Chapter 2: Getting the Raw Deal
Jareth, the Goblin King, sat in his study, reading a small black journal. The only light as a bit of faery magic hovering over his shoulder chasing away the gloom in his blacken study. His face impassive as a fist rested on his chin.
What he had in his hand was Sarah's personal journal. He knew she kept one. He had seen her write in it from time to time over the last three years. He had never sneaked a peek, until she handed it to him. His eyes fell on several entries that started six months ago.
"Dear Jareth,
I can't believe it. I'm stilling writing to you. Why I wonder? It's been almost two and a half years since I did what I did. Toby is a good kid. Why couldn't I see it back then?
Anyways.
Today school started. Becka had this idea of both of us taking all the same classes. She wants and acts like she's my best friend. She's good for a laugh or two but there's something about her that's off. Oh well. I'll figure it out soon enough.
Dear Jareth,
My English teacher wanted me to write about something my dreams for an assignment. How can I write about dreams when all I ever dream about is the ballroom and you singing. Your voice still echoes in my mind. Sometimes, I wish I had a CD of your singing.
Anyways.
Dad's been after me again to decide what I want to do for college. I was accepted with full scholarship. He wants me to get my head out of the clouds and be a teacher or librarian or something along those lines. Personally, I rather be a writer.
Karen wants me to get out more and have fun with my friends. I do but really, I have my friends from the Labyrinth. Hoggle comes and visits me whenever I ask for him.
Becka wants me to go full goth with her. The whole nine yards, black clothes, chains, piercings and black make up. I can see me with spiked hair and earrings but no. I'm more of the bohemian type.
Hell, even you wanted to rule me. Why does it have to be a dominated type relationship? I beat you. You have no power over me. Why can't I be your equal? After all, in the Bible, God took a rib from Adam to make Eve. A rib is something close to the heart, to be loved and protected. Not to be ruled over.
Why hasn't anyone asked what I want?
I tell you Jareth, it makes me want to scream. I want to feel love. I want someone that'll be there when I fall. I want someone to laugh with, to cry with, to share my most off the wall thoughts. I want to drop to my knees and ask you to forgive me for hurting you, but it's too late for that.
The one lesson I learned from my time in the Labyrinth was "Life isn't fair, it's just how things are."
Dear Jareth,
Hoggle said that things are slowly returning to normal in the Labyrinth. Well as normal as that place could be. I want to thank you for sparing him, Ludo and Sir Didymus. Hoggle said you could've been much more harsh in your punishment of them.
Hoggle tells me things about the Labyrinth. I have so many questions. He doesn't have all the answers. How was the Labyrinth created? Who created it? Who all lives in it? Then I wonder about you. How are you doing? Do you have any family? Who all live at the castle? What's your favorite color? What's it like to be the king over the Goblins?
Anyways.
I could just strangle Becka today. She decided that I needed a new boyfriend. So she tried to hook me up with Brad, the school's heavy weight champ. Brad's alright, I guess but he isn't you. It's funny. I've never been interested in boys before not until 'that' night. After you, I doubt I'll find anyone that can measure up to you.
Well, Becka decided since I wasn't interested in Brad, I must be bi. Seriously. Do I look like the type of person that would want a female lover? That's why I want to strangle her.
Jareth, you are the only person I want. If you ever did come back in my life, I would make sure that my virginity will not be used as a bargaining chip. I think something inside of me would die if it became so. I want to give it as a gift to the man that loves me as much as I love him.
Jareth stopped reading and stared out into the darkness. Summoning a crystal, he gazed at its center. Sarah, the girl that haunted his nights and his thoughts for the past three years, was sleeping curled up with her copy of the Labyrinth tucked under her chin.
Picking up the journal, he flipped to the last entry and read.
Dear Jareth,
I've graduated. I'm now considered an adult. Big deal. As I look back on the last three years, I finally realized what you were offering me 'that' night. Man, did I ever blew it.
But then, I was 15, naive, stubborn and frightened. I still can't see what you saw in me. Sometimes, I wish I could see you again, to talk to you and to hear you sing. I have so much to ask you and to talk to you about.
Anyways.
Becka is scaring me again. I keep wondering why I hang out with her. She's got something planned. I just know it. She's the one that convinced everyone that I would be the great one to host the slumber party. I have a bad feeling about this.
Sarah felt fingers brushing through her hair as she slowly came awake. She had been dreaming of the ballroom again. He had been singing to her. 'Wait, someone is singing,' she thought as she started to sit up. Opening her eyes, she found herself looking into the mismatched eyes of the Goblin King.
"Hello Sarah." His mismatched eyes seemed to glow in the darkness of her bedroom. The only light the street lamp outside her window.
Frowning slightly, she reached over and snapped on her bedside lamp. "What are you doing here, Jareth? I thought we had a deal," she said, trying to blink away the sleep as her eyes adjusted to the light.
He chuckled softly as he stretched out beside her, resting his back on her headboard. "The deal was too one sided. I want to renegotiate it," he said, holding up her journal. "What you traded is worth more then some school girl prank. I have a better offer for it."
"But you've already read it," she accused.
"True, that's why I know it's true value, now."
Sarah adjusted her blankets and looked down at her hands. "What kind of deal?"
"First, the prank. Each girl involved one week of nightmares. For your friend Becka, a month. Really Sarah. She isn't much of a friend."
Sarah made a face and nodded. "Anything else?"
"That I teach you about the Labyrinth, the Fae, and magic. After all, you asked several very intelligent questions in your journal. I hope you would allow me the chance to answer them."
Turning to look up at him, her eyes glint with suspicion. "What's the catch?"
"My dear Sarah. Why must you think the worse of me?"
"I know you Jareth. You always have a catch."
He sighed, rubbing his eyes. "Sarah. You wound me for thinking so."
Sarah studied him for a moment. Chewing on her bottom lip, she considered for a moment, then said, "I can agree with this but I have two conditions of my own. First, I want have no regrets. Second, I don't want to spend all my time Underground. I have family and college to attend to. I can't mess that up. But I'm up for occasional trips, though. You know, I still don't quite trust you."
Jareth smiled. "Agreed." He pulled her into his arms, "How about something to seal the deal?" he purred softly, claiming her lips with his.
o0o0o0o0o
Well, who do you think got the better deal?
If you are looking for a bratty, snotty, argumentive Sarah, don't count on it. She still has the spirit and fire but she's also older.
Until next time -- GF