The night was cold and a light wind teased his face. He was vaguely aware of the blood on his hands but he knew it was not his own. It ran like ribbons down his fingers and dripped onto the ground. Down the alley lay his most recent victim, number seven. He could smell her blood, her organs, her waste. It was a musky scent, sweet and savory. He still could feel her soft flesh beneath his palms. His body stirred in response to the vivid memory. He wanted more, needed it. That was when he saw her, slight and beautiful. Raven hair spilled across her shoulders and framed a flawless, creamy white face. Oh yes, he would possess her tonight. And she would submit, like all of the others.

Sarah Williams, famous Broadway star and writer, hugged her thick cloak closer. She was twenty-five today but she felt forty. The weight of the world was thrust upon her young shoulders at seventeen and had not let up, not even now. It started after the Lab...no she must not remember. It was a dream, it wasn't real, HE wasn't real. The chill of the night nipped at her body through her clothing but she was numb to it from the alcohol. The evening was filled with a dark promise that she couldn't put her finger on. She was scaring, but then again, she should be scared. She remembered reading about the serial killer that preferred lovely young women. Seven so far. She walked quicker now, scolding herself for not taking a taxi. In front of her, a handsome yet pale man swiveled out of an alley. Blood dripped off his fingers and began to gather on the pavement. He groaned and she moved to help him.

Jareth tossed in his sleep, sweat beading on his forehead. He was dreaming about her, the one and only person that had beaten the Labyrinth. They were dancing again in the globed ballroom. Her dress swished around her ankles as she danced with a skeleton clad man and smiling as the music climaxed. He watched her swirl and twist with her partner and found himself smiling. She was even more beautiful than when he had seen her last. She turned to meet him and he swept her into his arms. As the music ended, she turned to him and gave him a sad look.
"It can never be," the apparition said.
He cried out for her as she began to disappear.
Jareth awoke with tears streaming down his cheeks. Maybe he should check on her. He summoned a crystal and ordered it to show her to him. He screamed at the image that it showed.