Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth. If I did I wouldn't be writing this!
Author's note: Thanks to HazlgrnLizzy for informing on what Sarah's stepmother's possible names are. I decided to go with Ireneā¦I edited the last chapter so there is no confusion.
Also thank you to all those who read my story! I honestly thought no one would really be interested but after receiving such a warm reception, I can't wait to write more. Anyway Enjoy!
Sarah leapt out of her chair, distancing herself from the strange book. She cautiously extended her hand out to touch the book, to see if it was actually real and not some delusion. As she lightly touched the hard cover of the book a light scratching against her door could be heard. Her insides twisted as she approached the door, afraid of what waited behind it. She turned the handle and slightly pushed back the door. A shabby sheep dog sat patiently in the hallway. Sarah breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh it's only you Merlin. Come on in boy."
The dog rushed past the girl, jumping up onto her bed to take a nap. She felt more secure with her dog around to protect her from any impending harm.
She returned to the book, again gingerly turning over the cover as if something horrible lurked behind the pages. Nothing happened as she flipped to the first page, scribbled out in faded black ink was the title Labyrinth. "That's strange there's no author." She mused to herself. Flipping to the next page she begun to read the opening sentence:
"A young dark-haired girl stood upon the staircase ducking into the shadows as she peered down at the scenario before her. Her mother and father were engaged in another argument, screaming at each other, anger gleaming in both of their eyes. The young girl knew this was the last straw as her father marched away to his study, where sure enough he would pour himself a glass of brandy and listen to his classical records.
The young girl's heart had begun to crack as her family begun to unravel before her, her mother cast her eyes on the girl, aware of her presence. She turned away and walk to her bedroom to gather her belongings. The young girl would never be the same again."
Sarah quickly shut the book. It was as if some one had poured her painful memories unto the page. "This book is definitely evil" she said as dropped it back on to her vanity. Afraid to continue on and revisit memories she had tried so hard to forget. Her eyes brimmed with tears as images came flooding into her mind. In a rage she picked up the book and hurled it out her opened window.
Collapsing on her bed, she folded her arms and moved her down as she sobbed. Her heart felt as if some one was rubbing salt into her mending wounds. A wave of desperation washed over and in that moment she truly felt abandoned and alone.
Merlin watched his mistress weep, he scouted up next to her in an attempt to comfort her. He prodded his cold nose against her cheek, she raised her head. Instinctually, her hands flew up to her eyes rubbing away the tears. The familiar urge to run overcame her as she grabbed the leash and hooked it around Merlin's collar.
The pair rushed down the stairs past the kitchen where Irene sat eating meatloaf and some sort of vegetable. She casually glanced up as she watched the evening news. "Taking Merlin for a walk, he's getting restless." Sarah said as she stopped to explain herself.
"Fine, whatever" Irene said disinterest, she was not fond of Sarah's pet and companion. However, if the dog could talk he would say the feeling was mutual.
She strolled through the streets, trying to find a respite from her reoccurring memories of a past she would most rather like to forget.
Through the pair's ambling, they had reached the park, a place where Sarah usually took Merlin to play and run around in. Deciding to forgo any more bizarre incidents she attempted to cross the street. Merlin had other ideas. He pulled against the tether, trying to direct his owner to where he wanted to go. Sarah could not hold on as her hands cramped up, involuntarily she loosened her grip. That was it all it took as Merlin shot off into the park.
"Damn dog!" she shouted to herself, as she sprinted across the street and towards the park's entrance. She dashed down the path, Merlin in front of her running on full speed towards Sarah's favorite spot.
After maybe five minutes of chasing after Merlin, the dog stopped abruptly. He looked up into the sky and sat down upon the grass. Sarah's eyes followed his gaze but there was nothing in the sky.
Approaching the dog, a gust of wind blew as if warning her to look behind her. She heard the recognizable sound of flapping wings beating against the air. It was the owl, the one she had seen early in the day. His white form melding into the moonlight, his feathers seemed to be illuminated.
Sarah closed her eyes as the light intensified, even with her eyes shut; she could sense a tremendous amount of light glistening before her. Merlin began to bark at the spectacle before him, his only reaction was to protect his owner.
"Hush now pup" a gruff voiced called out to Merlin. Sarah was afraid to open her eyes, she wanted to flee but her body would not move, an invisible force cementing her into place.
"Hello, Sarah" the male voice greeted her. "It's been a while, too long perhaps. I am quite certain that you have forgotten me by now, but I haven't forgotten about you. No, you have always been on my mind ever since the last time we met."
Sarah slowly opened her eyes, before her stood a tall masculine figure clad in dark clothes. He looked almost human except for his eerie luminous mismatched blue eyes; they glowed as he intently watched her.
"Who are you?" Sarah quietly asked, too frightened to do anything else.
"Me?" He pointed to himself, "I'm the nightmare that keeps you up at night and the answer to all your prayers."
