Sarah nearly screamed and spun around. Light played at the corners of the room creating a strange mixture of light and dark. She quickly found Jareth leaned against the wall, his face shadowed by the darkness as if a shroud had been pulled over his features.
"Don't do that! Geez Jareth, what are you trying to do? Give me a heart attack?"
"Oh Sarah, that depends. Do you really have a heart?"
Sarah glared at Jareth, her grimace evident to the Goblin King even in the dim light. "Ouch. Now that was cold. I could ask the same of you."
"Sarah, Sarah, Sarah, bitterness does not become you." Jareth pushed away from the wall with a smirk. He drew closer, his gaze unwavering as he studied her. There was a cool, almost frosty gleam in his eyes. "You really haven't changed you know? I can still see the same lost little girl who ran my Labyrinth in your eyes."
Sarah's eyes narrowed in anger. If she could really shoot daggers with her gaze she would. But she settled for her best death glare. "What do you want Jareth?"
Jareth eyed Sarah coolly before giving what could only be considered a shrug. "Why do I have to want something?"
Sarah groaned. At the end of her patience she turned from Jareth and stalked toward the kitchen. She didn't have to look to know that Jareth followed her. She expected nothing less. Sarah could only be glad that Jareth wasn't a cheerful prankster fae. The sudden image of Jareth with a Puck personae made Sarah cringe. She yanked open the door to the refrigerator and glanced through the contents while she tried to push the image from her mind. She supposed she should count herself lucky that Jareth would never be Puck. But it seemed such a small victory.
Finally Sarah grabbed the last coke and popped the top. Feigning nonchalant boredom she took a long drink before turning back to Jareth. The intensity of his gaze nearly froze her. Instead she ducked her head, studying the label of her drink, and leaned against the counter. Hoping her voice didn't betray her emotions she finally spoke.
"Why were you at the hospital tonight?"
Jareth raised his brows in mock surprise. "So you did see me."
"Don't act shocked Jareth. It's hard to miss a white owl sitting in a bare window. Especially after your visit at the park. And the visit from another messenger from the Labyrinth."
Jareth didn't bother to hide his surprise this time. "Messenger? Who else?"
Sarah watched Jareth closely. She knew well how he could fool with a word or a look. She wanted to believe his confusion was real, even if she couldn't let him know that. Instead she lifted a shoulder in a half halfhearted shrug and tilted her head. "William took a little trip around my room the last time I was in there. As if you didn't know."
Jareth shook his head. "I didn't send any messengers. Why should I?"
"Good question. It may have to do with the fact that you are standing in my kitchen. It has been nine years Jareth. I beat your Labyrinth. Why won't you stay away?"
Jareth met Sarah's gaze with a hard, honest gaze that frightened her. "It isn't so simple Sarah. The Labyrinth is part of you. It will always be part of you. You belong there."
Sarah slammed her hand down on the counter behind her. "No! You don't know where I belong. You don't know me Jareth."
"I know enough."
"Really?" Sarah scoffed. She didn't think she could hate Jareth more than she did at that moment. "Like what? What do you know oh wise fae? What do you see in your little crystal balls? Do you see the future?"
Jareth scowled darkly. The air in the room suddenly seemed thinner, colder. "You may not believe yet. But you will. Don't mock me Sarah, it can become a dangerous game. You won once. Don't make the mistake of believing I will let you win a second time."
Before Sarah could respond Jareth tossed a crystal into the air. Sarah glanced up, not sure what to expect. She reached out a hand, wondering if the crystal would disappear or if she would actually catch it. If she didn't, would it break? Sarah watched it fall, almost gently, in front of her. She was ready to grab it. But as she did her fingers found only air. She frowned and looked at Jareth. He was gone as well, just like the crystal. Sarah bit back the retort that sprang to her lips. Let her win indeed. Sarah would hardly call what he did helpful, never mind letting her win. Sarah finished off her coke in one long drink before wandering back to the couch. Flopping back she scowled deeper. It did little good but Sarah didn't care. Irrational though it may be just the action made her feel better.
A loud thump sounded from upstairs. Sarah looked up with a groan. Raising her voice loud enough to be heard she glared up at the area the sound had come from. "Jareth. I've had enough of your games. Go away." Sarah was too frustrated to face Jareth again. She just wanted him to leave her alone. But the thump sounded again. Sarah nearly growled, and stood. She stomped up the stairs and down the hall. With each step she could feel her anger rise. The noises were coming from her old room. She muttered under her breath as she imagined Jareth going through her things. Taking a deep breath she shoved the door open and turned the light on. She opened her mouth to begin her tirade, but froze suddenly.
"What are you doing in here?"
The creature looked up from the table it had been rummaging on. Sarah cringed. Memories of the first time she had encountered a firey flooded back to her. It had started out fun enough, like many characters of the Labyrinth so often did. But it had quickly changed. Unconsciously Sarah touched her hand to her throat. This time the creature would not have a chance to try to take her head off. Clearing her throat, Sarah squared her shoulders and stepped inside the bedroom. She marched forward like a soldier, a scowl plastered to her features. She glared at the creature as she approached it. Suddenly it looked up, staring straight at her, and spoke.
"To the Labyrinth, to the Labyrinth, take the girl." The red and orange creature chortled. It chuckled and snickered as it danced around wildly.
Sarah stopped mid step. "What do you mean?" Sarah placed her hands on her hips in a demanding expression, awaiting the firey's explanation. Instead she saw the creature jump around, then disappear into her vanity mirror. Sarah rushed forward, looking for the firey, or any of the residents of the Labyrinth. But all she saw was her own reflection staring back at her. Sarah let loose a scream and flopped back on her old bed, frustration gnawing at her.
Sarah stared up at the ceiling with clenched jaw. She thought about Jareth. He claimed that he had nothing to do with the creatures showing up in her room. Even denying sending them. But then why would they be in her room after so long? Sarah didn't have a lot of answers, or ideas. And the few she did have involved Jareth.
Groaning, Sarah sat up and stared at the vanity mirror again. Still she saw only herself looking back. Finally she gave up. Standing she flipped the light off and walked out of the room, pulling the door securely shut behind her. She knew she wouldn't sleep anymore tonight. So she decided to take a shower instead.