Ahh thank you to a guest who told me that I posted chapter 11 twice! Sorry about that!

FireShifter: Same! Jareth is finally getting it and don't worry as this will end happy!

Little China Girl: I'm glad and keep being excited!


The Williams family decided to not go to the Goblin Kingdom to mingle with the locals before going to the ball. Irene said something about mixing with the commoners and Sarah had to bite her tongue from reminding her that it was her "commoner" late husband, Robert, who she married so desperately for money.

It gave Sarah time to put together the finishing touches. She was able to give the dress some sashes and to make it flow on the outer layer while keeping it weighted on the bottom so it wouldn't embarrass her in the wind. She pinned her hair up and then gave her own face some light make up. She was in awe at her own reflection. For good luck, she put on the owl necklace Jareth had given to her the first day they met.

"Wow, I look, refreshed. And happy." She sighed. On her mind was a certain young man, one that she desperately hoped was still there waiting for her too. She still thought of the feel of his kiss on her cheek, his hands on her waist and how comfortable he felt when she embraced him. She felt hope in her. She wasn't sure what exactly changed her but there was one night when the first came back in her a few months after her father had died.

Oh how she wish she could talk to him now. To have him escort her to the ball. She missed him dearly just as much as she missed her mother. Anastasia and Drizella may call her an orphan to make fun of her, but at least Sarah got to know that she had parents who loved her with all their hearts.

Irene beamed at her two girls. "You both are just beautiful! My two countesses!"

They giggled and twirled around in their dresses that were shaped like pastries.

"And you, my sweet Toby." She kissed Toby's cheek. "Are you ready for the ball?"

Toby nodded. "But, what about Sarah?"

Irene was about to make some comment about Sarah. Something akin to how she was just a servant when she heard a voice.

"Wait! Please wait for me!"

All three women looked at Sarah with disdain. She looked stunning with her pink dress flowing by her side and her hair tied up neatly. She had on her mother's old shoes that were a little too big but they were all she had.

"What do you think?" Sarah asked them. "Oh, I know it's nothing like your lovely dresses, but this was my mother's."

At Irene's glare, Sarah held her hands out to show she meant no harm. "This cost you nothing, I used all old and unwanted materials."

Toby smiled up at her and ran. "You look so beautiful, Sarah! I bet you will find your prince tonight!" He tugged on Sarah's hand with the biggest grin. He loved that she looked so pretty and happy instead of sad.

The girls said nothing. They turned to their mother for direction.

Irene walked carefully to Sarah. "Yes, you did well."

Sarah felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. This wasn't a sincere compliment from her.

"Hmm. You're going to go to the ball with that old thing on? And embarrass us all?" The gleam in her eyes was starting to frighten Sarah.

"I won't do such a thing." Sarah said quietly. "I could enter different times from you, if that would help."

"Sarah looks so pretty. She's the most beautiful one here!" Toby yelled at his mother.

Irene snapped at him. "Go in the carriage and wait for us."

"But-" the boy started.

"NOW!" Irene said. "Or you won't come with us."

Toby gave Sarah one last encouraging look before disappearing. Sarah waved at him to let him know that it was alright. Such a sweet and brave boy, and at only 3 years old.

"Look at this old rag!" Irene tugged on her sleeve and it ripped off.

Sarah gasped. "Why would you do this?!"

"Hmm, this fabric… why does it look like Anastasia's old collar?"

Anastasia couldn't believe it. She came closer and slapped Sarah. "Stealing my things, Orphan?"

Sarah sobbed. "I asked you if you want them and you said to toss them so I reused them!"

"YOU ARE NOT FIT TO EVEN LICK THE DIRT OFF OUR FEET!" Drizella ripped another part of her dress off.

Over and over, Sarah felt her dress being ripped to pieces as she tried to shield herself from the humiliation. She kept begging them to stop, that this wasn't just any dress but her mother's and that she had worked hard on it.

The violence of it and the way they kept goading at her mercilessly left Sarah crying over and over and over again. In the end, she was barely decent and she stood there, almost naked.

"Girls! Girls!" Irene put a hand on both of them. "I think that's quite enough. I'll not have you be so upset before we go to your biggest ball yet. Go in the carriage with Toby."

The stepsisters huffed at Sarah and walked away, leaving the torn dress and the broken girl behind.

Irene followed after them. She watched Sarah hold up the outer part of the torn skirt and gave her a sneer. "Goodnight."

The moment she closed the door, Sarah sobbed and ran upstairs to her room. She had wanted ONE night out. One night of hope and it was torn down just like her dress.

All hope had left from her. She didn't know what to do now. "I'm sorry, mother. I'm sorry father." She cried out the opened window. "I know you told me to be strong, but I just can't anymore."

She fell to her knees and wailed like the night she was told her father died. Every pain, every emotion welled up in her. And there were no strong arms this time to console her wounded heart or the marks of violence left on her legs from the kicking and the beatings. Even in physical pain, Irene was clever enough to make sure Sarah would be marked where no one would see so she wouldn't be suspected.

After a while, she tried to crawl back into bed. Maybe get some rest before starting the day tomorrow, a day she secretly hoped would not come.


I always hated the stepmother in the animated Disney version. Like lady, how crappy can you be? I could use other choice words but I'd like to keep this story PG (lol). Leave a review you guys!