An After Dark Fairy Tale
Chapter 6
Sarah was sure her wish hadn't worked. Her attempt at transportation had failed and they were still stuck in her apartment because her magic was too damn weak to be of any use. It was stupid of her to even try. Who the hell did she think she was, anyway? Over the years, she had been told by plenty of people that she was useless and would never amount to anything. So, of course, she hadn't been able to do what was needed when it counted.
Jareth had apparently seen something special in her, Sarah reminded herself. He had gifted her with magic powers and he called her precious. Wasn't that the name of that serial killer's dog in Silence of the Lambs? Sarah was slightly horrified at the realisation. The Goblin King probably did see her as some silly little pet he could own and pamper. She couldn't even begin to express what they were to each other. Friends? Enemies? Lovers? It's possible they could be all three at once and that was part of his deadly charm.
As tempting as it was, Sarah was forced to reluctantly accept she and Jareth couldn't stay under the bedclothes forever. It beat facing the disappointment of failing again or having to deal with formulating another escape plan. But the old Sarah, the one who triumphed over the Labyrinth and its king, wouldn't have given up so easily and she wasn't going to, either. At the grand old age of twenty-four, Sarah was finally daring to believe that she was stronger than she ever knew.
Tentatively, she peered out from under the duvet and gasped with shock. The wish had worked after all.
Sarah grinned with delight. "I did it! Piece of cake," she giggled.
It was a long time since she'd used that expression but she felt the occasion called for it. The only way the moment could have been improved on was if Jareth had been able to share in her triumph. But he remained pale and limp by her side.
Sarah took a closer look at their surroundings and found they were in the guest room of her mother's house in the Hamptons. It used to be the room she stayed in when she visited as a teenager. The red and grey striped eighties décor was long gone but the old pine furniture was the same. It was good to be back in familiar surroundings after everything that had happened to her. Sarah marvelled again at how much her life had changed in only a couple of days. It was a surreal mindfuck but she couldn't let herself get too carried away when there was work to be done.
It was almost three in the morning by the clock on the nightstand. Sarah stifled a yawn and she wrapped the Goblin King up as best she could before going in search of supplies. There was a first aid kit in the master bathroom. She grabbed it along with a few items of her mother's clothing that were hung in the closet. Sarah quickly changed out of her evening gown and into a casual sweater dress. She gathered up everything she thought might be of use and then made her way to the kitchen.
It didn't look like the place had been occupied for a while. The magazines on the coffee table were months out of date and all the cupboards were bare, except for two jars of caviar, a box of expired crackers, and a bag of coffee beans. There were a couple of bottles of her mother's favourite Champagne in the fridge but the liquor cabinet hadn't been restocked. Sarah was happy to take what she could get. A smile lit up her face as she spied an untouched jar of honey tucked away on the bottom shelf of the pantry.
Returning to the bedroom with her haul, she began tending to Jareth. He remained out cold but his breathing was deep and even. His natural paleness made it difficult to gauge if there had been any improvement in his condition. He didn't appear to be any worse, which was something. Sarah carefully removed his shirt and cleaned up the wound on his arm. The bleeding had long since stopped but the jagged tear was an angry red colour and looked sore. She slathered plenty of honey onto the wound and covered it with a bandage.
In no time at all, Jareth's lips lost their blue tinge as warmth began to return to his body. Sarah tenderly smoothed down his unruly blond hair, which looked more like the Goblin King's untamed mane of old than the recent slicked-back style he'd been sporting. Whatever glamour he had used to make himself appear more human was obviously impossible to maintain in his current unconscious state. Jareth was achingly beautiful in repose and Sarah couldn't resist pressing a kiss to his pale cheek. She snuggled down with him under the duvet and quickly drifted off to sleep.
"Sarah, can you hear me? I created a nightmare just for you…"
She woke suddenly in a cold sweat with the sound of the Midnight Prince's laughter ringing in her ears. Sunlight was streaming through the open window and the bedside clock showed it was almost ten in the morning. Jareth was still sound asleep by her side as Sarah eased herself out of bed. He didn't stir as she checked his bandage and changed the dressing. His wound was closing up nicely and seemed to be healing well.
Sarah made her way to the kitchen to scavenge what she could in the way of breakfast. There was a convenience store nearby, if she remembered correctly. But without any money, it wouldn't do her much good. Sarah recalled her mother sometimes left spare change lying around, and so she hunted for coins as she munched on some stale crackers dipped in caviar. Sarah wondered about the limits of her magic. She wouldn't be able to stay long without proper provisions. Maybe she could conjure up some food or some money, either would be fine by her.
The piercing sound of the telephone ringing made her jump out of her skin. Sarah let her hand hover over the receiver, while she debated whether or not to answer it. It was better that no one found out where she and Jareth were — not while Nox was still out for their blood. But the memory of her dream made Sarah shudder. Maybe he already knew where they were. What if he had made good on his threats against her family?
Sarah drew her hand back sharply from the phone as the ringing stopped. In doing so, she accidentally knocked over a small portable radio on the counter. The sound of Metallica's Enter Sandman burst out of the speaker. She grabbed the radio and turned the tuning dial to one of the local stations. A thudding sound from above sent Sarah racing up the stairs, making her miss the news bulletin.
"The local police have not yet confirmed the identities of the three people found dead at a house in Rockland County, although they are believed to be an adult male, an adult female, and an eleven year-old boy. We have received unconfirmed reports that all three died from gunshot wounds. Police are still trying to determine the whereabouts of an eight year-old girl, also believed to be from the same family..."
"Jareth?" Sarah shrieked, fearful the Midnight Prince might have found them.
She forgot she had left the first aid kit on the edge of the bed after changing the dressing on his wound. Jareth's movement must have sent it toppling as the contents were scattered all over the floor.
His eyelids flickered. "S-Sarah, is that you?" His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Jareth, can you hear me?" she questioned hovering over him.
His odd blue eyes opened wide with panic until he saw her. The sight of her smiling face seemed to reassure and soothe him.
Sarah tenderly stroked his cheek. "How do you feel? Are you healing?"
"We need to go home," he insisted.
She misunderstood him. "My apartment isn't safe."
"No, I mean my home," Jareth stated as forcefully as he could.
"There was a mix-up with the wish and we ended up in my apartment instead." Sarah explained. "I was able to transport us here to my mother's house in the Hamptons, though."
Jareth was too annoyed by her choice of location to congratulate her on the successful application of her magic gifts. "We should be in my castle now. Fragments of the iron bullet are still in my bloodstream and I need the magic of the Labyrinth to heal properly. I might die if I stay in this world." His voice cracked from the effort of speaking.
"I don't know if I can do it again." Sarah let self-doubt creep back in. "Maybe it was a fluke."
Jareth took her hand. "You can do it," he assured her.
Sarah was torn, if she could successfully transport them both to the Underground, would she ever be able to leave again? The Goblin King wanted her to be his forever. He had already told her as much. Once he got his strength back, her fledgling magic would surely be no match for his. Sarah couldn't rely on him to respect her wishes. What Jareth offered was tempting, there was no denying that. To be his wife and the Goblin Queen was beyond anything she'd ever imagined, but they were practically strangers. Was mind blowing sex enough of a foundation to build a marriage on? The two of them weren't even from the same species, for goodness sake. What did she know about the Goblin King's world?
Jareth had drifted back to sleep by the time Sarah turned her attention back to him. He looked so fragile and helpless, she knew it wouldn't be right to leave him where he was.
Sarah took a deep breath, clasped his hand in hers and closed her eyes. "I wish we were in the Goblin King's castle right now," she said.
Nothing happened.
Two further attempts only summoned forth a light breeze that made the curtains flutter.
"I can't do it, Jareth." Sarah squeezed his fingers lightly with her own. "I'm sorry."
He remained unconscious and her thoughts drifted back to her family. Should she call them and warn them about Nox? What would she say?
The noise from the radio drifted up from the kitchen and she went to switch it off.
"Police are still trying to trace Sarah Williams, the missing girl's older sister. The last confirmed sighting of the twenty-four year-old was three days ago…"
Sarah froze in her tracks, Jenna was missing? It had to be the work of the Midnight Prince. It was too much of a coincidence, otherwise. Oh, God, why didn't I warn them? She ran to the kitchen but the radio was playing a Cher song when she got there. If I could turn back time… The lyrics seemed to be taunting her. Sarah hit the off switch and reached for the TV remote. She searched for a news channel while grabbing for the telephone with her other hand.
"Robert Williams, his wife, Irene, and their eleven year-old son Toby, were all pronounced dead at the scene…"
Her blood ran cold.
"Eight year old Jenna Williams was believed to be at home when her father shot his wife and son dead before turning the gun on himself…"
"No," Sarah gasped, feeling as if she'd been punched in the gut.
She collapsed into a nearby armchair, too shocked to cry or do anything. The television screen flashed recent pictures of her and her sister as the police chief appealed for information. Her father, stepmother, and Toby were dead and the Midnight Prince had kidnapped Jenna. Sarah ran to the sink and vomited.
She let out an anguished howl. "Nooooooooooooo! This cannot be happening," she repeated over and over.
Sarah went to retrieve the telephone. Her hands were shaking so badly she almost dropped it. Who can I call? Who should I call? The police? She knew she could never hope to explain the situation to the authorities. There was someone she could turn to for help. Sarah slammed the phone down on the kitchen counter and raced up the stairs.
"Jareth, can you hear me? Please, wake the fuck up, I need you." She grabbed him by the shoulders with no regard for his wound and shook him hard. There was no response. "Wake up, damn you!" Sarah slapped his face.
The Goblin King remained motionless.
"I wish I'd never met any of you fucking crazy ass Fae," she sobbed. Her tears splashed onto Jareth's chest and she let her head rest there for a moment. The steady thrum of his heartbeat echoed in her ear. "I don't know what to do," Sarah wept as she held onto him.
She might have some minor magic powers but she knew taking down Nox and Ebony wasn't something she could do alone. Perhaps if she could get hold of something that could harm them, the way the iron bullet had weakened Jareth. But what could she find that was made out of iron? Sarah had a vague memory of reading folklore tales where iron objects, mostly in the form of horseshoes, were hung above doors to repel the Fae. Her mother definitely didn't have any of those lying around. There might be a few small things made out of iron like hooks and nails, but nothing she could fashion into a weapon.
For all she knew, Jenna might already be dead. Even if she wasn't, what hope did Sarah have of saving her sister? She thought about the little girl with her bright blue eyes — eyes that were just like her brother's, and her long, wavy blonde hair. The two of them had never been close and Sarah regretted that. Big sisters were supposed to look out for their younger siblings and she had let Jenna and Toby down. Her sobs came freely for the family she had lost and the bitter pill of knowing she would never get the opportunity to put things right.
Sarah took a few deep breaths and dried her eyes. She couldn't let herself drown in self pity. There was one thing she could do without the Goblin King's help. If Nox was holding Jenna and her sister was still alive, Sarah had to do whatever was necessary to free her.
She reached out to touch Jareth's face. Under different circumstances, perhaps they could have made it work between them. He did gift her with magical powers, for goodness sake. And she was precious to him, even if he didn't see her as an equal.
"Please say 'Hi' to my old friends for me, and tell them I'm sorry I stopped believing. It would have been nice to see them all again but it just wasn't meant to be. Goodbye, Jareth." Sarah pressed a kiss to his lips. She stifled a sob as she got up to leave. "I love you."
The Goblin King's hand shot out and firmly grabbed her wrist.
"Jareth, you have to let me go," Sarah pleaded. "Nox has my sister and he killed the rest of my family. He made my father do it but he might just as well have fired that gun himself. They're all dead because of me," she wailed.
The Goblin King had to breathe hard between words due to the effort of holding onto her. "No, Nox will kill her and make you watch and then he'll kill you, too."
"At least we'd all be together again, even if it is in death." Sarah was almost resigned to her fate.
Jareth's face contorted in pain and anger but his voice was fierce despite his frailty. "Do you think I could ever bear to lose you again?"
"I have to go, don't you understand?" Sarah pulled herself free from his weakening grasp. "Jenna needs me and I've let her down enough already."
"Don't defy me," the Goblin King snarled.
Sarah could see Jareth was in no state to make good on his threats. "You can't stop me, and you're in no condition to help me. I'm gonna tool up the best I can and then I'm gonna try and take that son-of-a-bitch down. I need to find some stuff made out of iron. I can get some salt, too. That will repel him, right?" She was already making a mental checklist. "I'll kill the Midnight Prince, or die trying." Sarah went to the door, ignoring Jareth's pleas for her to stay with him.
"What if I could bring them all back?" He called after her.
Sarah came to a halt at the top of the stairs.
"What if I could make it so they had never died? Your father, your stepmother, and Toby, alive and well again. Jenna would be safe too."
Jareth's offer tempted her to return to the bedroom.
Hope burned bright in her eyes. "You could do that?" Sarah regarded him with awe.
But the Goblin King didn't look capable of doing much of anything as he slumped back against the pillows, weak and exhausted.
"Yes, but not here. Not like this. I need to return home first and regain my strength," he rasped, sleep threatening to claim him once more.
Sarah wanted to believe and to trust in him. However, her attempts to get them back to his castle had already failed and they couldn't just sit around and wait. There was no way she was leaving Jenna in Nox's grasp for a second longer than she had too.
"Come, precious, take my hand," Jareth reached out to her. "We can do it together but we must go now."
"It won't work, and even if it did, I can't leave my sister in that hellhole while we go running back to your kingdom. Nox needs to die, for my family, and for all those other girls he's keeping prisoner there," Sarah argued.
Jareth sighed with exasperation. "I'm offering to restore your family back to life. Isn't that what you desire above everything else?" he questioned.
Sarah took a step closer to him. "At what cost though, huh? That's what I want to know."
"Take my hand Sarah and make the wish with me." He reached out to her again. "We are stronger together."
"I have reordered time. I have turned the world upside down and I have done it all for you..."
Sarah recalled the words Jareth once spoke to her as clear as day.
The lives of her family were at stake. No matter what price he wanted her to pay, wouldn't it be worth it to get them back? He had already told her he wanted her to be his wife and queen. She could do that. But what more might he ask of her?
"So you can bring back my dad, Irene, Toby, and Jenna, but what do you want in return?" Sarah needed to know as she slowly reached out her hand to his. "There is always a price, right?"
Jareth used his last reserves of energy to hold on and entwine his fingers with hers. "I can turn back the clock to before you met the Midnight Prince and everything that has happened since then will be undone," he explained.
"Will I remember any of it?" Sarah wouldn't be sorry to forget the nasty stuff. But the tender moments she and Jareth shared and the discovery of her magic powers were memories she would be sorry to lose.
Jareth sighed. "I alone will carry the memory of this time. Nox and Ebony might be Fae but they are nowhere near as powerful as I am — When I haven't been weakened by cold iron, that is. Now say the words with me, precious."
Her green eyes locked with his asymmetrical ones. Sarah didn't trust him but, ultimately, nothing mattered except restoring her family.
"I wish we were in the Goblin King's castle," she said.
Jareth spoke the words with her and held her gaze as they waited.