Chapter One – The Introduction
As she adjusted herself to the familiarity of her bedroom surroundings, she suddenly felt embarrassed. Recalling the dream she had the previous night was warming, yet a strange feeling of truth rose form her inner core.
As she got up from her bed, on an unusually foggy Friday morning, she was happy to remember that there was no school that day, as the school was closed due to building works. Whilst standing up and stretching, Sarah Williams realised it was a year to the day since herself, at sixteen years of age, had defeated the powerful Goblin King and rescued her baby brother from the clutches of the Kings claws, in the Underground.
Since returning, Sarah had grown out of her toys and her costumes. Her bedroom was now simple and modest, but still warmth and joy emanated from its four walls. It was modern, yet feminine, yet the figurines of her 'Underground Friends' remained; the loyal Hoggle, the ever-comforting Ludo, the crazy Fierys, the trustworthy Sir Didymus and Ambrosias. Yes, even her figurine, which looked suspiciously like Jareth, remained on her dressing table, and from time to time she'd take a 10 minute break from whatever she was doing - just to stare at it.
She had always spoken on a weekly basis to her Friends, but over the last six months, especially with the important annual school exams, she hadn't the time for a social life, let alone chat to her gang of weird and wonderful creatures.
Toby was now 2 years old, lively and already seeming to have a high intelligence plus a dislike of authority – much like his older sister!
As it was 10.30am, Sarah decided to get dressed before going downstairs. She wore dark navy blue jeans with a fitted lilac Ziggy Stardust. She brushed her hair quickly as she stepped into her soft cotton blue slippers. As she was walking briskly down the stairs, she felt triumphant, at the thought of what she accomplished the year before – overpowering the Goblin King was something to be proud about!
"Oh look Sarah, you're up early", Karen snarked sarcastically.
"Sarah, she didn't mean it. Karen's just anxious about getting to her parents house before nightfall. Now the details about where we are going – your stepmother's parents – are on the fridge along with any telephone numbers you might need, okay?", Sarah's father instructed. Toby then waddled over to Sarah and put both his arms round her right leg, yelling "Bye Bye Sawah. Love youuuuu!". With that, Karen picked him up and took him into the car giving Sarah a wry smile and a quick "goodbye".
With her brother and stepmother settling into the car, Sarah's father gave her a meaningful hug, "Now, no drinks, drugs, boys, men, parties or sleepovers. Got it? Or, you'll be eaten to death by Merlin", he said, looking lovingly at the family's gorgeous Old English sheepdog. Walking her dad to the door, Sarah felt content and mature, as this was the first weekend that she'd ever be allowed to stay on her own – and not look after Toby. She felt excited at all of the possible things she could do over the next 2 and a half days – although that wasn't going to be any of the things her father mentioned!
She waved goodbye as the car was turning the corner, out of the drive, feeling almost sick with the anticipation of tonight's events. She shut the door with considerable energy, and smiled, as she had now finalised her plan…