A Heart in Flames #2 (Howl's Moving Castle fanfiction)

Chapter 13: Lonely Regrets

She thought it would be easy to forget. She thought it would be simple to move on from her sister's betrayal. It wasn't the first time someone had abandoned her, and she guaranteed it wouldn't be the last. Yet every night, when she begged for peaceful dreams or a restful sleep, nightmares of Lona disturbed her each time.

Gwenda had heard wonderful things about Market Chipping. Their economy was on the rise and the people were energetic with optimism. She had heard from dozens of people that this was the pinnacle city to follow your passions.

While she didn't know what her passion was, Gwenda at least needed a change in scenery. The apartment she shared with Lona had become too empty and melancholic to stay. After Lona left her to live with that horrid wizard, Gwenda cried nearly every night wishing she had changed her mind.

Lona was literally the only person in her life. Her own sister abandoned her for blind love. She couldn't imagine loving someone enough to walk away from family. Then again, her mother had gone through the exact same scenario years prior.

Two months later, when the lease ended, she was gone. Gwenda hopped on the earliest train heading out of Porthaven and rode until she couldn't see the waterfront. The train went through the Coast and into the Folding Valley. When the conductor announced their arrival to Market Chipping, Gwenda felt an impulse to get off.

She smiled like a child in a candy store as she stepped off the platform with her one large suitcase. The city was bustling with so many people, even this late in the evening. The sun hung just above the tallest buildings, which reminded her of Porthaven. One thing Gwenda enjoyed about the Coast was that most of the markets were outside by the piers, overlooking the vast ocean as the light from the sun danced over the waves.

Gwenda shook her head. Porthaven was in the past; this was a new and exciting adventure.

"Hurry! Lettie's about to close the bakery!" Gwenda turned to a group of young men in formal suits running toward one of the buildings. A few men wearing aprons began closing the umbrellas over the outdoor seating. She turned to the sign: Good Cooking Pan Bakery.

She then saw the sign underneath: Now Hiring.

Gwenda raised her eyebrows. "Well, no time like the present to look for work."

She trotted over, suitcase in hand, passing by extravagant ladies in eccentric hats. Gwenda hadn't seen hats like these in Porthaven; they were tacky and peculiar, something she would see her mother's friends wearing when they used to live in Kingsbury. Their flashy purses and ornamented gowns were a cheap trick.

Gwenda knew faulty riches when she saw them. She witnessed the fraudulent lifestyle of her own mother, and these women appeared in just the same way - hiding behind the facade of sophistication.

Gwenda pushed through the crowd of suitors as they congested the entrance to the bakery, all holding flowers or whistling loudly. She was cramped inside the crowd, bodies leaning forward, pushing and pulling her in all different directions. She groaned loudly, wishing she was shorter. She would have crawled through if she could. Most of the men were close to her height, but many were a few inches shorter. Anytime she met someone new, especially men, they were always intimidated by her height.

"We're closed." A bulky man wearing a bakery apron and hat said, attempting to close the doors on the eager customers. His voice was deep and crass. "Come back tomorrow."

A disappointed sigh exhaled from the crowd. Gwenda was so close to the door, with only one person blocking her way. He tried pleading with the baker. "But we want to see Lettie."