Chapter Two – Remembering a Time
Sarah sat at her vanity gently brushing her hair. Her mind wondered back to her time in The Labyrinth. She knew that at the time he played that part she wanted. He played her villain exactly as she had hoped for. Everything that had happened then was down to her. Since that night 10 years ago she had matured on the outside, inside she was forever stuck in a fantasy. Oh, but what a fantasy it was. Everything that way it should be. In reality she had finished school, graduated from university and was now living on her own in downtown New York. She had a job in a book shop and was never really able to hold onto a man, they never had the right qualities she was looking for. But what was she looking for?
As the wind howled outside a chill sent shivers down her spine. She reached for her dressing robe and slipped it on. Her kitchen window was still open and her kettle was screeching. She ran to the kitchen and took the kettle off the heat. She closed the window and sighed when the warmth of the small apartment surrounded her. She set about making a cup of cocoa and some dinner when her phone rang. She picked it up and held it to her ear.
"Hello." She rolled her eyes when a familiar, annoying voice screeched though the other end. "Sarah, your father and I have decided that Toby will no longer be visiting you this weekend. We are going on holiday to Florida." Annoyed by the sudden statement, she stopped listening and stirred the pasta sauce. "Anyway Sarah, must be off. Bye" and then nothing. Sarah put the phone down. She had been looking forward to seeing Toby at the weekend. She had special plans and would now have to cancel.
She sat at the table and ate her dinner whilst staring into space. She washed and dried her dishes and settled in front of her TV. "Stupid woman." She hissed, her hatred for her stepmother would never cease. She flicked through the channels and settled for an old version of Dracula.
She leaned back and her mind began to swim with memories of her time in The Labyrinth. She would have changed her decision if she could. If she had known how her life would turn out then a thousand times she would have change her answer. But she did it all for Toby, a small baby back then and now a young boy. He didn't remember his time in The Labyrinth and Sarah was thankful.
But her mind came back to the lustrous Ball that had captivated her all those years ago. She remembered every little detail and exactly how she felt. Just thinking about it made her stomach jump with butterflies and her cheeks flush. She gave herself a mental slap. He kidnapped Toby. He toyed with you and teased you. He even tried to stop you from winning. Bastard!
She couldn't even think of how she would react if he ever returned. Did she want him to return? No, no she didn't, he was cruel and heartless. She settled her mind on the film and gently dozed into a deep sleep.
Before she had closed her window, he slipped inside and hid before she entered the kitchen. He had seen everything and his heart ached. He wanted to hold her and take her away back to the Underground where she belonged. He watched as she fought with herself on the sofa. What was going through her mind clearly annoyed her and he wanted to help her.
As soon as she drifted sleep he transformed and quietly walked over to her. She looked so beautiful when she slept. However, she would certainly get a neck ache if she stayed there the entire night. He switched off the TV and gently picked her up. He held her close and could feel her gently breathing on his neck. He relished in the few moments before taking her to her bed. He would hold her forever if he could. As he walked down the hall up she mumbled something that made him stop. She settled back down and he continued towards her bedroom, he opened the door and magicked the covers on her bed back. Gently putting her down, he pulled the covers over her and kissed her lightly on her forehead. "Sleep well Precious." She gave a small smile and snuggled down.