Disclaimer: I own nothing of this.
Chapter 7
Calling the Devil
She woke up with a start tangled in pastel-colored sheets. Bright light entered the room through windows, warming up the air. She must have slept late for it already was bright. And had she heard her phone ringing? Sarah stroked her fingers through her dark hair, looking at the ceiling and collecting pieces of yesterday and frowned. The Labyrinth. Without waiting any longer, Sarah jumped out of her bed and yelped in pain. Apparently she hit herself yesterday one time too many; her limbs were so sore just plain standing felt almost unbearable. Voltaren…that's what I need right now…She limbed toward her kitchen and stopped. There. A very scratched package was still lying on her table.
Sarah sighed, picking the package in her hands and ripped the paper of. So, it was true… Sarah warily thought, tracking her fingers along the golden letters on the surface.
The ringing of the phone broke her revenues.
Her hesitant 'hello', was countered by anxious shout. It was Heidi.
"Sarah! Why didn't you answer before?"
"I just woke up…" She sat down, looking at her ceiling and the mistletoe Heidi had given. "And I still feel I could go back to bed." Sarah placed the book next to her and concentrated on the call.
"It's three o'clock!" Heidi exclaimed. "What did you do? Drunk a whole bar by your self?"
"Not quite. Thanks still of the compliment for my imaginary drinking abilities. I jut had a bit ruff day yesterday…" And you wouldn't believe how much, if I'd tried to tell… Sarah glared at her freezer-fridge and the happy postcards she had attached there. Her favorite was the card with a picture of a young girl and an elf or Santa, hugging each other next to a decorated Christmas tree. The man in Christmas costumes was a bit too thin to be Santa and a bit too big for an elf. And he did have a smug sneer on his face. Unsurprisingly the card was from Toby. He had sometimes an odd sense of humor.
Sarah woke from her thoughts by a sudden yells from another end of the line. "It's mine!" "NO! Give it to me! MOM…"
"Your family's there?"
"Well not all of them," Heidi replied, "but still definitely enough..." She tentatively continued. "You're certain you don't want to come here? Mom and dad say it's totally okay. Sam hasn't yet left her home, so she could pick you up on her way down…?"
"Thanks Heidi." Sarah was moved by her friend's effort "But really. I'm okay."
"But Christmas alone…Sarah…You don't need to be alone just because you're so dammed pride to ask. Really! I'd love to have you here with us."
For a while Sarah was tempted. She could almost imagine being with Heidi's family, with her parents, sisters and a brother and their family and children. She'd be surrounded by noise, feelings, laughter, songs and sparkling feeling of living…
The reality reminded her as she darted her eyes on the table and saw her book.
"No thanks. I'm fine."
"You're certain?" Heidi confirmed.
"Quite." Sarah assured. "And if I change my mind I can always call, can't I?"
"Well, yes…" She interrupted suddenly, and Sarah moved the phone further away as Heidi yelled in apparent nuisance. "Shit! Christy! Can't you stay even one moment still?!"
"Dean doesn't let me play with him!"
"She's a brat! She ruined my Gran Turismo! I was just getting on that curve for…"
"No you weren't…!"
"Sarah…I'm sorry, I need to stop. Everyone else is out of town so I'm here with the horror duo…" Heidi hastily spoke.
Sarah smiled. "Sure. Talk you later then."
"Thanks. And, by the way, merry Christmas! I'll call you!"
"Merry Christmas to you too. Bye…"
Sarah sighed. She doubted Heidi would remember to call. She was something akin to chaos. But she was her friend, and one thing was clear. Sarah couldn't bear to involve Heidi into her problems she was dragging along. They would follow her, no matter where she'd go.
And she still had to decide what to do.
Sarah was fairly certain her yesterday's acquaintance was already plotting something. And what was she doing? Well, I had a good night sleep. And I do have an idea…sort of… Sarah grinned, though a bit forcefully. But after a decent rest she almost felt anew and her thoughts had sobered a good deal.
So, she was alone, with a possible enemy after her. She didn't know what that so-called lord de Menchen was after, but she sensed it had something to do with her. First those trees and then that yesterday's incident…It was clear there was something amiss, though she didn't know what. Still, Sarah was sure it was no accident she found that damned book nor were the other parallel signs; all pointing toward the Underworld, the Labyrinth and, she sighed, its ruler. And I wouldn't wonder at all if I'd found Jareth snickering behind this all…
Before she returned back in her bedroom, she poured herself some juice and took couple of her medicines with the juice. She felt like she'd been driven over by a bus, her muscles ached so much.
Finally, as she had sat down on her bed she found enough strength in her to open the book, and glancing at the pages she hesitantly started to read.
The story was as bad as she had thought it could be. A young girl was lured to wish her baby-brother away and was forced to rescue him from the hideous Goblin King, whom Sarah suspected to have some sort of crush on the girl. A good Beauty and the Beast-story… She dryly thought while turning the pages. Though, it was odd how similar the plot and her adventure eight years ago actually were. She recalled her memories. When perceived other way, she too had been decoyed to wish Toby away. She couldn't tell about Jareth's feelings, but, she shuddered, she remembered fairly well the taunting presence of the Goblin King. The man had intrigued her; his attention made her giddy and vulnerable and confused her; and Sarah was honest enough to admit she had dreamed about him. But, Sarah also was certain, the man had known about her feelings. He used his knowledge of her dreams as his advantage. She knew she couldn't trust him.
The girl let down the book and looked the wintry city scene, deep in thoughts.
She actually didn't remember when she read the book for the first time. It had been with her as long as she remembered. Well, until I burnt it, Sarah softly smiled and then frowned. It seemed Labyrinth wasn't letting her escape that easily. She let go off the book; it didn't give her any answers. Someway she had already known it; it had been just a way to avoid facing the facts. But Sarah couldn't avoid the question anymore: was she really ready to carry out her plan?
Suddenly calling the Goblin King seemed very much harder to do.
Sarah tightly pursed her lips, rising up and headed toward her shower. She just couldn't name him out loud, not yet. She needed more time.
Too bad time wasn't on her side.
She doubted she could lose anything. By now, it was clear to Sarah that she was connected to something she either was responsible or part of. And it might prove fatal to her as well as her close ones. The little she understood wouldn't help her much, and if there were someone who might be able to help her, it would be the King of the Goblins.
And if he doesn't exist…Sarah faintly thought while looking around in the misty bathroom. Then I'm in big trouble, as if I'm not already…
It took some time from her to pick up her clothes as well as to tidy her appearance. Sarah quickly shoved away the though she might be paying attention toward her look because of the Goblin King. She? Never! She definitely didn't even wish to see him. To be nervous was only natural. Only a fool wouldn't be worried when making a call on an immortal being.
The kitchen was silent. Sarah decided it was the most impersonal place; at least there weren't cushions, sofas or beds around. She acknowledged she was being a bit paranoid, but no point repeating she didn't trust Jareth. Sarah took a deep breath while glancing around her. This was it. No turning point anymore.
"I wish the Goblin King would come to talk with me…" She breathed heavily before she sealed her request, "right now."
