A/N: I'm back... and with a new chapter!

HAUNTED

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Nigel whirled about quickly to find the speaker. Sure enough, in the dim light cast from the street lamp outside, he could make out the lithe blond man that had haunted his dreams and memories since he was ten. He was lounging on his bed, looking amused and just a little too pleased with himself. He was just as Nigel remembered him, in his strange medieval clothes, wild blond hair, and feral smirk. Nigel felt his jaw drop.

"You..." Nigel whispered, pointing frantically, "oh dear god, my parents were right. I am crazy!"

"Crazy? What on earth makes you think that, my boy?" the Goblin King said, his amusement obviously growing.

"You're not real... I was telling Sarah about you, and now here you are... I'm hallucinating. It's the only explanation."

"You think I'm not real? Oh Nigel, you don't really believe that, do you?"

"Well, what other explanation is there?"

"Hmm..." the older man said, smiling to himself, placing a finger to him lips, as though in deep thought. "Perhaps I'm simply checking in on an old friend. How has life been without your little brother, my boy? Adam, was it?"

"Aaron," Nigel said through gritted teeth, "and we're not friends, Goblin King."

"No?" he said, looking surprised, as though this revelation shocked him to the core. He got up off the bed, and looked the boy up and down, a slight sneer working its way across his face.

"You don't fool me. I know your type. You're up to something, I just haven't figured out what it is."

"Up to something? You hurt me Nigel. What could I possibly be up to? What ulterior motive could I possibly have?" the wicked king said, circling around Nigel, examining him closely. Nigel had grown considerably since his time in the Labyrinth. He was as tall as Jareth now, and he had filled out considerably. He was certainly not the scrawny little child he had been back then, but the fear on his face made him appear years younger.

"If you don't have a reason for being here, then get lost."

"Well, now that you mention it, perhaps there is something. You miss your brother, don't you Nigel? You just want your life to be as it should be. You want your parent's love and acceptance. Poor child," he said, with a comforting, understanding smile that didn't match his eyes, which were glittering maliciously.

"Well, yeah. But you took my little brother away from me, so unless you want to give him back, that obviously isn't going to happen, is it?"

"Who said I wouldn't give him back? You can have him back, if that is what you really want," the Goblin King said, conjuring a crystal ball from nowhere. He held it out to Nigel, who gazed into it in awe. Inside, the image of a small dark haired child appeared. The baby was crying, looking around in vain for someone to comfort him.

"What have you done to him, you monster?" Nigel demanded, balling up his fists, ready for a fight.

"Nothing. He's perfectly safe. You can have him back if you wish," he said, feral smirk back. Nigel reached for the crystal, hope shining in his eyes. But before he could close his fingers around it, it vanished.

"Where did it go?" Nigel demanded desperately, "You said I could have him back!"

"And you can. But what, Nigel, will you offer me in return?"

"In return? I don't understand..."

"You can't get something for nothing, my boy. Every act of generosity comes with a price."

"What do I have that you could possibly want?" Nigel asked, sounding a little panicked.

"Oh, I don't know..." he said, gazing out the window, over at the house next door, "I think your pretty little friend will do nicely..."

"You mean Sarah?" Nigel asked, horrified.

"Is that her name? The girl you had with you this evening?"

"No! I can't give you Sarah! I won't!"

"Are you sure, Nigel? I thought you wanted your brother returned to you?"

"Yeah, but why Sarah?"

"Novelty. I have many young children, but a cute little teenage girl would add some... variety, wouldn't it?"

"How can I wish her away? She's never... I couldn't..."

The Goblin King's gaze returned to the stammering boy. "I guess you have a choice to make, my boy. What means more to you, your young friend, or your baby brother?"

"Isn't there anything else? Anything but Sarah..."

"Ahhh, I understand now. This isn't mere friendship, is it my boy? You have feelings for this girl," he said, throwing his head back and laughing.

"Well, I like her a lot..."

"But you don't love her?" Was Nigel imagining it, or was there an angry, murderous gleam in his eyes?

"No, but maybe... it could eventually grow into... you know," the boy said, looking at his feet.

"When are you going to see her next?"

"Tomorrow. I'm going to help her babysit for her little brother." Nigel instantly that he had made a mistake. The Goblin King's smile grew, terrifying him a little.

"A little brother, you say? Well, perhaps I should raise my price. Two for the price of one. Sarah and her brother for little Aaron."

"No! How is that fair?"

"Fair!" he bellowed, "What do you know of fairness, boy?"

"A good deal more than you, apparently."

"Two humans in exchange for the love of a family? A small payment for the greatest gift of all? Isn't that generous?"

"I suppose, but..."

"No buts. You will give me the girl and her brother, or your baby brother dies." He was pleased at the horrified look Nigel had given him. The boy had turned stark white, and began to shake.

"But that isn't fair..."

"Not this again. What is it with you humans and that word?"

"Well it isn't. You think you're generous? Well, here's a news flash: your evil and selfish."

"You want to make me angry don't you Nigel?"

"No. But why can't you just give me back my brother for free?"

"Did you ever think that it doesn't work that way? That I might have limitations?"

"I'm sorry... but how can I possibly..?" he began. The Goblin King smiled kindly, and placed a gloved finger to Nigel's lips.

"Oh, Nigel. I trust that you will make the right choice. If so, I shall see you tomorrow night." He bowed slightly, and vanished.

Nigel sank down on his bed, deep in thought. He had a decision to make. And he only had a few hours in which to make it...

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A/N: The end of another chapter. Was it worth the wait?

Will Jareth get his paws on Sarah this time? Will Sarah tell Nigel about her own time in the Labyrinth?

Next chapter all will be revealed.

I'd like to mention that I'm using my family's 1 hour of free hotel internet service to post this. My mom will kill me when she tries to check her e-mail in the morning, but I couldn't resist the urge to post this.

Review please.