Lady of the Labyrinth: Here ya go

Draco's Daughter: I dunno, hon. My "begging" seems to have worked just fine…

EmpressAuthor: I know, I've heard it already. Bad move on my part. But it worked, didn't it?

Midevilfreako: No need for that, although it might be entertaining…

ArcaneRose: Thank you so much! That just about made my day.

So, now that we all know my thoughts on other peoples thoughts, maybe I'll give you two! Yes two! Chapters for the price of one.

--------------------

Sarah's dream had shaken her. She awoke feeling clammy, with still moist tears streaked down her face. She brushed them away with the heel of her hand and rolled over. She had almost fully convinced herself that it had been a dream until she saw the gun on her bedside table, next to an old glass of water. Sarah busied herself by dumping the water in the sink, trying not to let her eyes rest on the death machine.

"What would a bullet do to him, anyway? It couldn't kill him," she laughed as she spoke to herself, only half believing what she said. "Nope. Daniel was joking. He'd never do anything like that." She shook her head, but sighed.

The girl still hadn't convinced herself. She felt like her heart and her brain were arguing over something she thought she should have known.

"He's obsessive, Sarah. The only way to get him to stop is to get rid of him."

"But he'd never do any of that! It must have been someone else. Besides, Alicia killed herself, even the doctors said it…"

"But there was no note, not a hint of it about to happen. And what about that dream you had had about Karen? Maybe it was a premonition. A sign."

"No!" her voice aloud startled Sarah. She had been in her head too long.

She couldn't keep her thoughts to herself. She had the sudden urge to tell the only person that she could tell. Sarah picked up the reciever and hit one.

"Nurses station," a rough female voice spoke after the first ring.

"Um, hi. Is Dr. Cowen in today? I need to speak with her." Sarah tried to be calm.

"Room number?" the receptionist asked broadly. Sarah gave it to her without emotion.

"Thank you. She'll be down soon," and then the conversation was over.

Hanging up the phone, Sarah sighed and tried to busy herself. She got dressed, pulling an oversized sweater over her head, followed by a pair of jeans. She then went to the dresser, held Daniel's "gift" in her hand for a long moment, before burying it in a mountain of clothes in a dresser drawer. An hour later, she was making her bed, and there was still no sign of Cecilia.

She waited another five minutes, but felt like she was bursting at the seems. The only person who she could share her dilemmas with was Cecilia, and she as no where to be seen.

Ring. Ring ring ring. Sarah held the reciever in her hand, leaning against the door frame for support.

"I'm sorry, Miss Williams. There's nothing that can be done about it."

"Have you looked everywhere?" Sarah demanded.

"We can't find Dr. Cowen anywhere. She's been here all day, but she's just… disappeared." Sarah dropped the phone. It clattered to the floor, dangling like a limp rag doll. Cecilia didn't disappear.

Sarah concentrated on breathing in and out. She felt tears blinding her, but she didn't care. Slowly, Sarah went to the drawer and shoved the gun in her sweater's pocket, half hoping it would go off in her stomach. She felt sick.

She got up to wash her face, and then stared into the mirror. She knew what she had to do.

………………..

"Hoggle, I need you," Sarah spoke plainly and clearly, like she would if she hadn't been crying.

"Sarah!" Hoggle cried joyfully before seeing her face. "Sarah, what's wrong?" he asked, clearly concerned.

"Nothing," she sniffed. "I just need to go back." Sniff, " to the Labyrinth."

"Sarah…" Hoggle started.

"No, Hoggle. I'm fine. Could you take me back, please?" she tried to keep her voice calm, but it sounded to innocent, to apathetic. It sounded dead.

"Er… okay then, if you're insisting…" He shifted from one foot to the other. "Why so suddenly?"

"No reason," Sarah breathed, "Something just came up and I have to go before it's too late," she rambled.

"Too late for what? Sarah, what's going on? You're not telling me something!" Hoggle's eyebrows scrunched together.

"I know, I know," Sarah felt horrible. "All in time, I guess."

Hoggle heaved a sigh. "If you say so, I guess," he said, "Take my hand." Sarah placed her slim, white hand in his fat, grubby one, and off they went.