breakthrough of the forest that was oh-so-near. The freshness of the air, unfilled with a cluster of towering trees, except for the uncommon bunch, hit her like a cool breeze and she breathed in deeply. Slouching, Piper relished in the rare moment of control.

 “[i]Give – me – back – my body![/i]” Magnolia cried and tore Piper from control. Instantaneously, her body straightened and her features softened.

“Finally, the city.” She breathed, though she blinked when a boy – no, man, rushed past her into a breaking run. Figuring that it didn’t mean much good, she reluctantly began to run again, puffing and puffing.

“Hey! What are we running from?”