"It's like you're a drug.
It's like you're a demon I can't face down.
It's like I'm stuck.
It's like I'm running from you all the time."
Sarah's apartment, Aboveground
I ran through the Goblin King's labyrinth when I was a teenager. It seems like so long ago, and yet I'm only twenty-two. I ran through the Goblin King's labyrinth and defeated him.
And yet I'm still running. The Goblin King is everywhere I go; I see his mismatched eyes everytime I walk by a reflective surface. I can't help but turn and run when I think I see those beautifully haunting eyes. What else can I do? Wait to be dragged back into the labyrinth or, God forbid, the Bog of Eternal Stanch? Even to this day I cannot stomach a strong smell- no matter how pleasant. I don't even wear perfume. Just deodorant.
I'm thinking of all the things the Goblin King did to me: refusing to give Toby back, forcing me to run in his labyrinth for thirteen hours, then taking a few of those hours away, putting me in the oubliette, posioning me with a peach, and finally the Bog. Even those twisted Fierys were less cruel.
Anyways, I think about all of this while I'm sitting in my apartment watching TV. I'm not really watching it, I just need backgraound noise. Without it, I can hear his words: "You're eyes can be so cruel, just as I can be so cruel."
And yet...I miss him. I would never say that out loud, but I miss the Goblin King.
"And I know I let you have all the power,
It's like the only company I seek is misery all around."
Jareth's castle, Underground
"Sarah." I whisper as I watch her through onw of my crystals. She's sitting in a large brown leather chair, her dark hair pulled back loosely. I swear, she's more beautiful every day. And she doean't even wear make-up. Unless, of course, she's in a play. She always gets the lead, of course. Nothing but the best for my girl.
That's right. My girl. She will always be my girl, power over her or not. I've missed her in the years she's been gone. Although very few, each year has felt like a century. And my misery shows. My subject's can see it; my kingdom reflects it. The leaves on the trees have turned brown and most have fallen off. The water is murky, even the Bog smells worse.
Oh, if only she was say the words! If only she would wish for me to return to her! I would be beside her before she could even finish the sentence, rules be damned. But wait! What is this she's saying?
"I wish I could see the Goblin King, right-"
I'm by her side before she finishes.
"Y-you came." She stutters.
"Now precious, you know I'll always come when you say your right words. Miss me?" I ask with a grin. Her eyes still sparkle like stars.
"Never. I just got lonely. And you're the only person who I have to talk to." she said.
"You're eyes are always so sad, Sarah. And you have friends. You have Hogwash. And the beast. And that damned disobediant fox."
"It's Hoggle. And Sir Didymus followed orders! We had his permission to cross!" Sarah shouted.
"Yes. So I guess you're right. But let's not stray from our subject, hmm? You having others you could speak to besides me?"
"They won't come anymore. I don't know why, but they won't. I called for them so many times. It's actuall the real reason I've called you. I have to know...did you harm them?" She asked. Her voice was filled with worry. If only she loved me as much as she does her friends.
"Now Sarah, why would I harm my subjects? They are of no threat to me, now guilty of any crime. I give you my word I have not layed a finger on them." I said honestly. Hell, I don't even know where Hogwart is these days.
"How do I know you aren't lying? Why should I believe you? Simply because I have your word?" Sarah shouted.
"Have I ever lied to you Sarah? Truly lied? I like to think my word is worth something. I never go back on it, nor have I ever broken it." I stated flatly.
"Oh really? Then how come you said I had thirteen hours to run the labyrinth, then took five away?"
"I was angry, precious. And you said it was a 'piece of cake.' If you had truly ran out of time I would have given you the remaining five hours. I wouldn't truly cheat to keep you or the child in the Underground." I told her.
"That would have been very...fair of you." She said. Dear God, I think she's speechless!
"See? I am very generous when the occasion calls for it. Now, about your friends. I assume you would like me to locate them for you?"
"Yes and no. I want your help finding them. King, I want you to take me back to Underground."
In the blink of an eye we were back in my domain, and I am sure my heart is about to burst from excitement in knowing she is she asked to come back.
