Chapter 4.
"Sarah, we're home!"
Her father walked into the living room and saw Sarah lying down on the couch watching TV. "Where's Karen?"
"She's in the kitchen. She needed a drink. Do you want me to drive you home?"
She shook her head. "No, I actually told Tobias that I was sleeping here." She closed her eyes knowing that she just messed up.
"Tobias? We haven't called him that in years. What made you call him that?"
"Dad, I didn't actually call him Tobias, I call him Toby to his face. It just slipped out now. I'm sorry."
He walked over to her and sat down next to her. "It's okay. We probably should call him Tobias so he gets used to."
Sarah tilted her head at him. "Dad, everyone has nicknames. It's not a big deal." She yawned. "I'm going to bed though. I'll see you in the morning." She gave her father a hug and a kiss then started heading upstairs. "Goodnight Karen!" She called before walking into her room and changing into her pajamas.
At three in the morning Toby woke Sarah up crying. "What's wrong tobes?"
He climbed into the bed beside Sarah. "I had a nightmare about you."
She grabbed him and embraced him in a hug. She couldn't believe Jareth did this. How could he have told Toby about the whole story the first night he threatened it? He usually played stupid games first. Usually he hinted at it, and then got to the point. Maybe she was thinking it was him, and it wasn't. Maybe it was just an innocent nightmare. She swallowed then asked, "What happened sweetheart?"
His eyes filled with tears again. "You left. No one could find you. Then a guy showed up in my room and showed me through a crystal ball that you were being held captive in a tower like Rapunzel."
"Honey, that was a dream. It won't happen."
He shook his head. "He said it will. He kept saying it wasn't a dream. He said you will disappear and it will be my fault."
"Toby, it was a dream. Nothing is going to happen to me, and even if it does, it won't be your fault. Do you understand me?" She said sternly.
He nodded. "Can I sleep next to you? Just to make sure you don't disappear on me."
She smiled at him. "Of course. Close your eyes. We'll wake up to mom's eggs, ham, toast, and bacon in the morning. Then I'll ask her about the amusement park. Okay?"
Too bad she never her answer because Toby was already asleep. When she made sure that he was absolutely asleep, she got out of bed and walked to the downstairs bathroom. She sighed, hating to have to do this. But she knew she did. She shut the bathroom door.
"Jareth. We need to talk."
She stood there for what seemed like forever, but what was really only 5 minutes. Shaking her head she turned and started towards the door to leave the bathroom, but someone grabbed her arm. "I'm sorry I'm a little late, but someone wished away a little one and I had to attend to that matter at hand before I could come to you my dear." He licked his lips. "Now, what do we need to talk about? Does it involve you coming with me to the kingdom?"
She narrowed her eyes. "No, it doesn't. It involves you leaving my little brother alone. He hasn't done anything wrong and you need to leave him alone." Jareth leaned up against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest and smile on his face. "He came into my room crying, telling me about a dream that—"
"Ah, yes. That dream that will inevitably come true my bride." He touched her face and then ran a finger over her lips.
She shook her head. "Don't call me that. It will never happen."
He tsked at her. "Still as stubborn as ever I see."
She walked away from him because the closeness was making her uneasy. He followed her to the other side of the bathroom. She sat down on the side of the bathtub. "Listen, I realize that you're used to getting your way, but you are not getting it this time. I swear, so leave my brother alone." He laughed loudly. "Shut up! You'll wake my parents up and Toby."
He laughed again. "Not a chance sweetheart. I put a spell on the walls of the bathroom. No one could hear you if they wanted to. In fact, I could literally be tearing you apart right now with you screaming bloody murder and no one would notice."
"You would never do that to me. That's not your flavor."
"You'd be surprised at what I would do my dear. In fact, I've done worse. Far worse, for much less."
"Less Jareth? I haven't done anything!"
He shrugged. "That's debatable."
"How so?"
He moved so fast and swiftly that when he appeared in front of her face, she flinched. "You beat me at my own labyrinth. Do you know how many people have done that?" Sarah stayed quiet. "None! That's how many. Then when I wanted you to stay and be my side, you refused. I'm still asking you to be by my side and you're still refusing. Yes, I have killed for much less. You should be counting your lucky stars that you're still alive!"
"If you hate me so much, then why are you still asking me to stay by your side and be your bride?" Sarah spit out the last word like it was the worst word in the world.
"Is it not obvious to you?" She shook her head. "Because, I've fallen in love with you. There is no one quite like you. You and I are equals. We belong together."
"We do not belong together." She stood up to face him. "We are not equals. I would never treat people the way you do!"
"That's also debatable."
She started towards the door to leave but she heard the door click locked. "Unlock the door Goblin King. You should remember that this is my world, not yours."
"I'll unlock it when I'm good and ready." He laughed. "I happen to enjoy your company no matter how immature you seem to be acting at the moment."
"All I want is to go to bed Goblin King. You do realize that us mortals need that, do you not?"
"In due time princess."
She let her head fall back and groaned like a child. "Goblin King, go bother someone else. For the love of god, bother someone else. If you don't let me out of here, I will pass out right here on the floor!"
He snickered at her. "Still as melodramatic as ever. You haven't changed. That's alright. We'll eventually make that part of you disappear. As I said, once you're mine, you will be changed dramatically."
She shook her and rolled her eyes. "First, you never said that, and second, I will never be yours. So stop thinking that I will be. Now, please just leave!"
"As you wish princess." The door unlocked and then he disappeared.
"Ugh, you never said if you would stop bothering Toby!" She said as she stalked out of the bathroom.