Author's Disclaimer: I do not own Jim Henson's "Labyrinth". I do however own Jane, Ava, Alex, and Sophie. Those four are MINE. Thank you for your time. :)
Author's Note: I just HAD to write this down. I'm not promising it will continue. A few of you will know I'm on hiatus or whatever that's called (something with writer's block) for my other in-progress stories. Sorry about that. Time and my new novel take up the time I use to have for fanfiction. But atleast I can do a few oneshots for all ya. Here's one of them.
Summary: It was just a story. That's all it was. But Jane and her sisters, Alex and Sophie, began to realize that some stories are real and that some things are just meant to be hidden...
I woke up the next morning, feeling refreshed. I sat up and glanced out my window, some part of me hoping the owl would be there. He wasn't. I felt a little disappointed. Eventhough he was only there for a little while, I got use to him. I made my bed and grabbed a change of clothes. I rattled the hallway bathroom's doorknob.
"Somebody in here!" Sophie yelled. "Do you mind?!"
I growled. I skipped to mom and dad's bathroom. Luckily, it was empty. I used mom's ocean scented shampoo and conditioner. After I dried myself, I braided my hair and I pulled on my undergarments and summer dress.
I hurried down the stairs to see Alex eating a sandwhich in the kitchen. She turned to me. "Good morning, sleeping beauty."
"I'm the little mermaid. You're sleeping beauty."
She stuck her tongue out.
"I'm taking Sophie to rehearsal as soon as she eats breakfast. Wanna come?" Alex asked.
I thought about it. "Alright."
"Then get ready, Goblin Queen." She teased.
"Ha ha." I went upstairs and put on some white flipflops. I grabbed a white bag with painted pink, yellow, and blue flowers. I stuffed my phone, pocketknife, wallet, and a few other accessories. I went downstairs and waited with Alex. We began to make plans for that day. Sophie's rehearsal was three hours. We might as well stay in the city. We decided to go to the mall. Sophie came down in shorts and a striped shirt. She dressed like a minature Alex sometimes. Alex always wore shirts. She wore t-shirts or tanktops and if it was a little chilly, she'd take her favorite yellow sweater. She was more of a sneakers person than a flipflop one.
Thinking about Grandma Sophie last night made me realize how much the three of us had pieces of her. Sophie had her eyes - those big green eyes. She also had her eyelashes and her fantasy dreams. Alex had her fiery spirit, determination, and confidence and she was the one who looked the most like Grandma's - her face structure atleast. I had Grandma's brown hair and nose. I also had her naiveness, atleast that's what I've been told. I didn't know Grandma to be naive really.
"Lucky charms!" Sophie served herself.
I munched on my poptart. That was another thing Grandma, Alex, and I had in common: unhealthy breakfasts. We chatted a little and as soon as Sophie was done, Alex grabbed the carkeys.
"Got your cellphone?" I asked Sophie.
"Yup!"
"Pepper spray?"
"Gosh, Jane!" Alex said as she locked up the house. "She's only going to school for rehearsal!"
I rolled my eyes.
* * *
Alex and I wandered around the mall. We were only window-shopping. Yeah, right. Alex said she talk to mom and dad earlier that morning. They said they were doing good and asked if we were alright. After confirming we were in no danger, dad tipped Alex off that there was a credit card for us girls. We were suppose to share it equally. "But don't tell your mother!" He warned. "Or I'm not doing it for you girls anymore." Good old daddy. Good thing about being girls, daddy was wrapped around our fingers.
Alex and I calculated how much was an even share. Even if we had to share with Sophie, it was still a pretty good amount. And Alex had a little part-time job on the college campus, so she had a little extra cash. We went to the videostore and then to Victoria's Secret. Alex wanted a new bikini and I wanted a new dress. I was so glad that store had modest clothing.
"Green or blue?" Alex asked me as she digged in between the hangers.
"I like green on you. It looks out there and this green - " I picked up a bikini top. "Looks good on you."
"Oh," Alex regarded it with interest. "That looks cute."
I grinned and wandered around the store, looking through clothes and stuff. I noticed a displayed dress across Victoria's Secret. I began to walk towards it. I stood infront of the window and admired the dress. It was a wedding gown. It was a glittery cap-sleeved ballroom gown. The neckline was heartshaped and the bodice was beaded into a design too familair to me. I noticed that the hem of the skirt was beaded as well. It was very beauitful.
An arm linked around mine. "Lovely, isn't it?"
Could it be? I turned my face, half-expecting to see Alex. But I stared into a heart-shaped face with blue eyes, framed with long curly red hair. My eyes widened. "Ava?"
She smiled, her pearly whites showing. "I knew it was you."
I pulled away, too amazed. A part of me was so happy that Ava actually existed. But a part of me was screaming at me that I was going crazy, it was all a dream! And she wasn't wearing her blue gown. She was wearing jeans, sneakers, and a blue shirt that showed off her right shoulder. She blended in fairly well.
"I had to see you," Ava said. "After you faded from the ballroom, I didn't know if you made it home safely. So, I used a little magic and did some research. It was hard to track you down in this overcrowded city." She looked around at the crowd. She turned back to me. "And you looked a little different but the moment I saw how you looked at the dress, I knew it was you. It was the same look you gave at the ball."
"Wait. It was all real?" I asked her.
Ava looked at me. "Yeah. I told you it was."
"I just passed it off as a dream. I mean, I don't believe in any magic."
She tilted her head. "Oh. And you're such a good dreamer too."
I smiled. "Thank my grandma." I paused. "Ava, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"The girl who dreamed all the balls and parties... what was her name?"
Ava bit her lip in concentration and tapped her finger on her chin. "I think it was..."
Suddenly a screeching noise gave out, spreading goosebumps on my skin. Glass shattered all around us. I looked around and saw there was no crowd. Just an empty mall. I turned back around to see Ava looking horrified.
"He found me! He found you!" She looked guilty. "I'm so sorry, Jane!"
I rushed to her and grabbed her arms. "Who? The Goblin King? Ava, nothing makes sense!"
She looked at me with wide frightened eyes. She grabbed my hands. "Don't dream about the balls, about the king, or about me! Remember, anything is possible and nothing is what it seems!"
"Ava!" I suddenly fell through the ground. I screamed.
"Yo! Dork!" Something hit the back of my head.
I blinked and turned around. Alex stood there, one hand on her hip and another raised, which I assumed was the hand that hit me. She was carrying a Victoria Secret bag.
"What's with you?" She asked me.
"I spaced out." I told her. "Kinda went into la la land." I glanced around. There were hundreds of people around us with shopping bags. But no Ava. Had I imagined it all up? I turned to Alex. "Whatcha buy?"
"Oh my god!" Alex pulled out the bikini. It was green and white striped. "Isn't it cute? It reminded me of frogs!" Frogs were her favorite. She had half her room decorated with frogs.
I grinned. "Its all you."
We picked up Sophie after rehearsal. She came in the car with her little cute grin. "Guess what?" Sophie told us. "Marlene got sick and she'll be out 'till atleast Wednesday. I got the lead part now!"
"Whoohoo!" I cheered.
"Plan was sucessful." Alex held up her hand and I clapped it. Sophie auditioned for Cinderella. She was originally just a dancer which was so unfair. She was great! She originally wanted Cinderella. But of course, the teacher picked Marlene. Alex and I joked we were going to get Marlene out for Sophie. We didn't do anything of course, but nature sure did.
We all laughed.
"Do you need help with your lines?" I asked.
Sophie nodded. "I have to sing too."
"Pfft, you got that down." Alex said.
* * *
When we got home, we fixed ourselves to some noodle soup. Then we decided to help Sophie with her lines in a couple of hours. She was more than happy to oblige. I sprinted up the stairs and pulled out the dress I sewed together yesterday. I decided to add two front pockets. I grabbed a patch of material. It was striped and shades of blue and green and white. It fit perfectly with the pale blue dress. I sewed them on and added an oversixed dark blue button over both pockets for fun. I changed into it and pulled on some black leggings. I was glad the leggings were like dance leggings. The leggings only went down right below my knees. I modeled infront of my mirror and smiled.
The sky darkened.
I glanced out my window and was surprised to find the glass a bit chilling. I grabbed a light sweater and put it on. You know, on second thought, I'll put on some socks or shoes. I grabbed slip on shoes and went downstairs.
"What are you so dressed up so?" Alex asked with a teasing smile.
"Just got a little cold so I got a sweater."
"Rehearse!" Sophie jumped down the stairs and waved her script infront of us.
We laughed. "Ok, ok. Let's do this." Sophie stood in the middle of the living while Alex and I stood close by across while looking at the script.
"Alright," Alex clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth "I'll be the stepsister number one and two and Jane'll be the stepmom."
I frowned. "Why do I have to be the stepmom?" I asked a bit hurt.
"'Cause you got that down," Alex said.
I frowned. "That wasn't nice."
"Yeah, I know. Now begin!"
* * *
Rehearsal didn't go bad. Alright, so Sophie stuttered a little and forgot a few lines. But she was the lead role. She was feeling pressured. She sighed and nearly cried. Alex and I assured her she would get it right.
"What if I don't, though?" She asked tearfully. "Marlene would play it better than me."
I frowned. "Don't say that. You're the best."
"Maybe all you need to do is get in character. Maybe watching Cinderella will help."
Sophie seemed to like the idea. "Alright, I'll go get it." She ran up the stairs.
I smiled at Alex a little. "Maybe if we get into pajamas, it'd be more comfortable."
"At six o'clock?"
"Pfft. Why not?"
Alex and I stopped and the grins on our face could no longer hide. "Last one to change is a rotten egg!" We both ran up the stairs, trying to knock one another down. We laughed and split up to our rooms. I stopped when I reached mine though. Sophie sat on my bed and she admired the gazebo music box in her hands. I looked at her and then slowly walked in my room. "What are you doing in my room?" I asked her.
She turned to me. "Can I borrow this?" She looked back down at the doll.
I frowned. "No."
"Why not?"
"Because you never take care of my things. Remember my doll, Emma? That was a collection doll and I could never fix her hair or her head!"
Sophie glared at me with glassy eyes. "You're so mean! Just because Grandma left you the music box. It was suppose to be mine!"
I seethed with anger. "She left it to me. You got her stuffed animals. Fair is fair."
"But I want the music box. It'll help me with my play."
"I don't care!" I nearly screamed. "Its mine and I know that if I give it to you, you'll never take care of it and I'll get it back all broken!"
"What's going on?" Alex came in.
I turned around and beat Sophie to it. "Sophie wants my music box but I told her no. Tell her, Alex. Tell her she always messes up my things. Like Emma!"
Alex gave me a look. "Emma was five years ago." She turned to Sophie, "And you. No means no."
"But -"
"No buts!"
Sophie looked up with glassy eyes. "I hate you both," she muttered.
And then the most horrible thing happened. The music box slipped from her hands and crashed to the floor. My eyes widened in horror. The doll was detached from the gazebo and the gazebo lied in pieces. The doll was, for the most part, intact. But I saw a crack on her face. The music that was originally was playing became distorted until it went silent. I dropped to my knees and carefully picked up the doll. It split into two. Tears fell down my cheeks. The world went silent for a moment. I could barely hear Alex and Sophie arguing. It was gone. The music, the doll - it was all gone. It really wasn't fair! Grandma left me her musicbox, Sophie got her stuffed animals, and Alex got her books. I had nothing of Grandma now, just pictures.
"I didn't mean to!"
The world came back to me. I looked up at Alex with red eyes. She knew how much Grandma meant to me - meant to all of us. She glared at Sophie. "Man, Sophie. I wish the goblins from Grandma's story would come and take you away right now!" She marched to the doorway. "Come on, Jane." She said more calmly. "We might be able to save it with Dad's superglue."
I heard her walk away but I knew it was hopeless. It was gone. I stroked the doll's dress. I stood up slowly. I lifted my eyes to Sophie. I stopped. The bed was empty. "Sophie?" I looked under under the bed and around my bed. "Sophie, come on. I'm not going to kill you or beat you." I promised. I really wasn't. I just wanted to tell her how hurt I was and have her explain to mom and dad what happened over the phone. But she wasn't in my room so I checked her room. Not there either. I checked my room again. Panic rose in me. "Alex!"
She gave a loud sigh. "What?!"
"Sophie's gone!"
Alex came up the stairs with superflue in her hand. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm telling you, she was sitting right there!" I pointed at my bed. "You saw her!"
My sister took a breath. "Ok, calm down. Maybe she's in the closet." She stopped. "That didn't sound right."
"Alex!"
"Ok, ok!" She opened my closet and searched.
I bit the edge of my sweater's sleeve. Sophie had to be in the room. She didn't get pass me. I jumped when I heard a low snicker. I whirled around and could've sworn something ran in the hall. I took a peak and saw nothing. I took a few steps back further in my room. I saw something move in my mirror. I turned and saw nothing.
"A-Alex?"
"Hang on!" She said with obvious burning up frustration.
I saw a flash of lightning and the power went out. But there couldn't be any lightning; summer was a few weeks away. I heard another snicker. I lunged for my pillow. I had a pocketknife under it. But when I lifted my pillow, I screamed. It was small but so ugly looking it was terrifying! It lifted its large red eyes at me and cackled. I screamed again and this time Alex ran to my side. She gasped and brought out the metal bat from under my bed.
"Eat this!" She swung the bat and the thing went flying to the wall.
"Nice shot." I held her arm like a child to a mother.
"Talk later, run now!" She said.
"Wait. What about Sophie?"
"She probably made a run for it!" Alex looked around and jumped at the sound of thunder. She was just as surprised as I was. "What the...?" She whirled around when she heard a laugh. "This is getting freaky. What are they? Oversized bugs?"
"I don't know but we should go to the police station." I looked around, hair head spinning. "Sophie! Sophie, where are you?"
"Stay here!" Alex handed me the metal bat and ran out of the room.
I gaped at her. I gripped the metal bat in my hands. I breathed. It was time to put all those hours of Wii to good use. I looked up and saw the white barnowl perched on the treebranch. But he was staring straight at me and I felt like he was glaring at me with hatred. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something behind me, silently laughing. I breathed and whirled around while swinging the metal bat. Whatever it was, it hit the ground and scurried away. I grinned a little. Homerun! I stayed still despite the trembling fear running all over my body. I managed to knock down another of the oversized bug. But this one stayed still enough for me to actually see what it was. My jaw dropped. It was a goblin, exactly how Grandma Sarah would describe them as. It suddenly dawned on me. Sophie's disappearance, goblins, lightning...
Before I could scream Alex's name, my window broke and the glass pieces went flying everywhere. I heard the screen rip, almost in synch with the thunder. I crouched down and my hands covered my head. The metal bat dropped onto the ground with a loud clang. I heard snickers all around me, pattering of feet, and the beating of wings. Then a musical humming replaced the beating of wings. I let out short breaths and opened my eyes. A tall figure shadowed over me. I realized they were right behind me. I jumped to my feet and took steps back.
At the very second I saw the figure, I wished I would wake up.
Standing in my bedroom with a smirk and in black armor was the Goblin King himself.
Note: Dun dun dun! The Goblin King finally makes his appearance. lol I swear my imagination is forcing me to write this. Tell me what you think please!
P.S. Thank you "Exceptiona" for reviewing. I'm glad that though the storyling is unoriginal, it still caught your interest. :)
