Chapter 2, A Change Of Scene

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Shit, shit. Fuck. No, no, no, no. This isn't happening. Shit! Sarah stood stock still, body completely tensed, and eyes clamped shut as tight as she could get them. She refused to move, refused to open her eyes. This wasn't happening. She was still in her living room. Kara was still standing in front of her. She wasn't in the Underground. She could just stand there, never open her eyes. Nothing would change. She ground her teeth and let out a forced sigh, she'd been holding her breath.

With her body still frozen like a plank, she reluctantly opened one eye at a time with a hesitant wince. Her nails dug into the palms of her hands once her eyes adjusted to her new surroundings.

She was standing in the center of the throne room in the Castle beyond the Goblin City. And no more than three feet in front of her, sat it's King.

Jareth was lounging in his chair, with one leg strewn over the arm of his throne. His posture was casual, not giving her any significant reaction. He took the awkward moment to look over this lost memory. She was stiff, angry, and afraid. He eyed her with slight distaste. Cocking his head to the side, he gave her a conniving sneer.

"Well, well. What do we have here?" He asked with wicked charm, locking his eyes onto Sarah's.

She felt uncomfortable, weak and exposed, and that was just how he wanted it. Time seemed at a standstill, as she tried to collect her thoughts. She hadn't seen the Underground, or it's King, in over ten years. Though she had grown and changed, he looked just as she remembered, completely unaltered.

He wore the same style of clothing she had last seen him in- tight pants, a puffy shirt, and black leather boots. His hair was as wild as ever, and his eyes held a vibrant ferocity that scared the living hell out of her.

"Whatever you may be thinking, you're going to take me back right now." She demanded. Her voice was shaky, but her stance was firm.

Jareth's sneer widened, clearly amused by the situation.

"I believe you are in no position to give me orders." He replied, with a snakes grin. His leg swayed too and fro in an easy motion.

"You have no power over me Goblin King. I've beaten you at your little game, take me back now!" Her voice was stronger this time.

Jareth leaned forward suddenly, restraining the urge to lunge at her. Catty shrew, you dare speak to the King of Goblins in such a manner? His thoughts shouted at her, but his face was unmoving.

"You would be wise to hold your tongue." He warned, leaning in a little closer. He loved the way she cringed as they neared. My dear Sarah, what have the fates planned by placing you in my clutches once again? You've defeated me once...you've defeated me once. You've humiliated me, tore down everything I had, shown more cruelty than I could bare. No, I will not play into this once again. His inner conflict went unnoticed by Sarah.

"You can't keep me here." She gave him a cold stare.

He cupped his chin with his hand in thought, never taking his eyes from hers. After a short moment, he rose from his seat and began to circle Sarah. Her body grew stiff once more. She clung to herself as if she were about to be ambushed.

"Believe me, you precious thing, it is not my desire to keep you here." He stopped his pacing and stood behind her. Before she knew it, his lips had brushed against her ear. "Sadly, it is not my decision." He said, just above a whisper.

Sarah whipped her head around, but he was gone. When she turned back, he was standing in front of her, much too close for her comfort. He snickered at the way she squirmed.

"What do you mean?" She asked, still clutching to herself.

"You have been wished away, my dear. It is up to your foolhardy friend to decide your fate. You know the rules." He tisked.

"You mean Kara has to run the Labyrinth?" She stated in disbelief. There's no way she'll make it...especially if she's still half cocked. Oh God, I'm going to be stuck here forever...

Her breath started to quicken, but she composed herself fast. Jareth returned to his throne, and slumped himself back into position.

"If she chooses. She may be all the wiser and accept my gift." His voice was dark and menacing. He was sure to be rid of her soon, he wanted to have his fun while he had the chance.

Sarah looked away, she knew this wasn't going to end well.

"You offer the world to every girl then?" Her tone was surprisingly spiteful. "Well, you better get to it." She said, staring at the stone floor.

His smile faded slightly, and then he was gone. Sarah stood alone, condemned to the heart wrenching jeers of the wretched Goblins emerging from every hidden crevice around the room.

Kara had given up her search for Sarah about five minutes in. She could barely focus, her eyes were heavy and her legs were weak. She'd managed to rummage through the fridge and found some left over cornbread to munch on. Upon reentering the living room, she nearly dropped her plate in surprise at the shimmering man standing before her.

"What the fuck?" She said, trying to decipher if this man was real of not.

"Kara." The stranger said with warming charm. Kara was still mighty drunk, and not sure if she was willing to believe this was really happening, so she decided to play along for the time being.

"Do you know where Sarah is?" She asked. The man with wild blonde hair snickered, and took a step closer.

"She's with me, in my castle." He answered. "DId you really mean to wish away your best friend?" He asked a little too sincerely.

"Um, I guess not." She said, rubbing her temple.

"I will offer you the chance to win her back. If you can solve my Labyrinth, I will give you your Sarah back." He was changing the rules a bit, but he didn't exactly want her to lose. She humored the delusion.

"Show me this Labyrinth." She demanded. With a swoop of his arm, a view of the Underground was just outside the window. Kara looked for a quick minute before turning away sharply, and took a few steps back. Jareth watched with slight confusion. "Alright, it's bed time. Sarah was right, I've had just a wee bit too much to drink. And I'm way to tired to go off chasing some drunken hallucination. Good Night strange glittering man." She called before heading towards the bedroom. Jareth almost gaped, this was not what he was expecting.

"Kara, I can give you your dreams." He conjured a crystal and held it out in front of him. She stopped and looked back.

"Yea? I'm sure I can dream just fine on my own. When I'm asleep. 'Night." She waved before disappearing into the shadow of the hallway.

Jareth was awestruck. Did she really just turn down both his offers? He couldn't just send Sarah back, some one had to fight for her. He couldn't believe it. What kind of creature would just deny the rescue of a loved one? And turn down all their deepest desires along with it? How could this woman be any kind of companion to Sarah...Sarah? Damn! She's stuck in the Underground...This will not do. There must be a way to rid of her. I can not, I will not bear her in my presence! Ugh! He flailed in frustration as he transported back to the castle.

Sarah hadn't moved. Anxiety coursed through her veins like a raging storm. She waited. Jareth hadn't been gone long, she hoped that was a good thing.

"Well?" She asked, the slightest trace of hope laced her voice.

Jareth eyed her with a burning fire. He was enraged, and not sure how to go about it. He paced like an animal, his gaze boring deep into her. She began to feel uneasy again, and waited for him to respond.

"Your friend, seems to care little for you." He stated calmly. Sarah was taken back. Her voice caught in her throat.

"W-what?" She asked. Jareth's face gave way to show more and more of his true emotion.

"She did not chose to run for your freedom." He spat. Sarah was in shock. At the very least she expected Kara to try to run.

"B-but...I don't want to be here! I didn't wish to be here! You have no power to keep me! I don't want to stay here forever." Her cries broke through the commotion of all the snickering Goblins. Jareth stopped suddenly, and turned to face her. It was dead quiet, as if a calm before the storm. He raced towards her, his face merely inches from hers.

"I know it is not your wish to be here! But it is out of my control! To both our dislikes, you are stuck here!" He screamed. He was dark, and frightening. Sarah actually felt herself start to cower. She wanted to break down, to scream, to fight, to cry, but she couldn't. NO, NO, NO! How could this have happened! Dear God please help me! I can't stay here, what's going to happen to me? Her mind was frantic. Jareth straightened himself a bit.

"My lovely minx, I suggest you control yourself. This is far from over." Jareth said, forcing his anger back into the hole in which he kept it.