VI

The Child

Chapter 11

And a few weeks flew by Sarah, she hardly noticed the time. In between classes, and a newly vocal baby, she didn't get much sleep. Carol was a wonderful mother, and Sarah sometimes envied the precious baby; who Carol had named Deirdre. Sarah liked the name instantly, for it fit the baby girl like a glove.

Sarah was sitting on her couch, enjoying a few minutes of silence while Carol was off at the store, and Deirdre was sleeping peacefully in her little crib in her mother's flower room. Sarah wasn't use to having to share her space, and she had always been very private, but Carol had needed a place to stay, and Sarah had a spare bedroom, and at the time it seemed a good idea. But lately, at night, Sarah had the feeling that she was never alone in her room. She had never quite got rid of that sensation of being watched, and as such, her sleep intake was reduced drastically, so this moment of rest was greatly appreciated.

A small noise from Carol's room drew her attention, and she listened intently to recognize the sound. She smiled as she heard Deirdre squirming about in her crib, and she stood to retrieve the child. Deirdre never cried when she awoke from a nap, a quality that Sarah appreciated. As she entered the bedroom, Sarah's eyes fell on a very strange sight; Deirdre was standing in her crib, arms holding the railing; eyes focused on the door. Sarah inhaled a deep breath and cautiously entered the room. Babies weren't suppose to be standing at three weeks…hell, they weren't suppose to be standing until they were a year or so. She swallowed the lump in her throat and reached to pick up the baby girl, who smiled happily as she was lifted into her godmother's arms. Sarah licked her lips and glanced down at the girl, "What is going on?" She asked to no one, but the intelligent gleam in the baby's eyes sent shivers down her spine.

Feeding the child proved more confusing. After preparing the bottle, Deirdre reached for it, little baby hands grasping the air for the sustenance. Sarah didn't know what to do. She looked at the bottle, and then down to the little girl with the bright blue eyes and handed over the bottle. Much to her surprise, Deirdre grasped the bottle and began sucking; a reproachful look in her eye for making her wait so long. Sarah got a little dizzy and sat at the kitchen table. Babies were not suppose to be holding bottles this early…they weren't suppose to do anything of this sort until much older. Something was different, something was odd…

Her attention was split away from the baby as her front door opened and Carol entered the apartment. Sarah heard her put her belongings down in the hallway and whistle, "Sarah, it is freezing out there; I wonder what in the world is going on?" She talked as she walked down the hall and continued upon entering the kitchen, "I mean, the weather man said June set record lows, but its July now, and he's talking a snow storm! A snow storm! Can you believe that?" Carol stood in front of Sarah now, disbelief on her face. She waited for Sarah to reply, but Sarah's eyes were unfocused, and Carol waved a hand in front of her face. "Hello? Earth to Sarah? What's wrong?" She waited as Sarah slowly lifted a hand and pointed to the baby seat resting on the kitchen table. She followed with her eyes and gasped when she saw Deirdre holding and nursing her own bottle. "What?...How?..." She looked to Sarah for answers, but Sarah just shrugged. "She's not supposed to be doing that, is she?" Carol asked with a whisper. She choked as Sarah shook her head. "Is she…well, is she alright?"

Sarah heard the anxiety in her friend's voice and sighed, "As far as I can tell, she's fine." She smiled, "Maybe you should make a doctor's appointment though, you know, just to make sure things are okay." Carol nodded and sat by her daughter, who pulled the bottle away to grin at her mother and then resumed sucking.

Sarah shuddered; she needed to get out of the apartment. She didn't feel safe around the child, and she couldn't pinpoint the reason why, but she needed to get out. She stood quickly and nearly ran for the door. Grabbing her coat and purse she fled her apartment, and watched the door close behind her as she heard Carol's questioning voice from the other side, but she couldn't stay, she needed to leave. She turned and ran down the stairs and out into the open, frigid air.

She walked aimlessly around the town she had known her whole life. She even waved and said hello to the few other brave souls who ventured outside. The weather was so strange; she could not remember another single time when the temperature was below thirty in the middle of July. It confused and frightened her; she remembered the frozen Labyrinth and could not help but wonder if it was somehow all connected. She pulled her fur coat closer to her body and shivered; her mind wondering about. It had been fifteen years since she had ventured into the Labyrinth and defeated the king to win back her brother. It all seemed so bittersweet though. At fifteen she hadn't really cared who she had to step on to get her way; but at thirty, well, she was a little regretful now for crushing the plain hope in that man's eyes. But as he himself once told her, "What's said is said," and she accepted the part she had played.

Her feet let her to her park, her favorite of all places and she glanced around in amazement. The entire area was covered with snow; the river was frozen, and though it was beautiful, it was eerie as well. Her eyes focused and she felt a new determination. Something not of this world was going on, something beyond any of their comprehension; and though she didn't know if he was responsible, he was the only other-worldly being she knew, and she planned to summon him. She glanced around the park and swallowed, but not here. She tried to tell herself it wasn't fear, but the truth was, she was terrified of calling the Goblin King, and she wanted to be on her own ground for the confrontation.

Chapter 12

The opportunity to summon his majesty arrived a few days later. Carol had to stay late at her job, all night possibly, and she had asked Sarah if she minded watching Deirdre. Sarah had not voiced any of her concerns about the baby to Carol, and naturally agreed, but now, as she sat in her room, listening to the silence, she wasn't so sure. Deirdre slept in her mother's room, but Sarah was still frightened, there was something different about the baby's calculated looks, and unpredictable movements. Two days ago she began crawling. The doctors thought she was a miracle, but Sarah sensed something else, something ominous.

Her room was dark; she sat in a corner facing the window, for that was the way he had entered before. She was going to call him tonight, honestly she was…she just needed to gather up her courage. She sat in silence and stared at the window. She was going to call him…

Jareth flew through the cold air Aboveground, searching blindly to an answer. He sensed a strange energy here, one that he had never felt before, but it was elusive and he found himself flying in circles more than in any direction. The weather here puzzled him as well. Everywhere he flew he seemed to be followed by the same blizzard conditions of the Labyrinth. That worried him. Whatever spell they had placed on him was strong enough to affect both worlds, and he needed to stop it before it progressed. As he landed quietly on a snow covered branch a summoning reached his ears. His owl form cocked his head and blinked the huge owl eyes. Whoever was summoning him was not wishing for a child to be taken, and that was unheard of. It was a direct wish to speak to him, and there was something familiar about the call…something out of a dream.

He took to flight towards this new call; a little irritated that who ever called him had chosen this moment, for he had rather important things to do. The apartment complex loomed before him, and he pinpointed the call to a second story apartment. There was a window open, as if waiting for him, and Jareth tread lightly. He did not like the feel of this, his instincts were screaming of a trap, but nonetheless, he landed on the widow sill, transformed into his human form, and lightly jumped into a darkened room. His eyes darted to and fro, looking for any sign of movement, any tell tale sign that someone was waiting for him. At first, he thought he was mistaken, perhaps no one was in the room, but suddenly he heard an intake of breath from the far corner; out of site by the bed.

This angered him. How dare this person, who summoned him, try to hide after doing so! It was not a game to call upon the Goblin King. He crossed his arms and entered the room. "Show yourself; I know you are there."

There was a moment of silence before a small voice whispered, "I didn't think you'd come."

Jareth rolled his eyes. Why was it that that was the first thing out of anyone's mouth when he was concerned? "Oh really?" He mocked, "Why bother calling me then?" The figure remained silent and in the shadows and Jareth scowled, "I do not have time for this!" He said more angrily than he really felt. There was something familiar here, a scent, a memory, he was curious as to who this was. He softened his gaze, "Who are you?"

This question elicited a reaction. The figure moved from the corner and stepped forward a little, "You don't remember me?" There was wistfulness in her tone; Jareth could tell it was a woman at least. A small sigh escaped her lips and she stood fully in the moonlight of her bedroom. The silver streaks cascaded down upon her porcelain skin; her long black hair swayed softly in the breeze, and her brown eyes shimmered.

Jareth nearly collapsed. "Sarah?" He breathed. Her eyes lit up as he said her name and she smiled softly, "So you do remember me?" His Sarah, his Sarah called on him, after all these years. He did not know what to do, did not know how to act, it seemed like such a long time since he had spoken to her, and those were not very fond memories. "Why were you hiding from me?" He asked suddenly; that act bothered him, why was she still afraid of him?

She moved to her bed and took a deep breath. "I was…well, I was afraid." She looked up into those beautiful eyes; the blue was so clear tonight. "We honestly didn't leave on such great terms," she muffled. To her surprise he laughed; and not a cruel laugh, a genuine laugh she had never heard from him before. As she looked over him she could tell quite a few things had changed. He was still sporting the most outlandish hair style, but the soft layers framed his face so, that she didn't really mind. His wardrobe was a little different. Soft black pants swished slightly with his movements, and his white shirt flowed, but the gloves were still there, as well as the boots. His expression was changed as well; all the time she had seen him in the Labyrinth he was always mocking her, always taunting her, but now, he was just looking at her intently.

"Was there a reason you called me, Sarah?" Sarah nodded, and licked her lips, but much to his annoyance remained silent. This was no time for him to be conversing with a mortal girl, not with the problems that lie in front of him; though honestly, all he wanted to do was sit on that bed with her. Sarah was concentrating on the floor and Jareth sighed, "Sarah," he said sternly, "either talk to me, or let me leave, for I am busy."

Swallowing, Sarah nodded hesitantly. She was so brave a few seconds before, why did he always make her feel so confused. But he was here now, and if he could shed some light on the situation, she was going to ask her questions before the time past. "It's snowing here," she began albeit lamely. He nodded; he had noticed that too. "Why is it snowing here?"

A brow rose over his darker eye and Jareth smirked, "Why do you think I should know the answer?" He did, or at least he thought he did, but why did she assume he did was what he wanted to know.

She noticed in his eyes a look she had seen before in his gaze. He was keeping something from her. She stood and walked over to him, staring him in the eyes, "Because you do, don't you?" It wasn't really a question; she could read him, and she grinned when he stepped back a step. "What's going on?" She asked determined.

For a very long time he didn't answer, didn't even give a sign that he remembered she was in the same vicinity, but she was patient. The fact that he didn't disappear after she asked the question meant he was considering telling her. At least, that is how her logic worked. She sat again, and watched curiously as the Goblin King paced. His title was all she ever referred to him as; did she even know his name? Hoggle had said it once long ago as they climbed the ladder. She strained her memory. "You've got to understand my position," her old friend's voice reached her ears, "I'm a coward, and Jareth frightens me." Yes, she nodded to herself; that was his name. She couldn't believe she had let herself forget it. He continued to pace and Sarah found herself amused, "Jareth, stop it, you're making me dizzy. Whatever it is, it can't be that bad, right?" He stopped instantly, and her blood froze as his intense gaze fell upon her. There was no mirth in his face, her joke had fallen flat. His eyes frightened her, she could see the despair there, and she shivered. "Ok, tell me what it is, what is going on?"

He thought about denying the request; just disappearing from sight and leaving everything unanswered. It sounded like something he would do to anyone else, but not to Sarah. He still couldn't find it in himself to deny her anything, so he shrugged and allowed a small trace of pain to grace his face. "I have been cursed."

Had the Goblin King just said that he was cursed? "What?" She asked, hoping to have heard wrong.

He just shook his head, "I have been cursed by my mother."

Sarah cringed, but she nodded. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Maybe nothing, maybe everything," was what he replied, and Sarah glared at his cryptic remark, which caused him to laugh slightly. "The Labyrinth is experiencing the same sort of phenomenal weather. That place is a desert, it has never snowed before."

So the dream wasn't really a dream after all; it was the truth. "I had a dream the other day about the Labyrinth covered in snow."

This information frightened and confused him. How had Sarah known the Labyrinth was touched by the blizzard? And why was she dreaming of it? This visit was leading to more questions than answers and he sighed wearily. "That is what I was doing before you called me."

She looked confused, "You were dreaming of the Labyrinth?"

A smile touched his lips but not his eyes, they remained sorrowful, "No. I was searching for the curse. I'm almost positive it is here, on this world. It would be easier to hide the magic, but I can still sense it; feel it. I just can't find it," his last words drifted off.

"How can you find a curse? It's not a thing…" she stopped as Jareth's gaze made her feel naïve.

"Oh no? Jareth asked lightly. "This curse has taken a form recently, which is why all of this is happening now. The actual curse was placed not long after you beat my Labyrinth." He saw the fear in her eyes, saw the questioning blame, but did not mention it.

A form, he had said. A shiver ran down her back, "What kind of form?" Her question was rewarded with a blank look. "If I knew that," he said through grit teeth, "Do you think I would do nothing about it?" Her thoughts began to whirl, a few weeks ago the occurrences began…a few weeks ago the snow storms began, the dreams began, and the eyes began. It was only at this moment in Jareth's presence that she did not feel them. She swallowed hard and Jareth sensed that something was wrong, she was afraid of something. "What is it?" Concerned lined his voice.

"I…" she began, but stuttered, "I want to show you something, but you have to promise not to react." His brows rose. "Swear, Jareth!" She was serious, she needed to know something, but she didn't want anything to happen.

Jareth watched her stubborn stance a few minutes before nodding. Whatever it was, she was serious; and he, well, he was curious now. What could be so important?

Ok guys, what do you think? I thought this was a pretty nifty place to end this section. Tell me what you think cuz it's really important to me. Do you like their reunion?