Chapter Two

I can always hear when something electrical is on. I woke up when I heard the computer cut on. I looked at the screen and was surprised to see the computer was logged back into the chat room. I walked to the computer and saw that hteraJKG was logged in too and had written something.

It said 'Are you there?'

I raised an eyebrow.

'Yes, but it's still night time. I'm sleeping,' I typed.

'Well it's day here now. Can we talk anyway?'

'Uh...no. I have school tomorrow.'

'But we have so much to talk about.'

'We can talk tomorrow.' I went to turn off my computer.

"Wait, Melody. I have something important to ask you.'

That caught my attention and scared me.

'How do you know my name?' I typed.

'I know a lot about you.'

I was thoroughly freaked-out. But I continued to talk to him.

'You're scaring me.' I told him.

'I am frightening. That's how your mother wanted me.'

I was scared, confused, and a little curious. Maybe this guy was just pulling my leg. However, he did know my name.

'You know my mom?' I asked.

'Yes. I knew her. I will explain more if you come meet me.'

'You're crazy if you think I'm gonna meet you.'

'You're mother has told you about me. Don't you trust your mother?'

'What are you talking about? What's your name?"

There was a long pause where he didn't answer. Finally he replied.

'Hoggle,' was all he typed.

I started to type that I had never heard of a Hoggle when I suddenly remembered mom's story. She had told my sister and me about the labyrinth hundreds of times. It was just a fairytale, though. Goblins and such didn't exist.

'You lie," I typed.

'So you have heard of me. I need you to meet me. You're mother would have done it at your age. She did it when she was younger than you.'

'How can I trust you? That's just a stupid story. It's not even true.'

'How can I convince you? I need your help.'

'If you know my mother so well, why don't you ask her?'

'Because she is too old. She's not as strong as she used to be.'

I didn't know what to do. My curiosity was winning over my common sense. If the story mom told was true, then Hoggle was basically trustworthy. And how else would anyone know the story? Maybe the people of the labyrinth were in trouble. I could have an adventure like mom. My brain knew it was stupid, but I couldn't help it. I gave in.

'Where do you want me to meet you?'

'In the park across the street, by the center fountain.'

'Okay. I'll be there in about five minutes.'

'Thank You.'

I turned off the monitor on my computer and got dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. I put on my jacket and snuck out my window. I jogged across the street and through the park. I had a huge knot in my stomach. I was scared and excited. I tried to remember how mom had described Hoggle so I would know what to expect. I wondered if I'd meet some of mom's other friends as well. I knew it was stupid that I believed the story, but it had to be true. How else would this guy know? The story of the labyrinth was true.

I saw the fountain and took a deep breath. I walked up to it and around it. No one was there. I sat down by the fountain and waited. Suddenly I heard a noise above me. I looked up and saw a white owl. It circled around me over and over. I watched it until I got dizzy. I closed my eyes and fell backwards.