Sarah collapsed into the chair, exhausted but happy. She had made it home just in the nick of time, earning a glare from Elizabeth and an apologetic kiss from her father as the baby was thrust into her arms. She had corralled Samson into the house and set to work.
After playing with Michael for a few hours, she had fed him and put him to bed. And then finally she had time to herself. Dragging herself from the chair, she retrieved her new book and settled in with a cup of tea. She stroked the leather cover, slowly tracing the letters etched there - a title but no author's name. Labyrinth.
Sarah opened to the first page and was immediately caught up in the story of the Goblin King and his Labyrinth. Samson lay at her feet, sleeping as she relaxed. Time passed quickly. Give me the child. Sarah's bright green eyes darted across the page as she drank in every word. For my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom is as great...
The sound of crying came from upstairs startling her. Wrinkling her nose, she laid her book aside and headed upstairs. Samson roused himself and followed her. She reached the nursery and scooped up the screaming baby. Realizing that he needed a changing, she cleaned him up and settled into the rocking chair.
She had been so engrossed in her book she hadn't realized that a storm had sprung up. The rain beat against the windows as the wind shook the house. Patting Michael, she rocked back and forth, feeling his tiny body relax. Thunder rumbled in the distance and the room lit up as lightening struck.
Michael fidgeted, trying to get comfortable in her arms. Standing to lay him back in the crib, the room lit up again. The hair on the back of her neck as a form was illuminated by the lighting. There was someone outside the window!
Samson growled, his fur standing up as her heart beat faster. Clutching Michael close, she backed toward the door, the dog on her heels. She slipped out the door and closed it tightly behind her. She descended the stairs quickly and headed for the kitchen. Thankfully the baby was quiet, unaware of the danger.
Sarah was reaching for the phone when the house was doused in darkness. Her heart beat faster, fear coursing through her veins. She felt Samson press against her leg, comforting her. Blindly searching, she was finally able to find a flashlight. Making her way to the front room, she placed Michael in his playpen.
As she turned, she caught sight of the book she'd been reading. Of course! She thought. I was reading that book when I heard Michael crying. And it was a pretty intense part when I was interrupted, so I must have imagined that figure in the window. There's no way anyone could get up there.
Breathing out in relief, Sarah reclined in the chair watching over Michael as he slept. He lay sucking his thumb, his chubby face peaceful. Caressing his face gently, Sarah's heart filled with love. How could anyone wish anything so sweet away? She wondered as she watched him. If I was going to wish anyone away, it'd be Elizabeth.
Samson settled down in front of her, positioning himself between her and the playpen. They sat in darkness with the storm raging on outside. At some point, she must have began to doze off because the next thing she knew was strange noises coming from the front of the house. Samson stood on his feet, hair raised as he growled.
Sarah jumped from the chair and edged out of the front room. Samson began to follow but she stopped him. "Stay." She commanded firmly. Slipping down the hallway, she silently cursed herself for not charging her cell phone. Suddenly the front door flew open and she screamed as a figure entered the house.
"What is going?" She heard Elizabeth demanded as Michael began to , Sarah was grateful for the power being out. "I'm sorry, you startled me. I feel asleep and I didn't know what time it was." She mumbled apologetically. Dad patted her shoulder as he passed by on his way to the fuse box, leaving her to Elizabeth's mercy. Thankfully Elizabeth made her way to Michael and left her alone.
It didn't take long for her father to get the power back on and it took a moment for her eyes to readjust to the bright lights. It was only then that she noticed the strange man that stood in the foyer watching her.