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

Chapter 33: Fateful Night

Time slipped through his fingers as quickly as he cleared the room of his most precious belongings. He didn't have room for everything - his suitcase only able to fit a select few items - so he chose wisely. He wondered, during his seemingly simple selective process, where he came to collect so many objects and trinkets that had no core value to him.

He hoped that in this new life he was about to start out on, maybe he could put his materialistic tendencies to rest. Howl hoped, at least.

He clicked the suitcase close. That was it; that was everything he would live off of until he created his new home, a new sanctuary - one as far away from Suliman and this war as possible. He would even form aliases if need be, assuming she might attempt to seek him out.

A steel box sat on his bed, a light glow seeping through the cracked lines spaced evenly around. He lifted the lid slightly, making sure his demon was safe and fueled. Calcifer, having little room to spread his flames, looked up in longing. "How far are we going?"

Howl dropped his gaze. "I don't know. But I won't lie, this journey will be difficult. I need your support, Calcifer."

The fire demon nodded. Though he felt uncomfortable and anxious for their future, he was more concerned with what would happen to him if Howl were forced to join the upcoming war. Their connection could be lost and Calcifer could vaporize from existence. That was a risk he was not willing to take.

Howl lifted the box and then a knock against the door sent Howl into shock. His hands shivered uncontrollably and the box fell from his grip. Calcifer remained inside, but molten ash fell to the wooden floor.

"Howl?" A muffled voice said. "Is everything okay?" Howl recognized the voice - Kenta. He had told him earlier he was going to bed to rest for their final week of apprenticeship. He couldn't bear a proper farewell, but this unexpected greeting had foiled his original plan.

Howl picked up the box and stepped on the ashes, hoping to put them out before they increased and damaged the floors. The last thing he needed was to draw attention to himself on the night of his departure.

"Howl, I'm coming in." Kenta opened the door, allowing the stream of light from the hallway to enter the dark atmosphere of Howl's dormitory. Howl rushed to close the lid of Calcifer's temporary home, leaving the ashes to spread and spark up lightly. Kenta stood with the door opened, unable to form words.

Howl looked up at him and then to the door. He closed it with a swift spell in his mind. Kenta's shoulders shuttered from the slam as he scanned the room. A suitcase, a frantic wizard, and a concealed object in a steel box.

Kenta crossed his arms. "I assume you're not getting to bed early for classes tomorrow."

Howl tapped the floor at the pace of his heartbeat, running his fingers through his unkempt hair. He trusted him; after a decade of training together, they had put aside their unfortunate meeting and became close friends. He was his best friend - he believed he could trust him with this.

Howl put his hands out in front, his mind fumbling for the words to say. "I'm leaving."

Kenta widened his eyes. "Leaving?"

"Tonight."

"Why?" Kenta asked. He searched Howl for a valid excuse, something to make him understand his reasons for this ill-conceived plan. "We're nearly done with our training. We'll be full-fledged wizards in a week. Why would you throw away our years of training right at the end?"

Howl bit his lip, his foot still tapping the ground. "You should consider doing the same."

Kenta raised his eyebrows. "Again, why?"