"I--" That was when the howling began. Puck stopped dead in the middle of the trail. He held up a hand, silencing her, before she could ask what was going on.

Drifting over the breeze, there was a chorus of chilling bays and howls echoing behind them.

"Puck?" She said quietly, trying to stay as calm as possible.

"A hunt," Puck explained, looking off into the distance. He grimaced. "You know, I was just thinking we needed to be run down like rabbits and torn apart. My day just isnt complete without something trying to kill me."

"We need to run then... Right?" She asked concerned.

"Youve never seen a wild hunt, have you." Puck groaned, running his fingers through his hair. "Well, this will complicate things. I was hoping to give you the grand tour of the Nevernever, princess, but I guess Ill have to put it on hold."

The baying grew closer, deep, throaty howls. Whatever was coming at them, it was big.

"Youll never be able to outrun them," Puck said, backing away. "Theyve got our scent now, and no mortal has ever escaped a wild hunt." He sighed and dramatically flung his arm over his eyes. "I guess the sacrifice of my dignity is the only thing that will save us now. The things I endure for love. The Fates laugh at my torment."

"Puck what are you saying?!" She said with worry, she stepped towards him as he backed away.

Puck smiled his eerie little grin and began to change.

His face stretched out, becoming longer and narrower, as his neck began to grow. His arms spasmed, fingers turning black and fusing into hooves. He arched his back, spine expanding, as his legs became hindquarters bunched with muscle. Fur covered his skin as he dropped to all fours, no longer a boy but a sleek gray horse with a shaggy mane and tail. The transformation had taken less than ten seconds.

The dappled horse stamped its foreleg and swished its tail impatiently. Its eyes were shining like emeralds through the dangling forelocks,

"Ok ok I got it..." She said before climbing into his back.
'This is crazy....' She told herself.

The howling was very close now, growing more and more frenzied. Then, with a half rear, they plunged into the bushes and were off.

Riding bareback is not fun, especially when you have no control over your mount or where its going. The trees flashed by in a blur, branches slapped at her. The wind shrieked in her ears, but she could still hear the terrifying bays of their pursuers, seemingly right on their heels.

She held onto him tightly, keeping her head down. Her heart started racing again.
'Please hurry...' She said to herself, keeping her eyes closed, waiting for this nightmare to be over soon.