Consequences of Falling
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the ideas or characters from the movie 'The Labyrinth'. I just like them all. Like, like-like them… and I very much enjoy writing stories about them.
I wish (yes, I said the words) that you may enjoy this story as well.
Right now.
"There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired."
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Chapter One: She Chose Down
He stalked down one of his many cold corridors, every inch of his skin tingling with excitement. The only sound in the night came from his booted footsteps, amplified by the surrounding silence.
"Sarah! Come on out now!"
He stilled and sniffed at the air, half-closing his eyes when it hit him. It was faint, but it was there. Her smell—something like a blend of summer fruits with a sharp hit of metallic aftertaste. Sweet and dangerous. He held the breath, keeping her perfume in his lungs for as long as he could. But it was so diluted. She must have left this part of the castle a long while ago.
He quickly fettered the Beast inside that screamed he must catch her now, have her now. He was determined not to rush this. Now that he finally had her where he wanted her, he would take his time. Enjoy every moment. When was the last time he had felt so alive?
She must enjoy the chase every bit as much as him, he realised. He laughed aloud and the noise resounded around the walls, adding layers of darkness. Why else would she run? She must know there was nowhere that she could go in his own castle he would not be able to find her.
He sniffed again. The faint smell of her drew him down the shadowy corridor, each step bringing him closer. He stopped when he reached an intersection. A choice—left, right and straight on. Here, the trail was confused, beckoning him in all directions. He smiled, sharp teeth gleaming. Clever girl. She never disappointed.
A sudden traitorous thought broke through his predatory calm. What if she did find a way to escape him? She had friends here. She wielded the loyalty of others with ease. She was intelligent and resourceful. If anyone could do it…
He would lose her again. An icy sliver of pain slid down his insides. A curious, first time feeling. Was it worth the risk?
Suddenly impatient, he ripped off his right leather glove and threw it to the ground. He would have to be sure of his prize before he could begin to enjoy the game again. In another second, his pointed teeth had ripped into his fleshy palm. Normally, when he used magic, he took the time to cut neat, straight lines so that his blood flowed evenly, but there was no time tonight. Tonight every second was precious.
His pressed his bloody hand up against the stone wall and concentrated. Wind built powerfully around him, thrashing and whipping his wild hair. The flame torches lining the castle walls flickered and spat, nearly extinguishing. A sharp pulse of orange light ebbed and flowed from his hand where it joined the castle.
His castle was empty. He had made sure of it. This game was far too important to risk outside interference. Tonight, the whole castle was only big enough for the two of them. But even if they could see him, the goblins may not have recognised their King at that moment. They were used to seeing him placid in his arrogance, dripping with boredom. Now his whole being seemed to vibrate intensity, hair messed in every angle, his palm bleeding into the wall.
He could feel his mind expanding. He was the land. The Underground. He was every grain of every stone of the castle. He could feel her now, running through a hallway. He focused on that part of the castle, localising the feeling. She was still well within his trap.
A sharp pain from his chest told him that it had been a long while since he had last remembered to breathe. He filled his lungs again.
It was another first, this feeling. It was different from any other time he had melded with his castle. This time, she was a part of it; within him. Just the thought of it set a slow fire burning in his stomach, itching to spread. He relished the sensation of her bare feet thrumming over his stone self, the whisper of her full skirts as they brushed against the wall. Linked with its King, the land held its breath.
And now he knew exactly where she was. Everything was going perfectly to plan. She ran from him, but without being aware of it she was only drawing closer to the end of their hunt. He could feel her come to the end of a passageway, at the point where it fed into a spiral stairwell. She could go up, or down. His stomach clenched.
"Up, Sarah. Come to me."
She paused, hesitating. She seemed to cock her head to the side, listening for any sound of predator. Moving cautiously, she approached the stairs. Could she sense him—a part of the rocks that held her? Could she feel him watching her; wanting her? He could feel one of her bare feet touch the stair leading upwards. She paused on the first step, waiting.
He sucked in his breath. When would she take the next step? Then, suddenly she spun on her heel and started running down the stairs faster than was safe on the uneven stones.
He smiled indulgently. She was ever defiant, even when not aware of it.
No matter. A part of him was relieved that the game would not be over so soon. It was the game he had been born to play. He could have stayed locked in this consciousness with his land, watching her, feeling her near forever. He was mesmerised with the feeling.
The spell was broken when he sensed what she was clutching in her hand.
She had dared much.
It was almost a relief, the feeling of cold, clean anger. Being around Sarah had exposed him to so many new sensations that now he welcomed the familiar violence in his heart.
He pulled his palm away from the wall and once again tore at it savagely with his teeth. The blood flowed freely from the wound. He pressed the throbbing hand against the wall in the same spot and gathered his magic and his will. With a roar, he pushed against the stone with his bleeding hand slowly stepped into the castle wall. It closed behind him as soon as he moved through it, leaving only a dripping mark as a sign he had been there. He moved through the solid bricks, gathering speed.
The time was now. It was time to confront her.
Hi everybody! Thanks for taking the time to read my first fanfic.
Next, Chapter the Second: Wherein Jareth and Sarah Meet and the Mysterious Object Carried by the Girl that Hath so Incited the Wrath of the King is Revealed.