Chapter 7: Don't Let Go
The castle shook for the sixth time, sending spiders falling from the rafters in swaths. Sophie was braced against the wall, using all the strength she possessed to stay upright. Howl was doing the same beside her. She closed her eyes as another shower of plaster and insects came tumbling down over her. They were both crammed in the corner of the room closest to the door, a point Howl was making due note of.
"Look, Sophie," he began but had to stop as the castle shook furiously, "The door is less than a foot away. I'll distract this din-jin something that's trying to steal the castle. You just slip through while he's not looking and-"
"For the last time, I am NOT going anywhere!" Sophie hissed through her teeth. "If Calcifer stays I do too."
He rolled his eyes. "I don't have time for this! You have to get out of here before whatever this is blasts its way through the ceiling! This is no time to play the hero!"
"Then why don't you leave as well?"
Howl was spared answering by an especially violent jolt from the castle. Sophie was thrown heavily against the wall, the back of her head bouncing off with a beautiful thunk.
"Ow," she rubbed the spot where her head had made contact with the wall. She glared daggers at her husband. "I blame you for that."
Howl started to throw his hands in the air in exasperation, but he got distracted midway by a spider landing on his nose. He plucked it off delicately and placed it on the wall. "Sophie," he said, turning back to where she was standing, "Cariad. I can't keep you here. Even if you were invisible, I'm not sure this jinny-din wouldn't be able to find you anyway. And," he added, "The baby is due to come any week now. I can't work on getting the castle back to us AND have to wonder what invisible Sophie is getting up to. Just leave. The only way you can help me is by letting me know you're safe."
He reached out to stroke the side of her face. Sophie closed her eyes, and knew what she had to do. With a sigh, she opened her mouth. "Howl, I-"
It was at this moment the roof started to come off.
First came a slow ripping noise like a child ripping the paper off a birthday present, then clouds of plaster filled the room. Sophie and Howl coughed, trying to clear their lungs. Calcifer whizzed out of the grate. "What's trouble with you two? I've been trying to get your attention for a quarter hour now. Are we going or staying?"
The couple hardly noticed him. They were too busy removing dust from their lungs and arguing the answer to Calcifer's question.
"The door is that way!" Howl was gesturing wildly towards the exit. "Go to Wales and tell Megan you need to stay there for a few days! I'll know you're safe there."
"I'm not going to stay with Megan!" she yelled back just as loudly.
"Then got to Market Chipping and stay with your sister. Kingsbury, anywhere. Just not here!"
"I'm not going to leave you here, Howl!"
"Sophie! Howl!" Calcifer finally roared up. They both whirled around at the same time, glaring at him for interrupting their argument. The fire demon was gesturing at the ceiling. "I think it's about time you made up your minds!" They looked up. The Djinn was grinning wickedly down at them, his gold nose-ring glinting in the morning sun.
"You can still get away you know," Howl whispered sharply into Sophie's ear. "I'll distract him like we planned and-"
"We never planned anything," she said through clenched teeth. "You send me out of the castle I'll just find my way back."
The castle was already moving, floating up towards the clouds. "Calcifer, get out of here! I need you here to make sure we get this house of ours back in one piece!" he shouted towards the demon, but whether he made his escape or not she didn't know. Howl had her face clasped lightly between his hands, forcing her to look him in the face. "I DO NOT want you coming back here," he said.
"Then you know what you have to do," she said, her face set.
"Yes," he agreed. "Make sure it's impossible for you to get back on your own."
She stared at him in shock. Never had he stated so clearly his intentions to go against hers. She was about to open her mouth and say something back, but he clamped his own firmly over it, his kiss hard and fierce. They broke off. He whispered something in her ear. "Love you." Then came the words that lost themselves in claps of thunder, and he was gone.
A/N: Oh I'm such a sap. More hugs and kisses to fell4adeadguy.
