Love Knows No Bounds Chapter 1

Chapter One: In Which Calcifer Suspects Fowl Play

Sophie felt her mind wake up. An unpleasant feeling for those who wish to remain asleep, but one no person can avoid. She rolled over, lazily opening her eyes to find...nothing. Surprisingly enough, she could remember falling asleep with Howl right next to her...He was probably just down in the bathroom. As always.

Pulling on a fine new dress Howl had just recently bought, she made her way down the stairs, still yawning. “Good morning, Calcifer. Michael.”

“Morning Sophie.” They said simultaneously, smiling but continuing on with whatever they were doing; Michael working on a spell and Calcifer...doing whatever it was Calcifer did to pass time.

“Is Howl in the bathroom already?” She asked, plucking up a pan and dropping bacon into it. She walked toward Calcifer, who by now had given up on arguing with her and bent down his head.

“No. He’s been in and out by now.” Michael answered, shielding his face from a small explosion of light. “He left through...to be honest, I don’t know which door he went through. Calcifer?”

“He put a masking spell on it. I couldn’t see which door.” Calcifer mumbled from under the pan. How odd!

“Where would he go? Why?” Sophie asked, more toward herself than to either of the others. The bacon sizzled and she cracked an egg, watching it plop next to the bacon.

“I dunno. He seemed in a rush though...And he’s dyed his hair again.” Michael said. He said it so casually. It was to be understood, though. Howl leaving in a rush with dyed hair was nothing new. But he hadn’t done it in a while, and when he did, he usually told Sophie. But she chose not to pay it much mind.

“You know,” Calcifer said evilly. “He used to do the same thing when he found a lovely young maiden.”

“Don’t you say such things!” Sophie said, knowing...or at least thinking...Howl loved her.

“I don’t know, Sophie. This is exactly how he used to act. He’d get some lovely girl, you in this case, to fall in love with him...”

“Calcifer!” Sophie lifted the pan and slammed it back down, knowing full well it wouldn’t do much to the fire demon. “Michael, get me a glass of water.” Obediently, Michael got Sophie a glass of water, which she placed uncomfortably close to Calcifer. The demon quickly silenced himself, shifting as far away from the water as he could.

Sophie couldn’t help but think of what he said all day, however. She remained silent and lost in thought, wandering around. Finally she found herself locked upstairs, sitting quietly on the bed and staring at the floor. Howl wouldn’t do that, would he? No...he loved her...right? She wove her fingers together and placed her elbows on her knees, resting her mouth on her hands.

She heard Calcifer downstairs. “Howl! Where have you been? I think you’ve gotten Sophie sick!”

Howl was home? Wonderful...she hadn’t even come to terms with herself yet.

“Sick? What could I have possibly done to get her sick?”

“You were out all day and...well...”

Michael piped up. “Calcifer put terrible thoughts into her head about you. So he thinks she’s sick because she hasn’t said a word since.”

“Where is she now?”

“Upstairs in your room.” Michael said after a loud ‘POP! Fizz...’ from...something. Sophie didn’t move. If Howl wanted to shake her from her thoughts, he’d come upstairs. Until then, she’d stay this way. It was a minute, and all Sophie could hear was whispering. Obviously they figured she could hear them through the floor. Then she heard the door open and close...a pause...then the door opened and closed again. More whispering. Then, footsteps up the stairs. Howl.

“Sophie?” His voice was calm and quiet, like he expected she didn’t hear the conversation he’d had with Calcifer and Michael. She didn’t respond. The door opened slowly and Howl poked his red-haired head in through the door. “Hello, love.” He said with a smile, walking in all the way and kissing Sophie on the forehead.

“Hello...” She said, not able to keep herself silent. She loved Howl too much to stay quiet when he said hello.

“Why are you here all alone? Michael and Calcifer have been worried--”

“Sick?” Sophie said sarcastically. Howl said nothing.

“I don’t know what Calcifer said to you,” Howl said finally, sitting on the bed next to Sophie. “But I’ve done nothing wrong.” Sophie returned the favor of saying nothing. Howl sighed, standing and taking off his suit jacket. He opened the door and turned, looking at Sophie, who remained silent. He set a small bouquet of flowers on the dresser. “For when you love me again.”

Sophie looked up, tears welling up in her eyes. “For when I love you again?” She said to Howl’s footsteps down the stairs, watching the door swing closed before her.

---

Sophie’s hunger finally got the better of her. Breakfast wasn’t enough to last someone all day. She went downstairs, remaining silent and seeming to give Howl the cold shoulder. He’d try to kiss her and she’d turn away quickly, finding something to use as a silent excuse. He’d try to wrap his arms around her waist and she’d move away from him, finding some way to keep her back away from him for a while. Things like that. It was an unpleasant afternoon.

Michael could hardly stand the tension. He’d find excuses to go out and pick flowers, working them into bouquets and placing them in the shop. He’d talk to Calcifer about anything and everything just so he could keep his stare away from Howl or Sophie. Calcifer, however, found a perfect way to avoid all the angst in one swoop. He took a nap.

“I’m staying out of this.” He said to Michael the third time the boy tried to start ‘friendly conversation’. “You’re on your own, kid.” And the demon sank beneath the logs into glowing red cinders. Michael grumbled some very colorful things before he continued on to a spell.

“Sophie, why won’t you talk to me?” Howl asked, finally, feeling the chill of Sophie’s cold shoulder.

“Why, Howl? Why? Because you slink out of the house, unbeknownst to me, and try to find some other girl to fall in love with!” Sophie growled, spinning on her heels to glare at the wizard.

“What?” Howl shot back defensively, finally figuring out what Calcifer had said to make Sophie so angry.

“Not what! Who! Why else would you dye your hair? Why else would you sneak off early in the morning?” Sophie shrieked, now more sad than angry. Tears were streaming down her face like Niagra had been let loose behind her eyes. It hit her then. “You don’t love me.” She said, a look of shock on her face saying she’d just realized it. She’d finally come to terms with the idea. She ran at Howl, beating her fists against his chest. “You were just using me!”

Instead of backing away, Howl let her beat madly at him. Soon enough her fists slowed with tiredness and she pressed herself against him, resting her head where her fists had just been. Howl wrapped his arms softly around her, petting her short white hair softly. “Don’t you say such things...” He cooed, resting his head atop Sophie’s. “I love you like no other...no one could possibly take your place.”