Chapter 17, Day In
Sarah's eyes snapped open and darted back and forth, scanning the room. She sat up almost immediately. Something wasn't right. She looked around the room once more. Nothing seemed wrong, and yet...she had this creeping feeling that things weren't as they seemed. She looked down and picked at her shirt. I don't remember changing last night... She thought.
She slumped back down, and laid on her side, pulling the warm blankets tight around her. Again, she felt something -odd. She took a deep breath, and proceeded to press her nose firmly into the comforter. That was it, she smelled something. It was faint, and yet very distinct. Leather? She wondered.
She rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling. She was surprised at her own resolve. All the emotion from the previous night was gone, she was drained, completely calm and empty.
The bright rays of morning light beamed into the room. She glanced over to the clock on her dresser. 11:35.
"Shit!" She stammered, stopping herself from jumping out of bed. She threw herself back and thrust a pillow into her face. "Ughhhh I'm three hours late! I could have sworn I set my alarm!" She mumbled into her pillow.
With a groan, she tossed it aside, giving the clock one last glare. After a moment of collecting her nerves, she reached for her phone and called in sick.
Sarah took her time, leisurely showering and getting ready for the day, only to don a pair of frumpy sweats and b-line straight for a pint of ice cream and a random daytime movie.
She looked past the images on the television, lost in a daze of what ifs. She wondered what Jareth was doing. She wondered what it would be like - just hanging out, watching cheap movies on local cable. She caught herself snickering at the idea of placing a feather and leather donned Goblin King into the world of everyday suburban life. That would be something...She laughed.
Her smiled waned when she realized all she heard was the echo of her own laughter. What is he doing? She thought again. Can't he watch me? Didn't he say he could poof down here any time? Why the fuck hasn't he? I bet that's just it. He's watching me, laughing at me, trying to make me realize how 'lost' I am without him. I bet he's fucking reveling in it, seeing me in pain, torture...smug asshole.
She gave a disgusted huff, turning her attention away from her brain to the TV. She heard an ear piercing shriek, and winced. The screen swirled with images of black and orange. Shit...that damn Halloween party is tomorrow. That'll be...exciting. She thought sarcastically, thinking back to her costume, the one she'd picked out way before any of this happened. How ironic. She giggled.
Everything was quiet again, aside from the white noise of the television.
"What speaks with two tongues, though is never heard nor seen?" She said. Hmmm, no effing idea... "What is sought so vigorously but never wished to touch?" Umm...she thought. "What is the answer, that is always wrong?" She rolled her head back. "Everything that comes out of my stubborn mouth." She mumbled. "And everything you're too proud or confused to say." She groaned.
Sarah didn't notice the low glow coming from a certain crystal on the other side of the room.