Wet Tears

Author's Note: My apologies to Ripper101 and everyone else who may have been confused over chapter eight. I had written that Sarah had changed, but not in the ways that counted. What I meant to say was, she had changed in all the ways that counted. I uploaded an edited version of chapter eight with this correction. I wanted to convey that, yes, Karen respected Sarah, and so did Sam. Sam may feel resentment towards Sarah, but she still loves her. Anyway, on with chapter nine.

Sam breathed in the cool morning air as she jogged around her neighborhood. It was 6 am, a time of day she was not used to seeing. She had been awake since five, so she decided to do something productive. Productive, now there is a new concept. Sam looked around her neighborhood park, admiring the green trees and grass that came along with summer.

The whole point of her jogging was to clear her head, but she found that her mind was still very jumbled and confused. Who was this King of the Goblins? Why did she need his help? Was he evil or good? Maybe a little of both? She also had a feeling that he knew more than what he was telling, especially when it came to Sarah. She also wondered if she was going crazy.

Is what I'm experiencing really happening?

She crossed the street and left the park. She rounded the corner and found herself right across from Cindy's house. She felt sudden sadness wash over her thinking about how she took her friend for granted. Sam just thought that Cindy would always be there. At that moment she promised herself she wouldn't get close to anyone again, well, so she thought.

Sam shook her head and jogged the two blocks to her house. She opened the door quietly, not wanting to wake up her family. She walked straight ahead towards the kitchen, thinking it was unoccupied. When she entered she found Sarah, drinking some orange juice.

Sarah gawked, "Wow, you are certainly up early. Since when are you a morning person?"

Sam forced a smile and got a glass from the cupboard. She poured herself some orange juice.

"I didn't plan it, I just happened to wake up early." Sam sat down, avoiding Sarah's gaze.

"Sam, no offense, but you look terrible. You have dark circles under your eyes, you are pale, and you seem even more subdued."

"Sarah, you must have missed that class on tact. Really, I am just fine, stop worrying about me."

Sarah released all the frustration she had been holding in since she arrived.

"Sam, you are not okay," Sarah yelled. "You are depressed, you suffer from low self esteem. You refuse to open up, and have absolutely no motivation in life. What kind of life do you have without dreams and goals. You are my sister, Sam. I hate to stand by and watch you die."

Sarah got up from the table abruptly and left her sister alone. Sam put down the glass she had been holding in a vise like grip. She rubbed her hands over her face and felt wetness. She was amazed to discover they were her own tears.

"She is getting worse," Jareth said to Justina. He put down the crystal and walked toward his throne. He sat down and rubbed his face with his hands. "What is this girl's problem?Why can't she just get over it?" Jareth slammed his fist down in frustration.

"Brother, that is your irritation talking. You knew very well that this was not going to be easy."

Jareth sighed. "Justina, what if I can't help her?"

"Jareth, I am disappointed in you. The Goblin king that I know would not be giving up so easily."

"Yes, well the Goblin King you know has never baby-sat before, forthe most stubborn, strong willed, unmotivated..."

"emotionally troubled, sad, depressed, helpless thing," Justina finished.

"You know she needs you Jareth. In a way, the whole underground needs you, god help us."

Jareth glared at her, but Justina continued.

"Have faith in yourself Jareth. Have faith in Sam and her will to emotionally survive. Have faith that her whole family will be there for her. You and I both know you can do this."

Jareth glared at a goblin who was scurrying passed as he slowly replied, "My faith died the moment that girl turned my world upside down."

Justina didn't reply as she sadly looked out the throne room window.

Another Author's Note: I am sorry this chapter is so short, but I promise the next one will be longer. I know a lot of you are probably wondering when Sam will get her act together. I want it to be a gradual process for her and the next few chapters are going to focus mainly on that. The next chapter is going to focus on her lowest action, yet. After that she can start to improve as well as heal. By the way, thank you Ripper101 and Nyllewell for reviewing once again.