A/N: All I have to say about the incredible time that's passed is sorry sorry sorry. I'm trying to balance SATs and applying for colleges right now. Bless you if you're still here to read this. I won't delay anymore!
Interlude: Toby.
Toby sniffed from his position flopped across the bed. He had stopped crying about an hour ago, but every once in a while a tear trembled on the edge of his eye and fell with a plop on the green duvet. He slowly sat up, rubbing his red face with small fingers, and looked at the spaceship alarm clock on his bedside table. It read 9:43 in blocky letters, and the seven-year-old's heart jumped into his throat. His parents would be home in an hour. What could he tell them? Not that the evil king from his book took Sarah away. They would laugh. The thought twisted his stomach again, and he glared pointedly at the tiny red book on his nightstand. It looked so harmless, blocky lettering and bent pages…and it had caused this whole mess. Angrily, the little boy reached out and shoved the book off the nightstand with one quick movement. He was going to fix this, he promised himself, glaring at his reflection in the wood-framed mirror above his desk. It had been Sarah's when she was younger, but now the only face the mirror saw was his (currently) scrunched-up, red one. He slid off the bed, picked up Labyrinth and flipped through it, looking for any sign of Sarah. Okay. Think back. What can help you?
The Goblin King fluttering into the room. Sarah's white face. Her lips pressed together…no. Focus, Toby! Something that can help. What did the king say after Sarah disappeared?…
Toby's eyes grew wide when Sarah faded from view. "Where did you take her?" he demanded, his voice wavering. He sat up in bed and poked his chin out, as much as he wanted to cower under the king's aristocratic gaze. "Let me run the Labyrinth for her! That's how it works! You have to give her back!"
Jareth's eyes were unfocused and gazing at nothing, but they moved to rest on Toby when the boy spoke. "I cannot let you run, Tobias," he said in a soft voice, like he was separated from what was happening. "It is against the rules."
"WHAT rules?" Toby stomped his foot, drawing the full attention of the king. Instead of scowling, like Toby thought he would, he knelt down next to the boy and looked him in the eyes. "I am truly sorry, Tobias. But you are too young. The Labyrinth is made up of intricacies and rules. They must be followed or the maze will destroy itself with all its complications. Drive itself mad, if you will." Jareth straightened and adjusted his cuffs.
This did nothing to comfort Toby. In fact, it only confused him more. "But…you talk about it like it's a person! It's just walls!"
Jareth shook his head. "Sarah has taught you nothing, then. Read her story-" he nodded to the little red book still on the nightstand- "and you will understand. I have business to see to, business that now includes"- he winced - "your sister. Behave, Toby."
"W-wait!" Toby cried as the king began to turn around. "Can't you tell me what I'm s'pposed to do? Please! My parents are gonna be home soon, and-and-" the boy sniffed, worry shining in his eyes.
Jareth slowly turned back.
"Please help me," Toby whispered, trying not to cry. He looked down at the floor, ashamed.
The not-so-scary goblin king looked at Toby and said, "If you need help, you need only call." His eyes briefly fell on the mirror behind the boy. And then, with a flash of glitter, he was gone.
End Interlude. For now.
