Chapter Three

The Old Friend

"Becka!" Sarah called "Sam! Leah! Get down here." The three girls ran down the stairs and stood before their mother. "This," Sarah said solemnly, moving aside "is an old friend of mine." There stood a man with spiky blond hair. He had black boots, a poet shirt and very, tight gray pants on. Around his neck was a pendant, with no specific meaning.

"Wow," Becka said quietly and Jareth smiled at the reaction. He was handsome, for someone that looked a lot like David Bowie. Sam stood in awe, wondering what this man and her mother could have in common. The three looked at their mother and then back to each other, what was going on?

"Now guys," Sarah said, feeling uneasy "this is Jareth."

"Where have I heard that before?" Sam asked.

"In the stories," Leah mumbled to herself.

"Yeah," Becka said, letting the idea dawn on her "I remember those."

"I see I'm well known," Jareth said and the three girls froze at the sound of his voice. It couldn't be the infamous Goblin King their mother had always told them about, could it?

"Hehe," Sam laughed nervously "funny joke Mr. Jareth sir."

"No joke," he said "I don't joke." There was a long silent pause. Ok, now they knew that this must be the Goblin King. Who else could come into this house, so oddly dressed and actually keep their mother from running away?

"Mom?" Sam asked worriedly and Jareth smirked.

"Hon," Sarah said quietly "I'm afraid Jareth has to take one of you with him."

"You must be joking!" Becka said dramatically as she put her hand over her head, as if she were about to faint.

"I'm scared mommy," Sam whimpered. They seemed to all look at Leah, expecting her to say something.

Leah merely looked at Jareth and asked "why?" Jareth kept the smile at bay, though he was sure that they could see it on the edge of his lips. How strange this middle child was. She didn't turn to her mother like the other two, no; she had turned to him and asked why.

"No Becka," Sarah said "I'm not kidding and it'll be alright Sam." Sarah pulled Sam to her and stroked her hair. No one had answered Leah's question and her ears burned red with anger.

"WHY?" Leah asked again looking from Jareth to Sarah. Wasn't anyone going to answer her question? Was she such an outcast that she didn't deserve an answer?!

"Because," Jareth said finally "your mother beat my Labyrinth, not me. I was going to take her brother once more, but she begged me not to. So, being the gentlemen I am I made her a deal."

"Gentleman?" Sarah said pulling Sam behind her "ha! Your such a bastard Jareth, you really are. How dare you-"

"How dare I?" he said raising his voice "how dare YOU! You act like you-"

"ENOUGH!" Leah yelled and both her mother and Jareth became very quiet, though Jareth sent her an evil glare. "My apologies," she said nodding towards Jareth and he gave a slight bow. "Now," Leah said "what exactly was this deal?"

"I don't think it's any of your business," Sarah retorted.

"Uh oh," Sam said and hid behind the couch.

"None of our business?!" Leah asked "what do you MEAN none of our business? For some mystical reason, we have to go with some Goblin King and you won't tell us why?! I think we have every right to know mother."

"Don't call me that," Sarah snapped "you know I hate that."

"I don't care!!" Leah screamed in frustration "I think your pretty damn lucky I'm not calling you OTHER things right now."

"Watch your mouth," Sarah said pointing a finger in Leah's face.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck fuck fuck," Leah taunted and her mother took her arm and twisted it. Leah screamed loudly and Jareth raised an eyebrow. All the girl wanted was to know WHY she or one of her siblings was going to be taken with him. Why'd Sarah have to be so thick headed sometimes?

"You listen to me," Sarah sneered in Leah's face.

"Sarah," Jareth said "let go of the girl."

"She's MY daughter," Sarah yelled throwing Leah to the floor. Leah didn't bother to get up, she just stayed there. Maybe they'd think she was dead and leave her alone, but then, she was never that lucky. Everything seemed to stop and become very quiet. You could hear Sarah's breathing and Sam's muffled cries. The clicking of boots filled the air.

It reminded Leah of when she'd stay the night at her grandma's and sleep on the couch. When she'd lay there and listen she could hear the clock. After a while, the noise seemed to be the only thing in the blackness. That's how it was now, but the clicking was only getting louder because Jareth was getting closer.

"Get away from her," Sarah ordered but she didn't move from her spot. She wouldn't go near Jareth, let alone rip him off of her daughter. Leah stopped breathing for a moment and felt Jareth's hand slip across her back. The other around her waist. He picked her off the floor and set her leaning against the couch.

"Why?" she asked again, this time tears striking her face. Everything was quiet.

"Because," Jareth said, resuming his stone cold expression "I needed a wife or a child. And your mother would not provide my wife."

"So your giving him us?" Becka asked.

"Only one," Sarah said, as if she could spare a few "so." She went over and picked Sam up, holding her in her arms.

"So do you pick mommy?" Sam asked.

"No," Jareth said "you do. All of you do. You must pick."

Author's note: Wow, could I leave it at any better of a spot? I think so! Thank you SO much for the reviews guys! My goblin friends say they really make them wanna write! They also say...eat more chicken... oook. Anyways! Chapter four coming right up!