Disclaimer: I own nothing. Don't sue me.
In Search of Dreams
Sometimes the way forward, is the way back
In the darkened room of her small LA apartment, Sarah Williams slept uneasily. A chill breeze swept in through the window, brushing over her brow like a cool, caring hand. The sheer curtains fluttered in the wind, and the sounds of the city streets far below were faint and distant. Sarah tossed fitfully, tangling herself in sweat-soaked sheets.
Don't defy me
Sarah whimpered softly in her sleep as the words echoed through her head, in a cool commanding voice, laced with power and a hint of cruelty. She ran into the dream, and kept running as images flashed before her mind's eye. An owl flew after her, wings beating softly, as she ran through a deserted park. Rain flew in her face and her hands were numb with cold. The water soaked into her skin and blurred her vision. Her feet slid on the muddy grass and she pitched forward with a startled yell.
Such a pity
The world changed around her, and Sarah landed hard on dry, dusty ground. She looked up to see the walls of the Labyrinth reaching up to a clear red sky. The passage stretched endlessly in both directions, and the ground was littered with debris. She groaned softly as pain shot up through her hands and knees. From her left, Sarah heard a far-off sound, like a low growl. The noise approached rapidly, changing to a furious roaring that shook the walls with its force. Scrambling to her feet Sarah sprinted forward through the corridor. Not daring to look back, she stumbled over the broken branches in her way. Her legs ached with strain, and her breath came out raw and ragged. The walls trembled violently and started to crumble, raining dust and rock into the passage. Sarah threw up her arms in futile defense, shutting her eyes tightly. The ground tore open beneath her feet, and Sarah screamed as she tumbled into the dark.
How you turn my world you precious thing
Sarah slowed as she fell through the air. Light bloomed all around her, reflecting back and forth. As her eyes adjusted to the sparkling light, Sarah saw bright, mirrored walls, and soft crème-colored drapes made of silks and satins. Plush white cushions were placed in corners of the room, and crystal chandeliers glowed softly besides them. Ivory and gold staircases swept to upper levels of this grand ballroom, and the dancers moved gracefully throughout the room. They twirled beneath her, magnificent gowns flowing around them. They moved in a kaleidoscope of color, with bright greens, deep blues, vibrant reds, and royal purples, swaying softly to the music. Peels of laughter rang through the air like the sound of water of rocks, excited and bubbling.
Sarah landed in the midst of the glittering dancers, feeling more than a little out of place in her faded jeans and pale top. Hands reached out to her, touching her arms, her cheeks, her hair, and her waist. They gently pulled and pushed her through the room towards an area of large lavish looking cushions.
"There, there dear. You're all right now, aren't you Sarah?" said one of the dancers from behind a blue and gold mask. She wore a gorgeous dress of rich sapphire blue, with delicate green thread weaved over it. She took Sarah's arm and sat her gently on a cushioned chair. Another dancer turned to Sarah, a man in a mask of red and black. His legs were wrapped tightly in tan breeches, and a dark red shirt billowed around his lean form. He smiled down at her warmly.
"Sit and stay with us for a while, Sarah. It's alright for now."
"Wait." Sarah's head felt clouded and dizzy. "I was looking for something. Toby?"
"Here I am Sarah!" The dancers moved aside to show her little brother playing a game of jacks with a goblin. Sarah's brow furrowed in puzzlement.
"No, that wasn't it. Already did that one. What am I looking for then?" She asked to no one in particular. A fiery appeared beside her knee, shaking its shaggy red head.
"Come play with us Lady?" It pleaded with her. Sarah patted its hairy head absent-mindedly.
"No, I can't right now, I have to find…Damn! What was it?"
A collective sigh brushed through the room, and the dancers looked to each other with knowing eyes.
"Not quite time yet, is it?
"No, its not. How unfortunate."
"We're getting closer though?"
"Yes. We are getting closer." The lady in blue turned to Sarah. "Aren't we little one?" She said kindly. Sarah looked up at her helplessly.
"I don't understand! Closer to what?"
The woman gave her a sad smile and pulled her gently to her feet. "Come then Sarah. Time to move forward."
"But, I don't know the way!"
"Simply remember what you've been told dear. You'll find your way." They moved through the room, and stopped before one of the mirrored walls. Someone handed Sarah a small painted chair. The woman gave Sarah a light kiss on the cheek and a gentle shove towards the wall. "Go on Sarah. You know what to do." Sarah bit her lip in uncertainty as she gripped the chair. She looked back over her shoulder at the sea of dancers watching her.
"Do I have to?" Sarah's voice quivered.
"Yes. But you already knew that." The man in red leaned on a nearby column, his voice tinted with amusement. "Remember what you've been taught, and all will be set right. Go on now girl. It's time."
"Alright then." Sarah sighed and turned back to the mirror. She lifted the tiny chair over her head and hurled it at the wall.
No one could blame you
The room exploded in shards of glass, and Sarah was falling once again. Below her she could see the top of a vast, dark forest. She could not see the forest floor for the green canopy that spread like a thick blanket, with only tendrils of mist breeching the cover of the treetops. The forest stretched into the distance and stopped at the foot of a tall black mountain. Early morning light rose over the forest, and something near the mountain glittered in the first sunrays. As Sarah strained her eyes to see what it was, she felt herself pulled backwards, like a puppet on a string. She flew back over the forest, then over the Labyrinth. She hit a wall hard, knocking the breath from her lungs. Looking around her, she saw stairways and walkways, leading up and down and to the side. The room spun and she sank to her knees on the cold floor.
Such a sad love, deep in your eyes
The lilting sound of his voice echoed through her head and carried through the room. Sarah stood slowly, still disoriented, and gripped the wall behind her tightly. She lifted her gaze upwards, and there he was. He was just as she remembered, terrifying and beautiful all at once. Black boots stretched up to his knees, and storm-grey breeches hugged his legs. His black leather coat was unbuttoned, letting the lace of his grey shirt tumble out, and he twirled a crystal in a gloved hand. His light blonde hair reminded her of everything wild and untamed, and his mismatched eyes looked straight into her. Sarah felt her breath catch in her throat as he danced across the ceiling. Or was it the floor?"
As the pain sweeps through, makes no sense for you
She watched him move, perplexed by the broken logic of the room. If he was on the floor, did that mean she was on the cei-
As the thought came over her, she felt gravity shift and pull her downward. She started to cry out as she fell forward, when a strong pair of hands grasped her shoulders form behind, holding her steady.
But I'll be there for you…
The words resonated in her brain, and yet seemed so distant, as if she were listening to the song through water or glass. He spoke behind her, this time his voice close, solid, and real. "Not yet Sarah. It isn't time. Foolish little mortal girl." His voice mocked her. She ignored his tone, and drank in the comfort of his voice, letting it ground her, and hold her centered.The song still stirred in her mind.
"I was looking for…" she turned around to face him, marveling at the firm reality of him, when all else in the dreamscape seemed so insubstantial in comparison. She studied his face, the high cheekbones, the pale skin, and the sharp thin lips. The eyes…the eyes she saved for last. "You…" she spoke softly, "You are…here."
It had felt important that she tell him, explain to him what she could see, but saying the words now she felt more than a bit foolish underneath his imperious gaze. His eyes danced with amusement, and his pale lips set in a smirk.
"So it would seem." He teased. She blushed lightly.
"Things…aren't always what they seem in this place." She countered.
"Perhaps. But it is you, Sarah, who are the dreamer. I am but the dream." Sarah reached out a hand to touch him, but he suddenly seemed so very far away. She opened her mouth to speak, but the room spun again before she could find her words. Sarah's vision went hazy and she felt herself fall again, this time with no hands to hold her balanced. The room around her blurred in color, and soon it faded to darkness. Sarah floated in the black, not moving.
One more, little one. Just one more
The voice brushed by her in the darkness, comforting though not familiar. Suddenly Sarah was no longer floating, and she felt unpleasantly cold stone underneath her. Her eyes flew open and filled with dim twilight. She lay in a corridor, under a tall stone archway that led into a circular walled courtyard. Across from her were two other openings in the wall, and in each was a figure.
In one entrance stood a tiny wisp of a girl. She was tall and pixie-ish, with a graceful and delicate frame. Her straight dark blonde hair spilled down her back and slightly covered her face, flowing about her in the wind. She appeared to be wearing a mask of goblin skin, crafted so well that in seem to meld into her own flawlessly. The eye of the mask glinted red like harsh fire, while the other was the clear blue of crystalline ice. Her clothes fit tightly to her slight frame, soft brown leather breeches tucked into black boots, and a black top that laced up the front and back. Her hands were covered with black gloves and straps and buckles covered her torso. Suspicion, anger, and distrust flashed through her eyes, and her stance was proud and strong.
The other entrance held a girl who stood as regal as a queen, with all the grace of a cat. Her form was willowy and slender, and she carried an air of elegance and unnatural beauty. Hair the color of light champagne flowed down to her ankles like a ribbon of silk, swirling about black breeches and black knee-high boots. A trim dove-dray jacket accentuated the curve of her waist, pulled over a ruffled snow-white shirt with a plunging V-neck line. Her eyes were mismatched, one a rich chestnut brown, the other the dark blue of the deep sea. Her eyes swam with emotion, a great sadness and a deep sense of longing passed over their surface.
The stared at each other, studying and appraising one another. Then in unison they stepped forward, striding purposefully towards the center, inexplicably pulled towards each other. As Sarah ran forward, the world melted around her and faded to black once more. Her eyes flew open to the comfortable familiarity of her apartment, and she bolted up straight in her bed, smoothing a hand over her heated forehead. With a sigh she sank back into the pillows. A small thought surfaced at the back of her mind, echoing softly. She waited patiently as the thought moved forward, gathering speed until it reached her and burst forth from her lips.
"Jareth!"
A/N: So, hopefully I did a good job on this, let me know if I don't make sense. 2nd chapter is on the way! Hope y'all like it, thanks!