Ходячий замок
Chapter 21
Wherearethoseseven-leagueboots?”
Sophiehungback.“ButMissAngorian—”
“Don’tyouunderstand?”Howlsaid,draggingather.“MissAngorianisthefiredemon.Ifitgetsinsidethecastle,thenCalcifer’shaditandsohaveI!”
Sophieputbothhandsoverhermouth.“IknewI’dmadeamessofit!”shesaid.“It’sbeenintwicealready.Butshe—itwentout.”
“Oh,lord!”groanedHowl.“Didittouchanything?”
“Theguitar,”Sophieadmitted.
“Thenit’sstillinthere,”saidHowl.“Comeon!”HepulledSophieovertothesmashedwall.“Followuscarefully,”heshoutedbacktothescarecrow.“I’mgoingtohavetoraiseawind!Notimetolookforthoseboots,”hesaidtoSophieastheyclimbedoverthejaggededgesintothehotsunlight.“Justrun.Andkeeprunning,orIwon’tbeabletomoveyou.”
Sophiehelpedherselfalongwithherstickandmanagedtobreakintoahobblingrun,stumblingamongthestones.Howlranbesideher,pullingher.Windleapedup,whistling,thenroaring,hotandgritty,andgraysandclimbedaroundtheminastormthatpingedonthepotteryfortress.Bythattimetheywerenotrunning,butskimmingforwardinasortofslow-motionlope.Thestonygroundspedpastunderneath.Dustandgritthunderedaroundthem,highoverheadandstreamingfarawaybehind.Itwasverynoisy,andnotatallcomfortable,buttheWasterocketedpast.
“It’snotCalcifer’sfault!”Sophieyelled.“Itoldhimnottosay.”
“Hewouldn’tanyway,”Howlshoutedback.“Iknewhe’dnevergiveawayafellowfiredemon.
