In an old shop that smelled of incense and old books an elderly woman, black hair peppered with grey strands lit candles in the back at an alter. She could feel an unbalance in the realms and searched for the source. The bells of the front door opening pulled her away from her search. Standing she smoothed out her jeans and light blue top and stepped out into the shop.
Two girls looked around the shop, one with flaming red hair and honeyed brown eyes wearing a short green dress, the other with long straight brown hair and green eyes wearing blue jeans and a black button up blouse. The red head urged her friend into the store and walked up to the owner.
"Rosie, my friend here can use your help." Pushing her friend forward the girl fidgeted, trying to appear as small as possible. Rosie picked up the girl's hand and looked it over. Eyes widened when she saw fate running in the pulse of this girl that could be no older than fourteen.
"My goodness child, what have you stumbled into?" She yanked her hand away and stepped back looking around the store as though someone might burst in at any moment. Her friend placed an arm around her shoulder to offer her some comfort.
"She thinks something is after her. She says-"
"I know he's after me!" The shout came as a surprise to both women. "Sorry Jane, but he's always watching. I can feel him hovering over me like a shadow." Looking up at the expert, young green eyes pouring out her fear and pleas. "I just want some freedom from him"
Nodding sympathetically the woman stepped into the back room. Reaching up onto one of the shelves against the back wall she grabbed a small wooden box. Flipping it open, dust falling to the floor she grabbed a large ring with a white stone mounted on it in the center. Going back to the girls she held out the ring.
"Wear this, and no one can look upon you without your consent. It will keep you well hidden my dear." The child took the ring and slid it onto her middle finger on her right hand. She could feel a warm sheet wrap around her and a weight fall off from her back. Smiling and laughing she threw her arms around the woman, shoulders shaking while she cried. "You're welcome…."
"Sarah…. thank you. You have no idea what you've done."
A fierce roar came from the throne while a crystal ball flew across the room to shatter on the ground. every goblin stopped to see their king breathing heavy messy hair falling in his face eyes far away. He bagman to pace back and forth mumbling to himself.
"Get out…." The small creatures sat in confusion on the floor. When none of them followed his demand Jareth grabbed one of them and threw him out the window. "I said OUT!" The room vibrated from the outburst and every thing that could move from that room was gone in seconds. Smoothing some stray hairs from his face he looked at the empty room and shook his head "This is not over precious" a smirk slid across his face "You've simply changed the game"
Striding calmly out of the throne room, he made his way to his private library. Touching a gloved finger to his lips he placed his foot against a bookshelf and walked up the side of it to the very top. Tracing a careful finger over the spines of the books he found what he needed. Pulling out the book he sat down against the shelf. It would time to prepare, but Sarah hadn't seen the last of him.