Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth. I am simply a common peon subverting the glorious characters of said movie. Suing me would do no good, as the only valuable thing I own is my comic collection...which should not be of interest to Labyrinth fans anyway, so I'll stop rambling.

Chapter Two

Sarah was curled up among the many blankets of her parents bed, happily humming to herself. She rolled over and looked at her mother who was applying her make-up with expert skill. She laughed happily, and her mother sighed. "Sarah, you messed up the bed I just made! When will you learn not to bother me child?"

"I love you mamma!"

"Don't call me that." Sarah's mother turned back to the mirror with a frown and Sarah smiled happily. Her mother was the most beautiful person she had ever seen. She looked just like a princess from a fairy tale! She was so lucky to have a mother like her. Daddy had said that Sarah would grow up to be just as beautiful, but she didn't agree...Momma had said that Sarah's blood was diluted past redemption, that she couldn't hope to come even close to beautiful. Momma would never lie to her, so she believed.

Sarah yearned to stand up next to her mother at the vanity...She wanted so badly to pick up the white brush and reverently stroke her mother's ebony locks...to gently tie bright ribbons in the soft darkness and make her mother smile...to fall and adore her mother like a princess deserved...but she knew that Momma would get angry. She might even yell or lock Sarah out of the room, she didn't want that. So she sat quietly on the bed and watched her mother's every move...from the pearly white brush, to the emerald ribbons, to the ruby lipstick. Sarah sighed happily and wiggled further into the bed.

Momma was going to go see her "Prince" tonight, so she was dressing extra pretty...the sight made Sarah's heart ache. Momma always went out on Thursday, and always told Sarah to be good and not tell Daddy. Then she would smile at Sarah and pat her on the head...Sarah never told. Momma always did strange things...but that was okay, because she was a princess, and princesses, as Momma said, could do whatever they wanted. Sarah hoped that she could be a princess some day.

Momma finished dressing and stood up from her table. She swirled in front of Sarah "What do you think?"

"You look like a princess Momma!"

"Don't call me that Sarah. But your right. And I'm going to a ball tonight with my prince, so don't tell your father." Then came the expected and long awaited pat on the head.

"Of course not Rivkah. Have fun."

Her mother gave a tight lipped smile and ran her hands down her thighs, smoothing the tight dress "I always do." Then she left.

* * * *

Her Daddy came home while Sarah was cooking dinner. He came in and leaned over her shoulder, smelling the contents of the pot she was stirring. He grinned and whispered in her ear "Smells wonderful love". Sarah shivered...that meant he was in a good mood and wouldn't ignore her. Her hand started to shake on the spoon and some of the soup splashed on her face. It was burning hot and she winced. Her father laughed and licked the soup off her face, then went upstairs to change. Sarah, still shaking, ladled out the soup into two bowls and set the table.

Her father came back down in his robe, and sat down at the table. Sarah sat at the other end, pretending to be part of the chair. It didn't work...it never did. "What did you do today Sarah?"

"I read some more of the book Momma gave me..."

"Those stupid fairy tales?"

"Yes sir"

"That stuff will rot your brain child! It isn't good for you..." He smiled angelically "But you don't know any better do you? You're just six year old girl. It's not your fault your too stupid to know anything but what we tell you, is it?"

"No sir, not my fault." Sarah swallowed the suddenly tasteless soup...it always started like this.

Her Daddy's eyes sparkled "Not your fault at all...in fact...if I cared for you at all, I would teach you better wouldn't I?"

Sarah hung her head and whispered "Yes you would if you loved me."

"I'll teach you everything you need to know...I'll teach you what's real in life, and what you'll need to survive as a woman. Are you done eating?"

Sarah blinked at the full bowl in front of her "Yes Daddy"

* * * *

Later that evening Sarah sat curled up under her bed with her stuffed teddy, Lancelot. Someday I'll be a princess, and princes will treat me kindly, and I'll go to ball's and I'll be beautiful and Daddy won't be able to touch me. I'll run away there...to the place in the book. Even if I get lost in the Labyrinth or get eaten by trolls it'll be okay. And Momma will smile at me, cause I'll have powers like a fairy...and I'll marry a prince, and I'll be queen, and I'll have friends...and everything will be okay. You hear me Lancelot? The black glass eyes of her teddy stared back at her, and for a moment, a deep spark of life showed in their depths.

* * * *

I realize nobody expected this. Bear with me please, I am creating a child here, and I need to make her someone that will turn into a bitter teenager whom life has treated badly and who's only friends are those she imagines. Please put down the pitch forks and wait to see what I do next. Thank you.