Sarah would always think of the funeral when she looked at the photograph. Her father, step mother, and half brother had all been killed in the car crash just after the picture was taken. They left her that day, to live in this cruel world alone. She couldn't determine if she were more bitter, angry, or sad, about the loss and loneliness she was left with, and decided to be all three.
She didn't cry at the funeral home, at the burial when loving words were said, or the luncheon after at the home where those of the community showed up to express their condolences. She was unable to feel appreciation for the small gestures those who showed up offered, but allowed them to help nonetheless. She thanked all the visitors for coming and paying their respects, even though her heart wasn't behind the words she was saying.
The will had granted Sarah ownership of the house and all worldly possessions owned by the Williams'. She cleaned the house, eventually packaged all their personal belongings, put them in the attic, and decorated the house with new furnishings and decorations to leave no trace of anything which would reminder her of them, except the last family picture.
She was on a downward spiral until she used the money left to her in her will to purchase her own business: a small rundown flower shop in the downtown area of her home town. From the time she decided to purchase it she threw herself into it whole heartedly. Every waking moment was focused on her business and how to better her technique and become financially stable to be independent of all others.
But at night in her dreams . . . .
In her dreams she was just Sarah, a woman who danced in a ballroom dressed in a beautiful gown every night, laughing and smiling without a care in the world. The moonlight would shine through the windows and the stars would glimmer with the hopes she once held. During the night, she wasn't alone and had no loneliness to fear. He was there with her, never leaving her side, and she never wanted him to. But every dream ended the same: the two of them dancing around the room, only to have the room shatter and she would fall landing in her bed waking to the sound of clinking crystal.
"Sarah, all you have to do is say what you want and it will be within my power to give."
Jareth could not understand why she would not say what she really wished for. She could think it all she wanted, desire what she wanted, and she could dream about it each night, but until she actually said the words, he was left powerless to grant her wish.
From the first time he saw Sarah, he felt no greater joy than when he saw her smile. Ruling a kingdom full of smelly, less than average intelligent goblins with the attention span of a child left Jareth miserable during the days and lonely at night. He first looked on the dark hair beauty when she was barely ten years old. Her soul cried out to his and he could do nothing but go to her. Seeing her smile and the warmth it gave him, he soon found himself looking after her by ways of watching in his owl form while she was out playing or in his crystals when he would be unable to leave his kingdom.
Ever since her adventure in his kingdom, he was unable to go to her or look in on how she was adjusting to the mundane world she returned to as she bested him in his game of the Labyrinth. For a time he was able to look in on Toby and catch a glimpse of her. However, this stopped working a few years later. He was unable to determine the reason why and gave up trying to find the cause. He decided it had to do with the true intention of his heart; while he loved the boy he truly wished to look in on her. No matter what he tried nothing would bring the image of the woman he loved and longed for.
For the last six years he rarely was able to feel the joy from the memory of her smile. He hoped this time would be different that he could look in on her and fate would be kind to allow this. He conjured a crystal looking in on only smoky mists and hearing only muffled voices. Unfortunately, the fates were not being kind today.
Standing from his throne he threw the crystal he held onto against the wall opposite him.
"Always granting the wishes of others and I'm not able to have my one! You would think the powers that be would be kind enough to allow me some form of happiness. Instead, I am stuck here, alone, in the midst of the goblins."
Unaware at their king's frustration, the goblins laughed and continued their game of "Chicken Chase."
"I need to get away."
Carrying with him his thoughts of Sarah along with frustration brought on by his own lot in life, he transported himself to his brother's kingdom and walked aimlessly along the sandy sea shore.