It could have been her imagination, but Sarah really believed that the
temperature had dropped ten degrees in the time she'd been sleeping inside
the library. It was unbearably cold and the air smelled thick like snow.
She pulled her coat tightly around her, twisting her scarf around her neck
and tucking it into her collar. I must remember to start dressing warmer...
As soon as I graduate I'm moving to California, she thought. Thinking wistfully of the warm sun and white sandy beaches she saw on travel advertisements. And palm trees, she reminded herself. She couldn't forget the palm trees. Who am I kidding, she laughed inwardly, I can't even afford to get away for Spring break!
Lost in thought, Sarah foolishly failed to realize that she was being watched. Two pairs of eyes regarded the girl as she walked alone through the trees. One with malicious intent, the other with distant curiosity.
The brick pathway before her narrowed sharply as she passed behind building known as Main Hall, steadily progressing toward her dorm. Agonizingly cold winds battled for dominance in the corridor between the evergreen trees on either side of her. The click of her boot heels on the walkway echoed off the stone walls of the building. The eerie sound of the rustling of leaves caught up in the crosswinds behind her made Sarah uncomfortably conscious of the darkness of her chosen path. An unwelcome sense of insecurity had crept into her mind and she nervously quickened her stride, attempting to physically escape the feeling.
This is stupid! She thought. I'm just feeling weird because of that stupid dream. She was slightly surprised that she remembered this one. It seemed to cling to her. A vague melody came to her mind, images of swirling dancers. And a voice, delicate and accented. Who had been there in the ballroom with her? She shivered at the recollection. The feel of soft leather on her skin. Slightly unnerved, she shook herself out of it, and once again became aware of her surroundings. The sound of her own steps followed her, echoing amid the sounds of swirling leaves chasing her, increasing her discomfort. I'm being completely ridiculous! She stopped and twirled around decisively, fully intending to prove to herself the inane silliness of her own fear.
Sarah didn't have time to scream before she was struck. She didn't see the figure standing before her. Her vision reeled and blackness rushed in, electric pain registering and spreading unmercifully from where the blow landed, through her head and down to the base of her neck. She was distantly aware of metallic taste filling her mouth. Her knees gave way underneath her and she collapsed, tumbling in a heap to the unyielding bricks below. Behind her eyes she saw swirls of light amid blackness and all conscious thought ceased.
The figure standing over her grinned wickedly, his dark eyes regarding her with patient malice. It had been so easy.
From above, piercing eyes watched the scene unfolding with fury. This could not be allowed.
A white owl swooped down from the trees above like a guided missile, swiftly zeroing in on Sarah's attacker, claws outstretched. The startled figure yelled out and threw his arms up in a futile attempt to shield himself from the creature that advanced on him in a vicious rage.
"Fuck!" The man screamed, striking out uselessly against the onslaught of sharp talons slashing at his forearms. Deep scratches bloodied his arms. He was caught unaware as the bird altered its method of attack, beating him with its wings, batting away his pathetic attempts at defense and aiming straight for his dark eyes. It clawed and pecked at his uncovered face unmercifully. The man screamed as the owl found its mark, blinding him. Aware that it now had the upper hand, the creature threw itself deeper into the assault.
Unbalanced, the assailant fell backward onto the sidewalk, his body landing hard next to the girl's unconscious form. His head slammed against the hard brick surface with a sickening crack. It's aim accomplished, the owl ceased its attack.
It was then that it transformed.
***************************************************
Jareth was the only one left standing on the pathway. Two unmoving bodies laid on the ground before him. The bitter wind battered his still form, tousling his pale blonde hair. Tonight's dramatic events had certainly been an unexpected development. Considering his next move, he instinctively adjusted his black leather gloves, tugging them down further and stretching his long fingers into them.
Had Sarah been awake to see her rescuer standing there, she would have quickly recognized his appearance from their previous encounter seven years before. His ensemble had not changed. Tall, black leather riding boots rose to just below his knees, where they met with tight, dark gray breeches, revealing lean, muscular legs. A white ruffled poet's shirt peeked out from under his black leather waistcoat, the neck of which was left open, allowing a glance of his signature pendant resting against his pale skin. A shimmering black cloak, billowing out behind him, finished the costume. Jareth looked every ounce the regal monarch and Sarah's flawlessly malicious Goblin King.
Jareth looked down to regard Sarah's unmoving form and grimaced. Now that he had eliminated the threat he could tend to the girl's injuries. He could tell that they were, unfortunately, quite serious, but he was sure she would survive, as long as he healed her quickly. Her body laid in a heap on the path, limbs twisted unnaturally beneath her, her hair fanned out on the ground in a tangled mess. Streams of blood wound their way from her right temple down her forehead, dripping into a shallow pool that had formed on the bricks below.
He stepped forward and bent down, peering into the woman's unconscious face. Her expression was serene in her unconsciousness, despite the violent attack she had suffered. The only signs that she was not merely sleeping were the rivulets of dark blood flowing across her cheek and brow.
He was uncomfortably aware that she had grown even more stunning than the last time he had seen her this close, during their last confrontation. How he could remember the intensity with which she had once looked at him. Those serious green eyes, the depth of which had always entranced him, were momentarily hidden behind dark lashes. They had questioned and defied him with every glance. He could never forget her eyes.
He brushed the blood-wet curls of her hair back, away from her face, smoothing it down and tucking it behind her ear. She was so beautiful. He silently cursed himself for allowing her to be so seriously injured.
Enough, he thought. Sliding his arms beneath her, supporting her carefully, Jareth lifted Sarah's body from the cold sidewalk and into his embrace. Her head fell limply onto his shoulder, her hair creating a dark curtain around her. Her face rested in the hollow of his neck, dark blood from her wound smearing onto the ruffled neckline of his white shirt. He swiftly carried her away from the lifeless body of her attacker, walked off into the thick trees and disappeared.
As soon as I graduate I'm moving to California, she thought. Thinking wistfully of the warm sun and white sandy beaches she saw on travel advertisements. And palm trees, she reminded herself. She couldn't forget the palm trees. Who am I kidding, she laughed inwardly, I can't even afford to get away for Spring break!
Lost in thought, Sarah foolishly failed to realize that she was being watched. Two pairs of eyes regarded the girl as she walked alone through the trees. One with malicious intent, the other with distant curiosity.
The brick pathway before her narrowed sharply as she passed behind building known as Main Hall, steadily progressing toward her dorm. Agonizingly cold winds battled for dominance in the corridor between the evergreen trees on either side of her. The click of her boot heels on the walkway echoed off the stone walls of the building. The eerie sound of the rustling of leaves caught up in the crosswinds behind her made Sarah uncomfortably conscious of the darkness of her chosen path. An unwelcome sense of insecurity had crept into her mind and she nervously quickened her stride, attempting to physically escape the feeling.
This is stupid! She thought. I'm just feeling weird because of that stupid dream. She was slightly surprised that she remembered this one. It seemed to cling to her. A vague melody came to her mind, images of swirling dancers. And a voice, delicate and accented. Who had been there in the ballroom with her? She shivered at the recollection. The feel of soft leather on her skin. Slightly unnerved, she shook herself out of it, and once again became aware of her surroundings. The sound of her own steps followed her, echoing amid the sounds of swirling leaves chasing her, increasing her discomfort. I'm being completely ridiculous! She stopped and twirled around decisively, fully intending to prove to herself the inane silliness of her own fear.
Sarah didn't have time to scream before she was struck. She didn't see the figure standing before her. Her vision reeled and blackness rushed in, electric pain registering and spreading unmercifully from where the blow landed, through her head and down to the base of her neck. She was distantly aware of metallic taste filling her mouth. Her knees gave way underneath her and she collapsed, tumbling in a heap to the unyielding bricks below. Behind her eyes she saw swirls of light amid blackness and all conscious thought ceased.
The figure standing over her grinned wickedly, his dark eyes regarding her with patient malice. It had been so easy.
From above, piercing eyes watched the scene unfolding with fury. This could not be allowed.
A white owl swooped down from the trees above like a guided missile, swiftly zeroing in on Sarah's attacker, claws outstretched. The startled figure yelled out and threw his arms up in a futile attempt to shield himself from the creature that advanced on him in a vicious rage.
"Fuck!" The man screamed, striking out uselessly against the onslaught of sharp talons slashing at his forearms. Deep scratches bloodied his arms. He was caught unaware as the bird altered its method of attack, beating him with its wings, batting away his pathetic attempts at defense and aiming straight for his dark eyes. It clawed and pecked at his uncovered face unmercifully. The man screamed as the owl found its mark, blinding him. Aware that it now had the upper hand, the creature threw itself deeper into the assault.
Unbalanced, the assailant fell backward onto the sidewalk, his body landing hard next to the girl's unconscious form. His head slammed against the hard brick surface with a sickening crack. It's aim accomplished, the owl ceased its attack.
It was then that it transformed.
***************************************************
Jareth was the only one left standing on the pathway. Two unmoving bodies laid on the ground before him. The bitter wind battered his still form, tousling his pale blonde hair. Tonight's dramatic events had certainly been an unexpected development. Considering his next move, he instinctively adjusted his black leather gloves, tugging them down further and stretching his long fingers into them.
Had Sarah been awake to see her rescuer standing there, she would have quickly recognized his appearance from their previous encounter seven years before. His ensemble had not changed. Tall, black leather riding boots rose to just below his knees, where they met with tight, dark gray breeches, revealing lean, muscular legs. A white ruffled poet's shirt peeked out from under his black leather waistcoat, the neck of which was left open, allowing a glance of his signature pendant resting against his pale skin. A shimmering black cloak, billowing out behind him, finished the costume. Jareth looked every ounce the regal monarch and Sarah's flawlessly malicious Goblin King.
Jareth looked down to regard Sarah's unmoving form and grimaced. Now that he had eliminated the threat he could tend to the girl's injuries. He could tell that they were, unfortunately, quite serious, but he was sure she would survive, as long as he healed her quickly. Her body laid in a heap on the path, limbs twisted unnaturally beneath her, her hair fanned out on the ground in a tangled mess. Streams of blood wound their way from her right temple down her forehead, dripping into a shallow pool that had formed on the bricks below.
He stepped forward and bent down, peering into the woman's unconscious face. Her expression was serene in her unconsciousness, despite the violent attack she had suffered. The only signs that she was not merely sleeping were the rivulets of dark blood flowing across her cheek and brow.
He was uncomfortably aware that she had grown even more stunning than the last time he had seen her this close, during their last confrontation. How he could remember the intensity with which she had once looked at him. Those serious green eyes, the depth of which had always entranced him, were momentarily hidden behind dark lashes. They had questioned and defied him with every glance. He could never forget her eyes.
He brushed the blood-wet curls of her hair back, away from her face, smoothing it down and tucking it behind her ear. She was so beautiful. He silently cursed himself for allowing her to be so seriously injured.
Enough, he thought. Sliding his arms beneath her, supporting her carefully, Jareth lifted Sarah's body from the cold sidewalk and into his embrace. Her head fell limply onto his shoulder, her hair creating a dark curtain around her. Her face rested in the hollow of his neck, dark blood from her wound smearing onto the ruffled neckline of his white shirt. He swiftly carried her away from the lifeless body of her attacker, walked off into the thick trees and disappeared.