Chapter 5

Toby ran into the Goblin King on his way from the kitchens. "Jareth, did you find out anything?"

"Not yet Toby, but I can tell something is going on. Did Janine remember anything?"

"No."

"I think it would be better if we didn't tell her too much. A lot of information all at once might put too much stress on her right now."

"You're right."

"Maybe you could take her around, show her some of the nicer spots in the Labyrinth."

"Sure."

Jareth smiled slyly as Toby walked away. He wasn't worried about her going into the Labyrinth. He was sure she'd be safe with Toby. He inwardly winced though, realizing he was playing matchmaker and that was something more suited to his wife. But he supposed it was because he knew what it was like waiting so long alone here. He had to give Toby and Janine a chance.

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"David, your mother showed me the report card you brought home yesterday. How do you expect to get into a good college with grades like this?" his father demanded.

"Well maybe I don't want to go to college!"

"What? Are you crazy? How are you going to get a good job and support yourself if you don't go to college? I don't understand it. School is easy for you."

"Yeah, now it's just gotten boring and pointless. I want to be a musician dad."

"Well, how long do you think that will last? You guys could have a fight tomorrow and that would be the end of your band. Plus what chance do you think you have of actually hitting it big. And if you did, it would probably be just one song or one album."

"It's not about the money dad. You just don't get it, and you never will." David ran out of the house, slamming the door behind him and for some inexplicable reason, he headed for the park.

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"Reineth, I have to go back there."

"No way. You're lucky we didn't get caught the first time and that nothing went wrong. I'm not risking it again."

"You don't understand. I have to go back there." Despite her father's talk with her, Crystal knew she just couldn't wait any longer.

"Did you talk to grandpa?"

"Yes, but he won't take me there for another couple of years yet, and I have to see him again. Now that I've found him I really can't wait two more years. Please!"

Reineth looked into her bright green eyes, just like his grandmother's, and he just couldn't refuse. "Alright, but this is the last time."

They appeared on the hill again. "But he didn't believe you before. How are you going to convince him this time?"

"I don't know. Maybe if I just bring him to the park, you could come get us."

"But he has to want to come here, remember?"

"Oh, yeah. I forgot. Don't worry. I'll think of something."

Crystal didn't know where David lived. She supposed she'd check the school first and see if he was there. Before she could even leave the park, David ran into her.

"You're here again?"

Crystal nodded. "What brings you here?"

"I had a fight with my dad. I just needed to get some air. I'm not sure why I came here."

"This was my mother's favourite spot to come when she wanted to get away from it all. She used to live in this town you know. Do you mind if I ask you what you were fighting about?"

"Well, my dad wants me to go to College and get a good job, but I don't want to spend my life doing something that I'm not interested in. I just want to live for me. Life's too short to waste even a minute of it. I don't know why I'm telling you all this."

"Maybe just because I asked, and you needed someone to listen."

He looked at her. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She had a perfect face and her light blond hair almost looked white in certain lights. Her brilliant green eyes sparkled and he could only imagine what her parents looked like to make such a beautiful child. Unable to stop himself, he brushed a strand of hair back from her face, marvelling at how soft it felt to his touch. "You are different."

"So are you," she whispered. David's attention was drawn to her lips and he couldn't stop himself from kissing her. Crystal suddenly felt her soul come together. It finally felt whole. He was the missing piece to her life.

The kiss made David feel amazing, but it also felt so right that it scared him. How could she make him feel like this?

Crystal didn't think she'd ever get enough of him, but he pushed her back and turned away from her, hands shaking. She regarded him for a moment, confused. Maybe he regretted kissing her. She decided to pretend the kiss didn't mean anything. "Show me around town. I want to see the place my mother grew up in. I've never gotten the chance to come here before."

Whatever she had said the other night, he chose to ignore it for now, along with what had just happened between them. "Okay."

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Janine felt much better after her bath. Though Toby and Sarah were nice, she was still afraid. She didn't know who she was or where she was. She felt she was still in danger from whoever had tied her up and left her in the Labyrinth to die. She was sure they would come for her again. They probably knew she was at the castle and they couldn't risk being found out if her memory returned. She knew she didn't belong here, yet she had a feeling she hadn't belonged where she was before anyway. Maybe she was trying to get here, but whoever tied her up didn't want her to reach her destination. But why? "Oh," she cried in frustration and put her hands to the sides of her head. "Why cant I remember?"

Just then there was a knock at the door. "Janine, it's me Toby."

Janine was afraid she liked Toby a little too much, with his tousled blond hair, clear blue eyes, and caring manner. She quickly checked herself in the mirror. The dress Sarah had lent her was lovely. It was pale gray, and violet to match her eyes and compliment her black hair. It was also accented with sliver beading. Satisfied with her appearance, she went to open the door.

When she opened the door Toby was stunned for a moment, seeing her all cleaned up. "You look lovely."

"Thanks."

"I - I was wondering if I could show you around a bit. There are actually some pretty amazing places in the Labyrinth. Away from all the people."

"Is that a good idea? I mean the ones that did this to me might try again so I don't give them away."

"Don't worry. I have some power, remember?"

He smiled at her and it melted her heart. How could she refuse him? It seemed he was laying everything on the line for her. The sensation seemed foreign to her. Like nobody had ever cared that much for her before. She wondered if that were true and shuddered at the coldness of that possibility. "Alright."

Toby briefly considered using a crystal to transport them so they wouldn't have to come into contact with anyone, but decided against it. It might put too much stress on Janine.

He was amazed himself at how far he had come with his magic ability. Especially since he wasn't born here into Jareth's line. But he supposed it was because Jareth was less than a minute away from making him his heir and bestowing upon him his powers, before Sarah stopped him. Anyway there was a secret passage through his room that led to the cliff-side forest clearing. They could go that way.

He led Janine down the hall and down the stone staircase at the back of the castle to where his chambers were. He didn't mind being at ground level in the back of the castle. In fact, he preferred it. His chambers were very large and almost detached from the rest of the castle. That way it kind of felt like it was his own place. He opened the door and let her go in first.

"Are these your rooms?"

"Yes."

She looked around, noting that it didn't seem lived in at all, except behind the desk. "You have quite the collection of books."

"Yeah, I like to write stories."

"You wrote all these?"

"Most of them. There are a lot of stories to tell in the Labyrinth. I also help the Bookkeeper with maintaining records of events and rules of the Labyrinth."

"Maybe you could read me some of your stories."

"Maybe." Toby smiled. He looked at the shelf and selected a book. "Come on," he said, leading her into the passage.

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"Boss, how long do we have to hide out in the Labyrinth?"

"What did I tell you about calling me boss?"

"Duh, never to call you boss."

"That's right, so don't do it or you'll be the one spending eternity in an oubliette."

The goblin gulped, clamping his hands over his mouth.

"Now the only thing we can do to save us from certain death, or a fate far worse, is to get that girl and make sure she never talks."

"Why hasn't she said anything already?"

"Apparently because she has amnesia."

The goblins gathered around scratched their heads in puzzlement, but one dared to ask, "Duh, what's amnisha?"

"Amnesia! It's when you lose your memory," the leader replied exasperated.

"How did you know she has amnishna?" another goblin asked.

"Never mind!" He clunked the goblin on the head. "But it's only temporary, so we have to get her quick."

"How?"

"Do I have to think of everything? Figure it out and do it quick! She has to come out of her room sometime and when she does . . . get her!" Now go!"

They all charged off into the Labyrinth in different directions, leaving their 'leader' to shake his head at their stupidity. Why was he the only one with brains around here? He guessed that's what made him the boss.