"I thought you were dead!" Sarah still couldn't comprehend what she was seeing. She thought this day was never going to happen. She stood there in shock just staring. This can't be true. Can it? She thought to herself. Jareth swore this would never happen. She was having a whole conversation in her head. She closed her eyes tightly trying to make sure that she wasn't dreaming. "What are you doing Sarah? Where are we? Everyone back home thinks you're dead!" Sarah kept her eyes closed. "Would you open your eyes and look at me? I'm trying to have a conversation with you! What is wrong with you?"
Finally she opened her eyes and realized that Sandra was still standing there. Sarah jumped up and ran over to her and embraced her in a hug. "I can't believe you're here! I've been dreaming of this for so long." Sarah stepped back and looked at Sandra with tears in her eyes. "How did you get here?"
Sandra looked around and flew her arms up in the air. "Honestly? I have no clue. I kind of just woke up over there in that garden." She pointed at the garden to the left. "I heard voices, so I woke up and walked over and saw you. I couldn't believe it because, let's face it, we were told you were dead."
Sarah looked at her with wide eyes. "How does everyone think I died?"
Sandra eyes popped open then she sighed. "It wasn't pretty. Your car was involved in a car accident and it caught on fire. You- I mean, the person behind the wheel was burnt beyond recognition. So when the cops went through the RMV, they got your name and went to talk to your parents." She looked around at the flowers then back at Sarah. "It was pretty bad Sarah. Karen called me crying. Saying the whole thing was her fault, but none of knew how it could of been since a drunk driver hit the car and the gas tank exploded. We tried to explain that to her, but she just wouldn't listen. Then they had your funeral. It was beautiful."
Sarah bit her cheek and looked at the ground. "Was my mother there?"
Sandra took a step back. "I'm not sure."
"Don't give me that. You were there! Was she there or not?"
"I can answer that for you, my love."
"Jay? What's going on here?" Sandra asked bewildered.
Sarah walked over to Sandra and faced Jareth. "Yea, I'd like to know what's going on also. I mean, if you don't mind."
He bowed his head. "Of course precious thing. One, your mother was not at your funeral. Tw-"
"How would you know that? You weren't even there!" Sandra spit out angrily. Sarah grabbed her wrist and looked into her eyes silently willing her to calm down.
"That's an easy one. I concocted the whole thing." Sandra looked at him like he was crazy. "Oh dear girl, believe me, I can do whatever I please, and yes I did stage that accident. Only it wasn't my dear Sarah in that car, it was her old friend Amanda." He said as he stared into Sarah's eyes.
Sarah started crying. "Why would you do that Jay?"
Jareth rolled his eyes and walked over to the two girls. "For the love of all that is holy, stop calling me Jay! My name is Jareth." He put his arm around Sarah's waist and pulled her away from Sandra. "I did it for love."
Sandra looked hurt. She looked at Sarah. "How could you do this? You knew how I felt about him!"
Sarah's eyes opened wide. "I never wanted this! He forced me here, no thanks to you!"
Sandra looked at her confused. "What are you talking about?"
"You don't remember coming into the restaurant the night that I 'died'?"
She nodded. "I do."
"So then you remember wishing me away?"
Sandra's eyes popped open and her mouth opened wide. "That actually worked?"
Jareth laughed. "The power of magic is all in the words that you use."
"Of course it worked! How do you think I ended up here?" Suddenly Sarah realized that she was still in Jareth's arm. She shrugged him and walked over to Sandra and turned towards Jareth. "How did she get here?"
Jareth stared at her. "I told you this morning, I want you to be happy." He said through gritted teeth.
"Making my family think I'm dead does not make happy Jareth! How could ever think that would make me happy?"
He rolled his eyes at Sarah. "You weren't even supposed to be remembered. The only reason I allowed this to happen was because I do love you and I want you to be happy. Eventually you will see this."
Sarah stomped her foot. "I want to go home. NOW!"
"Impossible. We have a wedding coming up."
Sarah scoffed at him. "You think I would ever marry you after all of this? You have got to be kidding me."
"You two are getting married?" Sandra asked, sounding depressed.
Sarah turned towards Sandra. "It's not my choice. Believe me, if I had a choice, I would be at school learning and trying to live out my dream!"
"Nevertheless, we are getting married." Jareth informed her.
"Against my will!"
"I think that's illegal." Sandra said slowly.
Jareth laughed and threw his head back. "My dear girl, you didn't know? I make the rules up here. This is my kingdom. Not anyone elses."
Sandra looked at Sarah and made a motion with her hand to her head as if to tell Sarah that Jareth was crazy. "I'm glad I'm not with him. You can have him." She whispered to her.
"I don't want him!"
"That's not what you said last night in your dream, or in your thoughts the other morning at breakfast my love."
Sarah looked up to the sky then back at Jareth. "Stop listening to my thoughts! And stop looking into my dreams. It's creepy!"
"Not as creepy as that Darin of yours stalking you everywhere you went."
Sarah narrowed her eyes at him. "He did not stalk me."
"He was outside of your house almost every night. He was there at the park that night when I found you crying, he had followed you to Sandra's house that night, and he was at the restaurant that night. So yes, my dear you were being stalked."
"At least it was by a mortal! Not a- not a Goblin King!" She screamed angrily.
"A what?" Sandra asked as she looked between Jareth and Sarah.
"A Goblin King. I take unwanted children and watch them until they people who can't finish my Labyrinth perish, then they become Goblins. Hence the name Goblin King."
Sandra nodded her slowly. "I think I want to go home now."
"In due time dear girl. Before you are allowed to return home, you must attend our wedding." Jareth reached for and grabbed Sarah's hand. "See, my princess needs a Matron of honor, and you are going to be her."
Sarah laughed and took her hand back. "I don't think so Jareth. So you might as well just send her home now."
Jareth smiled and looked between the two girls. "Then I guess it looks like we are having an extended guest stay with us. Because until you do marry me, she stays here." He said just before he disappeared.
How was that for a twist? ;) haha! Well, enjoy this if you read it! Thanks so much!