Here is the 3rd chapter! I really enjoyed writing it, so I hope you really enjoy reading it :)

Chapter Three: Howl's Heart Problems

"And here is your room," Howl leads me to the door at the end of the hall.

"Thanks, Howl. I appreciate you letting me stay here until I get home." Howl chuckles and pats my head as he closes the door, leaving me to be alone.

I observe the room, looking in shelves, drawers, cabinets. Everything is empty and dusty. I stand there for at least an hour, pondering my situation.

There is a knock on my door, and I go to answer it. Howl.

"Hey there, Markl," Howl says good-naturedly, leaning on the door frame, hands in his pockets. "We are having dinner soon. Want to come help set the table and stuff?"

"Sure. I'll be right down." I tell him and give him my cute smile.

"Okay, see you in a bit." Howl walks down and the hall and down the steps.

I sit on the bed and rub my temples, trying to get everything that's happened straight in my head.

HOWL POV

I hear little feet come down the stairs, and then come towards me.

"So, how can I help, Master Howl?" He asks me, and I chuckle when he calls me "Master" Howl.

"Just get Calcifer some wood, please." I order kindly. "Oh, and you can just call me Howl." I add.

He nods and runs over to the burning out flame. Once Markl gives him the wood, Calcifer rises up and has a look of relief on his face.

"Okay, I gave Calcifer wood." Markl trots up to me. "Now what?"

"Now, we eat." I grin at him and pull out a chair for him to sit.

"Thank you."

"Enjoy, friend." I lift my cup and take my seat, grabbing my fork as I do. I put my cup down and grab my knife to cut my piece of steak. "So, Markl, do you like steak?" I ask.

"Yeah. It's one of my favorites. My mom always makes it back home." He explains while in the middle of a bite.

"Oh, ha-ha, I see. I love to eat steak, too. I make it at least three nights a week."

"Oh, my God! Three times a week?" Markl exclaims, eyes wide.

"Indeed. That's how much I love it." I wink and his eyes go back to normal.

"Wow, that's so cool. My mom only makes it like, one time a week. Sometimes two if we have enough money..."

I furrow my brow. "Enough money?"

Markl finishes chewing first, and then answers my question. "Yeah, my mom doesn't get paid much money for her job." He says casually, acting like it's not a big deal. But I know that on the inside, he knows that it's a huge deal.

"Oh," I say, dropping the subject. I don't want the poor kid to talk about it. "So, how old are you?"

"Nine years old."

"Wow, that's cool. So, how was your day?" I ask.

"It was good. I met Calcifer, and we talked a little."

"Oh, that's cool." I tell him.

"Um, Howl?" Markl says my name.

"Yes, Markl?" I say.

"Um, Calcifer was saying something about him controlling if you die or something like that. What did he mean?" Markl looks me in my blue eyes, and I look back into his black ones.

"Oh," I chuckle uneasily, thinking about what I should tell him and my eyes move over to Calcifer. I guess I should just tell him the truth... "Well, Markl, when I was little, about your age, I was outside in my special garden that I would always spend my time in. It was raining shooting stars, if that makes sense, and I caught one.

"I was a foolish little boy, and I was acting so stupid that I swallowed it! I'm still laughing at myself for my mistake," I scold myself, and continue the story. "What happened was, that that shooting star ate my heart, and when I spit the shooting star back out, it had my heart. And, well, that shooting star was Calcifer.

"So, ever since then, Calcifer and I have been together, and if he dies or gets splashed on by water, I die." I end my story, and finish my steak. There is still some little burnt pieces and some fat and cartilage, so I walk over to Calcifer and give him those pieces. I put the plate next to Calcifer and head back to where Markl is sitting.

His face is frozen. When I told him the story, apparently, he was about to take a bite, so the fork is still right in front of his mouth... With the piece of steak on still it.

"Hey, buddy, you okay?" I ask him and pat his back.

Markl just nods and puts the fork in his mouth.

"Okay then," I chuckle. He sets his fork down and puts his hands in his lap. "You finished?"

He nods slowly, and take his plate, giving the remains to Cal. "Move the Castle 55 miles to the East towards Wedgemore, please." I order Calcifer. "All right, well I'm going upstairs, okay?" I tell Markl. "You can go up whenever you're ready, and if you need anything, feel free to ask Calcifer or myself."

I walk up the steps and stop in the middle, leaning on the railing. "Oh, and Calcifer, make hot water for my bath." I smile and continue up the steps.

"Wow, Howl, really?" I hear Calcifer complain as I close the door to the my bathroom.

I turn the faucets to my bath, and strip off my clothing. I slip into the tub and just lay there, relaxing.

I think about how I'm going to either stop, or win this war. Those idiotic people, killing so many innocent lives. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry. I close my eyes to hold back the tears. I don't want to see another city, or town, or village get destroyed. Not even another flower...

I sigh and open my eyes. I finish bathing and slip on some clean pajamas. I always feel so much better after I take a bath and I'm all clean.

I finish putting in my hair potions and make sure my hair is perfect before setting a foot outside of the bathroom.

I happily walk out of the bathroom and go into Markl's room to check on him. The lights are off and he is sound asleep. I would say he is sleeping like a baby, but babies always wake up every hour and cry.

I chuckle as I close his door and go into my room. I slip under the covers and scan my color filled room. I really need to get my room neatened up... It's a mess in here...

I lightly shut my eyes and drift off to sleep...

I wake up by a large crash, and my eyes burst open as I sit up in bed. I rush out of my room and down the steps to find my spell books and papers all sprawled out on the floor. Markl is standing there, just staring at the messed up items.

I smile as I walk over and put a hand on his shoulder. He gazes up at me, eyes full of worry. He opens his mouth, but I interrupt him.

"It's all good, little guy." I comfort him.

Still smiling, I bend down to start to pick up everything, but I feel a light touch on my shoulder, and I look up to see Markl. "It's my mess. I clean it up." I sigh and stand up, gesturing to the books and papers on the floor. I then put my hands in my pockets and walk towards Calcifer while the little boy cleans up his mess.

"So, Howl, looks like your hair is a mess this morning." He winks as he reminds me that I forgot to take care of my hair.

"Oh. My. God." I mutter as I bring my hands up to my hair. "Calcifer, I totally forgot! Thank you for reminding me!"

I literally sprint up the stairs and into the bathroom, almost slipping and falling into the tub. I rush to the mirror and fix my hair. I sigh in relief when I see my long bangs fall over my eyes.

Then, I calmly walk out of the bathroom and down the steps. "Whew, much better." I here Calcifer say, and turn to stick my tongue out him in a joking manner.

Markl is just finishing picking up my spells, and I walk over to him. "Good job," He turns to look up at me, and give him a friendly looks. "Now, who wants breakfast?" I ask, clapping my hands together.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not that hungry." Markl says.

"Okay, then we can eat later." I wink and walk towards the door. "Calcifer, I'm going out. Keep an eye on Markl, will you? I won't be long."

I turn the dial to blue and walk out onto the streets of Porthaven. I put my hands in my pockets and just stroll around and look at different antique shops and food stands.

After a little of fresh air, I decide to go back home. I don't want to keep Markl waiting. I know he really wants to get home...

I open the door and walk in, moving towards the fire where Markl is sitting with Calcifer.

"All right, Markl. Do you want to go home?" I ask him.

He nods and stands up.

"Okay. Calcifer, did you finish moving the Castle?" I ask Cal.

"Of course I did, Howl! I'm a miracle worker!"

"Yes, yes you are, Calcifer." I chuckle and escort Markl out the door and into the lands of the Waste.

"Markl, will I see you again?"

"Possibly," Markl grins and looks up at me. "If my mom will ever let me come back out here again. She is probably worried sick..."

I nod and walk towards the busy town of Wedgemore.

"Well, here w-" I stopped in the middle of my sentence when I see Markl stop dead in his tracks. His face goes blank, and he is just frozen.

I look to where Markl's eyes are staring at, and what I saw tore my heart...

That... Is... The... Biggest... Cliffhanger... Ever...

Hehe I was really excited to write that last line... I was gonna write what he saw and everything, but then the chapter would be too long. Soooo, you're just going to have to wait :P PLEASE REVIEW!

P.S. About that last line, Howl doesn't have a heart and everything, but you know what I mean ;)