Chapter IV

Wrathful, he conjured up another . . . and another . . . nothing. Still fog.

But that's wrong – impossible! Feverishly he racked his mind for an explanation. This shouldn't have happened! Things were supposed to be getting clearer – only yesterday he had been able to see her perfectly well, read her thoughts . . . heck – he had even woken her up, talking to her subconscious . . . he hadn't been able to do that in so long, and yesterday – just yesterday – he could . . . Why not now?

Unable to find any explanation, Jareth paced around the room, his long cloak swirling behind him and his mind agitated.

There was only one thing left to try – that was to try and call to her. He had been able to do it last night, though it wasn't easy . . . now, he wasn't sure it was possible . . . still; he'd have to try . . .

Stepping out onto the huge windowsill that offered a very scenic view, had he cared to look, Jareth reached out to her subconscious – the girl he remembered her to be . . .

True, she had changed. Changed so drastically that at first he was shocked almost speechless. But deep inside of her, so deep that none, save him, knew of it, the old Sarah still lived. The one who firmly believed in him, the one who dreamed, and was still, he hoped, connected to his world. It was to her that he reached out, condensing his thoughts into a narrow beam, trying to get through time, space, and emotion: into her consciousness.

On her way through the old forest were she usually walked Merlin, Sarah stumbled, suddenly dizzy. The huge, dark pine trees and the infinite colorful array of fallen leaves switched places with the never-ending grayness of the winter sky, whirling up from under her feet and dancing wildly in the cold breeze.

Sarah sat up, trying hard to understand how she got to the ground in the first place. Merlin was racing for home, blissfully free of both leash and collar, although a minute ago, she had been holding those tightly in her gloved hands . . . Realizing that she should probably run after the dog, she tried to stand up, but failed – finding herself on the ground once more. Puzzled and quite a bit scared, she sat here – vainly trying to understand.

"Sarah?" his voice cut through her dizziness like a ray of light parting the darkness before her eyes.

So that's what had happened. He'd been meddling with her life again, this time going a bit far and making her fall down . . . probably underestimated his strength she thought sardonically.

Stop it, Jareth! You're making me dizzy – I can't even get up! She whispered faintly, wondering what he needed now.

"Where are you Sarah? I can't . . ." came to her faintly through the mist.

MIST? There wasn't any mist before, was there? Of course not – there wasn't supposed to be – it was daytime . . . But she was now surrounded by mist, swimming in it – she couldn't see anything around her: no trees, to sky, not even any ground . . . she seemed to be sitting on mist, for that matter . . . if this is your doing . . . she thought wrathfully, then . . . what then?

Jareth? Jareth, What did you do? Jareth!

He definitely heard her well enough. It startled him – her voice and thoughts were so clear all of a sudden, the complete opposite of what they had been before . . . Now, could she hear him?

"Sarah? Sarah – what's happened? Where are you?"

As if you don't know! – I'm in this really weird foggy place – get me out, Jareth – I'm not a toy – I want to go back! Came her answer, loud and clear as a bell.

"Back?" he asked, not understanding at all "Back where?"

Sarah was provoked. Not only did he stick her in this strange, uncomfortable place - he was now making fun of her situation, playing games with her!

What, no crystal? She inquired, her voice ironic to the core. Or do you think I particularly like it here? Well, in case you care, I DON'T! Now GET ME OUT!

Caught off guard by the force of her chaotic emotions, Jareth sat back on his heels, completely puzzled. She was obviously distressed . . . But where was she? Reluctantly taking her suggestion, he balanced yet another crystal on the tip of his index finger, knowing that there was no way he could possibly talk to her now. He peered intently into it, and almost dropped it in surprise – there she was. Very upset, gray-green eyes absolutely furious, she sat in a sea of fog. It didn't take a lot of time to figure out that Dorothy wasn't in Kansas anymore.

"Dorothy" stood up defiantly, almost loosing her balance again – there wasn't even a horizon to set herself against! Horizons just didn't seem to belong in this strange place . . . and neither do I! She thought furiously, trying hard not to fall over again. In vain – she really didn't have a choice.

Some weird force of gravity was pulling her, dragging her through all the fog, down, down into the darkness of the unknown. Tiny dots of light swam before her eyes, barely illuminating a black-clad figure poised hungrily over a fog filled crystal. Then, all faded to unconsciousness.