Notes: Ok, I was asked why at four and a half, Lance was freaking intelligent. Well, first off, I NEED him to be. Second, the past that was, was one that was never meant to be. Sarah was SUPPOSED to win, but she lost. Therefore Lance was born to set things right because things went so badly. (No one knows this yet or is out right told, Jareth kinda figures that for himself.) If I can come up with better reasons they'll be in the story later on. ^__^ Anyway, when you guys review I usually write back with a thank you… But sometimes I can't cause no addy, which is peachy. I'll continue this story then due to the many threats.  ^__^ Ok enough with the notes, on with the story!!!

To Be Insane

Chapter 3 Promises To Be Kept…

            From that day on, Lance was a common visitor for Sarah, of course they were always supervised, but that didn't matter, things were getting a little better for her, and he was enjoying learning what kind of person she was. After a month of such a better change the doctors allowed her to walk in the hospital gardens with her brother. And more so, the doctor and her parents would be able to watch them from the bench and table area that was next to it.

            As Sarah and Lance walked side by side talking to each other, mostly him talking of his school life, he broke the line of conversation with a sudden question, "Sarah, why are you in here?"

            Sarah looked to him and tried to keep her tone neutral, "Why do you ask that?"

            "You don't want to be here right? So why were you put here?"

            "What makes you think I was put here Lance?" she picked a leaf off of an over hanging tree and began to fold it, then rip tiny pieces off of it.

            "I don't know… it just seems any normal person wouldn't want to be in such a bad place."

            "If I tell you why you can't tell Dad or Karen about it all right?" Lance nodded.

            "Cross my heart."

            "I was put in here because they thought I was crazy. To a point they were right, but they don't know the real reason why I went insane."

            "What was it?" he sat down on one of the benches next to a rose bush and she sat next to him.

            "This is going to sound hard to believe, but when I was fifteen years old, I had a step brother, just like you, his name was Toby, he was two years old."

            "But momma said that was just your imagination."

            "That's because she's forgotten him. I wished Toby away to the Goblin King Jareth, and Jareth actually took him. I didn't know he was real, but by then it was too late. I refused my dreams and was given thirteen hours to solve his Labyrinth." She then went into telling him her tale with her friends, the dance, and the challenges; he listened quietly, intently, and with a searching look on his face sometimes, "By the end of it… I was in an Escher like room… It was so hard to get to Toby, but finally, at one point, he was right below me, sitting on the edge of the wall… Jareth had tried to stop me again… but… I jumped off the ledge, but as I leapt I heard the clock strike thirteen, and I felt my body falling…. When I landed on the ground… Jareth was holding Toby, and told me he could send me back, and if I wanted to return to call on him using a crystal that would be hidden in my room. If I wanted to come back badly enough, I'd find it… When I got home… everything and anything that could have proved Toby was real, was gone. Mom and Karen got home, but I was ballistic and half mad by then, I locked myself in my room, and I swear I searched desperately, I tore that room apart. All the while thinking, 'I have to get Toby back.'. I never found what I was looking for…"

            Lance slid down to the grass and started to tear out the blades slowly, on at a time, thinking to himself. Sarah sat down next to him.

            "What are you thinking Lance?"

            "Lots of stuff."

            "Like what?"

            "Is your room the one across from mommy and daddy's?"

            "Wha-" she blinked in surprise, "It's still there?"

            He nodded, "It's locked though. They haven't been in it for a while I guess… There's no way to get in. I suppose it makes sense that that was your room, one time I accidentally let Merlin in the house and he ran up the stairs like lightning up to your door and started barking and howling at it while pawing the door jam. I guess he really missed you…"

            Sarah bit back a lump in her throat, "Guess so…"

            He hugged her, "Well I guess I'll just go then."

            "Wait, if I tell you how to get in there, can you bring me back a book, and PROMISE not to read it?" He nodded solemnly. "In my room, in one of the drawers, is 'The Labyrinth', I put it in there before dad could open my door. Outside on the front porch there's an area where I hid the extra key to my room. I was about seven when I did this, now if no one's tampered with it, it should still be there. On the left side of the porch near where the railing connects to the wall, there's an area underneath the railing where a little hide a way spot is. That's where it should be. Now I need you to bring this book to me next time you visit, no reading it, understand?"

            Lance stayed silent for a moment then nodded, "K, I'll get the book for you, I'll make sure to bring it in a backpack next time I see you."

            "All right then…" she hugged him tightly, "I love you Lance, I'll never forget you for this," she smiled at him, "I owe ya one."

*&*

            As Lance drove off with his parents, the hospital slowly going out of view he looked out his side window with a determined glance. He was going to find that book, but if he was going to help Sarah get Toby back, he was going to have to read it himself and find out what to do. He would find the book, and the crystal… then maybe he could help her. Just maybe…

More notes: Yes I promised another chapter in chap 2, I never said how long, I need lots of time to write a longer chapter so I'll add #4 later, and it'll be longer honest. ^_^; Ok you people enjoy your day, I'll post again as soon as I can. (I have LOTS of stories to write on/finish. @_@ )