I own nothing
Sophie was swept into Justin's arms and her eyes felt really heavy all of a sudden.
"That's it just sleep I will be here when you wake up, remember I will look after you to the best of my ability."
Sophie was now fast asleep in Justin's arms as he carried her down the corridor towards her room. Once he reached a set of double doors at the far end of the corridor he stopped and whispered a few words. The doors then sprang open in front of him revealing a comfortable looking bed in a small room. Hey laid her down on the bed and sat on the chair just next to the bed watching her while she slept.
Meanwhile Howl's Dragon was on its way and ready to fulfil Howls instructions to the full.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
When Sophie woke Justin was still by her bedside.
"Good morning sweetheart, I'm glad you slept well. Would you like something to eat?"
Sophie shook her eyes and layback down again her eyes already starting to water again. The throbbing in her temples had subsided to a dull ache but was still enough to drain her of any energy. She still couldn't talk and therefore had to communicate by nodding and through facial expressions.
"Sophie my dear you need to eat or else the yoogle will drain you completely."
Justin started stroking Sophie's hair in what he thought was a comforting manner but to Sophie it made her want to cringe and shiver in revulsion.
"I have some nice fruit and bread and cheese here. I don't want to force you to eat but as I said you need to keep your strength up."
Sophie was beginning to hate this world, it seemed that she never had any control of her body. Someone was always trying to manipulate her to do what they wanted. Whether it was for good or for evil. She was currently being forced to eat breakfast which she had to admit was delicious but she hadn't wanted it.
"There my dear don't you feel better?"
Sophie just turned on her side again and started staring into space
"Justin stop playing with your new doll and come and help me with my preparations for Howls return." The witch of the Wastes screamed down the hallway.
"I have to go precious but I would like you to wait here for my return. It will be better that way. Au Revoir my lovely."
Sophie just lay there staring into space for 3 hours. There was nothing else to do, no way of escape and she didn't want her head to hurt again. She would give anything to be back in Howls castle. At least there they didn't hurt her although Howl was a little pushy with his affections he had never actually once hurt her. As a matter of fact he had healed her wounds and given her a safe place to stay. She could have handled Howl but this was all too much for her.
Sophie was soo far in her own thoughts that she didn't notice that a dragon had flown into her room until it was right above her and about to pick her up in his talons. She tried to scream but no sound came from her vocal box. No-one was going to come to her rescue, not even the misguided apprentice would save her now. Sophie tried to curl up into a ball to await her fate but the dragon gently picked her up and carried her out of the room.
"This is it I am going to die, it's going to eat me while flying or take me back to its young so they can eat me."
Tears of fear and regret streamed down her face. She would never get home, she would never get to see her mum again and tell her how much she meant to her.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Meanwhile Justin had finished with his mistress and was on his way back to Sophie.
"Now my dear what's to sa……….Sophie, Sophie where are you?" Justin scanned the room but found no trace of Sophie but instead found a large gaping hole in one of the sidewalls that looked distinctly dragon shaped.
"MISTRESS, MISTRESS SHES GONE."
"Stop yelling Justin I know she's gone I sensed it a while back."
"But mistress."
"But mistress what? This was part of my plan Justin stop snivelling over your lost plaything and get me some fresh towels I need to look my best when my lover arrives."
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Sophie's torment didn't end quickly, it seemed that the dragon had somewhere special he wanted to take her before devouring her.
After around 5 minutes of wondering where this dragon's nest was and why it had travelled so far to pick her up she spotted Howls castle and she suddenly realised that the dragon had been sent by Howl.
The dragon just looked down at her with a distinct smirk on its face when her face showed the exact point of realisation.
Markl came rushing out of the castle when he saw the dragon arrive carrying Sophie in his talons and Howl wasn't far behind him.
"Sophie, Sophie are you okay?" They both screamed as they ran to meet her. When she didn't answer Howl got very worried.
"Sophie please answer me are you okay?" She still didn't answer him. It wasn't until he was right next to her that he calmed down. She wasn't dead but she hadn't answered him.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
The Witch watched this reunion through Sophie's eyes and decided it was time to have a little fun with Sophie.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
"I'm fine Howl no thanks to you." Sophie spoke.
She had no control over her voice or her facial expressions the only way that anyone could possibly tell she had no control was through her eyes which were distinctly frightened looking.
"Oh Sophie I am sorry I put you through all that. Its not safe out here, come lets get you back into the castle."
"What happened to you Sophie, did she hurt you?"
"What nonsense boy the witch didn't touch me she couldn't care less about me. It was her assistant that showed the interest."
"Is she really ugly?"
"No boy she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, I am nothing compared to her."
"I think your beautiful Sophie."
"Sophie your back." Calcifer called from the fire.
"Eeehhhh what the hell are you?"
"I'm Calcifer remember?"
"Stay away from me demon." The tips of the yoogle started to show from Sophie's ears.
"HOWL, THERE'S SOMETHING IN SOPHIE, YOU HAVE TO GET IT OUT." Calcifer yelled.
Howl had not missed the interaction between Sophie and Calcifer and had seen the yoogle coming out of her ears.
"Sophie come here!" Howl laced his words with heavy magic which Sophie couldn't resist. "I need to get that thing out of your head. She is controlling you with it, this is going to hurt I'm sorry."
Howl placed his hands either side of Sophie's head and pumped a large jolt of magic straight into her ears killing the yoogle instantly and letting him yank the yoogle out of her head. Sophie's silent scream became loud in an instant and she collapsed into Howls arms.
"Shhh, Shhh Sophie it's alright your safe now I'm here shhh." Sophie's knees gave out and there was nothing supporting her but Howl who was just happy to have her back.
How did you like that chapter? I am sorry it has taken so long but I have moved to the other end of the country and have started a new job. Therefore I have only just got settled enough to start writing again.