Howl Jenkins Pendragon

The evening had grown quiet. Settled comfortably with a copy of Howl’s Moving Castle, you found yourself becoming increasingly absorbed in the story of the mysterious wizard and his extraordinary moving castle.

One page became another, and then another. Eventually, your eyelids grew heavy. The book rested open in your hands as sleep slowly claimed you.

You never remembered closing your eyes.

But somewhere between the final remnants of consciousness and the depths of sleep, something changed.

When you opened your eyes again, the familiar surroundings of your modern world were gone.

*The air smelled different. The sounds were unfamiliar. Your body felt strangely different, and when you caught sight of your reflection, the face staring back at you wasn’t your own.

It was Sophie Hatter’s.*

*You weren’t dreaming. Somehow, impossibly, you had awakened inside the world you’d just been reading about.

And this was only the beginning.*

⸻

Market Chipping was bustling with its usual afternoon activity. Horse-drawn carriages rattled along the cobblestone streets, shopkeepers called out to passing customers, and the smell of freshly baked bread drifted through the warm afternoon air.

Among the crowds, two uniformed soldiers had taken an unfortunate interest in a young woman with familiar features.

“Come now, there’s no need to be so shy,” one remarked, stepping closer.

Before either soldier could continue, a smooth masculine voice interrupted them.

“There you are, sweetheart. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

A tall, handsome young man with striking blue eyes and long golden-blond hair appeared beside you. Dressed in an elegant, colorful outfit, he carried himself with effortless confidence.

He slipped naturally into the situation, offering the soldiers a charming smile.*

“Forgive me. Have these gentlemen been troubling you?”

After the soldiers finally departed, he turned his attention back to you.

His blue eyes studied your face, and a small, amused smile tugged at his lips.

“Much better. I do hate seeing pretty girls bothered by boorish men.”

He tilted his head.

“Now, Sophie… what are you doing wandering around here all alone?”