Sarah made herself comfortable and began to read. The key to leaving your physical body is quite simple – you must have a purpose, a goal of some sort or you will wander forever in the Fade, not of your world – nor of any other.
Well that's cheery, she thought wryly as she listened to the storm. The rain mocked her, called to her with soothing promises and half formed wishes. What goal did she have? She didn't know what she wanted, only that she didn't have it. And it was driving her crazy. All the money and success in the world wasn't going to dull this hunger for something just out of reach. Not knowing what it was she was after was almost as bad as not knowing how to get it. She groaned and went back to reading.
Sometimes the way forward is the way back. Find your focus, your goal and repeat it to yourself until you are certain of your path. Lose focus of each of your senses, one by one until you are lost within yourself. Lose your arms, your legs, your hold on the physical realm. Eventually you will see a path of light. Follow it to your goal, but remember – your first trip is laden with possible danger – if you realize you are not really where you think you are, your mind will thrust you back to your body. It will be painful if not lethal. You must always harness your wishes carefully or they will consume you.
Close your eyes and remember what made you happiest. Who was with you? What were you doing?
Happiest? She was happiest when she was surrounded by her friends from the Labyrinth - when she felt like a heroine saving her brother. Heck she was even happy when she was fighting the goblin army - they were kind of cute in a freaky careless way, like small children looking for attention.
Her eyes grew heavy and she yawned. Maybe she was more tired than she thought she was. She didn't notice the book glowing, or her body start to fade.
Jerking awake, she rubbed her eyes. Cocoa and a thunderstorm were powerful sedatives, but she didn't need to fall asleep in her kitchen when she had a perfectly good bed in her room. Glancing around, she sat there stunned. She wasn't in her house.
She noticed goblins wandering around, dressed in neat and tidy clothing. There were two of them nearby a male and female and they were chatting and laughing. Were they sipping wine? She was hallucinating, she was sure of it.
"Honestly, Harold - pretending to be stupid just so the human girl could play heroine was fun, but it is sooo nice to be able to relax with a chilled Chablis."
"True, Hortense - I find that the dimmer goblins actually enjoyed our little performance, but as for me - a hot bath and some fresh scones before bed are more in line with a perfect evening. Come, let us find that chess board. I believe I owe you a game before dinner."
Sarah watched the exchange in silence. The female noticed her and smiled.
"Good to see you again, well mostly see you. Did you realize you are half here? Humans playing at magic, always a fun time."
Sarah gasped. "You can see me?" The goblin rolled her eyes.
"You're not exactly hard to miss, Sarah. Go back home and try again when you know what you really want to see. Or should I say - who? He grows impatient and I hate to hear him whine so."
What does that mean? Who would be - oh no - Jareth? Her head swam and the scene faded from view as her soul raced back to her body.
Jerking again into a huddled position, her breathing was heavy. She threw the book down and ran to the safety of her bed. She'd think about all of this in the morning. Or not. Right now she just wanted to bury her head under the covers and forget.
No you don't, a little voice said. You want to remember him.