So Cruel

Chapter 7: I Can Be Cruel

Well I'm back after quite awhile. Please forgive me ). Hopefully this chapter makes up for the absence at least a little bit.

Same disclaimer applies.

Jareth roughly cradled Sarah in his arms-imprisoning her in his grasps. The two did not speak, but the brisk pace of his footsteps eerily echoed against the stone floors, as they left the room and approached the adjacent hallway. Several indistinct shadows crawled up the castle walls, and an unnatural silence penetrated the area. The hallway was empty and seemed to ominously allow passage to this awkward pair. Cold night air pierced the travelers and left Sarah with a strangely numbing sensation and in a state of disquiet. Although it was not winter, the frostiness between the individuals held a definite presence.

A confused Sarah then looked into Jareth's eyes as if to search for some sincere truth within them. She did not grasp the reason for her late night abduction and did not expect she could tolerate such an arrangement between herself and Jareth for too much longer. However, her gaze was shortly met with the unsympathetic glare of an angry Goblin Prince. His clenched jaw and tensed posture betrayed the underlying strain within him.

"Jareth," she agitatedly began, "you can let me go. I can walk for myself."

He paused in consideration but merely shrugged his shoulders in reply. Jareth continued his pace until they were several yards away from Sarah's bedchamber- and out of earshot of any unwelcome guests.

Then, without notice, he released his grips upon the startled girl and backed away. He did not speak nor did he allow his face to be seen by her. He remained in an impassive stance for several moments and bided his time for this much-awaited confrontation.

Sarah, worried, cautiously walked toward where he was standing. The sounds of her bare feet beat upon the floor in warning of her approach while the inaudible thrashings of her hearts violently protested inside her.

Da-Dump, Da-Dump, Da-Dump… What am I doing here?

As he did not budge in face of her movements, she slowly lifted her hand so she could place it on his shoulder and finally force him to acknowledge her. It was not permitted to reach its desired destination, however, as in a mere milliseconds, the swift and agile movements of the Goblin Prince allowed him to capture it within his own leathered hold. It was noticeably slick against the coldness of Sarah's bare hands.

The two stood uneasily facing each other for a long while. An explicit tension prevailed the hallway, while each silently gazed into each other's faces. Neither of the individuals wished to disclose what they thought, but Sarah's eyes revealed a sense of worry laced with developing fury. Jareth, on the other hand, seemingly composed yet tense on the outside, disclosed nothing else but stood coolly in front of his victim.

Sarah was first to speak. Still staring at the sight of her hands within Jareth's own, she said, "What's wrong? You're acting absolutely horrible Jareth."

Then, unexpectedly, she paused as if some hidden insight awoke inside her. She smiled, as a familiar look of defiance befell her face, and she boldly stared at Jareth straight in the eyes. "Besides, you know I have every right to have Darien in my room."

Jareth simply closed his eyes to carefully consider his words. "What's wrong, my dear Sarah, is that I do not very much like the idea of another man in your company- in your bedchamber nonetheless." His grasp toughened, and he caught the blush in her face. This reaction admittedly surprised him. "You cannot possibly care for the man." It was a statement yet apprehension was etched into his tone.

"It's none of your business." A strange mixture of doubt and defiance lined her countenance.

Jareth allowed a condescending laugh, and paced a few steps away from her. The renewed distance caused Sarah to catch her breath, and, until now, she had not recognized how shallow her breaths were during the encounter. She glowered at the man in front of her as if in accusation for her agitation.

"My love, you do not even realize how much our lives are intertwined. I admit you once possessed a very special place in my heart but… I do not doubt I still own a place in yours as well." Jareth sent a charming smirk in Sarah's direction.

"With that in mind, I would say your little affair with that wretch is very much my business," he added curtly and then released Sarah's hand. Now, he patiently awaited her response but knew she would not take the comment gracefully.

It was no surprise, then, when she turned to walk away. Jareth knew his rebellious little Sarah too well for this action to serve as a sufficient blow to his feelings and, instead, watched with an amused and benevolent grin stretching upon his ethereal face.

She successfully made way to a couple of feet away and maintained a livid posture throughout the passage. Although Sarah fully intended to vacate from this loathsome company, Jareth plainly had other intentions. She was not to leave until he allowed it.

"Where are you going Sarah?" A pleased attitude spiked his voice.

"To my room and precisely to the man you seem to detest so much," Sarah asserted.

After this, no further comment or remark was made for several moments, as Sarah gradually closed the distance between herself and her room. Silence. No noise was made besides the monotone sounds of her footsteps resounding on the floor beneath her. Of course, she was not able to perceive the nimble approach of her quite capable capturer behind her.

In a manner of seconds, she felt the force of longing hands reaching around her waists. Sarah was disappointed to see she had hardly made it to her doorknob.

Jareth then forced her to face him head on. "Oh no you don't. Have you not listened to a word I've said?" A patronizing glance emerged. "Besides anything you may think, or even hope to believe, I do have power over you. Don't ever forget that."

"I'm sure Jareth." Sarah had averted her gaze.

"Yes, and now that that matter is settled perhaps we should seriously consider the states of your, now fortunately irrelevant and obsolete, love interest."

Sarah gave an exasperated sigh- to the approving smile of the Goblin Prince- and allowed him to continue. "O.k., Jareth, what new game have you decided to play with us?"

"On the contrary Sarah," Jareth started with a warning fire radiating in his eyes, "It is not my game to play."

"Then whose is it?" Sarah questioned- confusion creeping up on her.

Jareth held his chin with one of his hands and stared blankly as if in contemplation. He tapped a single finger on his face before speaking again.

"Perhaps, for that answer, you should ask the man you wished yourself away to. I'll even give you a clue- it regrettably was not me."

"Darien?" Now there was some concern in her expression.

"Yes, I always knew you were a smart one Sarah" He laughed.

"Darien wouldn't dare do anything to harm me. Unlike you, he cares for me in a way I can trust. Its just not riddled with all these cryptic messages and underlying meanings you seem to love to give."

A certain darkness and daunting obscurity then suddenly plagued Jareth's face. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists as if to calm himself down. He did not want to hurt the girl in front of him, as he knew for whom his anger was really intended. Soon, he began to walk away, and the pair knew this meeting was drawing to its close.

With his back still toward her and his hand now on his own door Jareth spoke, "Sarah, never forget you are a delicate commodity in this place- the Underground. Although you unquestionably beat my labyrinth those years ago, this matter only assists in augmenting your vulnerabilities. Yes I have my enemies and fair share of problems, but, remember, you do now as well… I care for you Sarah, but I can be cruel." The slam of his door was the only thing left to be said. Its alarming pronouncement announced the conclusion of this meeting, and Sarah was left alone to consider what had been said.

Moving out of the bitterly chilly hallway, she moved into the fading darkness of her room and dazedly sat upon her bed. Sarah did not even notice Darien had already left the room.

JSD

A shadowy figure strolled into the landing of one of the several concealed courtyards around the castle and was soon met with another, taller one. Tall trees with massive leaves and other sources of foliage littered the area- masking the area's current inhabitants. A harsh wind infiltrated the area and ruffled the black cloaks of the individuals.

"I trust our plans our effectively underway," spoke a woman with a peculiarly sweet and alluring voice.

"No worries mother. I would never fail you."

"So the mortal is under your control?"

"She will be."

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