His Heart
Heartless. That's what they're saying about you now. They don't need to tell me. It only makes me laugh when they talk about you as some kind of predator. Lock up your daughters: Howl's back in town. Only you don't have the stomach for it, do you baby? I know what a coward you really are.
Two of a kind: that's what we were. Two free spirits, above pandering to palace protocol. Passionate. Gifted. And your cute little butt was simply to die for. Should I have been flattered when you came to me with your smiles and your words, your impeccable manners? Wasn't it inevitable? How could you resist the cream of the Waste? Like a moth to a flame you were, and I suppose your excuse is that your wings got singed. Well, you're the one who plays with fire, darling. And we all know you can fly faster than thought, because that's the time it took you to leave me.
And now you're at it again. With whom? With some tacky little hat shop girl. Never thought you would sink so low, Howl; you're full of surprises. I bet you turn on the charm for her. Always the gentleman on the first outing, aren't you? Well, I've concocted a little surprise of my own for your dowdy darling. And then it will be down to you and me again, and the small matter of your heart, in whatever long-forgotten place you buried it.
Because it does belong to me, Howl. Not her; not any of your air-headed town girls. There's more than one kind of Wizard's Pledge, and I'm not going to let you ignore this one. The day you left, I looked in the mirror and saw wrinkles that hadn't been there the day before. I forgot how to cry years ago and I'd be a fool to start being so sentimental now, but you stole something from me and it hurts, Howl. I'm going to hunt you everywhere you hide until I get it. There'll be no escape. Maybe my heart is long gone too – maybe that's the pain I feel – but at least I don't go through your ridiculous pretence of politeness and good intentions. You're so pathetic. And so, so beautiful.
Heartless. That's how you left me. And that's how I'll leave you, Howl. So fly all you want tonight; you'll come down to earth in the morning. Just like I did.
End.
