A/N I don't own the characters of the Labyrinth the belong to their rightful owner. This is just a mere fanfiction.

What's this...what's this...an update? :D

*Unedited.

Chapter 12.

Mr. Williams was somewhat relieved to discover that the former Mrs Farris now Burns had since been released from the asylum and was living in the neighboring state at her parents' former abode. He rested his hands on the staring wheel as he took in the beautifully lavish gardens with a wide variety of flowers and fountains. The house which was set back from the garden was a small cottage which sat perfectly amongst the garden, it was all rather quaint. However, despite the quaint claiming nature of the property, Mr Williams himself, felt nervous. His hands were clammy and tiny beads of sweat dotted his forehead. He pulled out his handkerchief and wiped his face. He was delaying the inevitable. He looked to the little red book he had long since stolen from the loft and replaced with an empty book with disdain. He snatched it into his hands and finally braved it outside. He followed the stone footpath towards the front door and knocked three times. Silence. Then a voice spoke behind him.

'I wondered when you would come.'

He spun on his heels and there she stood. Her once auburn hair now silver, her eyes had more life to them then he recalled and she looked much more at peace then before. He offered her a pleasant smile as he walked towards the garden where she stood amongst the flowers.

'I had not seen you there Ms. Burns,' he held out his hand professionally.

'Oh' she questioned, her eyes lingering on his hand, before she slipped off her gardening glove and grabbed his hand. 'I wasn't trying to hide,'.

The whole introduction was rather pleasant considering how she was cursing him the last time they'd seen each other.

'You knew I would come then?' he questioned, given her earlier statement.

She gave him a knowing smile before taking off her second glove and placing it into a small gardening basked by her side.

'I had a feeling,' she mused, 'shall we?' she asked stepping onto the path and out of the garden.

He nodded and allowed for Ms. Burns to lead the way into the cottage. It was small and quaint, everything had its place, including Mr Williams as he took the offered seat at the dining room table. He placed the little red book on the table, and watched as Ms Burns took her spot opposite him, not bothering to offer him a drink, not that he could entirely blame her. The atmosphere was tense and he truly did not know how to start or what questions to ask as he let out an awkward cough.

'If I may ask, when were you given clearance?'

'About thirteen years ago' she replied, never once looking away.

She'd been waiting for this for a longtime, as he wondered if he'd perhaps made a mistake coming here.

'Have you been able to contact your daughter?' he asked simply.

Her face lit up as she nodded.

'Yes, she visits quite regularly when she can, she works now.'

Mr Williams could not help but smile at the way Ms. Burns beamed in pride when talking about her daughter.

'What does she do?'

'She's a teacher,' she smiled, 'just like I was.' She stated pensively. 'But you're not here to talk about my daughter, are you?'

Mr Williams shook his head, and glanced down to the little red book as he placed a large hand on top of it.

'Do you remember that day that –'

'Like it was yesterday,' she replied not giving him time to finish.

'You cursed me,' he stated, his eyes meeting hers.

She stared at him, he thought he could see regret in her face. She had truly come a long way from that day, perhaps Linda would recover too, after all the two had both gone to the same mental hospital.

'He asked me too,' she spoke.

Mr Williams narrowed his eyes in confusion.

'Who?'

Her eyes flickered down to the book, before gesturing to it.

'What?'

'The author of that book asked me too,'

'And who is the author of this book?' Mr Williams asked as he stared at her.

'You won't like the answer.'

'Try me.'

She laughed and wiped away stray tears.

'Just don't send me back,' she joked.

Mr Williams said nothing and sat in silence as an overwhelming feeling of absolute dread washed over him.

'It was the Goblin King who sent you that book, and the Goblin King who asked me to wish you ill will.'

The room grew silent once more, a heavy silence that could be cut with a butchers knife. His brain was whirling. He could no longer deny the facts which were staring him straight in the face. There was a psychopath at large, a man who could manipulate the vulnerable, who prayed on women, driving them to insanity and he was after his daughter and ex-wife.

'Does the Goblin King have another name?' he asked quietly.

Ms. Burns gave him what appeared to be a sympathetic smile as though knowing something that he didn't.

'Do you believe in goblins?'

Mr Williams scowled, why was it always goblins! He was going to grow mad with all this talk of goblins. He shook his head, while Ms. Burns continued to smile sympathetically at him.

'Until you learn to believe in things you can not see, we are done here,' she informed him.

Mr. Williams however, was not quite finished there was a question still burning on his tongue as he refused to stand.

'Why, why did he ask you to curse me?'

Ms. Burns stared at Mr Williams. He could not read her expression and that made him anxious. He watched as she swallowed down a lump in her throat.

'Because you married Linda Meldove and Linda was pregnant.'

He stared at her not truly understanding what Ms. Burns was suggesting as he stared at her, waiting for her to continue.

'Linda had made a deal with the Goblin King a long time ago, a deal which relates to your daughter.'

Mr, Williams suddenly felt rather ill, this man had designs on his daughter, had had designs on his daughter since she was a babe. He stared at the little red book with a new form of horror. He had been trying to manipulate his daughter to fall in love with him. He felt sick, faint as he tried to stand only to sit back down.

'Are you alright Mr. Williams?'

No, he was far from okay. He needed to get home to his daughter, he needed to take her away, far away. He stood up abruptly, knocking over a photograph. He apologized as he picked up the photo only to find himself staring at a familiar face. He knew that face, a cold chill ran over his spine.

'Ms. Burns,' he spoke slowly as he stood straight, 'what is the name of your daughter?' although he already knew who it was, he just needed her to confirm it.

'Are you sure you're alright?' she questioned.

'What is her name?' he repeated.

There was a long silence.

'What did he promise you? When he asked you to curse me?'

There was a short silence, he did not dare turn around as he continued to stare at the figure in the picture.

'My freedom and,' she paused, 'my children.'

Mr Williams nodded and placed the photograph back.

'Thank you, Ms. Burns. I will see myself out.'

He heard her call to him but he was far too lost to respond as he made his way back to his car. His mind whirling. This man who called himself the Goblin King was someone of power, who had the ability to manipulate the vulnerable. He could only assume that Ms. Burns and Ms. Burns daughter were both apart of his sick game. He grasped his head in his hands. How was he going to explain this to his daughter? How was he going to explain that her best friend, Margot was most likely under the influence of a highly influential psychopath, and that he wanted her.