A/N: Here is the true beginning of this story and the chapter that might have you figuring out what movie I borrowed the arc from...Kudos to those who guess it right! :)

Obviously I had to modify things for fitting into the world of the Labyrinth, but I will be keeping to the main arc as much as possible.

I do not own Labyrinth or the untitled movie...

Toby grunted half in pain and half in frustration, as his makeshift lock picker snapped off in his hands. The thin metal wire had gouged a deep rut in the sensitive skin of his underarm as it slipped out of the key hole in the door he was attempting to open. For a moment, only a line of angry red showed on his arm; then the rivulet of crimson blood welled up and flowed over in a macabre design.

"Damn," He grit out through clenched teeth. "Okay Tobes old boy; time to try again."

He winced, but dug through his pockets to find the backup lock picker.

"Uh, Toby, are you sure you want to be attempting an escape from detention with Principal Marquet roaming the halls? You know how she gets when you step out of line," The voice of his best friend and co-conspirator broke through his concentration and Toby cursed again.

"Matt just shut up and let me work alright? I'll handle Marquet if it comes to that," He turned again to the door, wondering if school policy actually allowed for doors to be barred anyway.

Knowing the shifty principal, he wouldn't be surprise if she managed to charm her way out of trouble when inspections took place. It was obvious to him that she had a charisma even world leaders could stand to learn. He supposed he could talk to his lawyer father about it, but more than likely the elder Williams man was not going to be in a listening mood after finding out about his nearly adult son's most recent detention.

In all honesty, it hadn't been his fault – this time.

"Screw this," He growled when the lock refused to be picked on the second attempt. Fortunately, he had salvaged his backup tool, but it didn't stop the fact that he was still stuck in a puke green room with, a half-stoned friend and a principal out for his blood if he stepped out of line again.

Not for the first time did he contemplate blaming his sister for everything. Knowing that it wouldn't do him any good to dredge up that mess, he refrained. But the thought remained still in the back of his mind. If Sarah hadn't left, I would not be in this situation.

He moved to examine the windows and nearly crowed in triumph when the locks jiggled free in seconds. Ignoring Matt's half-hearted protests, he pushed one window open with a little effort since it hadn't been used in quite some time and had warped with the constant fluctuating cold and heat of the passing seasons.

At seventeen years of age, Toby still sported a lean figure that could fit through most seemingly impossible spaces. Having pursued running and gymnastics throughout his middle and high school years, his body was all muscle built for speed and flexibility. He had rejected the stereotypical male sports mainly as a rebellion tactic against a father who had starred in football and wished to go pro before an injury left him with the burning desire to live vicariously through his son. Toby also hated the jock mentality in his school. Being part of that crowd apparently meant that all imagination ceased as you kowtowed to the uniform stupidity of your peers.

Though Sarah had been absent for six years, her influence on his heart and mind was still aggressively present. And she would have hated losing her brother to the stereotypes when her whole life was devoted to living magically – free of societies demands to conform.

The window was not the toughest opening he had gotten through, but it was uncomfortable all the same.

"It's really not unlike childbirth," He mused as he twisted around in an effort to get the perfect angle for his body shape. A reminder from his health education class made him pause and grimace. "Okay, that was definitely not an image I needed at the moment. Blech."

He was halfway through when his pants got stuck on a rusted nail.

"Oh gods, if I ever get out of this, I swear I will never pull another prank again," He vowed as he tried to maneuver his clothing out of harm's way. With a cry of alarm, he managed it but lost his grip on the window sill and fell the last three feet to the earth where a bramble bush waited to receive him with prickly arms.

"Ow, ow, ow!" He cursed colorfully, albeit quietly as he extracted himself from the painful prickers. When it became apparent that he would need more than just his fingers for some of the deeply ingrained thorns, he sighed painfully. "Matt? Matt? Oh for the love; MATTHEW!"

"What do you want man? That fall was pretty cool," Knowing his friend would be little help, Toby scowled at the glazed expression on the face sticking out of the open window.

"Look, if Principal Marquet comes back, tell her I put myself on suspension. I'm going home," He checked to make sure Matt didn't get his head stuck on the way back in and set off in the direction of his abode.

His parents would both be working at this hour, so he hoped he could escape any scathing discussions until after dinner. His computer and some chocolate chip cookies with milk were sounding rather enticing at the moment.

With a cocky swagger in his step, he whistled a happy tune and planned his self-imposed vacation.

MEANWHILE –

"Where is he?" The speaker's voice had a dangerous edge that made the one being interrogated shake in his boots. "I thought I told you to keep him here so that I could question him. This is the third time he has escaped and he is the only one who may know the answers I seek."

"My lady, I tried. But his own magic blocks mine," The pitiful creature cowered in fright, expecting a beating at the least. "I have tried to bypass it by being his friend, but he is too powerful – even more so because he does not realize the magic he holds."

"Damn him to the deepest pits of Hades," The lady replied and her minion had a feeling that she was no longer speaking of the escapee.

"Please, my lady," He simpered, "allow me to go after him. I know where he lives."

"If what you say is true, his magic would not allow you to access him in his own abode. No, I will go myself and bring him out. He must have what I want."

No one but a glamoured creature saw her disappearance from the puke-green room where Tobias Williams had been detained for reasons unknown to him. When Matt shook himself free from the spell his lady had placed upon him, he snickered gleefully. No longer did he resemble Toby's somewhat drugged best friend. A twisted goblin took his place, cracking his joints menacingly.

"You remind me of the babe Tobias Williams, and for that I serve a higher power than the lady's to keep you from harm. Be thankful that I may have saved your hide with my witless behavior," He cackled once more and disappeared with a flash in a search for the very answers his Lady sought, but would never believe he had.

Extra kudos to those of you who guess the shoutout to the main actor of the movie as well...