Another chapter of the tale of mystery.

FAMILY SECRETS

A HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE FANFIC

Chapter 35

I woke up in a cell some time later. I my legs and arms were bound and Howl was nowhere to be found. My best guess was that he was knocked out by the whatever 'Seus' activated right along with me. I tried to reach out to him via telepathy but found that I couldn't use my magic. It seemed that my magic was still bound. I had no idea if Howl had been caught or not. I hoped that he had managed to get away. For he was my only hope. I couldn't get myself out of this. I needed help. Help that didn't seem to be available.

With a great deal of effort I managed to sit up. Now I could get a better look at my surroundings. There wasn't much in the room. Just some straw, a barred window and a very heavy door. There was nothing here to tell me where I was. This literally could be any castle in any country. Since I couldn't really get up to look outside I had no chance to find out much of anything. The only thing that I could do now was wait.

And boy did I wait! It seemed to take forever for someone to realize that I was awake. Then again there didn't seem to be much of anyone here. Even screaming at the top of lungs didn't get anyone's attention. I wondered who the hell would just leave me here? I mean they went through a lot of effort to get me. Now they were just leaving me to riot? It didn't make sense! Someone had to pay attention soon! Alas no one was interested in me right now. I was stuck in a cold, damp cell; all on my own with nothing to do. It was absolute torture!

"HEY! SOMEONE LET ME OUT OF HERE!" I yelled for the millionth time.

Finally, someone paid attention. A fat-dark skinned man appeared at the door. He banged on the door and told me to shut up. He was definitely not a native of Ingary. That was assuming that I was still in Ingary! I was just as likely to be anywhere else. Magic can transport people to literally anywhere. No one might ever find me here. Things were pretty grim indeed.

The man was about to launch into a tirade when a voice silenced him. "Amir! Do not antagonize the prisoner! The boss has made it quite clear that we are to leave her alone. So leave her!"

That told me that this man, Amir, was just a goon. He not the one after me. My enemy was someone else. I decided to take advantage of the situation and learn what I could. "Amir, is it?" I called out to him. "Where are you from? It can't be from around here."

He stopped then sneered. "You have no idea where you are."

"That's true, but maybe you can help me with that."

"No lady, I don't think I will."

"Please tell me! It's not like I can run away. I am at your mercy! Where am I?"

Instead of answering Amir walked away and did not return. For what seemed like hours I was left alone again. The direness of the situation slowly pressed down upon me. I was trapped and bound in some jail cell with no way out. My husband was nowhere to be found. It was possible that they found him and had him bound up somewhere just like me. If so then we were screwed. This was possibly one of the worst ideas that I ever had! I had no idea what to do. I started to cry. I couldn't help it. I was going to get us both killed and there was nothing that I could do about it. I was so stupid! Why did I ever decide to do this?

Hey! Stop crying! Everything is going to be alright! I looked around frantically for the source of the voice. I was certain that I heard Howl's voice! I'm right here. Right next to you. He said. I looked down and found a small, ugly, mouse in my lap.

"Howl?" I cried out.

Shh! Do you want to alert the guards? I quickly quieted down. That's better. They don't seem to know that I'm here. We can use that.

"But how did you get away?" I whispered.

Not sure. I was knocked out just like you were. Whoever took us didn't seem to recognize me. They just threw me away. Provably thought that I was some mangy cat and wasn't worth their time. It took me sometime to find a way in, but I'm here now. I can get you out of here.

"Wait! We can't leave now! We're so close to finding out who is after me!"

Sophie! Don't be ridiculous! We're knee deep in enemy territory with no idea on how to get home. The men out there are not wizards, but surely they have others that are! The men who attacked you before have ALL been wizards. Some pretty powerful ones too. It's going to be ruff just trying to get out of here. And you want to stay?

"Yes, Howl, I do. I want to face the one who did this. I don't want to run away."

Sophie . . .

"Please" I begged. "Do nothing Howl! I want to face him: I need to face him! Don't take me away now!"

He sighed. Fine, but I'm not leaving you.

I smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Next Chapter coming up!