(Author's note: Sorry this chapter is going to be so short but I did a bit of bad planning. I would rather not run into the next section in the same chapter 'cause the suspense isn't as great ;p. Hope you enjoy it anyways. Again, thank you for your wonderful reviews)
Chapter IV
Even though she had never seen the Sun in this world, let alone bothered to think about the differences in time zones, Sarah believed it to be around midday. The weather was humid and the harsh texture in her mouth reminded her how thirsty she was. She had got to the point of the Labyrinth where the usual dusty walls had traded with many hedges of varied shapes and sizes. Sometimes there were hindrances such as the sound of a guard patrol cantering clumsily on the back of a lizard-like creature, other times she discovered arrow-shaped topiaries that appeared to guide the way to the castle. She was not entirely sure how helpful these were, however, especially when some of them swivelled about spontaneously.
Eventually she reached a place where the path opened out into an oval shape, a vast pond stretching before her. To her dismay, the water looked quite fetid and ridden with algae. Furthermore, the way out was either the way back or across the pool. She did not fancy swimming in it. She was even surprised to see her reflection in it at all.
There was a curious set of large lily pads in a makeshift route over the pond, though she was doubtful they would hold her weight. Figuring this *was* a place for impossible things to happen, Sarah stepped up to the edge and gingerly set one foot onto the first plant. It was solid. Her other foot followed suit and she stood safely on the surface of the pool. She allowed herself to bend her knees and jump a little way into the air. The lily pad remained dormant. Using this newfound method of travel, she hopped from one giant leaf to the other, reaching the other side in no time at all.
When her feet touched the stone ground once again, Sarah smiled and congratulated herself, wringing her clasped hands above her head in celebration. She paused; her arms still raised, and stared bleakly at the huddled form in the shadows.
"Ludo?" she frowned. "Is that you?"
The great furry bulk of her friend stepped into the daylight. Sarah rushed excitedly to him and threw her arms about him.
"Oh Ludo! I missed you so much!" she exclaimed. "I didn't know if I'd ever see you again. I-." She hesitated at the sadness with which he regarded her. "Ludo, are you all right? Did he hurt you?" Her face whitened with worry.
"Sehwah friend," he answered, clasping his immense paws about her.
"Yes Ludo, I'm your friend. I'll always be your friend."
He gripped her tighter, causing her to cough. "Sehwah stay."
"I'm here Ludo," she said, feeling his grasp grow a bit too strong. "What's wrong? Won't you tell me what's wrong?"
Ludo held her against his chest with a force that threatened to crush her then he took hold of her arms and lifted her clean off the ground. Sarah gulped in the air she had been deprived of and looked at her companion with an expression of bewilderment.
"Ludo, tell me what's wrong," she demanded as he trudged forwards. "What's the matter with you?" She was now dangling over the surface of the pond; only Ludo's hold preventing her fall. "Ludo, NO!"
Sarah felt the chill of the cold waters rush through her body as she plunged below the surface. Murky clouds expelled the view of blue skies and foul bubbles mockingly quenched her parched throat. Her face broke through the layer of algae to gasp in a breath but a series of sharp needlepoints embedded into her shins. She cried out in agony. Something was dragging her down. She felt slimy tendrils fasten onto her limbs.
Ludo stood at the side of the pool, blinking away the moisture from his eyes, completely helpless to his friend's pleas. He raised his head to observe the figure at the opposite side that seemed to be watching the scene with an abhorrent fascination.
Jareth leant forward, applying his balance upon the boot he had elevated to the edge of the pond. He tilted his chin higher in a manner of superiority then presented a satisfied smirk as Sarah vanished beneath the surface.
Chapter IV
Even though she had never seen the Sun in this world, let alone bothered to think about the differences in time zones, Sarah believed it to be around midday. The weather was humid and the harsh texture in her mouth reminded her how thirsty she was. She had got to the point of the Labyrinth where the usual dusty walls had traded with many hedges of varied shapes and sizes. Sometimes there were hindrances such as the sound of a guard patrol cantering clumsily on the back of a lizard-like creature, other times she discovered arrow-shaped topiaries that appeared to guide the way to the castle. She was not entirely sure how helpful these were, however, especially when some of them swivelled about spontaneously.
Eventually she reached a place where the path opened out into an oval shape, a vast pond stretching before her. To her dismay, the water looked quite fetid and ridden with algae. Furthermore, the way out was either the way back or across the pool. She did not fancy swimming in it. She was even surprised to see her reflection in it at all.
There was a curious set of large lily pads in a makeshift route over the pond, though she was doubtful they would hold her weight. Figuring this *was* a place for impossible things to happen, Sarah stepped up to the edge and gingerly set one foot onto the first plant. It was solid. Her other foot followed suit and she stood safely on the surface of the pool. She allowed herself to bend her knees and jump a little way into the air. The lily pad remained dormant. Using this newfound method of travel, she hopped from one giant leaf to the other, reaching the other side in no time at all.
When her feet touched the stone ground once again, Sarah smiled and congratulated herself, wringing her clasped hands above her head in celebration. She paused; her arms still raised, and stared bleakly at the huddled form in the shadows.
"Ludo?" she frowned. "Is that you?"
The great furry bulk of her friend stepped into the daylight. Sarah rushed excitedly to him and threw her arms about him.
"Oh Ludo! I missed you so much!" she exclaimed. "I didn't know if I'd ever see you again. I-." She hesitated at the sadness with which he regarded her. "Ludo, are you all right? Did he hurt you?" Her face whitened with worry.
"Sehwah friend," he answered, clasping his immense paws about her.
"Yes Ludo, I'm your friend. I'll always be your friend."
He gripped her tighter, causing her to cough. "Sehwah stay."
"I'm here Ludo," she said, feeling his grasp grow a bit too strong. "What's wrong? Won't you tell me what's wrong?"
Ludo held her against his chest with a force that threatened to crush her then he took hold of her arms and lifted her clean off the ground. Sarah gulped in the air she had been deprived of and looked at her companion with an expression of bewilderment.
"Ludo, tell me what's wrong," she demanded as he trudged forwards. "What's the matter with you?" She was now dangling over the surface of the pond; only Ludo's hold preventing her fall. "Ludo, NO!"
Sarah felt the chill of the cold waters rush through her body as she plunged below the surface. Murky clouds expelled the view of blue skies and foul bubbles mockingly quenched her parched throat. Her face broke through the layer of algae to gasp in a breath but a series of sharp needlepoints embedded into her shins. She cried out in agony. Something was dragging her down. She felt slimy tendrils fasten onto her limbs.
Ludo stood at the side of the pool, blinking away the moisture from his eyes, completely helpless to his friend's pleas. He raised his head to observe the figure at the opposite side that seemed to be watching the scene with an abhorrent fascination.
Jareth leant forward, applying his balance upon the boot he had elevated to the edge of the pond. He tilted his chin higher in a manner of superiority then presented a satisfied smirk as Sarah vanished beneath the surface.