Chapter 5

Promise You Won't Come Back

"When did you get here?" Sarah whispered, not taking her eyes off of the house that Anna had entered.

"A few seconds ago," Jareth answered, his tone serious. He decided not to bring up the fact that he could watch her through a magical crystal ball, and that she had rudely forced him out of her home; he would talk with her on such matters later.

"Is she-?" Sarah asked, pointing towards the house, not wanting to express her fears.

"Most likely," Jareth replied with a casual shrug, "It happens." Sarah glared at him for his indifference, and grinded her teeth, unsure of what to do next. Anna couldn't spend another moment in that house if she was indeed being abused, but Sarah would need to know if it was from her parents or someone else. As confidentially as she could, Sarah made her way towards Anna's house, but was pulled back by Jareth.

"What're you doing?" she hissed, jerking her arm out of his grasp.

"Keeping you out of danger," he growled, "If that place is dangerous, then I can't let you go in there." Sarah's eyes narrowed, though she was surprised at his words. Did he care for her? No, she thought, that's impossible. He's just messing with my head.

"I'm a big girl," she replied, "I can take care of myself, thanks." She quickly walked down the street, leaving Jareth standing there, alone. He fumed on the inside, but a large splinter had wedged itself into his heart.

She didn't need him? His head hung low. He had been rejected. Again.

Sarah made her way up the crumbled cement pathway, dead soggy grass only adding to her trepidation. She knocked as loud as she could on the dark green door, only to be greeted by a set of scared blue grey eyes. The girl must have been only twelve, but her eyes held great misery and sorrow.

"Hello," Sarah greeted kindly, "Is Anna home?" The girl's eyes widened, and she looked the woman in front of her with a suspicious glare.

"What did she do?" the girl asked, her voice surprisingly low and hoarse, like she hadn't spoken in years.

"Nothing," Sarah answered, shaking her head, "I just want to talk to her." The girl continued to look at her cautiously, like a dear in the pathway of a car, but nodded after a while.

"I'll go get her," she said, "Wait here." The heavy green door closed with a loud bang, muffled yells emanating from behind it. A few seconds later, the door swung, revealing a perplexed looking Anna, who leaned against the door frame.

"Oh, hey Sarah!" she greeted cheerfully, "Did I forget something?" Sarah shook her head.

"No, I just wanted to talk with you about something," she said. Anna's eye brows furrowed in confusion. Behind the pink haired girl, Sarah spied the younger girl, who continued to look at the woman with an angry glare.

Now that half of the door didn't cover the young girl's body, she could now see all of her. The girl was thinner than a stick, her baggy clothing almost slipping off of her body, her pale skin almost translucent. Her vibrant red hair hung off of her head in dirty strands, and her giant blue grey eyes were as big as saucers, constantly darting around, looking for signs of danger.

"Could I come in?" Sarah asked, gently, stepping forward. Anna's blue eyes became like the little girls, scared and suspicious. She closed the door slightly, almost closing it all together.

"Are your parents home?" Sarah asked, looking at the gravel driveway. No cars were present. Anna looked back at the young girl, who nodded slightly at the pink haired girl, and she sighed.

"We can talk," Anna said, "Come on in." She opened the door, letting Sarah walk into the house. It was a very well furnished house, with obviously expensive furniture.

Stairs stood to her left, leading upstairs, while an ajar door towards her left exposed stairs that lead to the basement. In front of her, a few feet away, stood a large plush couch, with a giant TV that almost swallowed the entire wall. The young girl stood by the couch, watching the two with worry. Anna walked over to the couch, and then turned abruptly right, disappearing behind a wall. Sarah quickly jogged over to join her, turning the corner to face a long table with elegantly carved legs.

Five chairs encircled the sides, one larger chair at the head. Anna sat on one of the chairs, and pointed to one across from her. "Sit here," she instructed. Sarah did so, quickly taking in Anna's serious face. She suddenly felt a presence behind her, and turned to see the young girl, so close that she could touch her.

"Matilda," Anna warned, "You're scaring her. Sorry about my sis, she's a weirdo." Matilda watched Sarah still, but inched away. Suddenly, two pairs of eyes focused on a clock near the TV, and the two girls froze with terror.

"Please make this quick," Matilda said, her voice rough, "It's almost 4." Anna nodded quickly at her sister, and then turned back towards Sarah.

"Is something going on?' Sarah asked quickly, searching Anna's face, "I've noticed some bruises-," her sentence was suddenly interrupted by Matilda. "Get out," she growled, standing up, "Get the fuck out of this house." Sarah's eyes widened, and she turned to look at the young girl, shock in her eyes.

"Matilda," Anna snapped, "Shut it." Sarah stood up, her eyes darting between Anna and Matilda. "Matilda," she said softly, "What's going on? You can tell me. I can help you."

Matilda scoffed, her scared eyes now blazing with rage. "You can't help us," she growled, her voice filling with rage, "Get out. Now." Suddenly, the two girls froze at exactly the same time as the sound of tires crunching gravel filled the silence. Anna grabbed Sarah's wrist with an iron grip, and yanked open the back door, leading her out of the house.

"Matilda!" she said, silent words exchanging between the sisters as they looked at each other. The red head nodded, and she headed towards the front door, her face becoming blank. Anna and Sarah made their way across the large backyard, the mud splashing on their legs as they ran.

"Anna!" Sarah exclaimed, stopping abruptly, "Tell me what's going on!" Anna stopped, tears welling up in her eyes. A loud yell echoed out of the house, causing the girl to wince, as if in great pain.

"We have to go," she said softly, her eyes on the ground, "I'll tell you later." Despite the stabbing pain her heart, Sarah ran along with Anna, no longer trying to hang back. As a large chain link fence came into view, Anna stopped, and opened the gate for her.

"I have to go back," she said, waiting for Sarah to exit, "Promise that you won't come back." Sarah scanned Anna's face, and sighed wearily. "I promise," she answered reluctantly. Anna nodded, and ran back to the house, her blue eyes blank. Sarah cast one more look in Anna's direction, before heading out into the streets.

Eclipse: 'Ello mates! I know it's sort of going off of the original plot (D:) but it'll get on track soon!

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