As the World Falls Down…again
*Now in complete shock* 52 reviews? OH MY GOD! I've never gotten that many before! Thank you all so very much for reviewing. If this keeps up, I may actually develop some self-esteem. Anyhow, enough of my babbling. Hope you enjoy this chapter, and remember to review!
Disclaimer: Labyrinth, Labyrinth, who's got the Labyrinth? Well, it certainly isn't me!
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Chapter 4: Back down to the Underground
Jareth and Sarah continued to stare, each equally shocked and speechless, when Becka cleared her throat.
"Ah…I'll be just be upstairs." Said Becka, getting up from her chair. "You two have a lot of catching up to do."
"No, Becka, that's…" began Sarah, but Becka had already left the room. Sarah looked back to Jareth, carefully wheeling herself to the table, until they were face to face across the table. "What are you doing here Jareth?"
"You're not going to yell at me?" said Jareth, who was now completely shocked. "No screaming, no 'It's not Fair', and no throwing objects?"
"I could throw something at you if it would make you feel better." Said Sarah. "I've changed Jareth, I'm not a whiny fifteen-year-old anymore. And I've learned by now nothing is fair. And you didn't answer my question."
"I wanted to see how the only person ever to defeat my Labyrinth was doing." Jareth fibbed. "I'm very sorry Sarah. How did it happen?"
"The day after I got home from your Labyrinth." Said Sarah. "I was coming home from play practice, and a drunk driver hit me."
"I'm so very sorry." Said Jareth.
Sarah shrugged. "I've accepted it. Not like there's a whole lot I can do about it. But it helps to have a friend like Becka, she really helps me a lot, so I won't become depressed again."
"Again?" asked Jareth.
"I don't want to talk about it." Said Sarah, crossing her arms over her chest. "I did blame you once, but I knew even you wouldn't do something so horrible."
"I would never hurt you Sarah." Said Jareth. He said it with such seriousness that it startled Sarah.
An uncomfortable silence fell between them.
'He sure sounds serious,' thought Sarah. 'It's almost as if he was…no, that's silly. Come back to reality Sarah. Oh yes, reality, talking to a Goblin King from another world? Reality just flew out the window and is headed South for the winter.'
'Great, you just had to say something like that, didn't you?' Jareth chided himself. 'Well, it's true though... if there was only something I could do...some way to help her... WAIT! Of course.'
"Sarah…" said Jareth. Sarah shook her head, apparently having been deep in thought.
"What?" asked Sarah. "Oh, I'm sorry, guess I spaced out there for a moment. I'm sure you must be going, it must be a busy job to be Goblin King."
"Not especially." Said Jareth. "Actually, I believe I may know of something that might help you."
"Oh?" said Sarah, not sounding especially interested. "I've heard them all Jareth, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't pry into my personal affairs, thank you very much."
"Sarah, listen to me, please." Said Jareth, rising from his chair and kneeling my Sarah's wheelchair. "In the Underground, the air is much purer, and is positively charged with magic. I think, if you were to stay there a while, you just might be healed."
Sarah was startled. "And why do you care anyway?"
"I care, isn't that enough?" said Jareth. "I'll give you some time to think it over. When you've made your decision, contact me with this." He conjured a crystal ball, and threw it at Sarah. She caught it, and when she looked up, he was gone.
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Sarah just looked at the crystal, wondering what to do. Sure, she had figured out quite a while ago Jareth wasn't the villain she had thought him to be. But that didn't mean he wasn't arrogant, self-centered, handsome, conceited…wait, how did handsome get in there? Ok, so he was handsome, but we're off the point now!
"So, when do we leave?" asked a voice. Sarah looked up, seeing Becka smiling, leaning against the doorway.
"How in the world…"said Sarah.
"I eavesdropped, smart one." Said Becka, sitting down.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to eavesdrop?" said Sarah, who was a tad annoyed by now.
"Many times." Said Becka. "I just chose to ignore it. So, like I said, when do we leave?"
"And who says you're going?" said Sarah.
"I did, didn't you recognize my voice?" said Becka. "And I see you decided to go."
"I…no…I meant…" stuttered Sarah.
"Sure Sar." Said Becka, who turned serious. "Come on, this could actually work. Wouldn't you like to walk again?"
"What if it's a trick to get me back there?" said Sarah, who was grasping at straws by now.
"Sarah, I thought we established already the Goblin King wasn't evil." Said Becka. "You're just scared of him. What he makes you feel. I've told you before I could sense things, and the air was positively charged when you two were together."
"That's ridiculous." Said Sarah. "You make it sound like we're in love or something."
Becka just shook her head. "Sometimes I think maybe you're the one who's blind, instead of me. But no matter, are we going to go, or what? I already called your publisher, and told him you were taking a vacation. And I called your parents too."
Sarah swallowed. Sure, she had dreamed about going back to the Underground, but she never actually thought it would happen. Could she do it? Yes, she could, she had to. She wanted to walk again, and perhaps staying in the Underground could do it. And she'd have Becka with her, in case anything happened.
"Yes, we're going." Said Sarah.
"Good, because I already packed." Said Becka, grinning slyly. "Now you go and pack, and I'll contact the Goblin King."
Sarah handed her the crystal ball. "You know, you should have been a lawyer, instead of a musician. Because you sure are good at persuading. Not to mention you're a rat."
"Love you too hon, now go pack." Said Becka, laughing. Sarah wheeled herself out of the kitchen, to her room on the ground floor, all the while shaking her head.
"Um, yo, hey Aboveground to Goblin King, come in Goblin King." Said Becka, speaking to the crystal.
Jareth appeared in a flash of glitter and light, disappointed when he saw Becka was the only one there, and she couldn't see his entrance.
"Where's Sarah?" he asked.
"Nice to see you too." Said Becka. "Yes, I'd love to come along with Sarah, thanks for inviting me!"
"Sorry." Said Jareth, not sounding exactly like he meant it. "I would like it if you were to come along, it might help Sarah if you did. Where is she?"
"Packing." Replied Becka.
"So she is coming?" said Jareth, trying to suppress a grin from forming on his face.
"Yes, I was able to convince her." Said Becka. "I know how to push her buttons the right way. You owe me big Goblin King."
"You know, you remind me of William…"said Jareth. "He also likes to manipulate his friends, namely me."
"William?" said Becka.
"A friend." Said Jareth. "I think you two will get along quite well."
Sarah, finally finished packing, came back in. "I'm ready to go…I guess."
"Great, I'll go get my stuff." Said Becka. She went upstairs, leaving a very uncomfortable Sarah and Jareth. She returned with a small suitcase, her violin case, and Hades, who had his own small suitcase, the handle between his jaws.
"Oh no, that animal is not coming along." Said Jareth.
"Yes he is." Said Becka. "He's my guide dog, he has to come along."
"Oh." Said Jareth. "Fine, but if he chews up anything…"
"He'll be tipped headfirst into the Bog of eternal Stench." Recited both Sarah and Becka.
"Don't worry," said Becka. "He's very well trained. Now, are we going, or are we just going, or what?"
"Right, we're going." Said Jareth. He conjured up another crystal ball, and threw it over them. It exploded, sending glitter raining down upon them. They disappeared.
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*again ducks flying objects* Hey, at least it wasn't quite as bad of a cliffhanger! And it is longer, like I promised! Oh, and btw, I have a little poll for you all, for you to decide whether or not something happens. Ok, here's the question: Should Becka regain her sight? Please state what you think when you review. Anyhow, hope you enjoyed this chapter, and remember…
"Please leave a contribution in the little review box"
Emmy-chan
