Chapter 10. Truth

Sophie was surprised to find herself in a large kind sized bed, inside a rather lavish bedroom one she would deem fit for any King or Queen. Her feet barely reached the middle of the bed, as to why someone would need a bed go big was beyond her. She pushed back the bed spread as she threw her legs over the side of the bed to find her shoes had been neatly placed by the bedside cabinet. Once her shoes were on she decided it was time to find out where she was. Sophie made a beeline for the door that led to the exterior to the room, but once she was a mere foot from the door something pulled her back as she grabbed a collar that had been placed around her neck. Sophie had not even noticed its existence when she had woken earlier, she turned her head towards the bed to see a thing silver string connecting her neck collar to the foot of the bed. Sophie went to trap the thin silver string, but whenever she tried to touch it, it simply disappeared.

"How wonderful it is to see you again," his voice was rich and deep, it resonated deep with in her core as she found herself taken back to the moment the blob man had almost killed her. Sophie looked around the room frantically but she appeared to be alone. "I sent Howl to fetch your heart," Sophie spun around to see the tall figure from her dream and from the meadow facing the window.

"Leave him out of this!" Sophie cried, Howl had already been through enough, he needed rest and safety not to be gallivanting around the wastelands! She watched as the figure tilted his head and a smirk fell upon his features. "This has nothing to do with Howl!" She hissed, trying to protect who dearly beloved wizard.

"Oh but my dear Sophie," he paused and turned his head ever so slightly to reveal his deathly pale skin and blood red eyes. "this has everything to do with Howl," he began to laugh revealing his large fang like teeth. He turned himself completely around to Sophie as she stared at him, although his face was completely unfamiliar their was something familiar about him, something she could not quiet place. "Who do you think stole your heart little Sophie?" he taunted as he took a deliberate step forward in her direction. Sophie shook her head, her mind coming a blank, she had assumed he had stolen her heart. "Let me give you a hint, his mother lived with you for quiet sometime before passing away," he informed her, as Sophie gave out a gasp, the witch of the waste had a son! Everything made sense now as her mind went back to the words the man had said to her "He once ate a falling a star," and the red piece of paper the witch of the waste had placed in her pocket that spoke about a boy who had eaten a falling star.

"But why? Why now?" Sophie questioned, it had been so long since the witch of the waste had passed, why had he not come to save her? Why had the witch never mentioned her son? Sophie's head was in turmoil as she wondered what had caused this boy to suddenly want their downfall, did he not realise that they had looked after, cared even for his mother? Where was he when she was about to die? Had he sat by her bed and listened to her rambling about strange stories that had transpired through out her long existence.

"He is under the belief that Howl killed his mother," The red headed man informed her, causing Sophie's head to jerk up in his direction. Sophie pulled a horrified expression.

"But how! Why?!" She could not fathom that after all these years, now he wanted to take his vengeance. Sophie now knew she needed to speak to the man, to explain everything that had happened, there must have been some miscommunication. "I need to tell him the truth," Sophie stated affirmatively. "I need to go,".

"Oh my dear sweet Sophie," an evil grin appeared over his pale face, "You will not be leaving this room," he began to walk closer to Sophie as she went to take steps back only to find herself trapped between his body and the bedroom wall. "Let me tell you a secret Sophie," he purred as he brought Sophie closer to him, his arm wrapped around her waist while his other hand grabbed a fistful of her silver hair pulling it back ever so slightly, ever so gently. "It was I, who placed the notion inside the boys' head," Sophie frowned as she tried to comprehend what he had said, when she gasped in realisation, the red-headed man took advantage of her open mouth and kissed her.

"Where are you going!" Lettie screeched as she grabbed hold of Howls sleeve pulling him back, preventing him from leaving with the demon. Howl placed his hand over Lettie's hand and gave her a reassuring smile.

"I have to rescue Sophie," he informed her, Lettie shook her head. Was it only her thinking about the poor baby? A baby living without both her parents! Lettie would not allow this to happen, she knew Sophie would be back, she had a gut feeling about it.

"You can't!" Lettie hissed, "Sophie wants you to stay here, you have to respect her wishes!" Lettie instructed with anguish, "Let her protect you! If she wanted your help she would have asked you to come with her!" Lettie yelled her breathing heavy as her hands landed on her hips. Lettie noticed Howls saddened expression as she thought about the words that left her mouth, guilt washed over her as she looked away. "Howl, Sophie she-" Lettie died off not knowing where exactly she was going with that sentence.

"Howl, bring Sophie back to us," Honey interrupted placing a hand on his forearm, "We will take care of Skylar until you return," Honey assured him, "I'm sure Sophie would appreciate the company," she said as she then placed her hand on Lettie's shoulder.

"But mother! Sophie wished for Howl to stay here, where he is safe!" Lettie hissed, trying to get her mother to understand. The demon sighed as he crossed his arms and waited patiently for Howl to join his side.

"Lettie, I appreciate your concern," Howl began, "But Sophie needs me, now more than ever," He informed her as he bent down and pecked Lettie on the cheek before doing the same with his mother in law. "Thank you both, for accepting me and allowing me to rescue Sophie," he said with a warm smile.

"It's what Sophie would have wanted," Honey whispered as she smiled up at Howl fondly, "You love Sophie, and have made her more happy than I could have ever done," Honey whispered her voice breaking ever so slightly. Lettie looked up to her mother with a concerned expression before she looked over to Howl.

"Bring her back," Lettie whispered before she turned away and pushed her mother inside the house. Howl stared at the shut door and gave out a sigh of relief.

"You are going to be the ruin of that human family," Sacré-Cœur stated with a cold gaze. Howl nodded in agreement.

"I know," he looked towards the demon with a determined look with in his eyes, "That is why, once I have rescued Sophie and brought her back to where she belongs, I will never set foot here again," Howl stated with finality. Sacré-Cœur stared at Howl in curiosity before snorting and began to walk forwards.

"Lets go, I want to try some lollies before we leave," Howl stared at the demon in sight surprise, he turned to the house once more, and gave them a final goodbye before he trailed after the demon.

It's a very short, ungrammatical chapter and for that I apologise. It's been so long since I've done any writing so I thought I shall just give myself a small chapter to write to help get back into the flow of the story. I hope you like it, please let me know what you think :)