With a cool cup of tea at her side Sarah continued to write out the payments for her current months worth of bills. She had just finished when a shadow crossed her beam of light. Glancing up and through her window she saw the waving figure of Eve. With a grace that could only come by nature she rose to her feet and went to the side door. To me met with said girl and twin brother. A pair of terrors if there ever had been. "And to what do I owe the pleasure?" It was quite obvious; both children sported their bat, glove, and a bucket of balls.
"You promised Miss Will. You said you'd help us try out for the team this season." Eve reminded, her sandy hair just long enough to put into a set of sloppy pigtails.
"Ya! You promised." Even, Eve's biological twin chimed. His hair only slightly darker than his sisters. "You can't back out on us now." Nodding in agreement Sarah stepped aside to allow them entrance to her humble abode. Funny how fate can kick you in the ass. She had once been the ignored daughter to her father; she had found solace from her wounded heart in her imagination. Her outlet of pain was found in her baby brother. In a mere moment of stupidity she had uttered the short phrase that had forever changed her world. And how she preserved things from that point on. Thirteen hours of hell, minus the time stolen from her, and the greatest friends she had yet to make, she had won and conquered the Labyrinth. Herself included, defied the Goblin King and lived to brag about it, not that she ever had. 'Defied, denied, delusioned.' She thought pulling her long hair into a high ponytail, when up the tips hit the brim of her low hip huggers jeans. Pulling her auburn bordering on midnight locks through the hole in the back of her cap she was prepared for the work to come. One gloved hand reached for her much worn baseball mitt and her old and much loved bat. Turning to the two twin terrors she swung her bat over her shoulder and met their broad grins. To this day they were the only two who would not wince when they saw the whole of her face. Three years prior she had been in a fiery wreck, of which she had been he only survivor. Since that night she was a strong donation sponsor of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. But her second chance at life had come at the price of her famed looks. From just below her right eye, all along her cheek, barely missing her lips, down the side of her throat and right shoulder and all of her right arm to the tips of her fingers she was scarred. But the worst part had been the nights, the screams, the sounds of Toby crying, and dieing in her arms. For the longest time whenever she closed her eyes she would relive the nightmare. Toby had died at the age of eight, in her arms, while she bleed helpless tears. The damage to her throat at that point had almost ruined her vocals as well, she was lucky to be able to speak, let alone still sound as she did before the accident. There had been no love lost between Karen and herself; her father had long ago stopped loving her. Merely thinking of her as a responsibility. She only visited for Toby. Her true mother bore no mentioning, she hated the fact that Sarah had existed, then when her daughter had shot up in the glitter and gold industry she had sworn off that she had ever had a child.
The terrible event and memories came within the blink of an eye. And even as she instructed Eve in how to hold a bat properly and swing correctly she recalled more to the tale. He acting career had died with her loss of looks. She had once been the biggest star in Hollywood. Never a bad review, never in the fashion 'don't' list, and always a box office smash, always. Hell, her looks had even been insured. And since she had not thrown her money about like no tomorrow, along with the money from the insurance, she left a comfortable life with no worries of money. She was quite comfortable living in her three rooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, and living room cottage located just above nowhere. Also known as Scotts Guard Maryland. No one knew her to be the acclaimed and still talked about actress Sarah Williams. She was simply known as Miss Will, or Wills. 'No one cares enough to get to know the. 'Strange Miss Wills.' No one that was except the two little devils that had been caught vandalizing her property and shattering her kitchen window. The window didn't matter, she could afford to build a glass house and throw rock at it all she wanted. But having been gardening when they did it she had caught them quickly, and soon was negotiating a proper punishment with their parents. In return for no charges against them the two hoodlums would work for her the entire of the upcoming summer. Somewhere in that time she had become their friend and they hers.
Nearly a year latter the pair were still coming to her house. Sometimes she had the feeling that she knew more about their day-to-day lives than their parents did. Tossing the ball she let Eve get the feel of her new batting style. Even played catcher while he waited his turn. Soon bolls were flying over her head, no bother. It was open field behind her and the two would scout for the balls when practice was over. Three hours into the lesson and none off them were ready to stop. But the black clothed figure behind them caught her eye. She couldn't see much but the sense of magic that covered the man(?) was undeniable. Knowing she had to get the two away fast she was quick for an excuse.
"Why don't you two take a break and catch a movie at the cinema?" She offered. "My treat."
"Ah they have some old move that was made about five years ago." Eve moaned not wanting to end her fun.
"I have it on good authority that five years ago there was not one bad movie made. You two go, I have something I want to get done." Reaching into her back pocket she handed them a twenty. "Buy snacks." She winked, their parents were health nuts, so all their sweets came from her. She was just like a grandma in that sense, except younger…and cool. Waving the two off as they raced their bikes into town she knew they would only just make the last showing. Turning she marched right into her house, leaving their things in the grass. No one would steel them; it was one of the things she had grown to love about living just above nowhere. Pouring herself a bowel of Goldfish crackers and grabbing a grape soda she entered her front porch. Sitting in the shadow of her over hang and half laying on her swinging bench she spoke. "Alright, whoever you are show yourself." Before her eyes a man dressed in black appeared. A Fae, and one that was giving her memory of 'evil Jareth' a run for its money.
He had to give the mortal credit. She neither jumped nor acted afraid. From her position he would have thought her one of his kind. Her face was hidden in the darkest half of the shadows, but he knew her for who she was. Only one mortal carried the signature of the Labyrinth, and remained Aboveground. "Mrs. Williams." He let out smoothly.
"Miss, Williams. What do you want? I haven't seen a Fae since I was fifteen, why now and why you." He sucked in a breath at that. She was not going to make manipulating her easy.
'She should have been born a Fae.' He thought once again taking in the position. Calm, collected, unafraid, and mockingly showing no respect. All without words or even sight of face. "I come to you with an offer." He started, using the most convincing tone he had.
"You want something, I learned that much underground, now what do you want? I warn you I won't ask again."
"I want your help through the Labyrinth." He let out, just barely avoiding hissing out his demand. She opened the can in her hand and brought it to her mouth. After a sip she spoke.
"Why, and why would I care to help you?" She was smarter than he had thought. What happened to the mortals who would jump at the chance at revenge without asking questions?
"Revenge, against the Goblin King." She took another drink, he could quickly find himself hating this woman. One hand grabbed a few of the orange things in a bowel and she munched on them. After swallowing she spoke.
"No." He felt his mask fall and he couldn't help but sound incredulous.
"No?"
"No." She lifted the bowl towards him. "Goldfish cracker?" Slapping the dish from her hand he lost his short temper.
"What do you mean no?" He demanded.
"No, as in there isn't enough anger in me to want to return there, let alone to that Labyrinth. Once was enough thank you. And aside from the fact that though I may not like Jareth I don't hate him."
"He stole your brother."
"I wished him to do it." Was her soft reply. With a grace he thought only Fae possessed she stood. Face half shadowed he saw the porcelain skin of her left side. "It was my fault and I accept that responsibility. Also I am not so shallow to hold such a grudge, it taught me much about life and even more about myself. It was not a lesson I have forgotten. Why do you want my help? Correction, demand my assistance." He glared at her.
"You mortal shall pay for this insult. I will soon hold the power of the Underground and nothing will stop me from the punishment I will deal you after that. She stepped into the light and he stepped back in shock. Her face was…hideous. Half a beauty any would desire, the other a face not even a mother could love. His eyes narrowed. "If you change your mind, I could reward you, your face for instance. One gloved hand ran across her unblemished half of face."
"I could have fixed my face long ago you moron. I don't deserve it, so leave me be. Get off my property." If he hadn't known better he would have thought her eyes could kill a man. They were so cruel. A mocking bow was his show. And as his body faded back to his domain he left her one last bit to think about.
"I offered Miss Williams. Head me well, you will regret this insult."
My End. What do you think? Should I continue? Review and tell me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~BUM~