By the end of the day, Sarah had managed to convince Fran that she was not in love with Jareth. "You just have a crush is all," Fran had told her. "Love will come later, when you're older and know each other better."
I don't have a crush on Jareth, Sarah thought as she rode up to her house. He's just a friend. That's all. I'm gonna help him get back to the Labyrinth, and then… Well for all I know that might be it. Our deal was that he would let me come into the Labyrinth, but we didn't even have to acknowledge each other.
For some reason that upset her a little. She sort've wanted to visit Jareth as well. Well…that was when we didn't like each other. Things are different now. I'm sure he'll still want to talk from time to time. But right now, we have to get him back where he belongs.
After a brief talk with Karen, Sarah went up to her room and saw Jareth looking at the clues for the millionth time. "Any luck?"
He looked up at her with a sad look and shook his head. Sarah frowned and sat down next to him. "... Well…. Don't worry. We're gonna get through this. I'm not gonna stop until you're back home, okay? Even if it means I have to come track you down in the woods."
Jareth brightened a bit and he nuzzle his head against her cheek. Sarah figured it was like the owl equivalent to a hug. "Hey, that's what friends are for, right? Now let's try to figure out who this God blessed woman is in a tower. We've ruled out Karen, me, Fran, and Lulu. That's like, all the woman you know, right?"
Hours slipped by with nothing to show for it. Again, Merlin hopped up on Sarah's bed next to her as she lay awake. She absentmindedly began to pet his fur. I told him not to worry, but when have two clues to solve tomorrow. He can't go back in the wild. But there's no way I can convince Karen or the vet to let me keep him longer.
A feeling came up in her stomach very much like the one that came in the Labyrinth. Time had been running out and she didn't know what to do.
Only this time, she felt even more lost.
The night became day all too early for Jareth. He had one last day to solve those clues, or else he'd be sleeping in a tree the next night. And holding onto a branch in your sleep is really hard.
Sarah paused before leaving and looked at him. "If I can beat your Labyrinth, then surely you and I can figure these clues out before tomorrow. Promise."
You're such a talented actor. You almost made me feel like you believe that line. After she'd put Merlin in the garage and went of to school, Jareth was left with only silence. What in the world do I do? I'm at the end of my rope with those clues. I have no clue who this woman is and that one just… Makes no sense at all. What feeling am I hiding? "When it comes for the heart"? When what?
Things were looking hopeless. What if they never found the answers? What if he was stuck as a owl forever? He hadn't even been in the forest for three days before getting caught. What dangers would he face if he was out there for years?
Eventually, Karen came upstairs to get Jareth for The Hands of Time. That was a welcome distraction. Lately, Sally and Jeremy seemed to be growing closer. Jareth wondered if a relationship would soon begin. They keep denying their feelings. So she's a bit younger than Jeremy, so what? Love shouldn't be hindered by a number. And she'll grown up. It's not like she's a minor.
But still, the two just kept dancing around each other, acting as if no emotions were involved. "Just ask her out already!" Karen told Jeremy through the screen. "The worst she can say is no."
"I'd better get going," Sally told him. "I have to babysit the kids again. They're so crazy."
"Children will be children."
"Well these ones are more like goblins than children."
Jeremy laughed a little. "Does that make you Queen of the Goblins?"
Sally couldn't help but laugh as well, playfully pushing him a bit. "Very funny. But really, I have to go. I'll call you tomorrow, alright?"
She began to walk away and head to her car. "... Sally," Jeremy called. She turned around again.
"Here we go," Karen said.
Just say it, Jeremy, Jareth encouraged. Just look her in the eyes and say "I care about you". It can be as simple as that. You don't have to propose.
"... Drive safe," Jeremy told her. And the credits rolled.
"Aww," Karen frowned. "That was a let down."
It seemed that lots of things were "let downs" to Jareth lately. Nothing was working like he'd hoped.
So close, Sarah thought. We are so close to getting him home. But now we've hit a wall. I feel like… Like I failed. How is it that I can beat a Labyrinth in thirteen hours but can't solve four clues in two weeks? We can't give up.
But… What else can we do?
"Ready, Sarah?" Mr. Robinson asked.
She snapped back onto the stage. "Hmm?"
"Scene three, line ten," Rhonda snipped. "Are you even listening?"
Sarah glared at her and went on with rehearsal. But she couldn't focus. You shouldn't be here, said a small voice in her. You should be home with Jareth, trying to help in any way you can. Not working on a high school play.
But I can't just leave, Sarah thought. If I don't show my commitment to this role, they might kick me off!
She sighed and looked at Todd. "Benedick," Sarah began.
Jareth needs you.
"You are nothing but a…."
Who's more important? Beatrice? Or your friend?
"... Nothing but…"
"Spit it out!" Rhonda told her.
Your friend that took his attention away from what he needed to do, risking his very life as he knows it, to help you with this play. And you can't do the same?
"... Nothing…. Nothing is more important right now."
"What?" Todd asked.
"Are you okay, Sarah?" Mr. Robinson asked.
"I'm sorry."
"You were doing fine," he told her. "Let's take it from-"
"No, I mean… I need to go home."
"Excuse me?" Rhonda shouted. "We're in the middle of practice!"
Sarah paid her no mind and focused on Mr. Robinson. "I'm really sorry but… Something really important is going on at home. I feel like I'm needed a lot more there. Let Rhonda take my place for the day."
"But this shows you aren't really committed!" Rhonda yelled. She turned to Mr. Robinson. "I told you she couldn't do this. She can't handle a lead role. It should be me."
"Miss Livingston," the drama teacher warned. "I think I can handle this." The redhead looked to her feet. "Sarah," Mr. Robinson said. "Usually, I wouldn't allow this except for an emergency. But you've been in many other plays and have always been fully committed. And since we're still so early in production, I'm gonna excuse you for today. But don't let this happen again. Am I clear?"
"I understand. Thank you."
"Rhonda, you're Beatrice today."
"Yes!" The other girl smirked at Sarah, but she was already head off the stage.
She ran to her bicycle and got on quickly. It wasn't easy walking out on rehearsal. But if the Labyrinth had taught her anything, it was what it meant to be a friend. True friends are there for you when you need them, no matter what.
So I need to be there for Jareth, she thought. He can always count on me, for sure.
That's what friend are for.
Jareth was about three second from beating his head into Sarah's dresser. What. Do. These. Mean?! For the love of God, what do I have to do? I will literally do whatever it takes! I'll kiss Lulu! Hell, I'll kiss Sarah's dog if it means I can just get back to my kingdom with some pants!
As desperation set it, the door to Sarah's room opened. Karen stepped in and let out a small gasp. "Well, how did you get out? I thought I locked the crate." She held out her arm and he jumped on as she set him back inside. "I'm sorry, but Toby and I have to run to the store. I can't have you running around when no one is home and making a mess. It'll only be for a little while, I promise." She looked at him for a minute and smiled a bit. "Listen to me, talking like you can understand. You're just an owl."
And with that, she left him alone, closing the door. A few minutes later, he heard a car roll out of the driveway. Just an owl, he mused. That's what she thinks…. That's what everyone is going to think. Because there is no possible way I can figure out those clues. I'm stuck like this.
… Who's going to watch over the Labyrinth?
Jareth was sucked out of his thoughts as the front door opened. Guess she forgot something, he thought. Wait… I didn't hear a car. Jareth listened closely. He could hear some strange noise hit the floors downstairs. It sounded almost like high heels. Karen has never worn…
"Natasha," said Cane.
Jareth's eyes widened with panic.
"You get the dog, I'll get the bird. And stop walking around like someone's home. We've been parked outside all day. The father went to work, the girl is still at school for some reason, and the mom and baby just left. Let's just do this quick before Natas gets impatient."
By now Jareth had slid the crate door open again. Unfortunately, the door and window were shut and he had no way to open them. I've got to do something. When the door opens, I've just got to fly as fast as possible. I'll find Sarah. No, Fran will be closer. She should be at home.
But if I go there they might follow me. I don't want to lead then to Lulu. I guess Sarah is it then. Jareth sat on the dresser. The second Cane opened the door, he took off.
"Natasha! The bird's flying! Grab it!"
He soared down to the lower lever of the house. Natasha had Merlin - who was barking like mad at seeing strangers in his home - on a leash. "I can't let go of the dog!"
"He wants the bird more!"
They'd left the front door open. It was perfect! He flew out of the home, trying to remember where they high school was. In a flash, his wings were at his sides. A pair of hands had him in a tight grip. No!
Jareth fought and kicked as hard as he could but in a blur, he found himself inside a cage held by Cane. A pair of electric blue eyes stared at him, a wicked smiled forming on the man's lips. A happy Natas was never a good sight.
Natas took the cage and looked at him. "You almost did it again," he said, a bit out of breath. "What an astounding bird you are. Did you miss me? Because I've been thinking about you all this time. I'm so glad to have you back."
Natasha came out of the house struggling to keep a hold on Merlin. "Sir," she asked. "why are we taking the dog again?"
His smile fell as he turned to Natasha. "Must I explain everything twice? Revenge, you idiot. The girl stole my animals, lost me my job, and insulted me to my face. Then she had the police called. I had to think of quite a convincing alibi. She's going to learn the hard way what happens when you anger a man like me. You're going to take this damn bird and the dog to the river and drown them."
The woman turned white as a sheet as Cane put Merlin in the back of the large, white van. "M… me?"
Before she could blink, Natas smacked her across the face. She didn't scream though. Like the animals in the Facility, it seemed Natasha was used to being abused. "Yes, you. Because, dear Natasha, YOU lost the key. You're the reason those girls got into the Facility in the first place. You're the reason we have no jobs! The reason I have no doctor's license!"
Natas grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled her closer. His voice was quiet but still full of fury. "You got us into this mess. You started this. So you…. can finish it." And he pushed her away. Natasha lost her balance on her heels and fell straight onto the pavement.
Even though she was the very person who brought him to the Facility, Jareth felt a bit bad for the woman. She quickly got back up and took the cage from Natas. Jareth once again recalled the severity of his situation and tried to get out.
"You want me to just throw the whole cage it the water? Won't that look… Strange?"
Natas hit her upside the head. "It's going to sink, you idiot. And even if it didn't, who's to say we did it?" The former doctor then went to his own car with Cane in tow.
"Wait, where are you two going?"
"Somewhere inconspicuous. In case you somehow screw this up. Just in case, we're going to be far away from the… Accident. I'm dropping Cane off at the museum, and then I'm going to the next town over. If you were smart, you would find somewhere to go after the deed is done. That's if you were smart," he growled.
Natasha began to walk to the van. "Oh, and Natasha dear?" She turned to face the man once again.
His eyes narrowed menacingly. "If I find out that you were somehow unable to get rid of these two animals, and I will found out….well...just remember who you're dealing with."
"...Yes, sir."
Jareth was still hopelessly trying to get out of the cage as Natasha set him in the passenger seat. Merlin was in the back, barking insanely. As the van began to move, Jareth realized that he was truly about to die in less than an hour.
And Sarah was going to walk into an empty home with no owl and no dog.
He wasn't quite sure who had it worse.
A/N: Have I ever mentioned I love cliffhangers? :p