Chapter Twelve: Furrygatherers
Sarah fell to the ground in the cool darkness of the Underground. The grass felt fresh and damp beneath her tired legs.. She smiled and laid back in the wonderful dew that covered the ground. It made her feel renewed after such a long walk. Her muscles were bunched in horrible knots and felt as if they had suddenly caught fire. She had tried to massage them, but to no avail.
The sky was clear and dark overhead. The moon shone brilliantly in the vast expanse of jet velvet that was the sky. It truly looked like one of Jareth's crystals. Her eyes trailed over the millions of strange stars that appeared in totally different constellations than she had ever seen before. Sarah could recall a time when her father and she had laid beneath the stars and tried to find every constellation they could. It brought a twinge of homesickness to her soul, but just for a moment. To let the truth be told, Sarah felt more at home in the Underground than at her own house.
"I guess that I'm just strange," she whispered into the cool night.
It was entirely empty. Sarah hated being alone. Before, she had had her companions to help her through the Labyrinth . This was a much more difficult quest and she had to do everything alone. It sounded horrible. Sarah rolled on her side and tried to concentrate on anything else. She simply couldn't get depressed so soon.
Her mind instantly flashed back to thoughts of Jareth. She scowled in anger towards the way he had toyed with her emotions and then tossed her away as if she had been a useless bag of rubbish. She had actually thought that he, in some strange way, perhaps loved her.
"It was absurd! You have just proven to yourself, Sarah, that that man cannot be trusted. He...he, well he's our enemy," Sarah stammered. Her anger was fogging her mind.
She knew that sleep wouldn't come easily after such horrible thoughts. Her anger was too strong and her wounds too fresh. She lifted her pack and swung it back over her shoulder. A little more traveling couldn't hurt. She tightened the cloak about her and shivered slightly in the cool air. Sarah silently wished that she had been wearing a sweater when she had been forced back into the Underground.
Sarah watched her surroundings as she walked. The trees were magnificent in their ancient splendor. Their leaves were of the purest green, a shade she had never seen in her world. However, there was no true magic in her world, only frauds.
"Magicians," she snorted to herself.
They had no real idea what magic was all about. They simply performed intricate illusions. They were all too cocky. If any one of those dumb performers had ever happened into the Underground, they would shun magic for all time. It was quite terrifying when one got to its very roots.
A hoot of an owl caught Sarah's drifting attention. Sarah spun around and strained her eyes to see into the dark trees. Owls only meant one thing, Jareth!
"How dare he even attempt to follow me! After all he did he should hide away from me as far as possible," Sarah muttered under her breath.
The owl suddenly took flight. Sarah watched it fly into the dark sky and head deeper into the forest. She let out a silent breath when she realized that it was a simple brown owl. Jareth hadn't followed her, yet. She shivered once again as a cold breeze blew under her coat.
"I-I...,"
Sarah paused as a child's voice drifted to her ears. It had come from the forest, or perhaps somewhere else, but she had heard it. The voice shocked her, for she knew who it belonged to. The next second she was terrified. Why was she starting to hear Toby? Jareth couldn't take Toby again. He had never spoken the words... Sarah's thoughts trailed off as the voice continued.
"I wish that the Goblins would come and take me away, right now," Toby muttered the cursed words.
Sarah screamed hysterically. She dropped her bag and ran towards the sound of the voice, but it echoed from everywhere. She turned and tried to find him in the other direction. Sarah knew in her heart that she would not find Toby in the forest. He had been at home when he sealed his fate. Why would he ever make such a horrid mistake?
"Why? Oh, Toby! Jareth! Jareth, please don't take my brother. Spare me something!" Sarah moaned.
There was no reply from the silent forest. Even the owl she had seen earlier wasn't there. Sarah sat on a rock near her pack and placed her head in her hands. Toby would be in Jareth's castle shortly, and then he would change into a goblin. She couldn't turn back and try to save him. That would put the entire Underground at risk.
Sarah suddenly remembered the crystal Toby had given her. She lunged towards her pack and pulled out the beautiful gift. It shimmered in the moonlight and only appeared more lovely. Sarah wondered how the crystal had ended up in her world, unless Jareth had simply left it there for her.
"Please let me see Toby?" Sarah asked.
The crystal ball glittered with a bright blue light, but then it faded away. She shook the crystal violently in her hands, but there was no response. She hurled it into the woods and then rolled her hands into fists.
"It isn't Fair!!" Sarah screamed into the woods.
She no longer cared if Jareth heard her or not, thought her childish or not. She only wanted her life back. She didn't mind it being dull and the fact that she didn't fit in. She only wanted to return home with all of her heart and her soul.
"Who cares about the Underground!" Sarah said vehemently.
The necklace that had been a gift from the strange woman in Jareth's castle, suddenly grew hot about Sarah's neck. She picked it up carefully by its fine chain and looked at the strange inscription. Sarah then turned it around and noticed that there was something glowing on the picture.
"What?" Sarah asked herself.
She looked closer at the necklace. However, the glow never faded. It was part of the medallion. Sarah set the necklace back down and fished the map from her bag. The picture on the front had to be a map. That would mean that the glow was one of the orbs. The lady had helped her once again.
Sarah folded the map back up and placed it gently in her bag. Her wild mind had slowed down abruptly and left her feeling drained and exhausted. Sarah kneeled on the cool, soft grass and laid on her side. She placed her pack beneath her head and closed her eyes. Sleep found her shortly after.
The morning sun drifted lazily between the thick canopy of leaves overhead. Morning dew clung to the plants lower on the forest floor. Everything appeared pure and clean in the pristine morning. It was as if there was a new start, but it was not so. The lovely day was only masking the death and pain that the land was facing, as the sun rose over the horizon.
Sarah fluttered her eyes in the morning sun. She blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the sudden amount of light striking her. She rolled on her back and winced at the pains that ran down her spine. The ground was not one of the most comfortable things to sleep on. She stretched and her spine crackled in protest.
Her mind drifted back to the wonderful bed she had awoken to the morning before. The silken sheets had caressed her skin and the pillows had cradled her head. Now all she had was grass, dirt and a lumpy bag full of supplies. It was going to be a long thirteen days.
Her memories of the night before came to her mind slowly. She was still very groggy from the uncomfortable sleep. She could recall Toby calling something into the forest. He had wanted to come here. No, he had called upon Jareth to bring him to the Underground. Toby was now here as well. Sarah would have to try harder to return the crystals. She couldn't risk anything happening to Toby. She would never be able to forgive herself for something that awful.
Her stomach let out a mournful cry of protest. Sarah had entirely skipped dinner the night before. She opened her pack and pulled out an apple that she had included with the rest of her food. There wasn't much, but she was expecting to acquire more as the trip went on.
Sarah glanced around the forest as she ate. There was nothing better to do. The trees surrounded her from every angle. Each direction looked strangely the same. It was almost as if the forest had become a Labyrinth. Sarah didn't like the thought, but it was very possible that this area of the Underground was just like the Labyrinth, confusing.
Sarah caught movement out of the corner of her eye and spun to face the direction from which it had come. There was nothing to see. She turned her attention back to her breakfast. There was something there, but it was obviously afraid of her. Sarah would just have to wait for the creature to approach her.
A twig snapped in the near distance and something took in a harsh breath. Sarah smiled slightly and fought to control her laughter. She won, by a slight margin. The creature was trying very hard not to make a noise. She didn't want to let it know that she was very sure of its presence.
Sarah waited a few more minutes to be sure that the mysterious creature had wandered into view. She continued to chew on her apple, even though she had already reached the core. Sarah placed one hand on the ground by her hip and spun herself around.
The small creature looked like a raccoon, nearly. It was about three feet tall and was entirely furry. He had wide, scared eyes and whiskers. However, instead of paws, he had hooves. Sarah looked at him and he looked at her. They continued with their staring contest for a short time and then the tiny thing turned to run back to shelter.
Sarah leapt at the creature and managed to catch him by his tail. It screeched angrily and attempted to kick at her with its small hooves. The creature only managed to land on his face. He turned over on his back and stuck his feet straight up in the air. This time Sarah couldn't hold back her laughter.
She let go of his tail and fell to her back as the laughter surged forth. She grasped her belly, but still she could not suppress the giggles that had attacked her. Sarah felt tears run down her cheeks, but was helpless to stop them.
The small creature looked at her strangely. It turned itself over and then slowly made his way to his feet. He approached Sarah another step closer and bent down to sniff the air with his small black noise. He then tapped Sarah's knee with one of his hooves. Sarah did not reply. She was just beginning to gain control of her laughter.
"Wh-who are you?" Sarah managed to ask between gasps for air.
The thing appeared surprised to hear her speak. He immediately straightened up and jumped a foot away from her. Sarah remained in her spot, holding her aching sides. She had laughed too much, but it had felt good. She felt much more optimistic about the quest after her joyful moment.
"What are you?" the creature asked.
"I'm Sarah. I guess that your king, Jareth, sent me out here to help all of you. Now, please tell me what your name is?" Sarah asked with a smile.
The creature looked at her skeptically. He wasn't one to take chances, that was obvious. Sarah continued to wait patiently for the creature's response. Perhaps he could be a friend. Sarah hated traveling by herself. A new companion would be priceless.
"I'm Kyper. I-I saw you had food," he paused as he pointed to her bag.
Sarah looked back to her provisions. She hadn't brought enough for even herself, and now this new creature wanted some. She should have thought more about the food, but she had wanted to leave. Sarah grabbed the sack and pulled another apple from it. She would just have to find food elsewhere.
Kyper's small black eyes looked at the apple. He then looked back at her, worried about taking the food. However, his stomach soon won over his better judgment. he snatched the apple from Sarah's hands and bit into it ravenously. Sarah wondered why this creature appeared to be starving. This was a forest. There should be food everywhere.
"Are you lost, Kyper?" Sarah asked with concern in her voice.
Kyper shook his head, but his eyes remained on the food. Apple juices ran down his furry chin and gave him the appearance of having a mustache. Sarah put her hand to her mouth and stifled another outburst of laughter. She certainly didn't want to hurt Kyper's feelings.
He bit the core in half and then tossed the rest into his large mouth. Sarah watched in astonishment as the whole apple disappeared into Kyper's gaping mouth. He then licked his hooves and turned his gaze back to her. He seemed to be much more trusting of her, now that his hunger had been satiated.
"Are you here to save the crystal?" Kyper asked carefully.
Sarah's heartbeat sped up. She swallowed deeply, but her throat suddenly felt ten times smaller and far too dry. She suppressed an urge to choke. Kyper knew about the crystals. Maybe he also knew where to find some of them.
"Yes. Yes," Sarah replied a little too hurriedly, "Please, Kyper, do you know where I can find any of the thirteen crystal orbs?"
Kyper's black eyes lit up with happiness. He bounded into the air several times, clapping his hooves together. Sarah watched with wild amazement at Kyper's actions. However, she really needed to be heading on. If Kyper had some vital information, it would be best told as soon as possible.
"I must bring you to Poppa and Mom. They will be so pleased with me!" Kyper exclaimed.
Sarah realized why Kyper was so cautious. He was still young. Sarah was never going to get used to the Underground creatures. She picked her pack up and swung it over her shoulder. Kyper watched her with worry embedded deep within his eyes. The happiness quickly faded away.
"You will come, right?" Kyper asked.
Sarah knelt down by him. She wasn't sure exactly what to tell him. She had to continue with her quest. There was a crystal that the necklace had pointed out, but it wasn't anywhere near here. Sarah decided that she would have much travel ahead of her if she was to find it.
"I really enjoyed talking with you, Kyper. I need to get going so that I can save the crystals. If you know where I can find one, then you would be helping me a lot to save them," Sarah explained.
"Yes, yes. I know where you can find them. You have to come with me. I can't tell you. I would get in a lot of trouble. They would never ever let me come out by myself again. You do understand that, right? I mean, I will show you once you come with me," Kyper stated urgently.
Sarah touched her necklace with her hand. It was still warm. She knew that it was trying to tell her something, but what? Perhaps it would be better to go with Kyper. He seemed to have an idea about where Sarah could find an orb. It sounded promising. Sarah got up to her feet and brushed some stray dirt away from her clothes.
She looked around the strange woods that were very near as confusing as the labyrinth. Her time was limited and since Kyper seemed to know his way, he could prove to be very helpful. Sarah finally relented. Even if it was a dead end, perhaps Kyper's people could offer her some help.
"Okay, Kyper, I'll come with you," Sarah said with a smile.
Once again Kyper leapt into the air with joy. He looked at Sarah and then touched her hand with his own hoof. It was as if he was trying to hold her hand to lead her into the woods. However Kyper dropped her hand the next moment and rushed into the woods. Sarah only watched him for a second and then rushed after him.
Kyper was an exceptionally fast sprinter. He had only to start into a run and soon would be yards in front of Sarah. She ran after him, but there was no way to keep up with the energetic creature. Her poor overworked muscles screamed in agony and complaint at her misuse of them. They hadn't been worked this hard for quite a long time.
Sarah finally brought herself to a halt. Her breathing was coming in short gasps and her entire body felt as if it had been lit on fire. Kyper stopped abruptly, leaving a cloud of dust wafting in the air from beneath his hooves. He jogged back to Sarah and looked at her. His small black eyes widened in concern.
"You okay?" Kyper asked.
Sarah nodded. However, she could not slow her breathing enough to answer him. Kyper fell to the ground and waited for Sarah to regain her stamina. She was a very curious creature. He had never known anything so slow. If he had been as slow as Sarah, he would most definitely have been prey to some animal long ago. As it was, just waiting there was dangerous. Many creatures were hungry and waiting for some unfortunate animal to grow slow or drop his guard. Kyper was not about to do either.
"Oh, Kyper. I simply can't keep up with you. I wasn't made for such speed," Sarah explained.
She bent over and rubbed her calves that had decided to turn to rock. They protested mildly, but mostly enjoyed the break. Sarah stretched them and winced at the thought of the pain that was waiting for her to walk again. Kyper would just have to slow down if he truly wanted her to go with him.
"We need to go," Kyper warned. Fear flashed in his black eyes.
Sarah got to her feet and stretched a little more. She was fairly sure that she would be able to make the walk, but certainly not a run.
"Why don't we take it easy, Kyper? We can walk to your home. I don't believe I can run all that way," Sarah explained.
Kyper scuffed his hooves in the dirt. He was obviously contemplating her idea. He let out a sigh and then nodded his head reluctantly. For a short moment Sarah believed that Kyper was afraid of something and that that something was close by. However, that was absurd. There wasn't anything that horrid in the Underground. The worst thing that Sarah had ever seen were the goblins. Even Ludo, who appeared so deadly at first, was a real teddy bear when you got down to it. Kyper was a child who had been warned to be careful by overly protective parents. He was playing off of their fears.
"Where do you live anyway?" Sarah asked.
Kyper glanced up into the trees. His small eyes trailed over each one carefully. He turned his head back to Sarah. Was he lost? Could that be the reason that he was so frightened and anxious to return home? If he was lost, then that would mean that she didn't have a very good guide.
"Just my luck," Sarah thought bitterly.
Kyper's large triangular ears perked up. He sniffed the air and then came to an abrupt halt. Sarah nearly ran into him. She stopped behind him and waited for the little animal to begin walking again. However, Kyper had another idea.
"There's something out there," Kyper warned.
His whole furry body seemed to shake. Even his whiskers twitched nervously. Sarah glanced around herself. She wished that she had brought something useful with her, like a gun. She felt vulnerable. The magic was dying and anything could be happening to the animals that inhabited the Underground. Sarah supposed that they could even turn into awful beasts.
Kyper rushed behind Sarah and grabbed one of her long legs. Sarah rolled her eyes. He certainly wasn't one of the most brave companions she had ever had. Her mind returned to thoughts of poor Didymus. He would have loved another adventure. However, he had been set in stone. Sarah still wondered if Jareth had turned Didymus into stone. She hadn't seen any stone sculptures in the forest. Perhaps Jareth had tricked her once again.
"Do you think about the king often?" Kyper asked. His fear seemed to have been pushed aside for the time being.
Sarah was startled at his question. How could Kyper know what she had been thinking, unless he could read minds. That was an awful thought. It certainly wasn't as bad as the idea of Jareth reading her mind, but it was still unnerving. Sarah instantly turned to the small animal.
"Can you understand my thoughts, Kyper?" Sarah inquired.
Kyper puffed up his furry chest with a deep breath of air. He sauntered in front of Sarah and only succeeded in nearly falling over a large rock. Kyper gave her a strange foolish grin and scratched his fuzzy head.
"I'm learning from Leader. He said that we could all do it eventually. But, the orb is dying and Leader is afraid of what is going to happen. He says our evil king is frightened. He said that someone was going to be sent to fulfill the prooferky," Kyper stumbled over the word.
"Prophecy," Sarah replied absentmindedly.
Why would there be a prophecy about her? She had not been in the Underground much. Sarah had not even seen anyone from the Underground for six years. The idea that her whole life had already been planned out, was absurd. There simply couldn't be a prophecy about her. That would mean that everything that had happened had been a big plan. She had been fated to beat the Labyrinth and Jareth, she had been fated to return, and she had been fated to find the crystals. It couldn't possibly be so.
"You should talk to Leader. He'll know the answers," Kyper replied.
Sarah shrugged the worry out of her thoughts and straightened herself up once again. It was too bad that Kyper was so short. It gave her quite a pain to constantly bend down to speak to him. Of course, it wasn't his fault. He was still young and the rest of his little clan was probably short too.
"Kyper, I know that you're just doing what you've been taught, but do you think you could refrain from reading my thoughts? They're kind of personal," Sarah explained the best she could.
Kyper observed her strangely. He looked full of skepticism. Sarah felt like she had just committed some grave crime by asking the telepath to stop reading her thoughts. Perhaps she could take her question back. She didn't want to hurt the little creature. That had been the furthest thought away from her intentions.
"Oh, all right. You'll have trouble convincing everyone else, though. I know that Leader will do what you want. He's been looking forward to meeting you," Kyper stated. His eyes shone with happiness.
Sarah continued to walk through the cool forest. Her gaze was content to merely take in the lovely surroundings. She was slightly jealous of Kyper. He was able to live his life in a lovely place that was full of magic. However, this place was dying. If it died, would that mean that Kyper and his family would too? The question struck her suddenly and she was glad that Kyper had stopped reading her thoughts.
"What are you Kyper?" Sarah asked gently.
"We're called furrygatherers. At least, that's what the other things call us. Leader says that we shouldn't be called by such a dumb title, but he puts up with it," Kyper explained as he trailed in front of Sarah.
A twig snapped in the near distance. Kyper halted. He sniffed the air and his ears instantly drooped. Sarah watched with fear. The little furrygatherer was terrified. She would have to trust his keen nose and his instincts. Kyper turned to her, his small eyes burning with terror.
He edged back away from where the sound originated. There was something there. Sarah could see it shift between the dark tree trunks. The creature was watching Kyper and her. Sarah's heart beat fiercely in her chest and she was sure that Kyper could hear it quite easily.
A branch snapped and the creature drew more into focus. It appeared to be nearly as large as Sarah, but height didn't matter. Sarah had seen the sunlight glimmer on a pair of dripping white fangs. This was certainly not a friendly creature.
"RUN!" Kyper exclaimed.
