Chapter 4

"If you stay on this path, you'll get to Porthaven by nightfall," I had been wandering the Wastes most of the following day. I didn't dare stop and sleep, for fear I would get caught. I felt exhausted, but I kept pushing, and doing that had caused me to ask directions from a hermit in the Wastes. "I wouldn't go any farther, though, it's dangerous for someone so young,"

"Thanks, but I can take care of myself," I began heading down the path he had pointed to, when he stopped me.

"Here," he said. He handed me a small loaf of bread with some cheese.

I smiled at him. "Thank you," and continued along the path.

. . .

I only stopped once along the way to eat the bread and cheese, but I continued walking. When the sun started setting, I caught sight of the sea and began to smell salt water.

"Finally," I said and continued down towards the town. I didn't actually reach the town until the sun had already set. Pulling out the piece of paper that Lettie gave me, I looked at the address.

I asked a few people and managed to find the place. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting-

Wizard Jenkins

A wizard…why, of all things, did it have to be a wizard?

I thought of that bar; I could swallow my pride and whatever dignity I had left and just do whatever they told me.

At that moment, a few women walked by me. It was pretty obvious what their occupation was; let's just put it at that.

"That answers that statement," I said to myself and immediately walked up the cement stairs to the front door. Taking a deep breath, I knocked and waited.

The door opened, and a small little man with a long beard and cloak appeared. "I'm sorry, we're closed,"

"Wait," I said. "Someone told me that you're in need of a cleaning lady, and I'm here to apply for the job,"

The old guy stared at me, as if sizing me up.

"You look a little young to be a cleaning lady,"

"I need a job and a place to sleep," I told him. "It was either this or Carmichael's Place,"

The guy stared at me some more. "I guess you have a point; do come in,"

I stepped into the place and walked up the small stairs. Immediately, I saw that my work was cut out for me.

Cobwebs practically covered the entire ceiling and most of the walls, the small table in the center of the room was covered in books and papers, the fireplace was overflowing with leftover ashes, dirt covered the floor, the sink to the right was piled up with so many dishes that a few looked like they were on the brink of falling off.

And to top it all off? SPIDERS.

"Do you mind spiders?" the man asked.

"Not at all," I lied. I pulled the hood of my cloak off and shook my hair out slightly.

"Are you the Wizard Jenkins?" I asked.

"No, my name's Markle," the man pulled his hood off and his thick beard disappeared revealing the face of a little boy.

"What-why were you wearing a disguise?" I asked.

"I'm practicing my magic," he said.

"Be careful, or you'll scare her off,"

"Who said that?" I said.

"That's Calcifer," Markle pointed to the fireplace and I saw the small fire peeking out of the log had eyes.

"Holy crap!" I yelled.

"Holy what?" Markle said.

"Uh, never mind," I said. I will never get used to this place… I turned back to the fire. "Are you Wizard Jenkins?" I asked.

"What did that kid just call me?"

"Oh, right," I said feeling a little silly. "So, then where is, um, Jenkins?"

"He's out right now," Markle said.

"Markle, go on up to bed," Calcifer said. "I'll take care of…what was your name?"

"S-um, Carrie. Carrie White,"

"Carrie,"

"Okay, good night," Markle went up the stairs.

There was a lone chair in front of the fireplace and I practically sank down into it.

"Man, are you in deep," Calcifer said.

I paused. "Pardon me?"

"Framed for murder is tough; you'll never get to prove your innocence, that's for sure,"

I couldn't help but gawk. "How did you know that?"

"I'm a fire demon; I've got a nose for these spells, and yours smells like a mixture between blood, sweat and small trace of magic,"

"You…you said I'd never get to prove my innocence?"

"Whoever cast this one on you wanted to make sure you went to jail for good,"

I groaned and sat back. "Great, so let me guess, you're going to turn me in?"

"Nah, I'm a fire demon, I don't snitch. But…maybe I can break the spell for you,"

I immediately sat up. "Wait, you can do that?"

"Sure I can, you just got to do a little something for me,"

I sighed. "Always a catch…"

"I'm under contract here; I'm forced to drive this place, and Howl treats me like his slave,"

"I don't know if I can-wait a minute, Howl? I thought this was Jenkin's place!"

"It is,"

"So, what, do they live together?"

"No, they're the same person,"

I paused again. "Huh?"

"It's a long story, one that's not mine to tell and it's really none of your business anyway. But look, if you can find a way to break this contract I'm under with Howl, then you can break my spell. Then I can break the spell on you; deal?"

"Hell no, I'm not making a deal with a fire demon," I got up and turned to leave.

"Well, guess its Carmichael's Place for you,"

…Damn it.

"Fine, it's a deal," I said.

"There's an old sofa behind that curtain under the stairs, you can sleep there,"

Sleep.

I immediately headed for the sofa, just ready for a good night's sleep.

"Is your name really Carrie White?"

"Huh? Oh, no, it's not,"

"Okay, then what is your real name?"

"…Sophie,"

"…Sophie…?"

"Just Sophie,"