Dream or Reality

Sarah looked over at her stepmother. Everyone had gone to bed; Karen and Sarah were left alone in the living room. Silence reeked in the room until Sarah finally spoke.

"Karen, are you okay? I know that you and Sam had a fight the other night."

"No, the fight. We seem to fight about the same thing. She isn't motivated enough, I am not giving her enough space. She won't open up, I pry into her life. She doesn't want a boyfriend, I want to see her widen out in her relationships. Sarah, I feel so helpless. I know your Father and I have made mistakes with you, kids. I just didn't realize how troubled my baby was until it was too late. Now she is nearly eighteen years old, without even one goal in her life. I feel so responsible."

"Karen, I know that you and Daddy have made mistakes, but you can't take all the blame. Sam is responsible for the person she has become. She has the power to decide whether or not to take control over her life. I remember plenty of times when I tried to blame you and Dad over my problems. It was a major wake up call when I realized just how spoiled and selfish I had become."

"Yeah, I remember what a brat you were. Not to say I was perfect," Karen said, smiling.

"Amazing, I can peg the time period you started to change. I remember it was the morning after that horrible storm. That night we had left Toby with you. I thought for sure you would end up killing him." Karen paused and they started to laugh.

"Safe to say, you could imagine my surprise when I saw you playing with Toby the next morning. I thought that hell had frozen over. Sarah, what caused that pleasant change in you."

Sarah was uncomfortably silent for a moment. Then she smiled and said, "I made a wish, and I guess it came true. You were all here in the morning weren't you."

The two smiled and Sarah said, "Don't worry, Karen. Call it a hunch, but I think everything is going to be okay."

Bedtime once again. Everything was going great for Sam. She was having odd dreams, her family seemed on edge around her, and her best friend basically dumped her.

Now all I need is for my house to catch on fire, that would complete everything.

Sam's eyes started to water over her despair. She quickly wiped them away. She didn't need them, she didn't need anyone. She bitterly laughed as she closed her eyes, waiting for sleep to claim her.

(Dream Sequence/or is it!)

Sam looked around the dark room. She appeared to be in some sort of dungeon. She heard someone breathing. "Who are you," Sam asked, breathing heavily.

"I am everyone's dreams, their realities. I am their hopes, their fears. I am the King of the Goblins"

Sam saw the stranger step out of the shadows. "O my god, he is gorgeous. Stop it Sam, get your hormones under control. He could be a homicidal maniac. Yeah, a homicidal maniac with a toned, lean body, blonde hair, and sexy eyes. Wait, what is it about those eyes?"

Sam was speechless, which of course only lasted about two seconds. "What, am I supposed to clap now?" The moment those words came out of her mouth she regretted them.

This man, the Goblin King, had a smile on his face. Though, it wasn't a very friendly smile. It reminded Sam of the smile that belonged to that guy in the Psycho movie. Before she knew it her back was against a wall with the Goblin King's face inches from her's.

"I know your family may find your witty remarks amusing, but I don't. Consider this a warning, don't defy me."

Sam shivered slightly and looked into his cold eyes.

"Wait, the owl. You are the owl from my dreams."

The man pushed away from her and walked a few paces away. He turned to look at her and said, "You catch on quick, Miss Williams."

"And he knows my name," Sam said aloud.

"I can see you are curious little one. So, I will allow you four questions, which I feel is more than generous."

Sam fought her temper as it rose, knowing that if she lost it the result would not be good. She wanted answers, so she decided to humor the self centered, drag queen, wannabee.

"Is this really a dream," she started.

His answer was as vague as she expected.

"Nothing is as it seems here. It's all rather ambiguous. Dream or reality? Fantasy or fact? It's whatever you like to make it." (partial quote - Jim Henson)

"Okay, I should have expected that kind of answer. Um, why are you here?"

"I am here because, you summoned me. You were calling out for help subconsciously, I simply answered. As far as why you called for me, well, only you can answer that."

"Okay, I will rephrase. Why did you come? There are so many lost souls out there crying for help. Why choose me?"

"I have a connection with your family. I guess you could call it an obligation on my part."

The man stopped as if he wasn't going to continue. Sam pleaded with her eyes, not wanting to use up her fourth question. He laughed at her response.

"Okay, you have been a good girl, I will elaborate. Just don't interrupt me until I am through. Your sister wished away Tobias to me about twenty years ago, before you were even an embryo." Sam's eyes widened as the Goblin King continued. "She wanted the child back so I told her if she could get through my labyrinth in thirteen hours I would send him home. Well, I don't have to tell you the outcome because you already know it."

Sam noticed his voice grew hard at the end of his tale. Bitter much, Goblin King.

"Of course. Her attachment to that book all makes sense now. Amazingly, it doesn't surprise me that Sarah did that. She changed a lot, in all the ways that counted, so my Mother tells me."

Sam looked at him and said, "Okay, your majesty. You know my name, but I don't know yours."

The man looked at her and said, "Jareth." He threw up his cape and transformed into the owl. He flew out of the cell, leaving Sam, once again, alone.

(end of dream sequence)