Chapter Three

Cal was silent nearly the whole car ride, which is a good twenty minutes. His jaw had dropped just like Marie's had when he saw me, he even said 'wow' but now I wasn't so sure what he thought. The silence was pushing me over the edge, I wanted to say something but I had no idea what.

And then we both started up simultaneously

"Sorry, you go ahead." I said, thankful I didn't have to continue.

Cal pulled the car over to the side of the road and just sat there for a second. "I've been wondering when the best time to give you this was…" He dug into his coat pocket and pulled out a shiny black box no bigger than the palm of my hand. "Happy Birthday, June" he unsurely handed it to me.

I took it gingerly, readying myself to tell him I could not accept the gift, no matter what it was.

"Cal…I" but he cut me off as though he sensed what I was about to say.

"Just open it, okay." The box squeaked in protest as I lifted the lid. Instantly my breath caught in my throat and I could feel tears welling behind my eyes.

"H…how?" I asked simply and in complete awe; eyes still focused on the boxes contents.

"It's not the same one, not hers I mean, but it's as close to it as possible with only pictures and Marie's descriptions to go by." There before me, in that tiny box, was my Mother's locket. Or well, one that looked exactly the same. The real one had been lost in the car accident that killed her.

"Cal… I don't know what to say, this is, this is…" I clicked the nearly invisible latch, just like on my Mother's locket, and watched as it sprung open. Inside was my favorite picture of the two of us, taken when I was 15, just before she died.

I dropped the box into my lap, locket clutched in my hands and pressed against my chest, as silent tears streamed down my cheeks. Before I knew it I'd thrown my arms around Cal in an embrace that I had no intention of ever ending. But not long after, he was gently pushing me away until we were just inches apart. His hand came up to my cheek and lingered for a moment before wiping away the tears with his thumb.

"Thank you. This is the most amazing thing anyone has ever done for me. I don't know how I can ever thank you enough."

"You don't need to, June." But then he paused for a moment, considering something, before that wicked grin of his appeared. "On second thought, there is one thing I can think of…" I had no time to protest before his lips were crushing mine, and even if I'd had some I wasn't sure I would have stopped him.

Tears still lingered on my mouth making the kiss warm and salty as it deepened. Soon his tongue parted my lips and darted effortlessly against mine igniting something inside me that I'd never felt before. Warmth spread from my chest and through my body while we pressed against each other, lost in the most amazing kisses. The world around me disappeared; all I could feel was his body, all I could hear was our breaths growing heavier, but also something else, something out of place, something oddly familiar. An owl maybe, yes, the distant hoot of an owl.

An owl!

I pulled away hurriedly and peered out the windshield, eyes wide with worry.

"What is it? What's the matter!?" Cal asked between breaths, feeling my urgency. But nothing was there, just the sound of snow crystals melting against the glass.

"Nothing, I just…I thought I heard something. Maybe we should go, I'd hate to miss our reservation, would be such a waste of a dress." I gestured to my outfit and Cal smiled softly.

"You do look ravishing, you're sure to make me the envy of every man there." I laughed it off as if it were a joke and fastened the locket around my neck. Its intricate filigree vines and flowers matched my attire perfectly, as the brassy color complimented the earthy green tone. And the center held an onyx stone so black that it always reminded me of a pool of ink. But now it reminded me of something else; the strange owl's tipped wings and eerie eye. But I would not let that nightmare soil the beauty of my Mother's necklace, I thumbed over the stone as I did with her locket as a child, bringing a sense of calm to my body as Cal and I finished the drive in a comfortable silence.

Dinner went all too quickly as did the drive back. "You know, I don't think I'm quite ready to go home, not just yet, the night's too good to end now" I mused in the car, just the thought of that lonely, stuffy house stifled my breathing.

"Well, you're the birthday girl... what did you have in mind?"

"Actually, I have no idea. I guess everything's closed by now." I said frankly, this wasn't exactly the biggest town, the nightlife was almost non-existent. Cal thought sincerely for a second before coming up just as empty as I did.

"Well, it's not the most hip place in the world, but I do know of one place that is always open. To a choice few that is" I raised my eyebrows waiting for him to continue but he didn't. Instead he showed me. Before I knew it we were parking behind the bookstore.

"Ooo, swanky, think we can get in?" I laughed.

"Do you have a better idea? No? I didn't think so." He smiled and ushered me out of the car and into the store. "Okay, now just wait here for one second." He left the lights off, slipped into the backroom and fumbled around for a few minutes. When he pulled back the red curtain that led to the back room my breath caught for a moment. Candles lit up the room and a blanket lay on the floor with two glasses and a bottle of wine. It was clear that he'd been planning to bring me back here the whole time. His eyebrows raised, unsure of how to read my reaction. I stepped into the back room, a little impressed but also a little confused. I wasn't sure what he was expecting here. I gingerly took a seat and glanced over the room again.

"Um, Cal?" I said quietly. He sat across from me, so close his knees were touching mine. He looked a little worried. "Do you…." I leaned in close and his breath quickened a little.

"Yes?" he whispered back.

"Do you think it's safe to have all of these open flames around the books?" this time it was my turn to wear the wicked smile. He leaned back and laughed, running his hand back through his hair.

"You had me going there…and no, it's probably not safe. Do you want me to put out the lights?" He winked and I blushed. We blew out a few of the candles a sipped wine in silence.

"Thank you, for tonight. The locket, everything." I said, rubbing the front of the necklace again.

"It suits you" he said, gently touching it "As does that dress, I really did mean it when I said you were breathtaking." His fingers lingered, caressing the top of my chest where the edge of lace met my skin. I couldn't hold back the shudder. Warmth spread through my body and I wasn't sure it was from the wine or his touch, maybe both.

Cal set his wine glass aside and starred at me, something I couldn't recognize playing in his eyes. I felt awkward and exposed and the wine was starting to make my head loopy. I decided it was best that I set it aside too. I pulled my heels off and set them aside, needing to feel more comfortable, more like myself. I tried, to no avail, to tug the dress down and make it longer but all I succeeded in doing was drawing his attention to how much it had risen up on my thighs. He smiled for a second before leaning in and gently stroking my leg, slowly and slowly inching up to meet the bottom of my dress. His other hand encircled my waist and pulled me closer to him. My hands pressed against his chest and bunched his dress shirt into my fists. The hand that started on my leg was now gingerly rubbing circles into my thigh beneath the dress.

"June…" he whispered into my hair. I was too frightened to look up and meet his gaze "June, look at me…" he stopped the rubbing for a moment but his hand remained there. I slowly peeked up. His face glowed in the candlelight with such beauty. Angelic almost, no…maybe devilish, I couldn't decide. I unclenched my fists and before I let myself think I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him with a ferocity I didn't know I possessed. His hand gripped my hip and pulled me tight against him, his other hand pressed into the back of my head, holding me, willing the kiss to never break. I thought I might run out of breath, it seemed harder and harder to breathe.

I moved my hands down and under his jacket, desperately wanting to be closer to his skin. He let me strip it off and I started to work on the buttons on his now wrinkled white button up. He grabbed my wrists gently and I stopped, curious.

"Let's move upstairs." It was almost a question.

"Okay" I said, barely audible through my heavy breaths. He led me up the stairs, our hands intertwined. I was so nervous I was practically shivering by the time we made it up. His apartment was nice, elegant and tasteful, and the perfect size for someone single. It was, effectively, one giant room. At the top of the stairs there was the door that led outside, to the left was the kitchen, decently sized with a bar built in and a few stools. Other than the bar it was open, leading straight into the main room which consisted of his large bed, a few chairs, and a flat screen on the wall. Another door led to what I assumed was the bathroom and there were a few more narrow doors that must have been closets.

I sat and scooted back onto the bed, resting on my knees, unsure of how to continue. He stood in front of me, just watching. I leaned forward and went back to work on the buttons of his shirt but I was too nervous to make my hands of any use on them. Cal made quick work of them for me, his shirt hung open, his skin slightly exposed, daring me to rip the cloth away. It took every ounce of strength to move slowly. I edged up on my knees and pressed my hands against the bare skin, eyes closed, relishing in the warmth. I pulled the shirt off the rest of the way and brought my lips in, kissing and tickling up his chest. I heard his breath catch slightly as my nails and tongue ran across him. With that he pressed his body onto mine, taking us back against the bed. His hands ran up and down my body with so much pleasure I couldn't focus on what to enjoy most. Before I knew it we were both panting, I could feel his excitement pressing against me as he found my zipper. Slowly and smoothly he unzipped it, I felt the cool hair brush against my skin that now felt as though it were burning. Every thought had left my mind, I was lost in what was happening and even though I still felt that familiar frightened feeling in my chest, I never wanted this to stop. He carefully pulled the dress down, exposing my thin lacey bra and stomach. He went for the straps, pulling down on at a time and kissing where it had been. His lips and tongue played their way down, closer and closer to my breast and I felt as if I were going to explode. He pulled down the lace and, after what felt like ages, finally made contact. I couldn't help it; a moan escaped my mouth, something so foreign in sound, so aching. If I hadn't known better I wouldn't have recognized it to be me.

Suddenly, as if he'd been in some dream, the sound awakened him and he suddenly stopped, lungs still heaving with excitement.

"What? What's wrong?" I asked, worried. He pulled away and sat up, rubbing his hands through his hair. All of a sudden I realized just how exposed I was, that awkward, uncomfortable feeling flooded back all at once and I pulled my dress up trying so desperately to cover myself.

"I'm sorry, this is…I can't do this, it feels all….wrong" he trailed off so quietly I almost didn't hear the last word.

Wrong? Oh God…

A burning, aching feeling took hold of where my heart was. I was so confused, why was this wrong? Was there something wrong with me? Did I do something wrong? I must have. The signals were all there, it had been going so well… What did I do? What did I do wrong?

I couldn't speak, I couldn't think of any words, nothing was making sense. The room felt like it was spinning. I knew Cal was talking to me, saying something about getting our shoes and jackets and taking me home, something about being so sorry, but I couldn't comprehend any of it. He was giving no reasons why he stopped, why it was so wrong, he was purely and simple rejecting me. He'd made me feel so wanted, so beautiful, he led me to this spot and then ….then…this! Why!?

I wanted to leave, to be gone from this place, from him. I felt sick and used. The thought of enduring the car ride with him sickened me even more. Before I knew it I'd slipped my arms back in the dress, zipper still gaping open, and was out the door. I'd gone home through the woods behind the bookstore hundreds of times, I knew the route like the back of my hand and though it was long and snow was on the ground I didn't care. My bare feet refused to acknowledge the freezing earth beneath them. In the distance behind me I heard Cal calling my name, his voice thick with something, worry maybe? No, no, I wouldn't listen, I just ran, frozen branches scraping at my skin, I needed to get away, from him, from everything that had just happened. I needed to be free of my mind but I knew, no matter how hard I ran, that would never be possible.

The freezing air finally penetrated my thoughts, searing and boring into every nook of my skin and bones. It stabbed my lungs and I could feel the throbbing from scrapes on my skin and feet. I dropped to my knees, and there in the middle of the woods, in the dead of winter, I wept like I hadn't since I lost my mother. Suddenly I remember the locket he'd given me. I ripped it from my neck and threw into the snow ahead of me. Instantly the anger drained, the tears stopped, and I felt a pang of regret. I crawled over and searched the snow, clinging to the locket as soon as I found it with my frozen fingers. I clutched it to my chest, imagining my mother holding me as I held it, and staggered the rest of the way home.

The front door was locked and my purse was back at the bookstore, I spent a good ten minutes jimmying the lock on the glass doors out back before giving up. Just as I dropped the thin stick I was using I heard a click, I pushed the long knob down and went inside without question. I didn't care how it happened, I was just glad to be inside. I couldn't feel my fingers or toes and I knew my body was a mess, my dress probably ruined, but I only had strength to pull myself into bed, curl up under the covers and let silent tears lull me to sleep.

Morning came and went; I woke up in the late afternoon tucked tightly into the covers, with a cup of hot tea staring at me from my nightstand. Had Marie found her way in? I couldn't remember. I had a vague recollection of incessant calls and knocking, all of which I eagerly ignored before falling back into a dead, dreamless sleep. I got up and sipped the tea, it was so inviting, dark and strong the way I loved it. I carried it with me to the bathroom only to discover another warm surprise. Bathwater, still running and omitting a sweet perfume smell from the bath salts Marie had given me some time ago; I stripped off my dress and panties, avoiding the mirror at all costs and soaked and sipped tea until the water had gone too cold to bear. I patted off the excess water and wrapped myself in the plush pink robe that accompanied Marie's gift of salts and bath bombs. She had a thing for pink and couldn't comprehend that not everyone else in the world did too. I didn't care though; it was soft, clean, warm and most of all comfortable. Which were all things that I needed right then. Making my way to the kitchen for a fresh cup of tea I found it so odd that Marie was staying so distant, it was completely unlike her. A horrid thought occurred to me then

Oh God, what if it's Cal, not Marie?

It would make sense. I loved Marie but that girl did not know how to give people space. The sick feeling in my gut returned and I was afraid to step into the kitchen where the teapot was now screaming. I gritted my teeth and resolved to face him but when I stepped onto the tiled floor the room seemed to be as empty as the rest of the house. Confused, I drank another cup of tea, ate the buttered toast someone had left for me and went to get dressed. I pulled on a pair of jeans, slipped on my favorite blue t-shirt, laced up my trusty boots and threw on a fuzzy old, grey sweater. I needed to get my things from the bookstore and I needed to see Marie. I decided to start with the latter, I wasn't sure my resolve would hold up, I needed to do a test run with her. Thankfully I'd left the keys to my old, dull plum Honda civic here last night, after my little jaunt through the woods last night I had no desire to be out walking in the cold. My digits stung just thinking about it.

I was about to turn the car key in the lock when I heard a voice from behind me. Leaning against our tacky red front door was a rather strange looking man. Instantly, upon meeting his eyes, a pang of fear shot through me.

Those…eyes…

I flashed back to my sketch, the little red book, and the owl that I was certain had been something of my dreams. Two words kept ringing in my ears, over and over…

Goblin King.

"Leaving without even a simple 'thank you' June? And after I went to so much trouble…"

My name, he said my name…

Terse, knowing eyebrows raised high, showing off the smoky grey-blue eye shadow that decorated his piercing, lined eyes. His hair gleamed golden and glorious in the sun while an unaffectionate smile toyed on his lips. A glimpse behind those lips revealed frighteningly sharp, inhuman teeth.

His attire made him seem even more out of place, leaving little to the imagination; beneath a dark flowing, leather cape he wore a ruffled shirt, the deep neckline showed off the top of his pecks and hinted to the muscles that were most certainly under the rest of his shirt, as for his bottom half, he wore some sort of riding pants that were nearly obscenely tight, giving more than a simple glimpse of the large bulge that I assumed he must be very proud of.

This is impossible, this can't be real, I must be dreaming… I leaned back against my car, willing my legs to hold me up, a thousand different things playing through my head and I assumed on my face as well. He read the emotions easily.

"I can assure you this is not a dream, though as the clock ticks forth you will undoubtedly cling to that pointless hope."

"Who…who are you?"

"I believe you already know, after all, you did draw this….portrait of me. Though I'm not sure you captured the resemblance quite well enough, I'm much more handsome. Don't you think?" He smiled ghoulishly, holding up my sketchbook. In what seemed like a blink of an eye he was in front of me, mere inches away, my book now replaced by the little red one I had come to love so much. "I am most curious as to where you found this." He held it up, flipping through it without purpose.

"I, uh, found it…." What the hell am I supposed to say to this freak?

"Hmm, yes, it has a way of popping up where it ought not too" Within a flash the book was gone and replaced by an odd, glasslike sphere that he wound and waved over and around his hands and fingers effortlessly. "I must know, now that you've met me, am I as cruel as you think me to be?" Something terrifying lingered in his words and on his face when he spoke then and I felt like I was going to pass out, as if he were sucking up all the air around me. Was he, or was I just having some kind of panic attack?

"I…I don't know who the Hell you are but…you need to leave, now!" I pushed him away, he felt solid as stone, and I ripped my car door open, flinging myself inside as fast as possible.

"You called me June, what's said is said, you can't be rid of me so easy…" He was gone when I looked up from the steering wheel. I kicked the car in reverse and peeled out of the driveway, making my way to Marie's.

I've lost my mind. I've gone insane and had some kind of breakdown….maybe I should be going to the hospital.

Oh Lord, and what do you say June? That you're seeing the Goblin King? I'm sure that'll go over well.

I'd been so lost in thought that I hadn't realized I'd made my way to the bookstore out of habit. Luckily Cal's car was gone and I took the chance to get my things. I used the extra key Cal had given me ages ago and poked around downstairs for my shoes, purse, and jacket. I couldn't find them so I cautiously made my way up the stairs to his apartment. The thought of being near that bed again made my head spin and my stomach roll with anxiety. There weren't a whole lot of places where my things could be so I switched on the light and made quick work of scanning the room. My things were on a recliner on the other side of the bed. I grabbed them quickly before heading back down the stairs but stopped just short of the top step. Clearly when he returned he'd know I had been there, I decided to leave the key to the store on the counter.

"Good girl, better you leave it than he come asking. I'd hate for someone else to see you blubbering like you had in the woods" The Goblin King was perched on the banister, looking rather relaxed and bored, a certain insincerity in his words, or maybe I was just imagining that too.

"You aren't real." I said simply, but even I could hear the doubt in my voice. I passed him briskly and locked the front door before leaving the bookstore behind, not even a glance behind me. The sky had turned dark with menacing clouds on the way here and now the onslaught of rain and thunder and lightning had begun. Outside I found Cal and Marie, clearly shocked to find me here. He eagerly stepped towards me as if to hug me but then thought better. I clutched my things to my chest and said nothing.

"We were …I was so worried. You left last night before I could…well, I couldn't find you…I called Marie hoping maybe you'd gone there." His words were awkward and brief. Clearly Marie had no idea what was going on. She ran up to me inspecting my emotionless face.

"What the fuck happened, Cal wouldn't tell me a damn thing, all I know is that you went missing and when I finally got someone to pick up your phone it wasn't even you, it was some strange guy!" Marie's tone rose to almost a shout. My eyes met hers and I immediately wondered if she'd said what I thought she did.

"A man answered? You heard him, you talked to him? What did he say, what did he sound like?" My words were rushed and urgent.

"What do you mean!? He was with you, you should know! Are you alright, who is he?" Both she and Cal looked worried. I shook away the thoughts of the strange man momentarily.

"Nothing, no one, I'm fine. I just came to get the things I left last night." The King's words echoed in my head blubbering, that's what he said, my blubbering… I mustered up the most genuine smile I could but it was cold and unforgiving. "I'm sorry about last night Cal and I'm sorry I worried you Mar. As for what happened last night…" I glanced at Marie and then made eye contact with Cal. "I quit…" I struggled for the words to speak next but nothing came to mind. Marie could tell there was more to the story but she knew this wasn't the time or place. Cal just looked hurt though I couldn't begin to understand why he would be hurt after what he'd done to me last night.

"I'll drive you" I told Marie and we left in silence, she didn't speak the whole way to my house. When we went inside I found that I wasn't the only one glancing around looking for someone else in the house. She noticed at the same time.

"What's going on?" she asked softly, her voice laced with concern. Reluctantly I filled her in on the details of last night while we dried off from the rain that was still hammering down outside. She was unsure what to say at first, somehow she seemed angry almost. "Well, you didn't give him a chance to explain, maybe there's a good reason…" My jaw dropped so far it could have hit the floor.

"Are you kidding me right now? What possible reason could there be, and why do I feel like you know more than you're sharing." The silence grew uncomfortable and I felt anxiety growing deep inside. She was about to speak and somehow I felt that I wasn't going to like whatever it was she had to say.

"June…. I'm so sorry…" her sentence choked off and she began to sob, "I…I'm the worst friend in the world. I've known that there was something with you and Cal for a long time but you know how things have been with Kevin and I…and he's just a boy….and I….Oh God" She sobbed some more.

"Marie, what are you telling me here? I honestly don't know" Only I had a good idea

"We've been….well…you know…for a little while now…I mean, Cal and I" she peeked up from her hands and stared at me through tears. I didn't know what to say, what to do, a moment of anger flickered before it was replaced with something else, something numbing and awful. "It was just sex at first but he really liked you, he always has, it's not his fault it's mine, I came on to him and then things got complicated and we were seeing each other more and more and I knew what was going to happen last night and I couldn't stand it. I think I love him June! I should have never pretended to encourage you, I just felt so bad for you and I didn't think that it would ever go anywhere for you guys I mean, it's you! …Oh God I didn't mean it like that, I just mean, well you know how you are, you don't let anyone in, you don't love anyone…" She could tell she was digging herself in deeper but she didn't stop. Her words had bled together in my ears; the world was spinning out of control. He was cruel, she was cruel and the world was far more cruel and unfair than I ever realized.

"Get out." My fists clenched so tight I could feel my nails begin to dig into my skin. She looked stunned as if I'd slapped her.

"Wha…what?" she asked, more tears forming. "No, June, I'm so sorry you have to forgive me, please!"

"You….you…both of you! Pretending to be my friend? Pretending to be someone I could count on, care about. But what is it you said Marie!? I don't love. No, I couldn't possibly, it's beyond me right? This is wrong, unfair! This is all so unfair! I'd rather be thrown into the pits of the labyrinth. That would be fairer than this, than what you've done, than what my whole life has been!"

"What? What are you talking about!?" Marie reached up to grasp my shoulders, I jerked back, just the thought of her touching me caused pain; to imagine him touching her instead of me, of him wanting her more than me, I couldn't bare it.

"Get. Out. Now. You leave this house right now and you don't ever come back. You don't call me, you don't touch me, you don't look at me, and you can tell Cal the same thing!" I spit his name out like it was a curse, as if it literally left a bad taste in my mouth. Marie seemed in a daze when she stood, I stared at the floor, fists clenched in my lap, as she left, thankfully without another word.

I must have been holding my breath because when I inhaled it was as if I was taking my first breath after nearly drowning. I stood up and in one fell swoop knocked the few dishes, teapot, and miscellaneous items off of the kitchen islands counter. They crashed to the floor, glass flying every which way; it crunched under my boots as I headed to my bedroom. I tore my room apart looking for the album of my mother and I that I'd made with her before she died. I'd added to it all the time, more pictures of her, of Marie, Kevin and I, of Cal…the two of us together.

Poor Kevin….

I found the album and stared at all their faces, at my mother's face. The anger inside me grew. Everything had fallen apart. My eyes burned with tears I could no longer hold back, they fell mutely onto the images before me.

"Why did you leave me?" I screamed at my mother's face "you left me here, all alone! Why!? You left and you took Dad's love with you! All I had was Marie and Cal, I finally had something that you would want me to have mom, I had something and it all got ripped away, every bit of it. It's not fair, it's your fault I'm alone, it's not fair…it's not…" the sobs became audible, I didn't care anymore, I didn't care about anything. I ripped the pictures from the album, every one, and threw it across the room before collapsing into a ball. It landed with a thunk at the feet of My Goblin King. No…not my Goblin King. I have nothing, I have no one. But then it occurred to me. Marie had acknowledged the existence of this man, I wasn't losing my mind. He was real. Somehow he was real and he was in my bedroom watching me cry like a child.

"I thought you knew all about the world June, and just how unfair it could be. Isn't that what you told me?"

"What do you want from me!? Does my blubbering amuse you? Is there not enough entertainment in your world that you have to come to mine, that you have to ruin everything!"

"Do not pretend that any of this is my doing. You invited me here June, you called and I answered"

I was on my feet now, ready to scream and argue some more, but he was right. None of this was his fault, no, but he enjoyed my torture and that was enough to set me off again.

"I was right, you're nothing but pathetic!"

"Pathetic?" he seemed amused "You, little girl, are the one screaming how unfair your life is. And here I thought you read that little book."

"There are no babies here Goblin King, you have no reason to be here!"

"No, no babies here, but you are no ordinary girl, June." With the flick of a crystal the Goblin King transformed into a mess of feathers, the window burst open and out the owl flew. Left on the bed was the little red book open to a page near the beginning. I read over it, whispering the words as I went.

'but what no one knew was that the Goblin King had fallen in love with a girl and bestowed upon her certain powers'