Chapter Three: Mixed Up Dreams And Heartbreaking Questions
He stood in his chamber room, a familiar brown haired girl stood with her back to him. His heart leapt to the base of his throat. He knew that girl. He wanted to hold her… kiss her… love her. He wanted to squeeze her tightly and never let go. He wanted to show her just how much he missed her with every passing day. How much she meant to him. He took a step forward, then another, and another… until he was just behind her. Slowly, he lifted his arms, placing his hands on her shoulders, sliding them down the length of her biceps, before wrapping around her, his hands clasped together beneath her breasts. His chin rested on her shoulder, his lips beside her ear.
"I've missed you, my love." He said, kissing the top of her head lightly. He heard her laugh lightly. Her hands grabbed onto his pulling them away slowly. She turned, her hair curtaining her face. He lifted her chin upward with his hand, pressing his lips to her gently. She broke away slowly, leaning against him.
"I've missed you too…"
He looked down into her eyes, feeling his heart drop suddenly as air became lost to him.
Her eyes…
They were not the shade of green he knew so well…
One was blue…
The other was brown.
Panting, Jareth shot up into a sitting position, his chest rising and falling at a rapid rate. His heart was pounding within his torso as he blinked the sweat from his eyes. What the hell just happened? He combed his hair out of his face, staring at the blankets in front of him. He had gone to bed last night after twelve. He dozed off, and began dreaming. He was so sure it was Sarah in his dream. But… her eyes… they were Aerynn's eyes. Why in all of the Underground was he dreaming of a sixteen year old? He was more than a millennia older than her, give or take a few centuries.
Slamming his forehead into his palm, he shut his eyes tightly, before shaking his head, trying to remove the dream from his conscious thoughts. The clock chimed, forcing his eyes open to look at the time. 13:00. Midday. He had slept for eleven hours. 'I guess that makes me lucky then. Usually these days, it's three hours at most…' He sighed, ripping the covers from his body, and sliding off the bed.
He trudged over to his wardrobe, pulling out a pair of black pants and a black shirt. Removing the sweat soaked pants that he had worn to bed, he tossed the moist clothing across the room, mentally noting to deal with it later. Pulling on his attire, he conjured up a crystal, holding it in his finger tips. A surge of energy made the tips tingle as an image flashed in the globe. Sarah was teaching her morning class as usual. He turned the positioning, seeing Aerynn sitting in the back of the room, looking bored. He smiled slightly.
Jareth, too wired from the confusion of his dream to the crystal in his hand, had not heard a certain dwarf enter his chambers, walk over to the end of his bed, and wait patiently. He hadn't felt the presence of another, until he heard someone clearing his throat. Looking up, he stared at Hoggle for a brief moment, before the image disappeared, along with the crystal itself. He inhaled slowly, not wanting to know just how long the dwarf had been standing there.
"Yes, Hoggle?" He asked quietly, resting his head upon his index fingertip. The dwarf fidgeted slightly, mumbling under his breath.
"Well… you see… All Hallow's Eve is coming up in the mortal world… and Ludo, Didymus and I were wonderings if we could visit Sarah…?" Jareth closed his eyes slowly.
"Hoggle, you should know by now that I really don't care what you and your friends do. However, Sarah is a grown woman, and though I doubt she's forgotten any of us, I don't think she would appreciate having anyone just drop in." 'Which is really such a pity… I was looking forward to seeing Sarah again… if not, then at least Toby…' He thought with a sad sigh.
"Why is that, Your Majesty?"
"Because… it seems as Sarah has been trying to keep the knowledge of our world hidden from that of her daughter…" 'Though… if Aerynn is truly like her mother, then the secrets won't be hidden for long…'
"Oh… I see." Hoggle said sadly, before leaving the chamber. Jareth sighed, glancing out of his window, across the large Labyrinth, and out at the outskirts of the Underground. Perhaps… he would check up on Sarah. Though he was not permitted to ever make contact with her again… he still periodically made sure that she was doing alright. He still sat and watched over her in his owl form from outside her window. He considered leaving then, but remembered that time moved faster in the faery world. So where as it was midday, it was still early morning there.
'Damn… well… I could use the exercise, but I think I'll save it for later…' Jareth thought, summoning another crystal into his hand. His gaze followed within it, and he began another day of watching over the woman that he still loved…
And the young girl he could not stop thinking of…
Hoggle padded down the long hallway, arriving in the throne room, where his fellow friends Sir Didymus and Ludo sat in wait. Their hopeful expressions caused his heart to ache, and he sadly shook his head side to side. Ludo whined in grief as his shoulders slumped further, giving him an even more pitiful appearance.
"But why?" Didymus asked, his eyes sparkling with tears.
"Jareth said that Sarah was trying to keeps us hidden from her daughter." Hoggle explained, his voice quivering slightly. He remembered Sarah's words, all those years ago after she had defeated the Goblin King…
I need you Hoggle. I don't know why, but every now and then, for no reason at all, I need you… All of you…
Had she forgotten her own words that she had said? Had she found a reason not to need them any longer? He shook his head slightly, slowly making his way out of the throne room toward the Goblin City. Didymus and Ludo followed behind him. "I don't know why Sarah would hide us from anyone… but the thought that she would do something like that just…" Hoggle fell at a loss of words.
"It doesn't make much sense to me either…" Sir Didymus replied, sighing sadly.
"Ludo miss… Sarah…" Hoggle sniffed, his hand rubbing the beast's furry arm slightly.
"Me too, Big Guy…" He wiped a tear away, picturing his old friend's face. He wondered what she looked like now, how much she had changed, and what was still the same about her. He glanced back behind him, thinking how Jareth had not gone insane from spending so many years watching from a distance…
Chapter Four: A Gift Tucked Inside My Locker
"C'mon Aerynn! You've got to do the Talent Show again this year!" Cya said, pawing at my arm. I smiled slightly, amused with how puppy-like she seemed sometimes. She gave me the big adorable puppy eyes, and I laughed quietly, ruffling her hair. Danny chuckled, swallowing a bite of his sandwich. Haley smirked, taking a drink of her water. I sighed, folding my hands on the table, before looking over at her again.
"Why would I want to embarrass myself in front of the entire school?" I asked of her, and she bopped me on the head with the palm of her hand.
"Listen, girly, you literally rocked the house last year! Don't you remember the standing ovations you got with every single performance? Though they won't admit it to you, the school choir says you put them to shame!" She said, grinning ear to ear. I rolled my eyes, poking at the pudding that was on my tray.
"She's right you know. And the vocal duet you did with Haley in freshman year got you kudos from the seniors." Danny added, sucking down his Root Beer. I laughed, remembering when I sang If You Were Gay from Avenue Q. Haley was the voice of Rod, and I pranced around the stage, singing Nicky's role. Even then, we had a large number of applause.
"And besides, you wouldn't be embarrassing yourself. People love you, girly!" I cracked my knuckles slowly, staring at the untouched pudding.
"I don't know, you guys… I mean. It's a lot of stress; I already have a lot of stuff to work on. Mom wants me to do this year's school play— because apparently Ms. Madison is planning on doing Little Shop of Horrors or something…" Cya wrapped an arm around my neck, putting a finger to my lips. A smirk was on her face as she began to hum the music in my ear. I bit my lip, forcing myself to resist the urge to slap her.
"You know you want to…" Haley goaded, poking me in the arm. I sighed, defeated. I knew just what song she wanted me to sing, and though I fought, I gave up.
"When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me. Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me. Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. And when brokenhearted people living in this world agree, there will be an answer, let it be. For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see. There will be an answer, let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. There will be an answer, let it be, yeah."I stood from my seat, walking over to the end of the table, losing myself in the words, singing softly, but my voice grew with every word.
"Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be." Cya stood as well, but remained where she had been sitting.
"And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me. Shine on until tomorrow, let it be." I smiled as her voice faded. I closed my eyes slowly, raising my arms out.
"I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary, Mother Mary, comes to me. Speaking words of wisdom, I want you to let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah let it be. There will be an answer, let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be." My hands slowly dropped to my sides, and I opened my eyes to find not just my friends staring at me, but every other occupied table of students, and even the few staff members that roamed in the cafeteria. I blushed, rushing over to my seat again, burying my face in my hands. But the sounds I heard were what I wasn't expecting. One by one, until I was sure it was the entire population of the cafeteria, I heard applause.
"Dude, Aerynn! Look, everyone loved it!" Danny said in my ear, and I could hear his smile in his voice. I looked up, my face beet red from embarrassment. But gradually my embarrassment turned to happiness as a smile stretched across my face. I waved shyly at a few people, when a shadow loomed behind me. I turned to see a familiar pale blonde girl, and my heart dropped.
"Hi Clare…" I said quietly. She glanced down at me, surprising me with a slight smile.
"Hi Aerynn." She looked over at Danny, tugging on his arm. "Da-a-anny… I wanna go to the library, but I want someone to go with me…" She said. Danny swallowed a bite of pudding, before looking over at her, a slightly scowl on his face. Neither of us were any happier after what had happened earlier in the morning.
"Can't you take like Allie or Haley with you?" He snapped slightly, swallowing more pudding, this time the heap was at least three times if not four times bigger than the last bite. I glanced at Cya, who remained motionless, staring between Danny and Clare. I found great pleasure that the rest of the cafeteria had gone back to their own business. However, our musical performance had become the topic of conversation on many tables as far as I knew.
"Because… I barely get to hang out with you anymore." I sighed under my breath, rubbing my temples slowly.
"Clare… I was at your house all weekend. I'm going to be at your birthday party on Friday night. If you haven't noticed by now, I'm a little busy eating. So if you wouldn't mind, please, taking someone else. Besides, I needed to talk to Aerynn about something…" The sound of my name must have made something within her snap, for she turned on her heel and stormed off, just as she had done a few hours previous.
"Well… that was… enlightening…" Haley commented quietly. Danny shrugged, taking another bite. I glanced over at him for a brief moment.
"Did you really need to talk to me about something?" He smiled, and nodded.
"Yeah, I was wondering if I could hang at your place today. I talked to Ms. Williams about it after class this morning, and she said it was fine. I wasn't sure if you were doing anything or—" I smiled brightly, trying to keep the blush from rushing across my face.
"No, I'm free." I said softly. Cya and Haley snickered quietly. I kicked them both from under the table, making them shut up instantly. Danny nodded a few times, looking pleased with himself.
"So, are you doing the Talent Show, Aery?" Cya said, changing the subject. I gave her the look that said the basic 'Thank you'. She nodded once, smiling at me.
"I don't know… I mean… I guess I could try… but what would I sing?" I said, folding my hands on the table again.
"Dear Prudence?" Haley suggested with a shrug. I shook my head slowly.
"No, I think Allie was going to sing that."
"Umm… how about that one song that you like so much… umm… ah!" Cya snapped her fingers once, pointing at me with a satisfied smile. "What A Feeling, from that movie Flashdance." I considered it for a moment, but shook my head slowly.
"I don't know guys. Should I really?"
"YES!" They shouted together, making me feel about three feet taller than I actually was. I sighed, placing my chin on my hand, pushing my tray aside as I stared at the far wall. I wasn't sure that I was going to do it though. As good of an idea as it sounded, I couldn't be sure just what I would sing, if I would sing solo or in a duet again… I stood slowly from my seat, taking my tray with me to deposit the trash into the bin and leave the slab of plastic on the small wooden table. After doing so, I slumped out of the cafeteria, having about another ten minutes until my next class.
With nothing better to do, I subconsciously walked down the halls to my locker, the peeling paint was faded with age, and the ugly brown carpet was stained with only God knew what. I passed the tens, twenties, and thirties, reaching the black metal cabinet that was 46B. Turning the dial for my combination, I opened the door, and an envelope fluttered out, falling to my feet. I bent down, retrieving the letter. It had my name in elegant script on the front. Opening it slowly, I pulled out sheet music and a small note.
'Perform this for your Talent Show.'
It was signed with a fancy 'J', nothing more and nothing less. I flipped the note over, reading it several times, before finally being convinced that there truly were only six words written on the page. I sighed, glancing over the sheet music a few times. I had never before heard the song Underground. Being a child who grew up learning and loving music, I could tell you the greatest hits for every major artist, and a few of those who weren't as famous but still had good music. But never had I seen such… interesting detail.
"What the hell…?" I said to myself, studying the music. Though I knew of no one with the first letter in their name that started with J who had any music talent, I was fascinated by the mastery of it. I shut my locker door, still staring at the pages of sheet music as I began to walk back down the hallways…
He had been watching closely to the young girl. He had witnessed the fight between her and her friend Clare, up to the point where she had been singing during her lunch break. He had closed his eyes when she sang with such power, treasuring the beauty of her voice. Her little friend Cya wasn't half bad either… but Aerynn held a sense of power and wisdom when she sang. Like she wasn't afraid of the world and what it could do. Like she wasn't afraid to stand up and be herself, expressing her true colors in whatever fashion she chose.
He let the images fade, shaping the crystal into a small stack of pages containing the notes and lyrics to a piece of work he had finished some odd decades ago. He stared down upon it, a faint smile forming on his thin lips. His hair was tied back with a black and gold ribbon, keeping a large portion of the dirty blonde mane out of his mismatched eyes. He scanned over the notes and the words, making a few adjustments here and there where the ink had faded or the work didn't flow the way he wanted it.
He set his pen down, staring at the edit marks and scribbles. There was a light knock on his chamber door. He glanced across the room, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Come in." He ordered. A sniveling goblin carried a silver tray towards the Goblin King, setting it on the table in front of his master.
"Dinner, sir." The goblin said, taking a deep bow. Jareth bowed his head into a single nod, and the goblin hurried out of the chamber, eager to leave his master in peace. The King stared down at the plate of food, no appetite clawing at his stomach. Instead, he stood up from the table, and walked over to the open window. He stared across the Labyrinth, the sun setting behind the horizon. Stepping up onto the ledge of the window, he glanced down at the rocks below him. They were a few hundred feet down, jagged and uneven. He stepped off the ledge, grabbing a piece of paper and his pen, scribbling a note down. He shoved the music and the note into an envelope, tucking it into the inside of his waistband.
He walked back over to the window, standing up on the ledge again. He inhaled deeply through his nose, and exhaled just as slowly. "Time to fly…" He told himself, leaning out, and free falling towards the rocks. He relaxed his entire body and mind, feeling himself shorten, the wind ruffling through his feathers as he glided upward, the world clearly defined and colorful as he broke through the barriers that contained the Underground from the rest of the mortal world.
He soared along through the residential streets where Sarah and Aerynn were living. He flew up, gliding left as he neared the school. He saw hundreds of students out along the lawn, enjoying the rest of lunch outside. He descended towards and open window in the locker bay. He had seen Aerynn's locker during the few times he watched over her. He eased through the window, quickly transforming back into his human form. He slid along down the hall, stopping at her locker.
Quickly, he shoved the envelope into one of the vents of the door, before hearing footsteps drawing closer. Rushing to the window, he transformed into an owl again, taking off towards a tree. He landed on a branch, turning to see who had been walking through the hallways, when he nearly dropped from the tree all together.
Aerynn had come, and she had stopped by her locker.
Chapter Five: The Pendant
The rest of the day flew by in a boring blur of lectures and homework assignments that I didn't care to pay attention to. Danny and I had walked to our lockers, retrieving our bags. I remained silent, my thoughts continuously drifting to the sheet music that I had found. Danny was chatting with Cya, who had already gathered her stuff and was about to leave when she realized she needed his advice on something. However, due to the fact that I paid little attention, I barely noticed her come and go, leaving the two of us walking slowly back to my house.
The air had grown warmer by a few degrees, a slight wind brushing my hair over my shoulder. I walked beside Danny, who had been listening to his iPod for most of the trip, when I noticed that he removed the headphones, and glanced over at me. "Hey, Aerynn… So… Are you still going to Clare's party Friday night?" He asked. I sighed, shoving my hands in my pockets.
"I don't know. The way she's suddenly started acting towards me… it's…" I exhaled sharply. "I don't know. I mean, I've done worse shit than reading someone's diary, and she's given her opinions about it, but she hasn't acted like a bitch about it…" I explained, seeing the small glares Danny gave me. I mentally rolled my eyes at him. He hated it when I cursed so vulgarly around him.
"I noticed. But… still… It wouldn't be the same. You and Clare have been friends since the sixth grade, Aerynn."
"We've been friends since fourth, and I've been to just how many of your parties? And you've been to how many of mine?" He sighed quietly, casting his gaze downwards.
"Well… both of our mothers felt uncomfortable having opposite genders over for over-night parties." I kicked a rock, watching it skid along the sidewalk and across the street. Danny had a point though. Sarah wasn't too fond of me staying at a guy friend's house if she hadn't met him and his family (and possibly learned everything about them from the moment of their birth).
"Good point…" I said softly, glancing up into the sky. Amidst the usually flock of birds, I saw one that stood out from the rest. While the other birds were tiny, black or brown, I saw an snowy white and tan brown barn owl fluttering around, before landing on a nearby tree. It turned its head towards our direction, and for a moment I thought it was staring at me.
"Aerynn… Aerynn!" I turned to Danny's voice, finding him at the front porch of my house. "Where are you going? You're house is right here." I blushed slightly, glancing back at where the owl was perched, finding it gone. I frowned slightly, before walking towards the front door, pulling out my key.
"Sorry, something caught my attention." I explained.
"I noticed." Danny said, laughing lightly. I rolled my eyes, shoving the key into the doorknob, and turned. I took a look to the street, noticing Uncle Toby's car was gone. 'Guess he went home while Sarah and I were gone…' I thought, motioning for Danny to head into the house while I struggled to pull the key out of the knob.
"So…" Danny said, tossing his backpack onto the couch. "You said this morning that you found some of your mom's old costumes. Mind if I take a look at them?" He asked casually, leaning against the wall. I nodded, dropping my backpack on the floor, leading him to my bedroom. I flicked the light switch on, walking over to my bed, and pulling the box out from underneath. Danny sat in the chair to my desk as I began to pull the dresses out one by one. There was a light green one, a red and gold on, and a large poofy one made of dark purple velvet fabric with black lace by the ruffled sleeves. Dark rhinestones decorated the torso, and it naturally flowed away from the body after waist-point. I held it up to my chest, staring at the front in the full length mirror.
"Nice…" Danny commented, glancing at the plainness of the other two dresses. I blushed slightly, setting the dress aside, pulling out the rest of the costumes, showing them to my friend. He admired a few of the masks, taking interest into the colors and designs. "Hey… would your mom mind if I borrowed some of these for Halloween?" He asked, looking up at me, his blue eyes glowing with ideas.
"I have to tell her I found them in the first place, but I don't think she would mind. I want to wear this one, anyways, but I need to do some work to it first." I said, running my fingers over the purple dress slowly. Danny nodded a few times, setting the masks and clothes on top of my bed. I gazed into the cardboard box, seeing a small black box that had not been there before. Pulling it out slowly, I glanced up at Danny, seeing that he was just as curious as I was. I opened the lid to the wooden box, seeing the interior cushion with cotton and silk, a pendant resting dead center inside. A small envelope sat beneath it.
"What the hell…?" Danny muttered, and I refrained the urge to laugh aloud. Danny normally never swore so openly.
"Don't know… should I see what it says?" I asked, pulling the note out.
"Well, yeah!" I chuckled, opening it slowly, pulling out a piece of aged paper with the same elegant script written across the page. It was short, and simple, also signed with a fancy 'J'.
"I want this to belong to you… as a reminder of me…" I read aloud. Judging by the yellow of the paper, it had to be a few decades old, so it may have been meant for Sarah. But all the same, it had not been underneath the costumes and toys when I had looked through it the day before. I would have noticed for sure. I lifted the pendant out of the box, staring at it. It was a metal crescent, turned downward with a golden insignia in the top center of it. It was a few centimeters smaller than the width of my hand. I flipped it over, seeing the same thing on the other side. Where in most cases I would have seen a silver chain or a piece of string, there was a thick brown leather cord tied in a knot that was big enough to allow my head through.
"Whose was it?" Danny asked, leaning closer to get a better look. Something in the back of my mind gave me a thought, but I pushed it aside. 'Perhaps… no… it couldn't be…'
"I don't know. It doesn't say, really. It just says 'J'. But what's interesting…" I took the piece of yellowed paper (or perhaps it was parchment. I couldn't tell) with me, back out to the living room to retrieve my backpack. Danny padded behind me, sitting on the couch while I thumbed through the contents of my stuff, pulling out the sheet music and note. I glanced at the handwriting. "I got sheet music in my locker sometime before lunch… and it's from the same exact person." I finished, handing Danny the note that was with the pendant and the music.
"Hmm, you're right. Though… I don't know of anyone who's a musical genius—"
"With their name starting with J. I know, neither do I." I finished for him, taking the music back, and sliding it into my backpack again. I glanced at the piano, which was positioned in the corner of the living room. "It came with a note saying to perform it for the Talent Show…" I said softly, pulling it out again, and crossing over to the black glossy piano. I ran my fingers over the keys. I was more interested in learning the guitar, but I had grown learning the piano first. I sat down on the bench, placing the music on the stand in front of me. Softly, I played the opening, feeling the rhythm of the song.
"No one can blame you, for walking away. But too much rejection, no love injection. Life can be easy. It's not always swell. Don't tell me truth hurts little girl. Cause it hurts like hell—" I continued playing, but my voice faded away until I stopped singing altogether, just playing. My fingers stroked each of the keys, forming a dance across the white and black surface. Danny walked over, standing beside me as I played.
'It's only forever, not long at all…' I stopped playing suddenly, turning away from the piano. Danny glanced at me as I gazed out the window. That voice… was not my own. It was deep, velvety… almost like a harmony to my ears. I stared across the street, seeing the white and brown barn owl that had been watching me (I was sure of it) on my way home.
"Aerynn? Are you alright?" He asked, placing a hand on my shoulder. I blinked once, turning my head away. I had to think of an excuse aside from hearing a strange but sweet voice inside my head. I planted a fake smile on my face, looking up at him again.
"Yeah… but Sarah is going to kill me if I don't get my homework done before she gets home." Danny nodded once, a look of concern in his eyes as he walked back over to get his binder, and I sighed, dropping the smile as I stared at the owl again, a chill running down my spine.
I had a small theory I knew exactly who that owl was…
And I hated lying to my best friend about it.
Though he was an owl, a smile stretched across his face as he flew off from the house, towards the direction of the barrier to the Underground. He had followed them home, catching Aerynn's eye at the last second. She had found the pendant that he had ordered Hoggle to leave for her. And just before he left, she had begun to play Underground. He hadn't meant to frighten her, but he had sung a particular line to her, and he watched as she stopped playing altogether, looking disturbed and frightened.
'Why are you getting all worked up over a girl, Jareth? You did the exact same thing with Sarah all those years ago. Don't you think it's a bit… creepy… stalking her daughter?' He mentally kicked himself, transforming as he entered the open window of his chambers. He sighed, leaning against the framing of his bed, his shoulders aching from the flight.
'Yes, she's Sarah's little girl… but you've got to think… what if Sarah has twisted her mind to make you seem like a bad person?' Jareth paused, staring out of his window again.
"Sarah doesn't know of Aerynn's little discoveries yet…" He said softly with a smile spreading on his face.
He glanced at his wardrobe, devising a plan. He had seen Aerynn in her room, going through some of her mother's old costumes. She seemed pretty interested in the dark purple colored one. Sarah had made it as a sort of reminder to herself of the ball. 'And then she decided to give up on those that she befriended and loved of the Labyrinth… she has yet to realized just how much pain she's caused to Hoggle… The dwarf loved her more than she knew…' He thought, opening his wardrobe, and staring at the contents inside.
He pulled out several different outfits, before eventually piecing together a similar outfit to the one he wore when he drugged Sarah with the peach. He smirked, pulling out one of his Goblin-esque masks.
He was going to make a little visit on All Hallow's Eve…
Chapter Six: The End Of Sarah's Story…
I had already finished my math and science homework, and I had begun to work on my history essay when Sarah walked through the door, holding her work bag and a small bag of groceries. I rolled my eyes slightly. Didn't we have enough food as it was? Danny looked up from his art project, a sly smile on his face. "Hello Mrs. Williams!" He said excitedly, standing up to brush himself off. Sarah smiled.
"Danny, how many times must I tell you to call me Sarah?" She said, grinning. Danny took the groceries from her hand, setting them on the counter in the kitchen. I couldn't see his reaction.
"Just once more, Mrs. Williams." I heard him say, and Sarah laughed lightly. She walked back around into the living room. She looked worn out from a long day of work, and I really couldn't blame her. She sighed, giving me a soft smile. I chuckled for a second, remembering that I needed to talk to her about the costumes.
"Oh, Mom. I found some of old costumes in the attic yesterday, I was wondering if I could borrow them for Halloween. Danny wanted to use one of the masks." I said, deciding it better not to mention the fact that they were in a box that I presumed she wanted hidden. She stared at me blankly for a moment, and I thought I saw a flash of worry, but it was replaced with a smile.
"Of course, honey. Use whatever you like. Are you going to the dance on Friday night, or were you still going to Clare's party?" She asked softly as Danny came back out, sitting down on the floor in front of his project. I glanced at him, and his look told me the same exact thought that I had.
"Uhh… I'm going to the dance on Friday, and spending Halloween with a few other friends. I… well, I kinda got into a fight with Clare this morning, and right now I don't want to deal with her right now." I said. Danny stood back up again, walking over to my mother.
"Uh, Mrs. W— Sarah, may I talk to you for a moment…?" He asked. Sarah nodded once, leading him to the kitchen. I tried looking around the corner, but gave up and went back to my essay, of which I still had not finished. I just knew that Mr. Conner was going to kill me if I didn't get this in, completed, by Wednesday (which was tomorrow).
I sighed, groaning in defeat. Sarah and Danny came back around the corner, laughing and talking together. Sarah saw my frustration, and looked at my paper, before smirking. "Ray gave you another assignment didn't he?" She said, and I looked at her, moaning. She laughed again, taking my essay up in her hands. "I'll call him. But I need an excuse…" She said, staring down at me.
"Talent Show… Need to practice." I muttered, glancing at the sheet music on the piano stand. My only fear was that I'd hear strange voices in my head while trying to perform in front of the entire school and their families.
"You're doing it again this year?"
"Yes."
"Alright, well. I'll call Ray. Dinner in an hour. Danny, are you staying for dinner?"
"If you wouldn't mind." He said politely, and I couldn't help but smile. Sarah shook her head, dialing a number into the phone. I stood up, stretching my legs, before leading Danny back to my room, carrying my backpack with me as I went.
"So, what's with you deciding to spend the entire day with me? Usually you're dogging Natalie." I said after closing my door. Danny shrugged, collapsing into my chair again. He smiled as I sat down, handing him a few of the masks and vests. I ran my fingers over the dress again, making mental notes about what needed to be fixed, changed, and replaced all together.
"Well… actually…" He began, staring at a mask with a bird nose, painted assorted shades of orange, yellow, and red. The edges were lined with a thin blue color, glitter by the eye holes. "Natalie and I… it's over between the two of us. I found out last week that she was cheating on me with the football Captain, Shawn. But I guess it really doesn't surprise me." My heart felt like it was dropped four hundred stories, run over by a cement truck, and stabbed with a dull knife.
"Danny… why didn't you tell me about this?" I said, bolting to his side, and embracing him tightly. "I could have been there for you, I…"
"No, I didn't want to bother you about it. You seem so distracted lately."
"Danny, I found a box of my mother's old fantasy things when she as my age, of course I'm a little distracted." He laughed, hugging me back. I pulled away, stroking his hair gently. He stared out the window, his eyes distant and glazed with tears. "And, just out of curiosity… what did you need to talk to my mother about?" He looked up at me and smiled.
"I asked her for her permission to take you out for the Halloween dance this Friday." My eyes widened, and I felt very light all of a sudden. I slowly backed away, sitting down on my bed, gazing at my bedroom floor. The room felt like it was slowly spinning in circles, threatening me to the void of unconsciousness. I inhaled softly, and exhaled, closing my eyes. This had to have been a dream…
"Aerynn?" I opened my eyes, looking at him. "Would you… like to go with me?" I grinned brightly, practically tackling him to the floor in a hug.
"YES! OH MY GOD, YES!" I shouted. Danny pushed me away gently, staring at me for the briefest of moments, before closing the distance, capturing my lips with his. The room seemed to melt away around us. I felt my foot lift up into the air slightly, but it was almost like I had no control over my body any longer. I had lost the sense of nerves because of the one action of a kiss.
(Thursday Afternoon, After School)
School had been interesting that morning. Danny had asked me if I wanted to start dating him (right as Clare and Allie walked up). Naturally I agreed, giving him a hug and another kiss (apparently much to Danny's pleasure, too). We had barely left each other's side unless we had different classes. Cya and Haley couldn't have been happier for the two of us.
On my walk home, I noticed the same white and brown owl following me, never straying further than a ten yard radius from my being. All though I felt calmed, as if I was being guarded, I couldn't help but think I was being watched all the same. Like I was being protected by a sort of stalker. Shivers constantly ran down my spine, and the owl flew down the street when I came to the front door of my house.
I sat my stuff in the living room, glancing at the piano, making a mental note to practice. I had confirmed my position in the Talent Show with the music teacher, Mrs. Winston, just after school had ended. She seemed delighted that I was performing again this year, and insisted that I need not worry about auditioning; that she wanted my choice of song to be a surprise for everyone.
Grabbing the diary out of my backpack, I trudged into the bathroom, setting the black book on the counter as I turned the water on. I stripped myself of my jeans and t-shirt, kicking off my sneakers and socks in the process. Once the water was warm enough, I set the plug into the drain, and stepped in, grasping the diary as I made myself comfortable in the water. I waited for the tub to fill, before shutting the faucet off, and returning to my mother's tale…
"I had fallen through down a tunnel that seemed to be filled with these grotesque hands that felt slimy and withered. Finally, I was held still, and I noticed that the hands were talking to me. They made faces in various expressions, their voices continuously asking me which way I wanted to go. When I asked, there was a simple answer from one set of hands, 'Up, or down?'
I chose down.
And I found myself in a dark hole, where Hoggle (who had somehow found his way into this hole) explained to me that it was called an 'oubliette'. An oubliette is
apparently a place to put people to forget about them. I shivered. After talking with Hoggle, he agreed to help me through the Labyrinth as far as he could, in exchange, I gave him a plastic bracelet that I had been wearing.
We walked down a series of tunnels and path ways, rock faces that Hoggle called False Alarms were telling us to turn back and leave. Thinking now… we should have listened.
We walked into an opening, an old bird-like goblin glanced up at us, and said 'Ah, what have we here?'
'Uh, nothing…' Hoggle said.
'Nothing? Nothing? NOTHING? Nothing, tra la la?' The goblin stood, revealing the King in disguise. He didn't seem too pleased to see us.
'You're majesty! What a nice surprise!' Hoggle said, taking a bow.
'Hello Hedgewart.' He said.
'Hogwart.' I corrected.
'Hog-gle!' The dwarf said, annoyed.
'Hoggle, could it be that you're helping this girl?'
'Hel-ping? In what sense?'
'In the sense that you're leading her towards the castle!'
'Oh, no, Your Yajesty! I was taking her back to the beginning…'
'What?' I cried in shock, staring at him. The Goblin King smirked slightly. He leaned down to Hoggle as the dwarf began to explain.
'I told her I would take her to the castle, a little trickery on my part. But actually…'
'What is that plastic thing round your wrist?' Hoggle glanced at the bracelet, before hiding it behind his back with a sheepish smile.
'Oh this! Oh my goodness, where did this come from?' Hoggle said, staring at it.
'Higgle—'
'Hoggle.'
'Yes, if I thought for one second that you were betraying me, I would be forced to suspend you headfirst into the Bog of Eternal Stench.' Hoggle fell to his knees in front of the King.
'Oh no, Your Majesty! Not the Bog of Eternal Stench!'
'Oh yes, Hoggle!' He turned to me, stalking forward. 'And you Sarah… How are you enjoying my Labyrinth?' I tried being brave.
'It's a piece of cake.'
'Really? Then how about upping the stakes, hm?' He pointed to a clock that had just appeared, moving the hands closer to the 13 mark by a few hours.
'That's not fair!' I exclaimed.
'You say that so often. I wonder what your basis for comparison is.' He walked over to a darker part of the tunnel. 'So the Labyrinth is a piece of cake is it? Well, let's see how you deal with this little slice…' He said, a crystal appearing in his hands. He spun on his heel, throwing it down the tunnel. Lights flickered as a metal machine came charging towards Hoggle and myself.
'Oh no, the Cleaners! Run!' Hoggle said, taking off in the opposite direction. Hesitating a moment to see the Goblin King disappear, before turning and running after the dwarf. We came to a dead end.
'The Cleaners, the Bog of Stench, you sure got his attention!' Hoggle exclaimed. I turned around seeing a piece of wall that looked like it was caving inward. Shoving on it, Hoggle and I managed to push it in to reveal a small room, just as the Cleaners passed us. I lay panting on the ground as he stood up.
'Ah, this is what we need. A ladder. Follow me.' He said. I stood up as well, glaring down at him. I demanded to know why I should believe him.
'Well… think of it this way. What choice have you got?'
He had a point.
'You see, you've gotta understand my position. I'm a coward, and Jareth scares me!' So… the infamous Goblin King's name was Jareth. I found it fitting.
Strange enough, yet another shiver ran down my spine as I read his name, feeling the urge to let it roll off my tongue. But I kept my mouth shut. Jareth… it was a beautifully interesting name for someone so mysterious. I glanced at the bathroom door, thinking of the owl that followed me home. My hunch was that it was Jareth… I kicked myself mentally. 'Doubtful Aerynn. It's been what, twenty years? It's unlikely that someone who seems to be interested in your mother would follow you home…' I thought briefly.
'What kind of position is that?' I asked the dwarf.
'No position! That's my point. And you wouldn't be so brave if you'd ever smelt the Bog of Eternal Stench… it's… it's… it's…' A rung from the ladder snapped and fell from beneath him. I clenched the sides of the ladder, suddenly cautious of the wood.
'Is that all it does, is smell?'
'Believe me, that's enough…' He muttered."
I sighed slightly, skipping over several pages. I caught glimpses of segments about Ludo, the Fieries, the Bog, and Sir Didymus, when I came across a part where my mother and her new found friends were walking through a forest, and Hoggle handed her a peach, I paused. Changing my position once more, I continued to read.
"'Thank you Hoggle! You're a life saver!' I said, turning the peach over in my hands, and taking a bite. I thought I saw Hoggle cringe, and then I knew why.
The peach tasted wrong. I stared down at it, swallowing the bite in my mouth, feeling the world begin to spin around me as colors became vibrant and dance in swirls. I faintly heard Hoggle cursing both Jareth and himself, but I didn't know why. I stumbled over to a tree, clenching a branch for support. I felt the peach begin to squish beneath my fingers as I collapsed to the ground.
I don't remember much after that. But what I do remember is that I was suddenly in some sort of ball. And everyone had these masks that resembled horrible creatures from nightmares. I heard a voice singing softly, and when I looked up… I saw the most beautiful man. I took a step forward, when someone walked in front of him. After they passed, he was gone.
I frantically searched, trying to find him. Almost like if I didn't find him… then my life would have been over. Eventually, just I began to pass someone with a feathered fan, they lowered it, and there he stood in all his glory, staring at me. I clearly listened to the words as he turned to me, taking my hand.
'I'll paint you mornings of gold, I'll spin you Valentine evenings. Though we're strangers 'till now, we're choosing the path between the stars. I leave my love between the stars.' We spun in circles together, dancing like we were the only ones there…
'As the pain sweeps through, makes no sense for you. Every thrill has gone; it wasn't too much fun at all. But I'll be there for you, as the world falls down…' I realized there that he was singing to me. I would have stayed, but the sight of everyone else began to frighten me. And the man only smiled, like this was all some sort of game.
And then I heard a clock chime 12:00.
I pushed away from him, shoving passed everyone else as they grabbed at me. But I slid through their fingers, stopping at what seemed like a mirror. But I knew this was not a real place. There was something off about it all. I snatched up a chair, and smashed the mirror. The colors began to swirl as the masked dancers screamed and flew about the ballroom. I felt like I was slowly falling as the dress melted away from me, and I crashed into a pile of what seemed like junk.
I threw the peach far away from myself, discovering a worm crawling from the center. I tried standing up, when there was a cry of pain, and a pile of junk began to move! A wrinkled old woman stood beneath the heap, like it was tied to her.
'Why don't you look where you're going young woman, hm?' She shouted in anger.
'I was looking.' I said flatly, glancing around.
'Huh? And where were you going?'
'I don't remember.'
'You can't look where you're going if you don't know where you're going!'
'I was looking for something…' I explained slowly. She pulled something out from underneath the pile on her back.
'Well look here…' She said. I glanced down at it, seeing my recognizable teddy bear, Lancelot.
'Lancelot? …Thank you…' I said, taking him from her hands.
'That's what you were looking for, wasn't it, my dear?'
'Yes… I forgot…' I said, smiling at her.
'Now, why don't you come in here and see if there's anything else that you like, hm?' The woman said, motioning to what looked like a makeshift tent. I walked through the opening, and seeing another familiar sight.
It was my bedroom.
I rushed over, jumping onto my bed, and burying my head beneath the pillow. 'It was just a dream.' I said. 'I dreamed it all Lancelot…' I glanced at my bear, smiling. 'Let's go see if Daddy's home okay?' I stood from the bed, walking over to the door, pulling it open. I expected and hoped to have seen the nursery across from my room, the narrow white hallway, and staircase to my left.
But I saw the junk yard.
'Better to stay in here dear, yes! There's nothing you want out there!' The woman cried, storming into the room. I shut the door, staring at her as she rummaged around, gathering things and placing them around me after she had me sit in a chair. Toy after toy, book after book, she collected it all, positioning it into a neat pile around the back of the chair and me. I reached out, grasping a small red book title LABYRINTH. I flipped through it, reading part of the dialogue.
'Through dangers untold, and hardships unnumbered. I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City, to take back the child that you have stolen.'
'What's the matter dear? Don't you like your toys?' The lady asked me. I blinked, staring down at the book.
'It's all junk!' I said.
'What— Well, what about this? This is not junk!' She exclaimed, handing me the music box that my mother's co-star and friend Jeremy had given to me.
'Yes it is!' I shouted, throwing it across the room. The walls began to crumble, and I remembered my purpose. 'I have to save Toby!' I pushed everything away from me, hearing Ludo and Sir Didymus calling for me. I climbed through the junk and garbage, grabbing hold of one of Ludo's monstrous hands. I was pulled from the room, seeing the faces of my friends.
'Let's go, we don't have much time!' I said, running to the Goblin City gates, which were not fifty feet from the junk yard. We ran through, facing a giant metal enemy (which was controlled by a tiny goblin inside the head). After pretty much destroying it (thanks to Hoggle), we crowded together as Hoggle began to speak.
'I ain't asking to be forgiven. I ain't ashamed of nothing I did. Jareth made me give you that peach. I told you I was a coward. And I ain't interested in being friends…' He said. I placed a hand on his shoulder.
'I forgive you, Hoggle.'
'Y-you do?'
'And I commend thee! Never before have I seen such courage. You are a valiant man, Sir Hoggle.' Didymus said.
'I am?'
'Hoggle and Ludo friends!' Ludo said with a smile. Hoggle scratched the back of his head.
'We are?'
'Here are your things, Hoggle.' I handed him the pouch of jewels that I had taken as ransom. 'Thanks for your help.' Hoggle stood, determination glowing in his eyes.
'Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get that rat who calls himself Jareth!' He exclaimed. I nodded, and we began our way through the quiet city. It seemed too easy, but just before we reached the steps that led to the castle, goblins appeared everywhere, armed and ready for battle.
Through a series of cannon fires, metal clashing against metal and brick, Ludo called the rocks, sending the goblins fleeing in a matter of minutes. We raced up into the throne room, and I saw the hands of a massive clock two minutes away from 13:00 o' clock.
'That's the only way he could have gone…' I said, staring at a spiral staircase that led up into the castle. Everyone began to rush to the stairs after me, but I stopped them. 'I have to face him alone.'
'But why?' Didymus questioned, and Hoggle agreed.
'Because that's the way it's done.' I answered simply, finding no other way to put it.
'Well… if that is the way it is done, then that is the way you must do it… But… should you need us…' Sir Didymus began, a sad look in his eyes.
'Yes, should you need us…' Hoggle agreed. Ludo whined quietly.
'I'll call. Thank you… all of you…' I said with a soft smile, before turning away from them, and running up the stairs. I walked through an arch way, staring out at a whole maze-like area of stairs and hallways in all different angles, most of which defied gravity. I ran down one set of stairs and up another, glancing around, and down over the edge of the balcony I stood on.
A moment later Jareth stood below, looking up at me. I gasped, taking a small step backwards.
'How you've turned my word, you precious thing.' He vanished around a corner, reappearing across the large room from me. 'You starve and near exhaust me.' He vanished again, this time coming behind me. 'Everything I've done, I've done for you!' He walked through me, turning on his heel, pointing accusingly at me. 'I move the stars for no one.' I ran down a flight of stairs as I continued to hear his voice.
'You've run so long, you've run so far.' He pulled himself up in front of me. 'Your eyes can be so cruel.' He held a crystal in front of his face, motioning it towards me. 'Just as I can be so cruel…' He turned, and threw it. I watched as it bounced along, into the tiny hands of Toby.
'Toby!' I cried, running down another flight of stairs.
'Though I do believe in you, yes I do. Live with the sunlight. Love without your heartbeat…' I turned to look up at Toby, who was sitting on the top of an arch, upside down.
'I, I can't live within you…' Jareth sang, and I no longer saw him after that. Though I was quite positive he was still watching me, struggling to reach my baby brother. Finally, I stood on a ledge roughly twenty feet above Toby, who sat on the edge of an archway. I called his name again, and he turned his head to look up at me. Inhaling slowly, I jumped, though I did not land beside my brother. Instead, I descended into a crumbling room with a circular slab of stone that made as the floor. I glanced around, seeing a figure in the shadows. Slowly, Jareth emerged, wearing a white shirt, a pair of white pants, white boots, gloves, and a flowing white cloak that seemed to be made of owl feathers and bones. I had long lost the tug I felt; the sensation that rippled up my spine every time I saw him. It had long since vanished.
'Give me the child.' I demanded in a firm but calm voice. He stalked forward.
'Sarah, beware. I have been generous up until now. And I can be cruel.' I cocked my head to one side.
'Generous? What have you done that's generous?' I questioned, and anger lit in his eyes.
'Everything! Everything that you have wanted I have done. You asked that the child be taken, and I took him. You cowered before me, I was frightening. I have reordered time—' He motioned to a clock, and the hands began to spin backwards, towards the beginning of my time. 'I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for you! I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me. Isn't that generous?' He couldn't have been more than three feet from me. Keeping a calm face, I began to recite the monologue I had spent so long memorizing.
'Through dangers untold, and hardships unnumbered. I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City. For my will is as strong as yours, and my—' He held his hand out.
'Stop! Wait… look Sarah, look what I am offering you… your dreams.' He held yet another crystal out to me. I kept my face straight, but inside, I was groaning in annoyance. I was done with his crystals and promises.
'And my kingdom as great.'
'I ask for so little. Just let me rule you, and you can have everything that you want.' He said, beginning to plea. I was almost surprised he wasn't on his knees yet. I looked away, forgetting that last line once again.
'My kingdom as great… my kingdom as great… Damn! I can never remember that line!' I whispered in anger.
'Just fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave.' He said.
'My kingdom as great… my kingdom as great…' I paused, looking up at him. He held the crystal out even further, in a vain attempt that maybe I would change my mind.
'You have no power over me.' I said. His face twisted into a look of misery and pain. He threw the crystal into the air, and my eyes followed it. It lowered to my hand, touching my skin and popping like a bubble. I looked down to see Jareth, lost in cloth and feathers as he transformed into the owl, flying out the window of the living room. I rushed up the stairs to find Toby, fast asleep in his crib. I placed Lancelot inside with him, tucking him in gently.
I returned to my room, clearing off several of the pictures and drawings that had cluttered everywhere. I even placed the music box in a drawer, finding it better to rid myself of the memories. I heard my father down stairs.
'Goodbye Sarah…' I glanced up to see Ludo in my mirror. Turning in my chair, I looked to see him in my room. But there was no one. I looked back, seeing Didymus this time.
'And remember fair maiden, should you need us…' His image was replaced with Hoggle's.
'Yes, should you need us, for any reason…'
'I need you Hoggle…' I said, tears welling up in my eyes.
'Y-you do?' He asked.
'I don't know why, but every now and then in my life, for no reason at all, I need you… All of you…'
'Well, why did you say so?' I heard cheering and voices behind me. I turned to see goblins, Fieries, faeries, Ludo, Sir Didymus, and Hoggle all dancing around in my room. I hugged most of them, glancing out my window, seeing an owl fly off into the night."
With the water running cold, I closed my mother's diary, setting it on the counter. Dunking my head under, I came up, wringing the water from my hair after I wiped my eyes. Standing up, I grabbed the towel that sat on the counter beside the sink. Drying off, I wrapped the cloth around my body, grasping the diary, and shutting out the light, before walking down the hall into my room. The living room had been dark, so my only guess was that Sarah still wasn't home.
Setting the diary into the box, covering it by several dresses and masks, I shoved the box back under my bed, dropping the towel to the floor as I turned to my dresser. I pulled out a pair of underwear, a bra, and a cotton t-shirt that I had gotten from Haley as a birthday present. Tugging everything on, I snatched up the towel, quickly drying my hair with it. I glanced at my alarm clock on my side table, the time reading half passed seven. I frowned. Sarah should have been home by now.
I jumped when I heard my cell phone going off. Pillaging through my sweatshirt pocket, I pulled the thin silver RAZR out, flipping it open. "Hello?" I said, plopping down onto my bed.
"Hey Aerynn." I smiled.
"Hi Danny. What's up?"
"Uh… I need to talk to you about the dance tomorrow night." I frowned again, suddenly worried.
"Yeah?"
"My parents are making me take my little brother trick or treating, and they want me to go with him before it gets too dark out. Considering the fact that the dance isn't until nine o' clock at night, I won't be able to go, because once my brother is done, my family and I are going out to dinner. I would take you with me, but you've been really excited about the dance… I didn't want you to miss it…" I smiled sadly, feeling like my gut was being punched inward.
"Thank you for being thoughtful. It's not that I don't want to go with you and your family, but you're right… I really don't want to miss it. And thank you for calling me to let me know." I said, my heart being shredded into thousands of pieces.
"Will you be okay spending Halloween without me?" He asked, and I could tell he was listening for any hints of sadness or depression or even anger. I smiled, laughing a little.
"Danny, I'm a big girl. I think I can handle one night without you." He sighed, obvious from relief.
"Alright. You take care of yourself tomorrow night, Aerynn. Halloween can be truly scary." He said softly.
"I will." I assured him.
"I love you." I couldn't stop from grinning. I adored those three beautiful words.
"I love you too."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight." I hung up after I heard the line go dead on the opposite side. I sighed quietly, feeling a little sad. I was looking forward not only to Halloween itself, but spending it with my boyfriend as well. But… Sarah had taught me that family came first (aside from homework in some situations). I tossed my phone to the other side of my bed, curling into a ball, and turning onto my side. I thought about how my mother had rejected Jareth, and how part of my plan had gone down the toilet.
"Aerynn! I'm home!" I heard Sarah say from the living room. Reaching to my side table, I shut out the light, thankful that I had closed my door. I closed my eyes as I heard footsteps to my door, and the wooden slab open slowly. Sarah lingered for a moment, before chuckling, mentioning something about teen drowsiness and homework loads, before shutting the door again. I didn't open my eyes again, but decided that taking a nap was a lot better than explaining my dull mood.