Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth, or any rights to it. Trust me, I feel the pain…
Beyond the Labyrinth
Through the Mirror Cracked
It was such a beautiful day for the world to end…Birds were singing gay, happy songs…a light breeze was swaying the trees, the sun shone brilliantly…yes, a perfect day for the world to end. Rivkah was gone. She and the prince had left yesterday…just left…leaving Sarah all alone. Crystal tears flowed down her face. What did I do to anger the prince? Why didn't he take me too? Lancelot gave a soggy, tear soaked squelch as she squeezed him tight to her chest. Why did they leave me alone?
Daddy had come home at his usual time…while Sarah was still outside playing. She saw him walk in; it never occurred to her that Rivkah wasn't inside making dinner. He had walked back out in mere minutes, walking straight at her. Something in his face had paralyzed her, held her motionless… "Where is your mother?"
"Isn't she cooking?"
"No"
"I don't know"
"I see" Then he had walked back to the car and driven off. He hadn't come back home all night. After that, she had to prove to herself that Rivkah was gone. She had run up to her parent's bedroom and looked at the drawers and closet…And nothing was there…no makeup, no jewelry, no fancy clothes…So here she sat, in the living room, crying.
* * * * *
Her father came home…he smelled funny and couldn't walk straight. Sarah had long since stopped crying and simply watched him. He sat down heavily next to her and stroked her cheek "Sarah, tha neighbors say tha saw some bastird here yestirday…Did yah see him?"
He means the prince!!! I can't tell him… "No daddy, Momma sent me out to play while she cooked. She said I was in the way…"
He stopped stroking her cheek and pinched her shoulder tight "Liar, yar a bitch jes like yer mam!" He wrenched her arm around and smacked her hard across the face "Ya know whar they went, I know yah do! Tell *smack* me *smack* you *smack* little *smack* whore! *crack*" At the sickening sound, he dropped her arm.
Sarah whimpered and drew away from him, clutching Lancelot in one arm, her other dangled at an odd angle while pain nearly made her puke. "I don't know daddy!" She fled, her feet flying up the stairs, doors flying open as she passed…she sought sanctuary in the one place she hoped he wouldn't check, her mothers room. She dived far under the bad and curled up tight, cradling her arm. I won't tell him, he's like an evil knight, he wants to hurt the prince and princess…I can't let that happen…I only have to hide until he's not mad anymore…Shock began to creep up on her, and she passed out.
* * * * *
She awoke to the sound of breaking glass and swearing, her father was in the room. He was throwing her mother's belongings everywhere, shattering her glasswork, the windows, the mirrors…glass sprinkled to the carpet like sharp rain. He mind was enchanted by the glittering glass…as long as she concentrated on the glass, her arm didn't hurt so much…she concentrated so hard on the glass that she didn't hear her father leave once more.
The glass sparkled and shimmered, and she almost saw a face…it looked worried as it peered out at her. The mouth, centered in a large shard, compressed into a thin hard line as the eyes, looking funny fanned among several small splinters, took in the bruised and bloody flesh, the broken arm. Sarah tried to remember where she had seen this face before, she knew the name, but her mind didn't want to work…then it came to her. She cracked her lips open to emit a bloody, burbling whisper "I didn't tell him prince Telvrin…you're safe, I promise." The eyes widened in shock, and then closed…the face disappeared. Sarah passed out once more.
* * * * *
She awoke once more, it was night time and dark in the room, she could hear her father calling her "Sarah, please, I'm sorry…we need to get you to a hospital…please come out." Her body started to move while her mind was still wrapped in a gossamer cocoon. She crawled out from under the bed, dragging her arm and teddy…and walked across to the door. Then she felt the glass she had stepped on…bloody footprints trailed from the bed to the door. She was too drained to cry anymore…her body too abused to protest. She shrugged and kept walking, her mind was elsewhere…dancing with fairies and unicorns…she was safe, and warm…and wanted…
She didn't know what her father told the doctors, but she awoke with bandages all over her arm, feet, and ribs, one tube was dripping blood into her arm, while another was forcing oxygen into her lungs. She turned her head and saw that some doctor or nurse had left Lancelot nearby with matching bandages. She didn't care…her father made promises; saying it would never happen again, he stayed near her bed and stroked her hair…it didn't matter. It had been such a beautiful day for the world to end…
* * * * *
Telvrin blanked the mirror and leaned his forehead upon the cool glass, tears streamed down his face and silent sobs shook his proud frame. He felt a cool hand on his neck and turned to see the blind Prophet Nera "It is for the blood Telvrin, the prophecy demands it. It cannot be helped."
Rage gripped his heart and the tears slowed their fall…leaving hot, burning tracks on his cheeks. "I know Nera, I know. But after she has come to power…I will kill the man who did that to my child. I swear on my blade and my magic that he will die at my hands. And no prophecy will stop me then."
"Heard and witnessed my lord. I am sorry that the prophecy demands your daughter, and your son. I am truly sorry."
"I know you cannot change what will be Nera, there is no point in me trying to take it out on you. But I tell you, if we ever meet; Fate will be as dead as that man is to be." There was a light tapping on his door.
"The woman Rivkah seeks you my lord…"
A bitter smile appeared on his face "Ah, yes, the mother of my daughter, and my soon to be son…how I hate her. Sometimes Nera, I wish you had never told me your visions…for they have cost me everything."
"There will be brightness in your future; fate is rarely so cruel to a family without compensating."
"Kind words from one who has not had to abandon her children to monsters. Think as you will Nera, it has been proven to me that I cannot even protect my own child. There is no reason for me to live aside from my future revenge…gods help anyone who tries to stop me." He stalked to the door and pasted his court face on, the slightly bored expression settling on his face with ease, masking the haunted eyes and tear stains. He walked out, closing the door behind him.
Nera's blind gaze followed him as he left "I am sorry for your pain brother…but you cannot see that there is so much for you to live for…"
* * * * *
My, that was a bit dark, even for me…sorry if I scared you folks…