Reviews: Yes Please!
Alexsara: Thank you again for the review! I'm glad you liked the worm!
Wolfariusorca: Thank you so much! I'm glad you like it! Dont worry i'm working on the next chapter now!
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Chapter 3: Anywhere But Here
Sarah walked for what seemed like hours. Her feet were killing her and she had no idea where she was going. Left turn, right turn, right turn, left turn, dead end. They all looked the same to her. The sun had risen fully and it was beating down hard. She was starting to burn.
"God i'm hungry. I wish i had eaten something before i went on this little 'adventure'."
Sarah came to another dead end and turned around intending to go back. But the way was blocked that way as well.
"Oh COME ON! Cant you give a girl a break?"
She turned around again and came face to face with two doors. One black and one white. Letters started to appear on the doors white on the black and black on the white.
The question on the black door read:
Born at the same time as the world, destined to live as long as the world, and yet never five weeks old. What is it?
The question on the white door read: What can't you see that is always before you?
Above the doors there was an inscription carved in the stone it said: Only one door may be chosen and one riddle answered correctly. Choose wisely. For the Right door will lead you to the center. The wrong door will lead you to the beginning.
Not being one who got riddles very easily Sarah stared at the two doors. Trying to decide which one to choose. 'Which riddle looks easier?' She looked again at the inscription above the door, 'The Right door or the wrong door...Right or wrong...Right...'
"Directions! its telling me which door to choose! I choose the right door!" She said and watched the left doors letters dissapear. She had chosen the black door. The inscription on the door glowed brighter. Now all she had to do was guess the answer.
"Born at the same time as the world, destined to live as long as the world, and yet never five weeks old. What is it." She read aloud and began to think. 'never 5 weeks old...obviously not animals, or bugs, something celestial perhaps...stars...no...the sun...no...comets...no...
"Damnit i dont know!" She cried and threw her hands up in the air. "Its not fair!"
"You say that so often." Came a voice just above her to the right. It was The Goblin King. Dressed just as dramatically as he had been a few hours ago. Except now he was in light grey.
"What do you want?"
"Just to see how your doing. Wondering if you want to give up yet." He lightly jumped down from the wall. He was well built. Not overly muscular. But very toned. He smelled of incense and magic.
Another memory surfaced in her head. A room with many stairs, and a song being sung. The vision faded and she focused on the Kings face again.
"I'm glad that your enjoying my misfortune, but could you please leave." She went back to studying the writing on the door.
"My poor Sarah, riddle getting to you? I could..." He ran his hands up and down her arms. "...get the door to open for you."
"You are a sick bastard, helping me cheat are you? Whats the catch Goblin King?" 'Just fear me love me do as i say and i will be your slave' Sarah shook her head. Weird visions and words kept popping into her head. It must be him. Trying to waylay me. Make me waste time.
"I do have a first name you know."
"Why should i care? Your just trying to make me waste time!" A flash of insight hit her at that moment. The moon goes through its cycle every month. A month is only 4 weeks!
"The answer is the moon!" The door swung inward leading to a path with bushes on either side. "You see, i dont need your help!" She stated and stormed through the door. His voice floated after her as she walked.
"My name is Jareth. Try not to wear it out."
She could almost feel him winking from his spot behind her. 'Smug bastard.' She turned around to see if he was still watching but he was gone. 'Back to his castle no doubt.'
Sarah continued on her way. It was creapier in this part of the labyrinth. The bushes seemed to have minds of thier own. They were constantly shaking. Like there was something trapped inside, trying its hardest to break free. She picked up her pace and began to jog lightly. Not wanting to tangle with whatever was infesting the bushes.
Sarah rounded a corner, determination etched on her face. She hadnt hit any dead ends yet so she felt she was making some progress.
Out of nowhere there came a loud roaring, the ground began to shake and the bushes shook even harder. It was coming from up ahead in the maze. Sarah stopped and listened. Trying to pinpoint its exact location. Suddenly, from a corner ahead of her, a large hairy creature jumped out and roared at her. When it didnt get the response it desired it began to run after her.
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Flashback:
5 Years ago:
The cage in which it was encased shook with the magnatude of the creatures screams. Jareth looked on in a mixture of half pitty and half excitement. Ever since Ludo had made the change he had been impossible to catch. For with his change there came a deadly side affect. Ludo's fur became poisonous to anyone who touched it. The inflicted fell into a deep sleep never to be awakened. As of yet there was no cure. Only Jareth's magic could capture Ludo. But until now he had been busy with other matters. So Ludo had been allowed to run free. Everyone in the Labyrinth was aware of the toxins in his fur. They kept well away from him at all times.
"This cage should keep him. Make sure he never sees the light of day." Jareth motioned for his goblins to take the cage away. It would be placed in one of his unused Oubliettes. Noone would be alowed in there, and there was no way out save one...
Present Day:
Jareth viewed the carnage of the cave with distaste. It seemed Ludo was smarter then he looked. He had discovered the door hidden in the rock and had dug his way out. He was somewhere in the Labyrinth now, with his Sarah. This was not to be had.
"Find him!" He roared at his Goblins. "Or I'll throw you all into the Bog!" Jareth disapeared as his minions scrambled through the open wall. In search of Ludo.
End Flashback
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Sarah froze as she stared at the creature it was dark red in color and covered head to toe in fur. If it wasn't for the fangs and claws and the fierce look on his face, he might have made a good stuffed animal. Sarah shook herself out of her reverie and started running. The creature was gaining on her. She flew past bushes, taking turns at random, trying to loose the creature, but it kept coming. When she found herself in a long corridor she picked up her pace, the creature possesed longer, stronger strides, and so was still catching up to her.
From the entrance in front of her emerged another sort of creature. This one was bigger then the one pursuing her. This one carried weapons. It was at least 8ft. tall, dark grey in color, and wore rags to cover itself. They had to be Jareth's goblins. Sarah slid to a stop. She looked back at the hairy creature. Perhaps she could run past it.
The hairy creature, stopped as well. But only for a second as it called out a battle cry and started charging the goblins. The goblins picked up thier pace and raised thier battle axes.
Sarah, not knowing what to do, backed up into the bush behind her to make herself invisible. She hunched down and covered her head with her hands. If they didnt notice her she could sneak out while they were fighting.
The creatures came to a head right across from her hiding place. Claws slashing, axes swinging, fur flying. One of the goblins fell. But he wasnt injured. He had gotten too close to Ludo's fur. The other two goblins pulled out a net and covered Ludo. It was one of Jareth's making. Bespelled to counteract the poison.
Sarah cringed in her hedge, praying the end would come soon. She peaked a look and saw that the hairy creature was covered with a net. It managed to get a hold of the axe and tossed it aside. Right at Sarah.
The only thing on her mind at that moment was, 'God i wish i was somewhere else' and braced herself for the blow.
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