Howl's Twisted Castle

29: A Heart Attack

Sometimes, when I'm feeling especially curious, I sit awake a night contemplating at what point I might fall asleep. It's the silliest thing, determining the exact moment a person slips from consciousness, but I find it oddly cathartic. And falling asleep in Howl's arms. . . Well, that was an entirely better experience. 

Being in his arms afforded me comfort that I hadn't felt in a long time. Slowly, the familiar calm washed over me, relaxing each part of my body until my eyes began to feel like lead weights and surrounded by Howl's warmth, I felt secure enough to let myself drift into oblivion.

*** 

Searing hot pain bloomed from my chest jerking me from sleep. I doubled over from the intensity of it, gasping for air as another round of white-hot pain coursed through my body. I clutched my drenched nightshirt and grit my teeth, willing the barrage of pain to stop. As if I had willed it to do just that, the intense waves dissipated. 

I forced my eyes open, wondering if I  had woken Howl with my fit but the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest told me he was still very much asleep.

I combed my wet bangs away from my eyes, wiping away the cold sweat from my brow. What just happened? Was I dreaming just now? My legs swung out and down, touching the cool planks of oak which helped me get my bearings. Padding quietly over to the basin, I felt an ache settle into my breastbone where the pain had once been.

Leaning over the ceramic bowl, I took a moment to examine my reflection. My hair was wild and knotted and sweat trickled down the back of my neck. Cupping the water with a free hand, I splashed it over my face, my neck, my arms, cleansing the stress from my fevered skin.

Slowly, the pain I had felt moments ago subsided. I splashed water up my arms and over my face again, watching the water drip from my nose back into the basin. 

As I took a deep cleansing breath in, I reached for a towel and my arm froze. The overwhelming fumes of a freshly lit cigarette invaded my nostrils and I broke out in a cold sweat. I had enough courage to turn my head and view the intruder before my nerves got the best of me.

From her perch on the stool by Howl's head, the golden embers from her cigarette illuminated her bony features. The moon cast an offensive light on the witch of the waste, giving her a severely gaunt appearance. Her sunken cheeks and angular jaw only served to make her look more skeletal than human.

My hands gripped the basin.

She threw back her head and guffawed. "You don't really plan to hit me with that, do you? I thought you learned your lesson the last time, you know when I turned you into an old bat?" The tip of the cigarette glowed in the darkness. "Or would you prefer I did something to him instead?" Licking her finger, she smoothed over a stray hair that had escaped from her severe bun. Twisting in her seat, she clutched Howls cheeks in her talons and turned him from side to side, examining him like an object. Releasing him, she slid her fingers down his shirt, loosening the buttons one by one. 

My nails dug into my palms; I needed to do something quick.

"You can't do this," I stepped forward, giving her the full effect of my anger. 

The Witch's laugh was short and curt. "Spare me your declarations, Sophie. If you had the power to stop me, you would have done so by now."

I reacted instantly, running headlong into the Witch. Damn the consequences, I wasn't going to stand by and watch her hurt him, but by knocking her off the stool, I momentarily let my guard down. Before I could get up, the Witch had me by the throat, lifting me with ease.

I gasped desperately for air, clawing her hand helplessly, but the Witch held me firmly in her grip. Drawing her face up close, so close that I could no longer avoid the putrid fumes of her breath, she challenged me with a withering look. Releasing me, she flicked her finger and hoisted me into the air like a rag doll.