Chapter 12

           SophiedidnotseemuchpointinblackeningHowl’snametotheKing,nowthattheWitchhadcaughtupwithhim.ButHowlsaiditwasmoreimportantthanever.“IshallneedeverythingI’vegotjusttoescapetheWitch,”hesaid.“Ican’thavetheKingaftermeaswell.”

           SothefollowingafternoonSophieputonhernewclothesandsatfeelingveryfine,ifratherstiff,waitingforMichaeltogetreadyandforHowltofinishinthebathroom.Whileshewaited,shetoldCalciferaboutthestrangecountrywhereHowl’sfamilylived.IttookhermindofftheKing.

           Calciferwasveryinterested.“Iknewhecamefromforeignparts,”hesaid.“Butthissoundslikeanotherworld.CleveroftheWitchtosendthecurseinfromthere.Verycleverallround.That’smagicIadmire,usingsomethingthatexistsanywayandturningitroundintoacurse.IdidwonderaboutitwhenyouandMichaelwerereadingittheotherday.ThatfoolHowltoldhertoomuchabouthimself.”

           SophiegazedatCalcifer’sthinblueface.ItdidnotsurprisehertofindCalciferadmiredthecurse,anymorethanitsurprisedherwhenhecalledHowlafool.HewasalwaysinsultingHowl.ButshenevercouldworkoutifCalciferreallyhatedHowl.Calciferlookedsoevilanywaythatitwashardtotell.

           CalcifermovedhisorangeeyestolookintoSophie’s.“I’mscaredtoo,”hesaid.“IshallsufferwithHowliftheWitchcatcheshim.Ifyoudon’tbreakthecontractbeforeshedoes,Iwon’tbeabletohelpyouatall.