A/N: Okay, I gots some bad news, and some good news. The bad news is, I might be ending the story soon. The good news is, I'm not sure when. Also, I want to tell you that all the reviewers are being extra special, so I'm giving them a preview on another chapter. There's going to be a birthday party, and it's going to be extra special... Anyway on with the story!
I own Hannah, the movie, my cat Figaro, and, that's about it...
Ch. 11 Dreams of Horror
Everyone had trouble sleeping that night. Hannah had a nightmare, which included her falling out the window, but never coming back. Sophie had a nightmare, similar to Hannah's. Heim had a dream about young, beautiful french poodles, taking his bones away from him. Calcifer had a night mare about the Witch pouring the water on top of him, and Howl never came to rescue him. Markl had a nightmare, that he was captured by a pack of werewolves.
Howl had the worst nightmare of all. Markl, Sophie, and Hannah were stripped from his life forever.
He jolted from the bed, scaring the living daylights out of Sophie.
"Howl! What's the matter!" She exclaimed, eyes foggy and heart pumping.
He said nothing, but looked at her, getting ready to cry. She was there, unharmed.
Sophie became scared. A tear trickled down her cheek. Howl seen it immediately, and wiped it away. Slowly, she leaned into him as their lips touched. Howl wanted to stay, and cradle Sophie, but he wanted, no, needed to check on Hannah and Markl.
He slowly pulled away, and put on his robe. Sophie understood he was worried about something, so she let him go.
Walking groggily down the hall, he went into Hannah's bedroom.
She lay in her bed, sweat covering her forehead. Her nightmare had replayed itself in her head, and she couldn't escape from it.
Howl looked at her, and wiped his hand on her forehead. Her sweat was gone, and she felt more relaxed. Because of Howl, her dream had changed. Howl saved her from the depths of the Waste.
He kissed the top of her head, and wandered to Markl's room.
Markl lay on his bed, butt in the air, and blankets on the floor. Apparently, he had been running away from the pack, and kicked the blankets off. Howl chuckled quietly, wondering how anybody could sleep the way he did.
Howl grabbed the blankets on the floor, and put them on top of the young boy.
Somehow, knowing that someone was with him, Markl relaxed, and his butt slowly descended. He had been saved by Howl. The blankets had shielded him from harm.
Howl rubbed his head, and grinned.
Everyone was safe in their beds, thinking of happy thoughts. Howl could now go to bed.
But, of course, he needed to check out the rest of the family.
Calcifer's flames were dancing around in a frantic way. Knowing that he had a nightmare too, Howl put two logs on top of him.
Calcifer awoke, trying to figure out where he was. Seeing the two logs, he ate them immediately. Howl began to sit on the armchair, when out of the corner of his eye, he saw Heim, moving his paws like he was running.
"Tonight is a very bad night I presume." Howl whispered to himself, walking over to Heim.
Heim had just reached the prettiest poodle, carrying the biggest bone, when he felt himself being lifted into the air. He opened his eyes, finding Howl grinning at him. Heim had thanked him for being rescued by licking him.
Howl laughed as he carried him to the armchair. Howl sat, with Heim on his lap. Howl picked up the first book on the stand, not realizing what it was. He began to read, unable to put it down;
Dear Diary,
Howl has gone upstairs to paint Hannah's bedroom. I think he'll miss my dinner again tonight... Anyway, Hannah is so adorable! She has long brown hair, and the cutest little nose. And the strangest thing is, she has different colored eyes! Her left one is a beaming blue one, while her right one, is a soft ember. I know it's possible, but they seem to be a different size...
She is very special. But it's horrible that she doesn't know where she's from. Everywhere we've gone, we haven't heard of a missing girl...
Oh, I almost forgot! I need to remember to give Markl his note addressed to Hannah when he feels ready. They are so sweet together. They've gotten along so well, even if they have a little argument. Actually, I don't think I've ever heard them argue... Well, I must go. Heim has taken a load off on the carpet, and I need to fetch the newspaper. We should teach Heim to do that.
Tootle loo!
Sophie
Howl smiled softly, looking at the swirly penmanship she made. She had finally mastered the "S" she had been working so hard on.
Howl turned the page, eager to read more, but found two blank pages. Getting ready to close it, he seen a small note in the crease.
'Maybe she couldn't find her diary, so she wrote the rest on a piece of paper...' Howl thought.
Opening it, he found not Sophie's fancy writing, but Markl's squiggly writing.
Dear Hannah,
I know that I should talk to you in person, but I find a note a lot better. Anyways, I wanted to tell you that you are very nice, and very, um pretty. Please don't think of me as Markl, think of me as a little bit more of a friend.
From,
Markl
Howl laughed and laughed, causing Heim to jump off his lap, and Calcifer wondering what he was doing.
Howl looked at Calcifer, and saw his eager face, and reread the note. When he was done, both him and Calcifer laughed. Howl found tears in his eyes, as he began to stop.
Everything was quiet, and still, as Howl sat on the armchair, looking at everything in the room. He had become bored, and was starting to feel tired again.
Remembering the note, Howl grabbed it, and started to walk upstairs. Calcifer turned out the lights, and went to bed. Heim had already curled up by the time the two were done laughing.
Howl went into Hannah's bedroom, note in hand, and reached for her fuzzy pink pen on her bedside table. He scribbled the words "To Hannah" on the front, and placed the note gently next to her lamp.
Howl walked out, into his bedroom, and found Sophie fast asleep. He stopped to look at her, and found himself in love all over again. Her soft features, brought out her starlight hair, and her ebony eyes. She was the most beautiful woman he laid eyes on, and he was proud she was his.
He slowly got in bed, trying not to disturb the sleeping beauty. He could dream wonderful thoughts about his one true love, and their upcoming wedding. As he began to think, his eyes drooped, meeting his lower eyelid, casting him in darkness, lulling him to sleep.
A/N: Aww! There was a little bit of fluff in there. And... did you here? UPCOMING WEDDING! I bet you can't wait can you? Well too bad! Send in those reviews! Now!
