Ходячий замок
Chapter 9
Then,aftermuchthought,heturnedthedoorknobblue-downandvanishedfortwentyminutesintoPorthaven.Hecamebackwithalarge,whorledseashellandputthatwiththerootandthesoot.Afterthathetoreuppagesandpagesofpaperandputthoseintoo.Heputthelotonfrontofthehumanskullandstoodblowingonit,sothatsootandbitsofpaperwhirledalloverthebench.
“What’shedoing,doyouthink?”CalciferaskedSophie.
Michaelgaveupblowingandstartedmashingeverything,paperandall,withapestleandmortar,lookingattheskullexpectantlyfromtimetotime.Nothinghappened,sohetrieddifferentingredientsfrombagsandjars.
“IfeelbadaboutspyingonHowl,”heannouncedashepoundedathirdsetofingredientstodeathinabowl.“Hemaybefickletofemales,buthe’sbeenawfullygoodtome.HetookmeinwhenIwasjustanunwantedorphansittingonhisdoorstepinPorthaven.”
“Howdidthatcomeabout?”askedSophieasshesnippedputanotherbluetriangle.
“Mymotherdiedandmyfathergotdrownedinastorm,”Michaelsaid.“Andnobodywantsyouwhenthathappens.IhadtoleaveourhousebecauseIcouldn’tpayrent,andItriedtoliveinthestreetsbutpeoplekeptturningmeoffdoorstepsandoutofboatsuntiltheonlyplaceIcouldthinkoftogowassomewhereeveryonewastooscaredtointerferewith.HowlhadjuststartedupinasmallwayasSorcererJenkinthen.Buteveryonesaidhishousehaddevilsinit,soIsleptonhisdoorstepforacoupleofnightsuntilHowlopenedthedooronemorningonhiswaytobuybreadandIfellinside.
