Stars are Falling in the Underground
CHAPTER ONE
Synopsis: Even though Jareth had returned Sarah and Toby home, he and his goblins stuck around her house for months. But their torment inadvertently gets her institutionalized by her parents. But if the right words are said, Jareth could save her from the mental ward. Will she say them? Will he oblige? Or perhaps she really is crazy? J/S
I do not own anything from the Labyrinth. The Labyrinth world, characters, and references all belong to Jim Henson. However, any characters that are not affiliated with the Labyrinth belong to me, myself, and I. Happy Reading!
I tucked the pillow into my chest, staring out the window. He was here. I could see his eyes reflecting in the moon's light as he perched himself on one of the limbs of the tree outside my room. A shiver crawled down my back. Why did he continue to come every night? I could never sleep knowing he was out there. For two months I had hardly slept a wink. It was beginning to be too much.
I scooted off the bed and headed into the hall, tip toeing into my parent's room. The door creaked as I opened it. I peaked inside, glancing into Toby's crib. He slept soundlessly and I sighed a breath of relief. Despite the time that had passed, I still was fearful that the he would take Toby away again.
"Sarah?" Karen asked. "Is that you?"
"I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't mean to wake you."
Karen didn't say another word. I shut the door behind me and crept into the bathroom as I had every night for the past month. I reached into the medicine cabinet and found Karen's sleeping pills. I popped one into my mouth and washed it down with faucet water.
I went back into my bedroom and I slid into bed, glancing once more out the window. He was gone.
I pulled the sheets up to my neck and closed my eyes. But even with them shut I slept half awake, never trusting to allow myself a deep slumber.
"Time for school Sarah!" I heard my father knock on the door. Morning already?
I dressed myself groggily before heading down to meet the rest of the family for breakfast.
Toby smashed his banana onto the surface of his highchair, then tossed the smush onto the floor.
"Quit feeding the dog." Karen shook her head and turned back toward the counter to pour creamer into her coffee. But Toby wasn't feeding the dog. A short scraggly haired goblin ran over and shoved the fruit into his mouth. Toby was feeding one of the many goblins that seemed to have infested our house over the months. Only Toby and I could see them, for reasons I don't know. Unfortunately for me, my parents did see the results of the mischief they got into and it always seemed to get me into trouble. The first few times I tried to explain to them what was going on they thought it was funny, but the more I used the excuse the angrier they got with me. The past few times, I just accepted that I would be to blame every time. Once they even got onto Toby for a huge flour mess in the kitchen, but I couldn't stand him being yelled at for the goblins' messes so I took responsibility for it.
Stupid Goblin King and his minions. I had defeated his stupid Labyrinth and I still couldn't get away from them. On top of it all, Karen and my Dad have started to suspect that I am losing my mind. I couldn't blame them. I would think I were crazy too, seeing how I seem to keep talking to invisible goblins.
"Sarah?" Karen asked, sitting at the table. Toby continued to fling his food onto the floor, laughing at the sounds the goblin made.
"Hmm?" I replied, distracted by the goblins that were trying to sneak to the pantry. I stood up from the table and walked casually to the pantry door. I smacked one of the goblins on the head as I shut the door.
"Could you watch Toby tonight?"
It was the first time they had went out since that dreadful night. My stomach dropped.
"Sure," I said. I wanted to put up a fight, but not to upset with my stepmother; I was afraid of what would happen if we were left alone. However, I agreed because I had felt bad about my attitude the past few years. Plus, her and dad did hold off on the dates the past two months, freeing up my weekends. As long as I made no wishes, I would be okay. Right?
Later that evening, Dad and Karen left me with Toby. They had already put Toby to bed, but I couldn't help but to take my homework into their room to keep an eye on him. The house had been unusually quiet since my parents left. Typically, the goblins would be creating a big mess somewhere, but they were nowhere to be seen. I should have been relieved, but instead I had a bad feeling settling in.
After completing my last calculus equation, I stretched out on my parent's bed. It was almost time for them to be back and there were no signs of the goblins or the Goblin King. Maybe I was wrong. Perhaps he could just leave me alone. I started to close my eyes when the window opened familiarly. I shot up to my feet.
The pale owl flew in, bringing with him the cool autumn breeze. The shadow on the floor grew into a dark shadow of a man. No not a man- Jareth.
"You..." I trailed off.
"Hello love," Jareth said, his eyes stern and fiery.
"Why have you come?" I said with a slight tremble. Why was I afraid? He had no power over me. "I have made no wishes."
"I'm hurt, Sarah." He stepped toward me. "You didn't miss me in the least?"
I narrowed my eyes. "Miss you? That's a laugh. I've been cursing the day I met you. And what is up with the goblins you left around my house?"
"Toby wished for them," he said. "I've grown fond of the little fellow. He missed the goblins so I obliged."
"Toby is just a baby." I looked over at the crib where Toby was still sleeping soundlessly.
"But babies still have wants and dreams." Jareth walked over towards the crib. I followed after him hastily and managed to put myself between Jareth and the crib.
"Leave him alone. You can't have him," I said sternly.
"Calm down, love. I was just taking a peak."
"You still never answered my question." I pointed out. "Why have you come?"
"I pop in from time to time to check in on the boy," he admitted. The idea chilled me to the bone.
"Why?"
"Do you think me to be completely heartless? I spent time with the boy. He is a great fellow. You were so unappreciative before, wishing him away."
A twinge of guilt set in. I wanted to forget my mistake.
"I would like you to leave. I never want to see you again," I said angrily. "And leave Toby alone."
Jareth's eyes burned into mine as if he was trying to get into my mind. You have no power over me, I thought.
"As long as Toby wants me around, I will be here. I don't only answer to you," Jareth said. He walked over to the open window and propped his foot on the seal. "Not sure why I ever answered to a spoiled little brat like you."
"Just remember, Goblin King," I stepped forward. "I am the one who defeated your Labyrinth. I beat you! And as long as I am here, you will not come near my brother."
"Sarah?" I heard my father ask from behind me. I turned to face him. I had not realized he had come home. "Who are you talking to?"
"Uh…" I turned back to the window. Jareth had already disappeared. "No one."
"Sarah, can you come with me downstairs? Karen and I have something we would like to discuss with you."
I nodded and followed him to the living room, not realizing how much my life was about to change.
"But that's not fair!" I cried.
"Sarah, we're just concerned for you. That's all," my dad said.
"You can't!" I screamed. "You can't do this to me!"
"It's only until you get better." Karen said, leaning across the arm of the chair and touched my hand.
"Until I get better?" I yanked my hand away.
"Sarah," my dad said calmly. "You've been talking to yourself, taking Karen's sleeping pills, blaming things on imaginary creatures, and just last week you screamed at your teacher about taking his head off."
I stayed quiet. I had to admit I would think I was a loon as well, but I could not have ignored the Fireys who were attempting to decapitate my English professor.
Still, I had no idea how to get myself out of this situation.
"But why does it have to be a mental institute. Can't I just get some counseling?" I tried to reason.
My dad looked from me to Karen. She nodded as if she was giving the go ahead.
"Honey, I didn't want to have to tell you this," my father started, "but I think it's only fair you know the truth. Do you know why Linda and I divorced?"
The question seemed silly given the circumstance but I answered anyway. "She had an affair with her co star."
"That may have been what prompted the separation, but our relationship was over even before that."
I didn't say anything. I knew there must have been a reason my mother cheated on my dad. She wouldn't cheat if she were happy.
"After you were born, your mother went into postpartum depression." My father started. "She loved you, but she was always crying and admitted to me on several occasions that she didn't believe she was cut out to be a mother." A lump formed in my throat. My father continued. "Anyway one evening, I came home and she was acting unusually strange. She kept going on about how she wished you away. I became fearful that she had done something bad, but you were sleeping in your crib unharmed. That evening she suffered a psychotic break and overdosed on pain medication. We got lucky that the press never heard of it and we've managed to keep it a secret. But since that day, our relationship became rocky. It was only a matter of time before we divorced."
She wished me away? The words repeated in my head over and over. She wished me away! I couldn't believe what I was hearing!
"You're lying!" I stood up. "She wouldn't wish me away to the Goblin King!"
"Sarah!" my dad said nervously.
I threw my hands over my mouth and stared at them. I was already in a bad position, and my slip of the tongue did not help my case at all. Maybe they were right. Maybe this was just a figment of my imagination. After all, my mother seemed to have lost touch with reality herself. But deep in my stomach, I knew it was no coincidence that my mother told my father that she had wished me away.
"Okay." I pulled my knees into my chest. "I'll go, but only until I get better."
Karen gave a sigh of relief. She and my dad both comforted me with a hug, but all I could pay attention to were the goblins who were busy fighting over a bag of potato chips.
It's only forever
Not long at all
Lost and lonely
That's underground
Underground
Author's Comments: Hello everyone! This is my first fan fiction! Feel free to review and let me know how I am doing! More will be coming soon—promise.