-1:Recap: Howl has been having strange dreams and a girl in her early teens is found unconscious.

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(Markl's POV)

It happened so quickly that I could barely keep up with what was happening. Howl had ran down the stairs to the girl and Sophie, Granny Witch got up too quickly and knocked down a bunch of books, Heen ran under the table while barking, and Calcifer started some hot water. All while I was looking on.

"Markl! Go and get some pillows and blankets from the upstairs closet, alright?" Sophie called up from the bottom of the stairs.

"Alright." I said as I turned and ran up the stairs. I reached the closet and easily pulled the pillow and blankets down. I walked to the edge of the stairs and stopped. Sophie and Howl were quietly talking downstairs. They where sitting on the floor right next to the girl. I decided to listen in.

"Howl, who would have done this?"

"I don't know, Sophie."

"She just a child. She doesn't look a day over 13."

"I know, Sophie. Don't worry. As long as she is in this house, she is safe."

"But Howl…" Sophie started to say but Howl cut her off,

"No buts Sophie. I'm going to get to the bottom of who ever did this to her."

"I know that, Howl. And I am behind you all the way." He got up and so did she. They walked over to the door and gave each other a hug.

"I'll be back soon Sophie. Don't worry." Howl said. He pulled her head close to him and gave her a kiss on the forehead. He gave her a smile before he turned to the door. He changed the dial and opened the door. It was the black dial. He started to walk out the door but stopped just inside the door. He looked back at Sophie and gave her a smile before he jumped out the door. Sophie sighed and turned away from the door.

"Just be safe, Howl." I choose that moment to come down the stairs.

(Normal POV)

"Did someone just leave?" I asked as I came down the stairs. Sophie jumped a little when she heard him.

"Oh, Markl. I didn't here you come down. Did you bring the stuff I asked for?"

"Yeah, I did. Was it Master Howl that left?" He asked while bring the stuff over.

"Yes, it was. Markl, were you listening to our whole conversation?"

"Sophie, it sound like you didn't think that he would be alright."

"Markl, I am worried about him. He is the man I love and we are life mates. Its only natural that I be worried." She said but Markl had a strange look on his face. "Markl, are you alright?"

"We were just fine before." He quietly said.

"Markl?"

"He never pays any attention to me anymore! He doesn't care anymore! You're the only one he cares for anymore!" he shouted.

"Markl, I…" she started but never got to finish. He had already turned and ran upstairs to his room. Sophie heard a door slam shut and she sighed. "I never knew that he felt that way before."

"He sees Howl as a father. He feels like he is losing him." Calcifer piped up from the hearth. "He didn't have to share Howl with anyone else before and he is having a hard time adjusting."

"What am I going to do with that boy?"

"I would go for turning him into a toad."

"Calcifer!"

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Noting much went of for the rest of the day. Calcifer kept the castle moving, Heen stayed hidden, Markl stayed up in his room all day, Granny Witch knitted, and Sophie kept watch over the unconscious girl. Who would do this to a girl? And why in the worlds in Heen hiding? was the thought that kept going through her head. It was around midnight when Howl returned.

"Someone's at the Black Door." Calcifer sleepily said for the hearth. Sophie jumped up and quietly walked to the door. She got there just as it opened. There standing there was a feathered and slightly dusty Howl.

"Howl." she breathed out. "Thank goodness." She ran down the stairs and jumped on Howl, crying.

"Shhh…Sophie its alright. I'm alright." Howl quietly said while trying to calm her down. "I'm fine." Once she had calmed down enough she asked the question that he had been waiting for.

"Howl, did you find out anything?" She asked quickly.

"No, I didn't find out anything useful, but I did find some leads. I'm going to research what I found." he said as he turned and walked towards the library. Sophie reached out and stopped him. He turned around and gave her a questioning look.

"Howl, you need to get some rest. Please come up to bed. Please." she said with an emphasis on the last word.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Uhhhh…Howl, I mean….." she said as she started to whisper in his ear. His eyes went wide and a smile broke out on his face.

"Lead the way." he said as they walked up the stairs.

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It was still early in the morning when Markl crept down the steps. He silently walked over to the couch where the girl was resting. He sat down on the couch that was opposite of hers and looked at her. She was a pretty girl and she looked around his age. She had dark hair that reached to the middle of her back and slightly tanned skin. He reached over and gently pushed her bangs out of her face. He gasped at what he saw. There on the middle of her forehead was a scar. It was a deep scar with a purplish color to it. The way it was shaped could only mean that it was done with a knife. He pulled his hand back from her forehead, his face pale with shock. Who would do that to a girl? was all he could think.

"Uhhhh…." was the sound that he suddenly heard. He jumped a little and looked back at the girl. She was stirring. She slowly opened her eyes and Markl quietly gasped. They were a deep blue, like the color of the sea at night. She heard his gasp and spun her head around. Her eyes fixed on him and went dark. She stood up and took a knife from a pouch that was on her back. Markl tried to call out but he could get his voice. All he could do was back away from her a quickly as he could.

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Sophie and Howl were fast asleep in each others arms when a bump from downstairs woke Howl. He lazily lifted his head to see if he could hear anything. He heard the bump again and he sighed. He slowly unwrapped his arms from around Sophie and got up. She stirred as he was pulling a rope around him.

"Howl?" the sleepy question came from their bed.

"Oh, Sophie! I sorry that I woke you up."

"Its okay. What are you doing up so early?"

"I heard something downstairs and I was going to check it out." he said while walking to the door.

"Oh, I'll get a robe and be down in a minute alright?"

"Alright." and with that he walked out the door.

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As Howl walked down the stairs, he was greeted with a unusual sight. There, in the corner, was the girl. And she had Markl pinned to a wall with a knife at his neck. He rushed down the stairs when he saw that.

"Markl are you alright?" he calmly asked. The girl jerked her head around and gave him a death glare.

"Who are you people?" she said in a low voice. " I wake up to find myself in a strange house with a strange boy looking at me."

"Don't you remember? You came and asked if Wizard Howl lived here and we answer then you fainted."

"Is this his home?" she quickly said.

"Yes and I am he." The girl took a deep breath as her knees let out. "Careful. You are still weak." He said as him and Markl helped her back to the couch. Just then Sophie walked down.

"Oh my gosh, are you alright?" she said as she rushed to her side.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Oh, and by the way, I'm Sophie, this is Howl, and this younger boy is Markl. And you are?" Sophie sweetly asked. The girl got a look on her face on bent her head down. "Don't worry. You are safe here from whoever did this to you." The girl smiled at this.

"My name, is, Cori." she said with a smile.