Sarah woke up to the buzz of her alarm clock. The bright red numbers claimed that it was 8:22am. She tossed in her sheets until she finally found the resolve to get out of bed. Thankfully, it was only Sunday. She didn't have class today, but she was supposed to go to her parents' house for breakfast. It had been a tradition since she moved out about eight months ago. Sunday was the only day she was able to go and visit with her family. She either had class the other days, or she had to work. Although she wouldn't openly admit it, she missed her family much more than she let on.
She missed Toby the most. When he was first born, Sarah hated the fact that she had to deal with the screaming baby. For reasons Sarah still didn't understand, everything changed one night a few months before Toby turned two. She grew up a lot and realized that she needed to stop taking everything for granted. She sighed as she started get ready to go to her parents'. She showered quickly and got dressed. She pulled a comb through her hair and pulled on a jacket. She slipped her shoes on and grabbed her car keys. She gave one final look around her apartment. She had an odd feeling. Almost like she was forgetting something. She shook the feeling away and left, locking her apartment behind her.
The ride to her old house was uneventful. She listened to the radio and hummed along with her favorite songs. The weather man reported that a big storm was headed their way. There were warnings of flash flooding and power outages.
"We urge residents to stay indoors during the storm." The monotone voice warned. "Power outages are nearly certain. Flooding may occur in parts of downtown near the river." The voice continued.
Sarah shut the radio off and looked at the sky. If there was a storm coming, the sky surely wasn't aware. There didn't seem to be a cloud in sight. She knew that if her parents heard of the storm there was no way they would let her leave. If even a drop of water fell, she would be stuck there. She considered turning around and telling them she didn't feel well. The idea was short-lived though. Toby would be devastated if he didn't get to see her. When she finally arrived she was greeted by an onslaught of blonde curls.
"Hey Tobes," Sarah greeted.
"Hey Sarah! You have to come see what daddy and I built."
Sarah followed the boy to the backyard where a newly constructed tree-house sat perched in one of the oaks trees. Toby seemed so excited, Sarah couldn't help but to share his enthusiasm. The child couldn't stand still for more than a moment.
"Come on, Sarah. You can come up. There's a ladder over here." Toby was on his way toward the ladder when their dad came outside.
"Hey kiddo, I thought you said no girls in the clubhouse. Remember, boys only?"
Toby looked utterly confused, and Sarah couldn't help but to laugh. "Your sister's a girl, or did you forget?" Richard questioned with a chuckle.
"Yeah, but she doesn't count. She's not like a real girl." Toby stated firmly.
The two couldn't help but to laugh at the boy.
"Did I miss something?" Karen said from behind them.
"No, Toby's just being a goof." Sarah said with a smile.
"Am not!" Toby called from his new spot inside the treehouse.
Karen wrapped Sarah in a hug. "How's everything, sweetheart?"
Sarah considered the question. She really didn't have anything to complain about. Work was the same. School was the same. Everything was pretty much the same.
"Same old I suppose." Sarah said with a sigh.
"So you don't have a boyfriend yet?" Karen asked with a laugh.
Sarah couldn't help but to blush. No, she didn't have a boyfriend. In fact, she doubted she would anytime soon.
"No, I don't, but thanks for asking." Both her father and her stepmother laughed at how bashful she was acting.
Sarah knew she should be used to being bombarded by these questions. It seemed like every time she saw her family, they always asked her the exact questions. How's school? Good. How's work? Mediocre. Do you have a boyfriend? No.
"You know we're just kidding, Sarah." Her father chimed in.
"You're such a pretty thing," Karen continued. "I just don't see why you're not being bombarded by suitors."
"Well, first off," Sarah started, "No one says 'suitors' anymore. If you must know, I just don't have time for a boyfriend. I can barely keep track of myself, let alone another human being."
"Guys!" Toby shouted from the treehouse. "Can we eat breakfast soon?"
"Sure kiddo, come on down." Richard called.
Their father helped Toby down from the tree house while Sarah and Karen went inside to set the table.
"You know we're just worried about you." Karen said while placing plates on the table.
"I know." Sarah said, gathering the silverware.
"Besides, it's our right as parents to embarrass our children every once in a while." Karen added with a smile.
Sarah smiled at her stepmother. At that moment Toby ran into the dining room and begged Sarah to let him help with the table. Sarah conceded and handed Toby the spoons and forks. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of gold and white from the window. She looked to see an owl perched atop one of the tree branches. For a moment, Sarah's mind went blank as she tried remembering something. There was something about that owl, but she just couldn't place it. The girl nearly growled in frustration.
"You okay, Sarah?" Her father asked. "You're spacing out on us."
Sarah nodded and sat down at the table. Toby made sure she sat in the seat closest to him. She watched as he covered his pancakes in gooey syrup and got his hands covered in the stuff. For some reason, Sarah could barely bring herself to eat. She had a strange feeling, like something bad was going to happen. She didn't even notice when rain began pouring down in sheets.
"Huh, would you look at that. The sky was blue a minute ago."
At her father's words, Sarah turned to see the rain. It was already beginning to pool in the streets.
"Great." Sarah mumbled under her breath.
"Does that mean Sarah's staying here?" Toby questioned excitedly.
"Unless the storm clears up," Their father continued. "Looks like she's staying. There's no way we're letting you drive home in this." He said, attention turning to his daughter.
"I think I'll be fine dad, I mean its only rain." As if on cue, lightning struck somewhere close by and the power flickered out. Thankfully it was only late morning, so some light still filtered through the windows.
"Nonsense," Karen interjected, "It's clearly not safe for you to be out there. It won't hurt to stay in your old room for a night."
With those words, Sarah's fate was sealed. She was spending the night here. She didn't really mind, but she would much rather sleep in her own apartment. She did still keep some clothes and other things here just in case she did stay, so at least she had some of her personal effects.
"Sarah, will you tell me a story tonight?" Toby asked with bright eyes.
Sarah nodded, and smiled at the boy. Sarah loved telling stories and Toby liked hearing them. She decided that while she was here she may as well indulge him. Wheels began spinning in her head. She had a rule to never tell the same story twice, so she needed to come up with one before Toby's bed time. With the storm, she doubted either of them would have school tomorrow.
"I'll come up with a great story, Tobes." Sarah said with a grin.
"Well, until then," Karen started, "I think we need to go find some candles and flash lights."
For the remainder of the day, the family lounged around the house. Sarah played board games with Toby until he got bored. Karen made everyone snacks throughout the day and they ate sandwiches for dinner. With the storm, it got dark too early. The day seemed to fly by. Before Sarah knew it, it was eight o'clock and time for Toby to go to bed. Sarah spun a colorful tale about dragons, and princesses, and trolls, and noble knights. By the time she was finished, Toby could barely keep his eyes open. She gave him a light kiss on his forehead and told him goodnight.
Her father and Karen were already in bed. With Toby in school, Karen decided to start her new job last week. It was a tiring and trying week for everyone. Sarah quietly climbed down the stairs and made her way to the kitchen. She grabbed a soda from the still-cold refrigerator and grabbed a flashlight and some candles from the counter. Since she couldn't go home, she may as well use her time wisely. She decided to get some much needed studying in. She lit a few candles until the kitchen was illuminated in the soft light. She started paging through her literature book until she saw something move from the corner of her eye.
She turned, but she didn't see anything out of place. She ignored the gnawing feeling in her stomach and tried to focus on Geoffrey Chaucer. Each time she began to concentrate she swore she would see something shift in the shadows.
"I must be crazy." She mumbled.
"Oh, on the contrary, Sarah." The girl whipped her head around to see a man leaning against the counter. Part of her told her to shout for help. There was a strange man currently standing in her parents' kitchen. An uninvited strange man. However, the other part was transfixed on him for some reason. He seemed familiar, but there was no way Sarah had seen this man before.
"W-who are you?" Sarah questioned. She didn't mean for her voice to shake, but she couldn't help it. While she was fascinated with this man, she was also somewhat terrified of him.
"I think you know very well who I am, and why I'm here." The man drawled out each word. Sarah found herself concentrating extra hard on what he was saying. Why was he here? She honestly didn't know.
"I don't." Sarah said while shaking her head. "I have no idea who you are, or what you want."
"What a pity. Then I guess I shall explain it to you." The man said while stepping closer to where she was sitting. Sarah was practically mesmerized by the man's beautifully mismatched eyes.
"I'm here for my heir. The one you stole from me." The man stated simply.
What on earth was he talking about? Sarah had never met this man before, let alone stole anything from him.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about." Sarah said. A lump had formed in her throat. Something wasn't right. Besides that fact that this man had invaded her family's home. Something was wrong.
"Then I shall put it in simple terms. I am Jareth, the Goblin King, and I am here for my property. The heir you stole from me years ago." He paused. "I am here for the babe, Sarah. I cannot rightfully produce an heir without a Queen so I must make other… arrangements."
Sarah's mind was finally catching up. He was here for Toby! He was planning on taking her little brother. Sarah would never allow it. She honestly didn't know why she believed this man. Goblin King? Those were fairy tales for children. However, Sarah somehow knew that he was telling the truth, and that scared her. She would have almost preferred a robber in the house.
"You… you can't take Toby." Her response was weak, but, for once in her life, she was at a loss for words.
"Oh, you greatly underestimate me Sarah. I can take him, and I will." The man moved. Almost as if to walk right up the stairs and steal Toby away.
"Wait!" Sarah croaked. Her throat was dry. She couldn't believe what she was about to do. "You said you can't produce an heir without a queen? Why don't I…" Her voice trailed off. She was trying to muster the courage to say her right words.
"Why don't I go with you instead. I will become your queen and Toby can stay here." She brought her eyes up to his again. "Please."
Jareth laughed and Sarah flinched at the sound. He really didn't expect it to be this easy.
"You? What makes you think that you are fit to be my queen?" Jareth sneered.
"Please, I'll do whatever you want. Just leave Toby here. You can't take him, he won't understand."
Jareth really couldn't believe she was being so compliant. He expected more of a challenge. She must have really changed during her time in the Labyrinth. He wasn't complaining though. He almost preferred her this way.
"So be it." Jareth started. "All you must do is fear me and love me. Can you do that Sarah?"
The girl nodded and Jareth smirked. "Good, then we really must get going."
Sarah jerked her head up. "But you have to let me say goodbye. What if I never see them again?"
Jareth barely registered her words. Honestly, he wasn't even planning on acknowledging her until she gently placed her hand on his arm.
"Please, I'll only be a moment. I won't even wake them. I promise."
Before he could register what he was doing, Jareth nodded and she bounded up the stairs. What was wrong with him? With just one touch, she was able to melt his resolve. He worried that she would wake her parents or the child. Which would cause Jareth to do things he didn't want to have to do to her family. However, in moments, she joined him back in the kitchen. Just like she promised. He took one look at her and wondered why he was even doing this. He had longed for this moment for so long, but she was being so compliant. He never expected it would be so easy, which made it harder. Tears rimmed her green eyes. He needed to get her back to the Underground before he changed his mind. He slipped his gloved fingers around her wrist, and it seconds they were gone.
A/N: So, yeah... please enjoy! I don't have a beta, or someone else to read this over and edit it, so please let me know about any mistakes. I try my best not to make them. Reviews are much appreciated!