Author's not:

This is my first fan-fiction, and friendly criticism is welcome as well praises. XD

Please tell me what you think and what I can improve on! (That's saying the same thing isn't it? Oh well...) Anyways, this came to me because of some assignment in creative writing class. It was to write a story based off of a picture. I got a picture of a Labyrinth, and I wrote a short story. This is the longer version, and hopefully the better version as well!

Sarah was in science class, listening to her teacher drone on and on about what parents and supposed to do for their children. Love them, feed them, dress them, teach them...the list goes on and on.

'Huh. Some parents I have.' Sarah bitterly thought.

My Mother had abandoned her completely, when at least before she had taken her to see a movie or a play of hers in some other part of the world. Sarah always looked forwards to that time of year. That time of year when she could kiss and hug her Mother and know for sure she existed.

Once, when she was still little and didn't exactly understand the concept of divorce, she had asked her father,

"When is Mommy coming home?"

Her father, who was at the computer, was startled. He slowly turned his chair to face her, and said, "Mommy is not coming home sweety."

Wide eyed and confused, Sarah pressed, "Why? Where is Mommy?"

Her father sighed and replied, "I don't know honey, I don't know."

"Why? I want my Mommy!"

In moments she was crying in her father's arms, and she finally understood, she finally realized that her mother wasn't coming home. Ever.

She did call occasionally, when things were going well for her. But often it felt just like she called them just to have someone to brag too.

Sarah loved her mother nonetheless, but sometimes she wondered, did she love her back?

Sarah was snapped out of her thoughts when the bell rang. She gathered her things and ran for her locker. She stuffed everything into her back-pack and pulled on her jacket. Best to get out before...

"Hey Sare-bear!"

Oh no. Sarah closed her locker and plastered on a smile. She turned around to face what she knew was Nathan. "Oh, Hi." Sarah greeted. Nathan seemed to miss the tone of her voice that said, 'Please don't pester me right now!' Cause he leaned up against the lockers in a flirtatious way.

Sarah took a step back. She was never really that comfortable that close to a guy, especially one like Nathan. He had wavy brown locks and bangs that always got in his deep green eyes. He was star of the football team thus muscular and very popular.

Sarah often wondered why he would be interested in her while girls like Christy, super model blond cheerleader, were available. "Hey. How's it going?" Nathan asked.

'A little goes a long way with the clone.' Sarah thought to herself before she replied, "I'm doing fine, straight A's in fact!" She held up her report card to show him.

"Wow. That's great." Nathan said, obviously not really paying attention. "Look, there's a party at my friend's place, and I was wondering if you wanted to go, you know, with me."

Sarah stood silent for a good long while before she finally got out of her shock.

"What?"

A part of her was screaming at her to say YES! But yet, a part of her just, well, she just couldn't explain the feeling. It felt as if she was already taken for some reason.

"You know, would you like to go to the Party at Taven's house? Tomorrow?" Nathan asked once again. Sarah thought about for about one millisecond before answering, "Yeah, I don't know. I have things to do...Sorry."

"Oh come on Sarah!" Nathan nudged her shoulder, like they were old friends. "I know you don't do much except practice plays in the park and read books all day. Come on, it'll be fun."

Nathan said 'fun', in a strange way. And for a moment she remembered. She had a little flashback of those last few moments in the falling apart Escher room as she said those 6 fateful words. "You have no power over me." And then his face. His face! It was heart-breaking, it looked as if he had lost something, lost a part of himself. He looked as if he was about to weep even.

"Hello? Earth to Sarah!" Nathan waved his hand in front of her face. "Oh, sorry. I-I just kind of..never mind. Anyways, I'll think about it!" Sarah started to walk off. She waved as she said, "See ya!"

The moment Sarah was outside she ran until she made it to the Library. It wasn't a very big one, but it was the only one the town had. It had two floors, and the second one wasn't even filled up all the way, which was why some adults used the extra space as a conference room.

Sarah nodded hello to the head librarian at the counter, Era, who smiled back. "Good afternoon Sarah. Did you have a good day at school?" She asked. Era was one of the, older fold per say. She had graying hair, with some streaks of black. Her face looked only 30, though she was actually around 50. Her eyes were dark brown, so dark almost black, but it wasn't unsettling. She had creases around her eyes, saying she was a happy person, and a smile that could brighten anyone's day.

"My day was normal I suppose." Sarah replied. She checked in at the counter, and Era gave her her instructions for the day.

Sarah made her way to the children's section. Today she was assigned to just shelve some books, but that was okay with her. She didn't really mind.

As she made her way through the small shelves a small group of children started to follow her. Chuckling, Sarah put the last of the books away and turned around and smiled. They looked at her eagerly, eyes wide in hope. "Sorry. Don't have anything for you today." Sarah said, shaking her head. These were the youngins' that were always begging her to read them a story. Usually she did, but today Sarah didn't have any new stories for them.

"Liar liar! Pant's on fire!" A voice said in her head.

"Shut up." Sarah said back.

"Come on! Tell them about The Labyrinth! Tell them about it!" The voice persisted.

"No. I can't! They might wish themselves away or something!"Sarah sternly replied back.

"True, but you could just leave that part out."

Sarah sighed, knowing the voice was right. How could she let down these adorable children?"

Just as the children were about to leave, faces looking crushed, she called out, "Hey wait! You know, I think I have one story for you. It's a new one. One I bet you have never heard before."

One kid, one Sarah targeted as a bully, called out proudly, "I bet I've heard it!"Smiling, Sarah replied, "We shall see."

Author's note:

Well, there you go! A summary of Sarah's life after the Labyrinth. Tell me what you think and hopefully I will have the next chapter up in a few days!

~Ernistine