Chapter Text
It was the rumors that first caught Sophie’s attention. Mothers whispering when they picked up their children at the nursery.
“Have you heard? They say he’s back. Yes, in that hideous castle over on the hill.”
People in the markets looking over their shoulders. Wary looks exchanged between parents while they held their daughters' hands.
Indeed, the name ‘Horrible Howl’ seemed to be on everyone’s lips since smoke had been sighted coming out of one of the abandoned castle’s chimneys.
Well at least my heart is safe thought Sophie as she saw off the last children and headed towards her rented apartment in the bustling town of Market Chipping. After all, he only eats the hearts of pretty, young girls.
Having arrived at her temporary home, Sophie was immediately assaulted by her roommate Jane Ferrier who always seemed to be up to date regarding the latest gossip.
“Grandma Sophie!” She exclaimed as Sophie closed the door behind her. “You must have heard! Horrible Howl has returned! And they say his hunger for hearts is more voracious than ever before!”
Sophie, sighing at the young woman’s hysteria, simply answered, “Jane dear, how many times must I tell you not to believe everything you hear. After all you don’t even know if it is the wizard Howl up there.”
Her answer was rewarded with glare. “Of course, you’re not worried! Your heart isn’t the one in danger after all!”
Sophie rolled her eyes and cackled under her breath, “Don’t worry, you’re perfectly safe dear.” And shuffled off to her room.
Things settled somewhat over the next few days, seeing as the castle’s occupants hadn’t made an appearance yet. The only sign of life was the ever-present wisp of smoke escaping the chimney, much to Sophie’s disappointment.
And here I thought we would be getting some excitement.
Despite her age, Sophie's mind was still that of young girl and she longed for adventure in addition to feeling the frustration of ennui that caught up with her whenever she stayed in one place for too long. After she had been cursed ten years ago Sophie had fallen into a pattern of moving every few years following her initial flight from home. To get by Sophie had tried every job imaginable, varying from a cleaning lady to a friendly witch’s assistant. Sophie’s first few years away from home had been consumed by her search of a way to break the curse, alas she could only take so much disappointment.
The friendly witch had eventually noticed Sophie’s dilemma, caused by the fact that the curse forbade her of speaking of it, but had disappointed her greatly in saying that only the most powerful witches or wizards would have the ability to help her.
In some ways Sophie had benefited from her transformation into an old woman. She had finally escaped the boring inevitability of her former everyday life in the hat shop. She had seen more of Ingary than she had ever dreamed. This was what Sophie always told herself when thoughts of her family threatened to suffocate her mind. When she dared to think of what remained of her life, surely not all too much, as she was indeed quite old. Even the comfort of a healthy body that she had enjoyed in the beginning was waning as the aches and pains in her joints and bones had been steadily increasing over the past few years.
The only way Sophie could escape the depression that hung over her head like a cloud was when she immersed herself in work. The crazy heap of children at the nursery always managed to cheer her up. In her free time Sophie pursued her lifelong passion for drawing. In some towns she even had the luxury of owning a garden, which always turned into a paradise of flowers under her careful care.
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Weeks later a horrible bought of aching had left Sophie in a foul mood. Profanities spun through her head the whole day.
Damnation! I’ve had enough. It’s time to move on again, Sophie. If you stay here, you’ll die of boredom! And so, she began planning her departure, a task she had become rather proficient at.
The idea struck Sophie, seemingly at random when she overheard some young girls at the market the next day speculating about the wizard Howl’s strength.
“I’ve heard he’s one of the mightiest wizards of our time. He was Sullivan’s apprentice after all!”
After the idea had been planted in her head it didn’t take very much deliberation on Sophie’s part. Her life nowadays was very much based on her whims.
It’s decided then! Let’s go see if the Horrible Howl will want the heart of a shriveled old lady. She thought, gripping her basket tightly in resolution on her way home.