Sarah wrenched her backpack higher up on her shoulder as she strode briskly towards her house. Mentally assessing her homework load, she once again gave thanks for the quickly approaching summer vacation and the infection known as senioritis that was sweeping the school, teachers included. "Welcome home." A cold voice interrupted her thoughts, and Sarah glanced up in momentary confusion. Oh, it's only Irene. she thought dismissively. She glanced impassively at her step-mother, whose rigid stance and frown indicated that Sarah had, once again, done something wrong. Sarah sighed heavily before meeting Irene's gaze and asking impatiently, "What's wrong?" Irene's eyes flared angrily before she snapped, "Don't you take that tone with me! You know very well what's wrong!" Sarah's blankly confused expression assured her step-mother that she hadn't a clue, and Irene sighed, defeated.
"Your father is away on business and I need you to help me straighten up the house." she spoke commandingly. "You were supposed come home immediately after school, not dawdle in town." Sarah grimaced inwardly; she had completely forgotten and had made her usual short stop at the bookstore, where her best friend, Kevin, worked. "I'm sorry," she grumbled. "I completely forgot."
"Yes, well, let's not waste any more time out here." Irene said sharply. "You've taken long enough as it is." Sarah grudgingly followed her into the hallway, where she deposited her backpack and awaited instructions. "I need you to vacuum and dust in the living room, as well as clean your own room and the kitchen." Irene's tone was firm, and Sarah knew that no amount of arguing would reduce her sentence. "Okay." she replied softly. Irene glanced in surprise at her step-daughter; she had expected an argument, or at least a complaint from the young woman in front of her. Perhaps she's finally growing up. Irene thought hopefully.
Sarah obediently dusted and swept the living room until it was spotless, washed the dishes and mopped the kitchen floor, ate a quick supper, and retreated to her room. By the time these chores were completed to her step-mother's satisfaction, it was already 8:00pm, and Sarah was exhausted. All well, she sighed inwardly. At least my room is finally clean. As she surveyed the newly spotless room, a small, satisfied smile crept onto her lips, but it vanished when her gaze met with the box on the floor which contained her many toys and costumes. As high school senior, Sarah had finally realized that she would have to eventually relinquish her childhood fantasies and venture into the world of adulthood. But not yet… Sarah sprang up from the bed where she had been lounging and strode purposefully towards her vanity, where she sat and gazed into the mirror. "Hoggle, I need you." she whispered urgently.
Within seconds, the gnarled face of her beloved companion faded into view, and Sarah couldn't help but squeal delightedly. "What's the matter, little missy?" he asked gruffly. "Oh nothing, Hoggle," Sarah spoke, her voice an arpeggio of laughter. "I simply wished to see you again." The dwarf's face brightened considerably at that, and he beamed at her through the mirror. "Well, I'm always happy ter see ye." he replied assuringly. "Great!" Sarah replied enthusiastically. "Because I've got a favor to ask of you."
"Anything, missy." Hoggle spoke at once. Smiling, Sarah continued, "I want to see the labyrinth one last time before I go away to college."
"Anything-" Hoggle began, before he was interrupted by Sarah's joyful cry, "-but that."
"Great, I knew you would-", Sarah spoke before the words sank in. "Huh? Why not?" she implored, pouting.
"Because, Sarah, it's far too dangerous." Hoggle replied seriously. "If he knew you were here, there's no telling what he'd do. But I'm tellin' ye, it won't be pretty."
Sarah snorted derisively, and Hoggle's brow creased worriedly at her disrespect. "His Royal Highness can't do a thing to me, not while I'm with you and Ludo and Sir Didymus. If I could defeat him as a child and I can certainly evade him as an adult."
"Have a care, Sarah", Hoggle chastised. "Clearly you don't fully recall how powerful and cruel he can be." Sarah's confident smile faded when she realized that her friend was truly scared.
"But Hoggle, I want so much to see everyone again, and walk through the labyrinth. Besides, you know how to take me back to the beginning, so once I'm ready to go home, you can help me find the way." Sarah finished logically. She could see her friend's inhibitions slowly ebbing away.
"All right," the dwarf conceded, "but only because Jareth is away from the kingdom on business." Sarah grinned widely and would have swept her diminutive friend into her arms if he had been in the room with her and not a mere reflection. "Close yer eyes," he commanded, "and reach through the mirror. I'll help ye climb through." Sarah did as she was told, and felt the tell-tale sensation of falling from a great distance. When her feet finally touched the ground, Sarah took a few moments to steady herself and wait for the dizziness to subside before surveying their surroundings. She was at the entrance to the labyrinth.