Disclaimer: I don't own Howls moving castle.
"Hello, Hello is there anybody there? I'm looking for a place to stay. It would just be for tonight?" No-one answered her so she just decided to write a note on the table and leave a few coins for the night. Sophie then went to explore and found a room off to the far right with a bed that looked comfortable enough for the night. She hoped that her mum wasn't too worried as her mobile phone seemed to be out of range. She would have to wait till first light until she would be able to do anything else though, as it was too late now. Tomorrow was a new day and hopefully then she would be able to find out where she was.
While Sophie settled in for the night she didn't noticed a pair of eye which followed her wherever she went.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Howl came down the stairs the next morning as handsome as ever.
"Calcifer did our guest arrive last night?"
"If you mean the odd looking girl who wrote a note and left some money on the table before going to sleep in the room over there, then yeah."
"Is she still in there?"
"Yeah she's still sleeping."
"Good. Heat some water for me I would like to take a bath this morning. Alert me if she makes a move, and try not to scare her too much if she wakes up."
"A bath at this hour? I'm a powerful fire demon why do I have to put up with this?"
"Calcifer just do it."
"Alright, Alright"
Howl went back upstairs towards the bathroom, to come down only 20 minutes later to find Sophie still sleeping soundly.
"I can't believe she is still asleep at this hour. Should I wake her do you think Calcifer?"
"She's worse than you Howl, what does she need all that sleep for?"
"Beats me but I think its time that Miss Sophie found out where she spent the night and for us to find out where she came from."
Howl crossed the room and knocked on the door to the room Sophie was sleeping in.
"Wakey, Wakey sleepy head?"
"mmmMM, Mum just 10 more minutes please."
Howl proceeded to open the door and enter the room.
"Well, I think its time for someone to get out of bed. You've had enough beauty sleep, even you don't need that much."
"Mum, Just 5 more minutes!"
"No, sorry time to get up."
Howl tugged the bottom of the duvet that was wrapped like a cocoon around Sophie and then whipped it right off. This certainly had the desired effect as Sophie landed on the floor.
"I'm certainly not your mother but I do think its time we had a chat."
Sophie was on her feet in a second as she finally recognised his voice.
"No Way! This isn't YOUR place?"
"I'm afraid it is Miss Sophie, and by the way you don't need to pay me for the night, it's on the house." Howl said with a smirk on his face.
"Hey mister I don't know who you think you are but I'm leaving, get out of my way."
"Now Sophie don't freak out, I was just trying to keep you safe. The world out there is not safe for a girl like you after dark. Now I think we should have a little chat."
As he started to come towards her with his hands out she weighed up her options, this guy was obviously a whacko and she needed to get home as quick as possible. He was blocking the doorway her only escape route, she made a quick decision. He had no idea what kind of girl she was she certainly could take care of herself. She had gained her black belt in karate a few years ago and was not afraid to defend herself. As Howl was standing between her and her freedom she wasn't afraid to use some of the things she had learned if it meant she got away from whatever he was. Howl did not know what hit him when Sophie came at him kicking and punching. She hit him in his privates and sent him flying across the floor in pain.
"Get out of my way you weirdo I need to get home."
Sophie ran for the door not looking back.
"Sophie wait. Stop." Howl said in a high pitched voice but it was enough to stop Sophie dead in her tracks. His magic was working but only just.
"Hey wait, stop. You can't do this, It isn't possible I must be dreaming. Come on Sophie wake up, please wake up."
"Sophie come here and sit down!" Howl commanded, his voice sounding more like his own than it had done a few seconds ago. He was now off the floor and had regained some of the composure he had lost when Sophie had hit him.
Sophie had no control over her limbs, she was forced to walk forward and then sink into the chair Howl was standing by.
"Now, Miss Sophie I think its time we should talk about a few things."
Howl sat down in the chair opposite her and crossed his leg making It look elegant.
"Let me go you freak, what have you done to me?"
"Sophie, calm down just breath and focus on my voice." Howl's voice was having the desired effect she was visibly beginning to calm down. "I'm not going to hurt you so stay calm. I need to talk to you a little so that we can get you home." Seeing that she wasn't going anywhere he began. "Okay I just want to ask you a few questions to make sure you are not suffering from concussion from your fall. Please answer what you can. Where are you from?
"Inverness" the words fell from her mouth before she even had a chance to react. She couldn't refrain from talking even if she wanted to.
"Right I've never heard of it but we will carry on."
"What! Its just 20 minutes from here."
"Shhhhhh, now tell me what date it is."
"23rd of July 2008." Again the words fell out of her mouth without her control."
"Okay Sophie I have one more question. Do all the girls in your area wear clothes like the ones you are wearing?" Howl asked openly staring at her trousers and top.
"Yes, It's the new fashion."
"Okay this is going to sound weird to you Sophie. You are no longer in 2008 and this is not Inverness as you call it. We are in 1963 and this is the wastes, I am a wizard and I don't think we are from the same world at all."
"You're a Whacko and I want to go home."
"Sophie, you need to understand that you will be very vulnerable and even though you seem to be very capable of defending yourself, I would feel better if you stayed here until we can figure out a way to get you home."
"I don't believe you."
"Calcifer I think Its time you showed yourself to our quest."
"If your sure master Howl."
"Who's Calcif…..eerr errrr. What the heck Is that?"
"Miss Sophie, I am a fire demon at your service."
"I…I….ehhhh." Sophie slumped down in the chair, everything that had happened finally sinking in. She definitely wasn't in Inverness anymore.
Dun dun Da. Please leave a review; do you love it or hate it. Is there any direction you would like to see the story going in?