Disclaimer: I own nothing of this.

Chapter 10
Phones, Curses and Oubliettes

Sarah wanted to scream in rage. Nevertheless, wanting to scream didn't mean she would do it, not now at least. Oh, that would be just priceless, Sarah… She could imagine Goblin King sitting in his throne room, laughing at her and her helpless fury.

So he wanted to her to beg him to kiss her? Well, one thing was clear: she most certainly wasn'tgoing to do it.

That pig? Sarah thought vehemently. Uh-huh…Small change… An image of his angular face flashed in her mind and she corrected her choice of words. Maybe a pig didn't describe him the best way. After all he was, well, very beautiful creature, beside of being a prick. Yes, annoying arrogant bastard. A real pain in the ass…He was really bothersome, but she couldn't deny the fact that he was also very beautiful, even with his ridiculous silk shirts, tight pants and boots. He was beautiful with his smooth pale skin and unruly blond hair flowing around him like a halo. Goblin King, the dangerous and seductive villain of bedtime stories, an adult and sinister version of those fairy stories' princes…

Sarah banished these somewhat disturbing thought quickly. Not that she'd care his appearance. She was just making a point. Yes, that. Just making a point clear… And she definitely wasn't going to kiss him.

She'd invent something else instead, Sarah decided her eyes wandering in her -now- empty kitchen. She'd invent something. She just didn't yet know what. To be truthful, Sarah had absolutely no damned clue. But she'd figure a way out; she always did. Jareth had never bested her and Sarah wasn't going to let him win this time either.

Couple hours later, she was still stuck in her place and mistletoe was still in the roof. The only difference was that she was sitting on a chair. And her head ached. And it was getting dark.

Sarah had tried to reach her phone, but it had been too far for her. She had also left her mobile to her bedroom, so it didn't help her that much either. It had rung couple of times during her imprisonment, that beeping sound driving her crazy. Stupid cell phones! Never near when you have need for them!

After trying to reach the phone, she had stretched herself and somehow succeeded to drag a chair. Climbing on the chair she tried to rip off the mistletoe, but the cursed plant was like glued to her ceiling.

She had shouted curses to it, as well as to Jareth, though she didn't really believe they would help her. Not that she swore often, but she had felt a bit better after some nasty curses she'd come along.

Her friends wouldn't have believed their ears. She hadn't known she had a knack on swearing. But really, she did.

Crap.

That was the only word coming to her mind as she looked up from her chair and exhaled in total annoyance. There didn't seem to be any other way out this situation, expect calling him. Well, not any that she could come in mind at the moment.

Mental note: Remember not to buy or take mistletoes the following year… Sarah menacingly eyed that supposedly harmless plant. It's only cactuses in this apartment from now on…

A sudden loud noise broke the silence and blushing Sarah realized it was her stomach. Day had passed and it was getting late. A quick glance on the digital clock on her kitchen desk told it was nearly eight. No wonder she was feeling hungry! She hadn't eaten anything besides the painkillers and juice. And the effect of the medicine was wearing out. Her muscles ached, caused by the yesterday's experiences.

"Not that this day has been any better…" Sarah muttered frustrated. Should Jareth have decided to re-appear at this time, he would have most likely received that slap Sarah restrained giving him earlier today.

So here she was: stuck, hungry and in pains. No change on that… She continued her sulking. Nothing else ever seemed to follow from her interactions with Jareth. Whatever had even made her think he could be nice this time? Especially when considering that last time she had been chased, locked, toyed, trapped and decoyed by him – and this was only a brief list!

Her stomach grumbled another time and Sarah sighed in near defeat. She gave a furious glance to that seemingly innocent mistletoe, and glanced towards the table where she had left her new copy of Labyrinth. Too bad she couldn't reach it. It would be now shred in pieces. She had a sudden imaginary flash, where the book hit Jareth's obnoxious face. It made her a bit cheerier. For a while at least.

Sarah sighed another time and buried her head in her hands, sitting alone in her empty and darkening kitchen. If only she wouldn't have seen that stupid book…! None of this would have ever happened.

Though, it still made her wonder. Not only the reason why she had bumped on it now, but in the first place? She had owned the book as long time as she could remember – up until her 16th birthday anyway. And the book obviously had a connection with Jareth. Sarah was quite certain he decided who was to read it and who not.

But on what basis?

Did he choose his victims randomly?

Somehow being a random just didn't suit Jareth.

So why she? Sarah pondered, chewing her lips and absently looking her home, not that she could perceive too much of her surroundings anymore.

She shook her head, still trying to have an answer to her questioning thoughts.

Why then? Why now?

Unfortunately for her, only the Goblin King seemed to hold answers to her questions.

That prick! Sarah's feelings fumed once more. She closed her eyes, trying to cool down. There was no use to get mad, it clearly didn't help her when dealing with Jareth. She thought exhausted as she gazed around her.

It was getting really dark.

Sarah heard a sound of a helicopter and saw the bright light. It appeared and moved along her apartment's shadowy walls. The lights moved and swayed there, both the shadows and lights alike. She followed them, until the lights disappeared along with the helicopter. Somewhere down in the city people continued with their lives, rushing in streets, occupied by their Christmas stress, looking for presents, singing carols – simply just continued on living. Sarah felt lost, lonely, totally forgotten, and tears started to prickle her eyes. She desperately tried to vanquish them. She would not cry! She didn't cry last time, not even in the oubliette. She did survive then and she would survive now.

Sarah shuddered remembering the cold dark walls, the feeling of utter loneliness and oblivion. She had feared that all would have been lost, but then Hoggle had come. And with his, and sir Didymus', and Ludo's help, almost against all odds, Sarah had won.

She wouldn't let that bastard see her break now.

Somehow the decision made her feel a bit better. Sarah breathed in and straightened her back while standing up on her feet. She had faced many situations last time and solved all them. She'll be damned to let go of her hope this time.

"After all, this is my apartment, not an oubliette." Sarah addressed to her dark kitchen. "What possibly could happen here?"

She almost screamed when she unexpectedly heard an answer to her small private query. "You tell me, miss Williams …"

And then her kitchen was bathing in brilliant light.

Damn! Sarah franticly thought, turning around. She had forgotten all about her previous situation and the reason why she had called Jareth in the first place. Talking about a wood and a hard place… Her mind raced as she met the cold blue eyes of her uninvited visitor.

Lord de Menchen had found her and Sarah seriously doubted he had come to a friendly visit.

She armed herself mentally and defiantly met his stare. The tall and dark figure was standing near the kitchen doorway. Man had a malicious expression on his face and Sarah quivered. Oh yeas, lord de Menchen wasn't definitely here for a friendly chat…