Another chapter of the tale of mystery.

FAMILY SECRETS

A HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE FANFIC

Chapter 52

A short time later we made it to our destination. The moment that I saw William my world came crashing down again. I remembered just how deep I was in. Here I was in the distant past with a man that would kill me without a second thought. Who would then proceed to kill his student for breaking his word. It was quite a harsh reminder of the state of affairs. I had no idea how I was getting out of this one.

"Sophie." He greeted curtly. "Glad to see that you made it."

"Um . . . Thanks."

"Can you continue?" He asked with only a note of concern. I was surprised at worry, but that was provably because he needed me to get home. I sincerely doubt that he had any true concern for me. I was just a tool to be thrown away when no longer needed. None of that was real. He was my enemy. I had to remember that.

"I think so."

I said as I started to look around. It was a market district of some old city that I did not recognize. It wasn't that different from the cities that I had encountered before. Only there were no trains, no horseless carriages, or any sign of mechanism of any kind. The clothing was a bit different too. It was simpler and less adorned than what we wore. No one wore the layers of skirts like me. Or wore suits like William. We really stuck out here. Which impede our progress. Already, we were drawing stares from the surrounding people. Soon there would be a crowd here. We had to get out of here.

William guided me to an alley then used his magic to change our attire. Suddenly, my skirts were gone. They were replaced by a more simple outfit that matched the area. Just like Howl used to do. I hated the look but it would work for now. No one here would look at me twice. As they would not look at William. His outfit also matched the local attire.

William looked at his clothes with disgust then asked. "Alright, so where are we?"

I hesitated for a second. He was not going to like this. "I don't know, exactly."

"YOU DON'T KNOW?" He shouted. Clearly, he did not take to the news very well. "How in the world is that possible?"

I couldn't take it. I had been pushed too far! "Look! This time travel thing is new to me! You had me searching for something almost completely in the dark! I didn't know where it was or what it looked like. I just cast my magic into the void and hoped for the best. So, I'm sorry if I don't know where we are. I've done the best that I can. So just leave me alone!"

William stared at me for a moment dumbstruck. It was like he didn't expect me to do that. To fair neither did I. I was terrified as hell. I just couldn't take it anymore! So, I snapped. Something that he wasn't used to. It seemed that no one talked to him that way. It caught the man off guard. In any other circumstance I would have been proud. I managed to fight back against my captor! However, this wouldn't help me. It only put me in a precarious position. Not that I had time to worry about it. For once the adrenaline wore off I started to collapse. The toll of traveling through time was getting to me. I was at his mercy! Not that I would let him see that.

"Fine. I'll figure out what I can. I hope that these people speak our language. Otherwise, this is going to take a while."

Thank god he didn't kill me! I thought as I told him. "Fine. You do that. This is your project after all."

William was going to argue but he stopped himself. I was right after all. I had no interest in coming here. I was not the one who wanted the power. If he wanted it then he was going to have to work for it. As for me, I was going to take a rest. I couldn't stay awake much longer.

"I'll be going then. Try to make yourself useful. Try to find out anything about that Queen." I nodded. "Oh, and if you are thinking of abandoning me here in the past: Don't. I'll make sure that these people will suffer if you do. If I can't have my dream then these people will not live."

He flew off towards the horizon. As I watched him I felt my body grow so very heavy. I tried to find a safe place to sleep, but found nothing in time. I fell to the ground with a dull thud. I was dead to the world around me. Completely and utterly defenseless.


Next Chapter coming up!