Fallen Stars [Howl's Moving Castle Fanfiction]

Chapter Five - Gone But Home

Chapter Five - Gone But Home

I remember those times my mom talked about wizards. You see, in my family, wizards weren't really worshipped. They were kind of the opposite. If something went wrong at home, mom would be quick at the tongue and blame it on the wizards, saying that they ruled the society for nothing. She didn't believe in magic and the wonders that wizards created. She just thought they were lying imposters. But, at one point, she didn't despise them, she just didn't click with them.  My dad wouldn't say so much of the matter, but you could see that he silently agreed with her.  However, if there was some wizard my mom really loved and worshipped, and that was no one else than Madame Suliman. 

I, however, never really thought about it. I just used most of my focus on my normal regular days. I knew wizards existed, but they had no connection to me and vice versa, so why would I care? I just felt neutral against all of them, nothing more and nothing less.

I knew all about the dreams people had for adventure and magical things, but I kept it for my dreams and not on the day time. If there was one thing I knew, then it was that my mom easily stood up for both our family and the rights the people had, and she taught me to do the same. Instead of dreaming away, I helped my family. Maybe not because it was the right thing, but because I liked those times in the shop with costumers like Ms. Darwin and baking cakes and cookies together with my dad and mom.  It was my daily life and I just loved being there. 

Now that I think about it, maybe I was the one who wanted adventure and magical things to happen the most?

At first, I was afraid of the enternal darkness inside the door, but together with Mr. Fireball, it turned out to be easier. Seems like gravity didn't work here, because there was no floor in the space I walked on in inside the room. I have no idea if I went out to space instead or just the deepest depths of darkness. You'll never know what these wizards do...  Thankfully, I still had Mr. Fireball who continued to lead me the way through it, almost as if it knew where we were going. I secretly thanked it and smiled a bit. Sure, this isn't a thing that happens everyday, and this could probably be explained with more logic, but I just need to get home. I missed it already. I don't even know about me being a wizard, I can't be right? No, I can't, there's no way. That thing that happened with that boy was definietly just a coincidence. Yeah, how could I be a wizard? 

Suddenly, to bring me out of my thoughts, Mr. Fireball sparkled wildly and swirled around. I leaned closer to the light and tilted my head. "What, Mr. Fireball? Have you noticed something?" I asked the floating fireball as it just circled around me. Somehow, it reminded me of a little puppy, jumping around excitedly. I smiled and raised an eyebrow. "Hey, are you happy?" I asked and the fireball just continued to fly around in several minutes. 

When it stopped, I chuckled a little bit. "So you are done now?" I asked and without a answer, Mr. Fireball contiuned to show the way. The wild sparkles disappeared, as did the exicted feeling I felt from it. After a while of walking, the light that came from Mr. Fireball became weaker and weaker, until it barely even glowed at all. My eyes widened and I rushed up to the same pace it was in. Mr. Fireball stopped just as that, and sparkled for a short second. It was as if it was a message, because with the last sparkle shooting out if it, all the light disappeared and so did Mr. Fireball. I froze. "W-What?" The little sparkle from it blew past me and far way to the opposite direction I walked in, back to the door. 

I stood frozen at my spot and stared at the empty space in front of me. "You forgot to say goodbye, Mr. Fireball..." I mumbled with a sad expression. Partly, because I needed to light to make it out of here, and two because I kind of grew close to that floating fireball. It was like a little dog, following me around. I sighed deeply and turned my gaze to the darkness ahead. "Seems like I'll have to make it on my own from now on over, I can probably manage that." 

I walked and walked, but it just felt as if I got more lost. Maybe I didn't even walk? Maybe I just stood still? Okay now, this is not the time for getting more confused.  I shook my head and lowered my shoulders. The darkness seemed to get even more dark as I slowly paced through it. How will I get out of here, did he think? Was I supposed to use magic? Is this only a portal for wizards, using their magic as help? But I am no wizard! I don't believe it. I grasped the hem of my dress and nervously continued to walk. Please let there me something here soon...

A sudden light came across my eyes in the end of the darkness, far away from me. it was a mere light, but I couldn't definietly spot it. A relieved smile tugged at my lips and I started running at it as fast as I could. Maybe there was something helping me after all?

As I came up close to the light, I saw this huge door-like silhouette, seeping out the light through cracks. I slowly walked up to it, not even believe that it was there. The light framed my face as I came closer and I saw it linger around my hands.

Without any hesitation, I grabbed the doorknob and twisted it open. 

The door opened lightly and with the force I used, I came flying through it. I lost my balance and shut my eyes and landed on my back at the ground. I felt a thick wooden floor against my hands. 

"Huh?" I heard behind me. That voice was strangely familar... Hm, if I didn't know better, I could have sworn that it was my mom's voice-

"Alice!! Oh my god, dear! We've found you! Hey, everybody! Come here! Alice is back!!" I felt a pair of arms slung around my shoulders as I opened my eyes. I raised both of my eyebrows in shock of the sight in front of me. This room... did this mean I was home again? I glanced at the person hugging me, and indeed it was my mom. I smiled warmly and patted her head. "Yup, was I gone for a long time?" I asked with a joking voice. 

She let go of me and helped me stand on my feet. She smiled at me with a genuine smile and sighed deeply. "Oh god, Alice, where did you go?" 

I dusted off my dress and grimaced a bit. "I'd like to say that it was a adventure, but I really don't know what it was. Many strange things happened today and yesterday, I can't even explain it." I said and scratched the back of my head sheepishly. She nodded slowly and patted my shoulder. "We'll take it for later, I'm just happy that you're back! We were so scared that something had happened to you, that those wizards had done something. We even messaged the king about you, even if I were against it. Though, now you're back, finally." She said.

My dad and Mrs. Darwin came in to the view and they gave me a group hug. "Alice, where did you go?" My dad asked as he patted my head. I smiled sheepishly. "That's kind of hard to explain, dad." My dad nodded and walked over to talk to my mom, who now started making a cup of tea to all of us.

I turned to Mrs. Darwin and she smiled that toothy smile only a ninty year old woman like her could. "So, this is where the magic and adventues ended, Alice?" She asked and smiled. I looked at her with a puzzled facial expression. "How did you know ?" 

"Call it a old womans intuition, you'll know as you grow older." Mrs. Darwin said as she smiled with unknown tint of secrets in her eyes.  I laughed a little. "So every ninty year old woman knows things like that only by intuition?" I asked.

"Well of course, but since I'm soon a hundred year old woman, I need to be just a bit more special, don't I?" She said and chuckled. I nodded with a wide smile. She walked away to my parents and I followed after them.

We each to a cup of tea and sat down by the kitchen table. Both my mom and dad sat and chatted about miracles and Mrs. Darwin fell asleep.I moved my spoon around in the tea as my gaze drifted away to the windows. The hot steam from my cup heated up my face as I noticed something. Why was there suddenly curtains on the windows? We've never had that before. I shook my head and took a sip of my tea. It probably was nothing.