A Lad Insane
Synopsis: Toby has been a resident of the Brownholm Insane Asylum since his eighth birthday, tormented with waking nightmares of a certain Goblin King. Sarah, on one of her visits finds that these "visions" are truly visits from the one that she thought was merely a dream: and the King is using Toby to get to her. But Why?
AN: Hi, Jareth-newton here. Who else? I also have another story up (Ah My Dear Brother) if you enjoy my writing style. If you don't, then you don't have to read it. It's as simple as that. I'm so proud, I used a David Bowie song as the title. Okay, so I cheated a bit. So what? Okay...ready? READY! In this story, the TTTTTT is Toby's Pov, SSSSSS is Sarah's Pov, and the OOOOOOOOOOOOO is Jareth. the --------------------- is just a random perspective that gets no name. Let's go!
7/15/87: Toby's third birthday
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The tall man is here again, waving around the crystal. He acts nice, but something seems very different about him. I kind of remember him. But it was in a dream, so I'm not sure. He smiles and calls me a good boy and asks me about Sissie. I keep my mouth shut like I always do. His face changes and he sighs. Today's my birthday, I tell him. He smiles again and says that since it is, he shall give me a present. He asks me what I want. I think. I don't want to waste a present, and this man seems like he can give me anything I want. What do I want? Finally I decide. I want a crystal ball, like his, that will show me my dreams any time I want to see them. He bows, and gives me one, and I shake it. I see me flying now, and I relive the dream. The tall man is gone.Sissie comes into my room. Hey Toby, watcha got there, she asks, and I show her. Her face is really very white as she takes my present away and puts it on top of my dresser. Come downstairs, Toby, Mommie and Daddy are waiting. I go downstairs and get my presents and eat my cake. But when I come back upstairs, the crystal is gone and Sarah has a shifty look in her eyes.
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Toby had one of those...things that HE used to fling around all the time. I dreamed this a year ago, but it's still so fresh in my memory, even the taste of that damned peach. And that song...it drifts through my head, day in and day out. But it was only a dream, wasn't it?
So why did Toby have a crystal ball?
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The child is afraid of me, yet he knows he knows me. This is good. I gave him a little present today, just what I knew he'd ask for. As I had planned. And I watched Sarah take the crystal from him, hide it on top of his dresser and send him away. When they are both gone I vanished the crystal, leaving no trace of it behind. Sarah will never know what hit her. She'll be sorry for ever defying me, and she'll hurt ten times worse than I have. But for my plan to work, I need the brother. The little child is the key.
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7/15/89 Toby's 6th birthday
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The man still comes back, nearly every day, and we talk. He tells me about the Underground, tells me marvelous stories of the goblins who live there, and of a beautiful girl who beat the Labyrinth and married the king. But when he tells this story, he looks sad, so very sad. I think he really knew that girl, and that she didn't marry him. Prob'ly cuz she thought he had cooties. Girls have stupid ideas like that.
Today after my birthday dinner, mom saw me talking to the Goblin King. But strangely, she couldn't see him, and seemed to think I was playing make believe. When I asked her if she saw him, she just smiled and nodded. Of course dear, she said. She was lying to me. Even Sarah doesn't believe me. When I tell her the stories he tells me, she screams at me to shut up. I haven't told her the most recent one about the girl, though. He made me promise not to.
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It isn't true...he isn't real...I just told Toby the story and now he's playing make-believe. He's a kid. Of COURSE he's playing make-believe. He should really be an actor though, his stories are so real...BUT THEY'RE NOT! They just can't be. It's okay, I'm going away to college in two months with Jeff and I won't have to hear this anymore. It's funny, but I just don't feel...I don't know, FEEL Jeff or any of the others like I felt that stupid dream King. But he was a dream. Nothing more.
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Oh, Sarah...I've watched every exchange you've ever had with any of those lesser human males, every touch, every kiss, every word. I'd've given my world for just one of those kisses. But do you think of me? No, not at all. And now you leave, you leave this poor defenseless child alone with me. How heartless Sarah. But don't worry, you'll regret it. Oh, yes, you'll regret it...
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7/15/91 Toby's eighth birthday, 9:07 PM, Brownholm Mental Facility
NAME: Toby Williams AGE:8 years GENDER: Male
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: young, very eager, blonde hair, blue eyes. Typical child. Raves about a Goblin King and stories about a Labyrinth. Insistance that they are real never wavers. Symptoms occuring since: Age 6. Reccomended Treatment: Incarceration, for 6 months or more.
AN: Ooooh...I know, it's a little far-fetched that an 8-year old would be admitted to a mental facility, but...hey, it's amateur work. Whaddya expect? So, other than that small detail, please tell me what I can do better. Yaay! 'till next time!