Skye's Moving Castle
Chapter 2
To the people who are reading my other story…. I'm really sorry but All's Fair in Love and War is currently on hold for now until I can get more inspiration for it. Sorry DX.
Thank you FlamingIceWolfGirl for being the first and only so far to review this story.
Strangely enough I didn't scream. I blinked and the old lady blinked as well. I reached out and touched the mirror and the old lady copied my movements. I then reached up and touched my face and when I felt the wrinkles, only then did I scream.
After I finished and could start breathing normally again, I began to think, pacing from the kitchen to my bed.
You fool! How could you possibly not tell that she was a witch? I mean for one thing she managed to open up that door quietly, but reddish-purplish eyes? I mean come on, that should've tipped me off right there! But nooooo, for once in my life I decide to back talk and Bang! This is what happens! Okay, Jill, you gotta calm down and think. There has to be a way to break the curse. I mean there's always a loophole right? I just have to figure it out!
After several minutes of pacing, I realize that I'm exhausted. I give up on thinking of a plan tonight and instead, get ready for bed. I have to wear the biggest T-shirt and sweats I can find because I notice that I've gotten slightly plump in my old age.
I have to break this curse! I think to myself as I climb into bed. There just has to be a way.
**()**
The next day Third P.O.V
"I can't believe she still insists on living here." Cassidy Howell muttered to herself as she walked down the road.
She was starting to regret wearing her pale pink stilettos, but they matched her dress perfectly! Unfortunately, the road to Jill's farm was particularly muddy today and she kept having to yank her heels out of the muck.
"Miss Howell!" she looked up to see Jill's three closest friends hurrying down the road.
"Naomi, Sylvia, Miranda, it's so nice to see you!" she beamed.
"It's Nami, Celia, and Lumina, mam." The one in the middle, Celia, said. "It's nice to see you too."
"Oooh, I love your outfit Miss Howell!" Lumina squealed.
"Why thank you, it's all the rage in Waffle Town!" She gave a little twirl. "Where's Jill?"
Nami jerked her thumb behind her shoulder. "Back at the farm. She won't come out of her house and locked the door on us. I don't know what's wrong with her."
"Oh dear!" Cassidy's eyes widened, "I better go check on her. See you girls later." She waved goodbye before walking off.
"Bye Miss Howell." They called after.
Upon reaching Jill's house, she knocked twice on the door.
"Jill, honey, are you in there?"
"Yes Mother." Jill croaked, her voice sounding funny.
"Jill!" Cassidy gasped. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, it's just a small cold that's all." Her daughter replied. "I'll be fine by tomorrow."
"Maybe you should go to the doctor." She suggested as she tried the doorknob. It was locked, just like the girls said it would be.
"No! I mean-… yes, I'll go as soon as you leave. You should go now, so you don't catch this awful cold." A horrible hacking came from behind the door and Cassidy shuddered slightly.
"Okay dear, if you insist, but call me the moment you feel better, I have wonderful news! Alright Jill?"
"Of course, bye."
"Bye, sweetie."
Cassidy was grateful to put distance between her and her sick daughter, it wasn't that she didn't like spending time with Jill; it was just that she could not afford to get sick. After all, she was getting married in a few weeks to the Mayor of Waffle Town himself! For the first time in forever she would be rich!
Not only that, but Hamilton, her fiancé, had already agreed to allow her daughters to move in, after all, his house was pretty big with just him and his son living there. Cassidy had already told her other daughter Claire, and she was extremely happy. She had already picked out a dress to wear to the wedding.
Jill, on the other hand, would be a different story. She had never really approved of any of the men that Cassidy had married, no matter how rich they were and was always insisting on spending her summer at her father's farm. What was even worse was when she had taken over the farm when her father had died. Cassidy truly wished that Jill would have done something else, like get a sensible job as a waitress at an Inn like Claire had done or marry into some decent money like her mother was doing now.
One could only hope though…
**()**
Jill's P.O.V
I waited a couple of minutes after Mother left before dragging myself out of bed. It was obvious what I had to do, and I wasn't happy about it.
I couldn't stay here. People would begin to question what had happened to me and would soon figure out I was cursed. They wouldn't want to be near me then, for fear of the curse spreading to them, for some curses were spreadable. No, I would have to leave and find a way to break the spell before I could come back.
I went over to my dresser and pulled on some clothes that would be suitable for me to wear: a white blouse, a blue skirt that fell to my ankles, a light blue sweater jacket and white flats. Next, I went to the fridge and packed a loaf of bread, a chunk of cheese, some herbs, and a couple of water bottles into my rucksack. I then went to my Tool Box and also packed my matches and my fishing pole. Finally, I went to my writing desk and wrote a note.
To the people of Forget-Me-Not Valley,
I am taking a small vacation for an unknown amount of time and ask that Takakura take care of the farm for me in my absence. Thank you.
Jill
After carefully taping the note to the front of my door, I shoulder my rucksack and hurry on my way. As I go along, I take great care to keep my head low in case I pass by anyone that might recognize me, but I managed to reach the edge of the valley with no problems.
"Hey Miss!" I turned to see a wagon full of lumber coming my way, driving the wagon is a boy with blonde hair, freckles, and blue eyes, reminding me of Claire. "Are you headin' to Mineral Town? I can give you a ride if you want."
"Why, that would be nice, thank you dear." I say and climb up beside him.
During the trip up to town I learn much about the boy, Bo. He's from the city, Harmonica, where he's apprenticed under a carpenter. He takes great pride in his work and talks much of one day running his own woodshop. Right now he's visiting his parents in town and has collected enough lumber for them to upgrade their house.
Once we reached town, he's kind enough to drop me off on the other side of the Inn just outside of the Wilderness.
"Are you sure you'll be okay, Miss?" the young boy frowns, looking worried. "The Wilderness can be pretty dangerous."
I smiled at him. "Don't worry about me, my sister doesn't live too far from hear."
I wasn't lying; I could hear Claire laughing from inside the Inn.
Quickly, I departed from town and made my way down the Wilderness path. The Wilderness was a wide plain that spanned for miles until reaching the ocean. It was also a notorious place for Witches and Wizards to make their homes. I hoped that if I traveled far enough, I would eventually come across one of them and they might be able to reverse the curse. I knew it was a very simple plan but it was the best idea I could come up with.
After several hours though, I was starting to think that I should've just stayed at home. It was starting to get dark, my feet hurt, I twisted my left ankle, and I could still see Mineral Town on the horizon.
"Great. Just great." I grumbled to myself. I winced as I put weight on my left foot. "I need a walking stick."
I spotted a bush with a long stick poking out of it. Perfect. I tugged on it trying to pull it out, but it was stuck well. I tugged harder and eventually I fell backwards pulling the stick with me. I let out a little shriek when I realized that the stick was actually a scarecrow. Strangely enough it was standing on its own.
"Oh my. I didn't expect you." I said. "But I guess you have expect the unexpected out here in the Wilderness." My nose wrinkled when I realized what his head was. "Ugh. Onions. I've hated onion ever since I was a little girl, but my father always did tell me not to be picky. Say, you wouldn't happen to know where I can spend the night, do you?" Of course Onion didn't answer. "Look at me, talking to a scarecrow! How low can I get?" I shake my head, chuckling, and limp away.
I turn to take one last look at the scarecrow, Onion, and am startled to see him following me. Like literally hopping along behind me.
"Er… It's okay; you don't have to follow me around." I say nervously.
Onion ignores me and instead drops a cane that's ornately carved in front of me.
I take the cane and test it out. "It's perfect! Thank you!" I smiled at him. "You wouldn't happen to know where I could find shelter do you? I'd hate to spend the night out here."
Onion hops of without another word, I really don't think he could speak anyways, and I settle in to wait.
And wait.
And wait.
After a while, it's completely dark and I know I have to get a move on. It was silly of you to put your trust in a scarecrow. I tell myself.
I only managed to travel a couple of yards before I hear a strange noise. CREEAAK- CLUMP. CREEAAK-CLUMP. With small cautious steps I go up a small rise to where the sound is coming from. I'm surprised at what I see. It's a very familiar building coming right for me. And can you guess who was leading it?
"You idiot!" I shrieked. "You led Skye's castle right to me! Are you trying to get me killed?"
Onion stops right in front of me and so does the castle, settling down until the front door touches the ground. I glared suspiously at it. I know I really don't have a choice in whether or not I want to go in. it's either spend the night here, or spend it out in the Wilderness.
"All right, I'm going in." I sighed giving in. I step up to the door and open it. A wave of heat rushes out to greet me and I hear a fire crackling in a hearth. "Take care of yourself, okay Onion? Try not to get stuck in another bush." I step inside and shut the door behind me.
The castle is not what I expected. The room that I have stepped into is dark and dusty. In the middle is a table piled high with books, dirty dishes, and moldy food. In the corner is a kitchen filled with more dirty dishes and old food. In another corner, is the hearth with a fire going and a chair in front of it.
"Jeez, this place is a dump." I muttered as I walked over to the hearth. I add a couple of logs to the fire before settling into the chair for the night. "But I suppose it'll do."
Just as I was falling asleep, I heard a tiny voice say. "Wow, that's some curse you got there."
I open my eyes to see, sitting in the fire, a little plump man with tiny wings chewing on a burnt log.
"Who are you?" I ask.
"I'm Finn, a fire demon and I know how you feel. I'm cursed too." The little man answered.
"Oh really? And what's your curse?" I raise my eyebrows questionly. After a walking castle and a live scarecrow this fire demon was really no surprise.
"My curse?" Finn jumps up and starts waving his arms around crazily making the fire flare up. "My curse is that I'm stuck in this castle doing chores all day! Heat the water! Move the castle! And do I get thanks for all my hard work? NO! Instead, Skye gives me more work, as if my job isn't hard enough as it is!"
"So how can you break my curse if you can't even break your own?" I ask.
The demon huffs and sits back down, "Tell you what, if you can figure out a way to break my curse, then I'll figure out a way to break yours."
"Deal," I yawn and settle back into the chair. "'Night now."
"Wait don't go to sleep! We need to-" Finn sighs, "Oh never mind, you probably can't help me anyways."
I ignore his grumblings and instead fall into a deep sleep.
This chapter feels kinda slow, but it's necessary. The next one should be a bit more interesting.
Don't forget to review!