Free Pip and the Wood Witch Curse by Chris Mould

forest followed, gazing upon the youngsters.
    A clap of thunder rumbled up above and lightning struck a nearby tree, sending a flash of light and fire into the Stone Circle.
    The thunder and lightning had startled Pip’s horse and he struggled to keep control, holding on tight to her neck and feeling her hot breath cloud his face.
    He stumbled into the clearing and suddenly he was faced with the Stone Circle and the crowd that huddled tightly around it, but the horse was going so fast that she plowed into the tangle of wolves and witches, and the crows lifted into the air in fear, scattering amongst the trees.
    The horse trampled the fire in the confusion and Pip saw that Frankie and Toad were standing motionless, propped up against a pillar. The horse’s rear end circled as Pip held on to her neck: She kicked out, and Roach and Jarvis were thrust into a nearby thicket. The wolves snapped at her ankles, but they were no match for the stature and strength of the black steed.
    Pip pulled desperately at Toad and stirred his drowsy state. “Quick!” he roared. “Climb up!” He was not going to let go of his friend, not now that he had found him. Toad was startled into action: Half-roused and half-asleep, he began to pull Frankie along with him. They kicked out at the wolves and the witches and used the crumbling stone of the surrounding ruin to climb up onto the horse.
    The crows were descending again, pecking from above. Hogwick darted forward, keeping out of range of the horse’s hooves. Pip grabbed a flaming branch from the fire and swiped at the beastly limbs and crows’ beaks.
    The horse continued to circle, her three passengers clinging to each other for dear life. With a jolt, she shot forward and a chase ensued through the trees. The crack and splinter of wood echoed beneath them as they bolted toward the light from the city.
    “Don’t look back!” cried Pip. But they did. The wolves were struggling to keep up with the horse. The witches darted skillfully between the spaces in the trees. Toad grabbed Pip’s flaming branch and began to beat at them as they came. Frankie was sandwiched between them, with her arms round Pip’s waist. She tucked her head between his shoulder blades, kicking her legs out at whatever was there.
    They slid across the horse’s back, their feet digging in to hold on. A clawed hand dug its grip into Toad’s shoulder. He looked back to see Pugg straining to hold on to him, preventing him from turning round to attack her with the stick. But the low bough of a nearby tree cut her short, knocking her out completely.
    Hogwick was trailing way behind. All she could do was hurl a spell in their direction, but it was drowned out by the shouts and dissipated into thin air.
    Jarvis was furious. “That’s my horse, you thieves!”
    Roach was determined not to give in. He crawled on five limbs, drumming over the forest floor and drawing close as the witches continued to slow the horse down until she was almost standing still.

    Pip dug his feet into her side. “Come on, girl. Just a little more.” They were almost out of the woods.
    Screaming and cawing and cackling and howling surrounded them. The children were pulled and scratched and tugged, but somehow they held on.
    Toad was swiping the stick with all his might. “No one is going to make a forest boy out of me!” he yelled.
    Abruptly the sound of hooves on cobbles could be heard and they spilled out through the broken rusted gates into the city streets. But that did not stop the chase. Still the witches held on.
    Roach was gaining on them fast. He was so determined that he had now forgotten his injuries and he tore across the cobbles like lightning.
    Pip didn’t know the city well enough and the maze of streets was a blur, but Frankie knew this part better than anyone. They were near to the Duprie house. She piped up and began to shout out directions from her position in the middle. “Left, right, straight on. Heads down!” she