'Hoggle did say he worked in the gardens. Maybe he looks after this one as well.' Looking to my side I could see that he had started making his way over to the bench. He had told me that we were close to the castle at this point, not even twenty minutes away, and sitting seemed like a good thing to do. Moving my sore legs I slowly walked over to the bench and sat down heavily with a sigh. Hoggle sat down next to me and looked down, resting his elbow on one of his knees.
He looked tense. "Hoggle?" I asked carefully. I saw his head turn slightly in my direction before turning back to it's original position. "I'm so glad that you showed up when you did, Hoggle. I wasn't myself back there." He looked up at me again with a confused look.
"What happened, Sarah? Why are you here?" He asked quietly.
"I... I don't know. Jareth had shown up in my home and brought me here. I don't know what his intentions are but I know they're not good." I replied. Hoggle looked down again, fidgeting with his fingers the still held onto the torch. 'He's hiding something.' Was the only thing that I could think of right now, but he might not want to tell me. Suddenly, a different question came to mind. "You mentioned something about a gift the last time you were above ground. Would you mind explaining what it is?"
"Oh yes, I did didn't I?" He said still looking down at his hands. Rolling his head to one side and then the next he cracked his neck then turned to face me with a serious expression. "The gift," he started, "is being able to see things that normal people can't." I blinked and gave him my own confused look. 'What does he mean? Everyone who comes through here sees fantastical things.' Before I could open my mouth to ask him he continued explaining. "What I means is that hardly anyones can see the creatures of the labyrinth anymore, well, at least not the major ones."
"What do you mean by major ones?"
"Likes myself, those four idiots of guards, the knockers, and many others including Jareth himself." He finished explaining moving my his hands each time he mentioned someone. "Only the major creatures of the labyrinth."
"That must be what the caterpillar was telling me about. No one noticed him." I said quietly to myself. Hoggle nodded and turned his attention back to his hands. As I watched him become quiet again I started to get frustrated. Whatever this is that he wants to tell me is getting annoying. He needs to tell me before I snap!
Calming myself down I reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder in a comforting way. I felt him jump slightly at the sudden touch, but he still didn't look up. I need to ask him now. "Hoggle, I can tell that there's something else you wanting tell me. What is it?" I asked him not really wanting to press the matter. Taking in a long breath he turned to me for the hundredth time this hour and closed his eyes. "I don't really knows how to explain this in a matters that you would understand. Hell, I don't even understand it!" Pinching the bridge of his nose as he began. 'What could this be?'
"Just tell me. I'll inderstand." I coaxed him giving his shoulder a slight squeeze.
"Yes Hoggle, do explain." A voice said behind us.
Both Hoggle and I turned around to see a figure leaning up against a wall behind the bench we were currently occupying. Grabbing the torch from Hoggle's hand I shoved it as far as I could in front of me. Jareth's image soon appeared before me. He blended in so well with the darkness. Everything he wore was black except for his white open shirt. I would've swooned if he wasn't the reason I was is so much pain at the moment. "Y-your majesty!" Hoggle stuttered out nervously.
Jareth grinned and walked over to where we were. He leaned his side against the tree and smirked down at us sort of like how you'd imagine a cat would once it's cornered it's prey. "Well Hoggle. Aren't you going to tell us a story?" He said leaning closer, his head just a matter of inches between the both of ours. Hoggle stuttered and before he could get a word out he was lifted into the air.
Jareth had managed to grab him by the collar in no time at all. He expression quickly turned sour. "I don't know what you are playing at right now but it needs to end! I hired you to keep everyone away from the castle not bring them there with what, eight hours to spare!? I could kill you for that! And you!" He said dropping the now coughing Hoggle back onto the bench and turning to look at me. "What you have done here tonight is unforgivable! You have been here for five hours and you've managed to kill some of my men and wound some of my men! If it wasn't for the rules I would have you killed right here right now in front of your little friend." He snarled at me. The whole time he was talking I couldn't help but notice something in his eyes. His words were harsh but his eyes... his eyes were not. They looked sad, worried, maybe even sorrowful. 'What is going on here?' Something isn't right and I need to find out.
When he was done with his little rant he turned his back on us. He was slightly shaking and clenching his fists rapidly, almost as if he was fight with someone else. But that can't be. No one else is here. Suddenly he stopped. A dark chuckle came from the man standing before us. "I know of the perfect payback. It won't kill you, but it will teach you a lesson." He stated. Fear washed over me as I watched him walk away from us. "Take care of my pet, now!" Just as quickly as he appeared, he vanished leaving not even the smallest trace of his presence in his wake.
The feeling of being watched hit me. It wasn't like last time however, this was dark, predatory like. Hoggle and I slowly backed away from the bench. Something was there. Something evil was there. A low growl emitted from the dark as a giant figure started to form from mid air. I quickly grabbed Hoggle's shoulder and started sprinting out of the room. The creature roared, begging to chase after us.
The hunt is on.
Woo! I finally got to chapter ten! This is honestly a big milestone for me! I would sincerely like to thank you all for reading this! I love you all so much!
As always feel free to leave feedback :D