A/N: Thanks to all who've been reading (even though it's only at chap. 1 so far)! Just hang in there for all the good stuff ;). It's coming, I promise! In the meantime, Sarah meets a mysterious person. Who might he be?

Chapter Two: You've Run So Long

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"What have you done that's generous?"

"Everything! Everything that you wanted I have done. You asked that the child be taken. I took him. You cowered before me. I was frightening. I have reordered 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?"

"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 ki..."

"Stop! Wait! Look, Sarah. Look what I'm offering you: your dreams."

"And kingdom is great."

"I ask for so little. Just let me rule you, and you can have everything that you want."

Her own voice mumbled about the next line.

"Just fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave."

The voices faded and a view of the vast labyrinth opened before her with all its walls and doors and corners. It glowed under a morning sun. At the centre stood the castle with its high towers.

"Sarah," the same voice whispered on the air. "Sarah..."

Sarah jolted awake. Her hand flew to her chest where she felt her heart racing, and a soft sheen of sweat glistened on her pale skin. The words of the dream had been so vivid as though she had listened to it play out for a second time rather than reliving a memory within her mind; however, the images were hazy just like in the recesses of her mind pushed aside with seven years.

Then she remembered the words she whispered into the dark night air before she fell asleep: I wish I could remember all those things the Goblin King said to me.

But who had granted that wish? She glanced around the room and realised morning was just dawning upon the world with a soft gold touching the east and the rest of the sky pale grey like the feathers of a dove. Drops of water lingered on the window pane, turning to gold crystals as the sun swelled above the edge of the world. She walked towards it to watch as night transformed into another day.

Where her heart had been racing from the troubling dreams, it now seemed to utterly stop. She stumbled away from the window and leaned against the wall trying to catch her breath.

A barn owl circled up into the heavens before her very eyes until it disappeared out of sight.

"This is all his doing!" she gasped. "Or...or I..." A new realisation flooded her senses. "Or I want to go back and...and it's beginning to show." Also, she couldn't decide if she'd seen an owl or some other bird flying away that she assumed was an owl because of the dream.

There's something in me that wants to...go back...

She buried her face in her hands and moaned. "I'd rather a real labyrinth that I can see than trying to navigate the labyrinth inside me right now."

Since it technically was morning and there was no possible way to go back to sleep, she pulled her long hair back into a ponytail and padded downstairs. She decided to cook breakfast for everyone while they still slept. A genuine smile touched her lips. She enjoyed doing things for people, especially good surprises.

Plus it helped distract her from stranger things going on in her mind and in her heart. Things she could not share with anyone else. But in her mind she pondered the meaning of the words echoing beyond her dreams: Just fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave.

By the end of the day, Sarah packed her things back in her bag and prepared to say her goodbyes to the family. Toby was always the hardest since he never wanted her to leave, and somewhere inside it broke her heart a little to tear herself away.

Her dad wrapped her in a warm hug. "Goodbye sweetheart. I'm glad you came for the weekend. You're always welcome here and don't forget it."

"Thanks," she said. Ever since her mom left, their relationship had changed and she was hardly mentioned as soon as he married Karen. There was a quiet understanding of sorts. They were not best friends, of course, but he tried to be a good father to her even though he had gotten fairly caught up in his new family and trying to blend them together. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Karen gave her a quick hug as well. Toby leaped into her arms and clung to her neck.

"And I love you," she said to the little bundle in her grip.

"I love you so so much," he sighed. "Do you really have to go?"

"Yes, Toby, I have to. But I'll come again, kiddo, don't worry. Oh! I've got something for you." She pulled out a worn leather red book and handed it to him. "I think you should have it. It was my favourite book and I'd like it to be yours too." While cooking a breakfast feast of eggs, bacon, and pancakes that morning she decided the Labyrinth should go to Toby. It felt the right thing to do.

"Wow! Thanks Sarah! It's already my new favourite."

With one last wave and another round of farewells, Sarah stuffed her bag in her car and headed back to the place that had become her new home. The drive was just a couple hours, so it wasn't long before she saw city lights passing by and familiar street signs along the road. Her apartments finally came into view.

They were newer, modestly built, and looked almost like town-houses since it wasn't some skyscraper in a big city with a giant apartment complex. Her and her friend Amber shared a place on the second story. Amber had become her friend in their last year of high school, and then they both decided to attend the same college; so now they lived together as they sought out new futures and pursued precious dreams. Amber had been part of the drama club in high school where they first met. Now she continued to pursue theatre while Sarah pursued her goal of becoming a playwright, so of course Amber kept trying to persuade her friend to make sure she wrote a part for her in every script. Sarah had immense creativity and Amber had an immense personality.

As soon as Sarah stepped through the door, Amber burst out of her bedroom.

"Sarah! I've been waiting forever for you to get home!" she cried. Her smile positively radiated sunshine itself. Amber had golden waves of hair, fair skin, and blue eyes. She was very lovely and willowy with an extremely expressive face. "I have some wonderful news that I could hardly contain waiting for you to get here."

Sarah laughed and dropped her things on the ground by the couch. "Well? Let me hear it. I wouldn't want you to burst."

Amber leaned against the kitchen countertop. "You remember Michael?"

How could Sarah forget Michael when Amber couldn't stop mentioning him the last three weeks? "Uh...yes."

"He asked me out!" Amber's shrill squeal made Sarah wince. "We're going on a date!"

"Yes, I figured that's what going out meant."

"Sarcasm," Amber mumbled as she rolled her eyes. "But really. Isn't that exciting?"

"Yes, it definitely is," said Sarah as she moved forward and threw her arms around her dear friend. "I really am happy for you! It's what you've been hoping for for a couple weeks now. Just don't panic or act weird just because you're nervous! It'll be fun."

"You're such a great friend," said Amber. She tossed her shoulder-length locks over her shoulder. "Now that we've got the incredible news out, how was your weekend with the family?"

And so they fell into their routine and Sarah momentarily forgot about her old adventures and a certain king who had been on her mind.

But that was not to last for long.

It wasn't until after Amber began dating Michael that things got a bit strange.

Their first date left Amber gushing about how wonderful it was, how wonderful he was, and how they were set for their second date. The second went just as well and that was when some of their other friends decided to plan a group night. They set the date for a friend's place with a large yard on a Saturday evening eating lots of food, watching movies, and whatever mischief they might get their hands on.

It was a temperate spring night with a clear sky and a warm breeze. Sarah threw on a flowing white skirt that hit above her knees, a draping olive green top, and topped it off with gold dangling earrings that glinted with captured sunlight. Amber called out from the living room that it was time to go, so the girls hurried down the stairs to the car.

Some lights were strung over the porch, lawn chairs sat scattered around, pitchers of colourful drinks waited on a table, and more plates of food filled the rest of the table the more people who arrived. It wasn't long before they were all laughing and chatting while stuffing themselves full of good food. Sarah's friend Aaron was in the middle of a hilarious account when a few more people showed up. Two of them she knew, but the third she had never seen before; and she certainly would have remembered.

Her pulse sped up a bit at the sight of the guy.

His hair was a shade of ebony, truly black as midnight unlike hers which was a rich dark shade of brown, and his skin was golden like he had been in the sun often. He was average height with an average build, but his bare arms hinted at a lean muscular frame. The guy was definitely attractive in a certain way. But his eyes were what made her stare a little: they looked almost golden. She assumed it was the lighting, but as soon as they fell on her she felt ensnared.

A round of greetings circled, and the guys he came with introduced him.

"Oh, and this is our new friend Bran. We met a few weeks ago and thought he should meet everybody."

He nodded to the group after he received a welcome greeting. Sarah noticed his piercing eyes linger on her longer than necessary, and apparently Amber noticed as well because Sarah felt a sharp elbow nudging her. She cringed. When Amber got onto a kick, it was like trying to stop a freight train.

And of course the new guy grabbed a chair and sat one person away from Sarah.

Aaron, of course, had to finish his grand story and had everyone in stitches again. Apparently bizarre events happened around him in common places like the grocery store. Once he finished, Sarah sensed a pair of eyes on her and glanced to her left only to catch Bran looking at her. When he saw her gaze turn to him, he smiled and leaned forward.

"I'm Bran, as you obviously heard," he said. "What's your name?"

"Sarah," she answered abruptly. Maybe a little too abruptly. Why was her pulse still running a race? It might have been because of a slight accent to his voice that sounded European of some sort.

"Sarah. I've always liked that name. You know everyone here?"

"Yes, actually, except for you."

A moment of dreaded awkward silence passed. She felt Amber's elbow in her arm again, and she subtly leaned more to her left away from the offending body part.

"So what do you do?" she blurted.

"I, uh...I dabble in science I suppose."

"You suppose." She laughed a little. "You aren't sure?"

"Oh I'm sure of what I do, but there isn't a good way to explain it. Science is a passion of mine. What do you do, Sarah?"

The way Bran said her name and the intensity of his gaze on her made her uncomfortable, although she couldn't say why, and she was fairly sure it was more than just being nervous around a good-looking guy. She told him briefly about wanting to write plays or anything for the stage while maybe acting in them on occasion. He took in all the information with polite interest, but whenever she attempted to ask more about him he managed to steer the talk quite skilfully away after giving brief or vague answers. Just as she grew frustrated, Amber and Michael joined in, turning it into a completely different conversation for a while.

They all ended up watching some of the boys play some scattered baseball late into the night. At one point, Bran excused himself to go join them. At first Sarah was kind of embarrassed on his behalf when he fumbled through the game a couple rounds as if he didn't even know the rules, but something must have clicked because by his second turn to bat the clumsiness was gone. The baseball flew towards him. He swung. The ball cracked and soared through the air far over the fence into someone else's yard, as in more than one yard away.

All the other guys gaped like fish the direction it disappeared. Bran smiled a subtle grin of satisfaction and circled the bases—three pillows they laid on the grass. But it didn't end there. When the other three guys were up to bat, the second baseball they got out launched into the air, but Bran leaped up and caught with alarming speed.

Once again everyone sort of stared in awe.

Sarah guessed he might be athletic by his build, but maybe she had stereotyped his love of science to mean he wouldn't be that agile. Right after that amazing catch, his eyes found hers and the corners of his lips turned up a bit.

Yes. Bran was sort of impressing her. Such an interesting person...

Eventually it was time for everyone to head home, and Sarah found herself facing Bran before she could make it to the door. He'd smoothly intercepted her on those quick feet.

"Goodnight Sarah," he said holding her eyes with his golden gaze. "It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope to see you again very soon."

"You too, Bran. Goodnight."

Amber snatched Sarah's arm in hers and waved goodbye to Bran as they left the house. When they were near the car, Amber finally had her say.

"Sarah! Can you believe..."

"No, no I don't want to hear it."

"But come on! He's a pretty good looking guy, you have to admit, and he was very much interested in you, my friend."

Amber hopped into the car and Sarah opened her door. Before she slid in, she looked up and saw Bran watching her as he stood with his new friends on the front lawn. He smiled at her, not really a kind smile but more of a smirk that reminded her of someone else. Chills prickled on her skin.

"I guess he is..."

She did not clarify which part she was answering.

It was only a few days later that Sarah met the mysterious Bran again, a lot shorter than she expected. She was anticipating it yet dreading it all at once. It deeply confused her. Unfortunately Amber was set on pairing the two up and lured her new boyfriend Michael into the plan.

This time he didn't seem to come off quite so strongly and acted fairly normal for a guy his age.

The more he was around, the less wary she felt and his presence grew commonplace after a couple more weeks. She brushed off her first instincts as silly and girlish and just nerves, and then considered him another friend that became part of the group. And although a couple of her female friends made no secrets about their interest in him, he appeared to be set upon one girl in particular: Sarah Williams.

Where she at first was on guard, she felt flattered by his attentions and admitted to liking them a bit. Whether she liked him as more than a friend was yet to be discovered.

Another odd thing she noticed after a while was the lack of strange dreams and thoughts about the Underground. It was as if returning back to her normal life had silenced that part of her. She didn't know if she was glad about that or not. The Underground had seemed almost a part of who she was, but she wondered if losing that would finally bring a sense of settling in to this world. Maybe she should let it all go...

Michael and Bran came over one night to spend time with the girls. They all made dinner together in the small kitchen—a disaster barely averted when Sarah put a stop to the food fight that almost exploded when Amber smeared some sauce on Michael's face—and enjoyed the Italian fare before whipping up some dessert as well. It was while they were enjoying the delectable chocolate that Amber brought up something Sarah nearly had forgotten.

"You're still going to Jessica's wedding, right?" Amber asked her best friend.

Sarah threw her hands up in the air. "I almost forgot! That's next weekend! Yes, I'm going still, although I guess I'll be the third wheel now."

Amber laughed and shrugged her shoulders. "Sorry about that, but we'll still all have fun like we always do."

Bran leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. His black shirt complimented his same shade of hair and golden eyes. She took note that he certainly wore black a lot. He must have known it was a flattering colour for him.

"Well...what if I went with you, Sarah?" he said. "Then it'd be the four of us and you wouldn't have to be the third wheel."

Once her surprise wore off a bit, she looked away with a blush staining her cheeks pink. "Um...I don't know..." she stammered.

"As friends of course," he added with a subtle smirk. "Come on, it'll be fun."

Somehow she found herself agreeing and then wondering why on earth she did. The sardonic tone when he said "as friends" didn't really put her at ease, but she felt a bit pressured with him asking in front of the other two who were so hoping for them to get together; not to mention she didn't enjoy turning people down. Plus, he was handsome and charming: the perfect date for a wedding.

"Then it's settled," said Bran before settling back into the couch. His eyes danced as they lingered on Sarah.

What did I just do? she thought to herself. Christopher really had left a mark if she still was hesitant to even trust guys. Maybe everyone was right: maybe she should consider getting into a relationship again soon.

But with Bran? Well, who else? He's the only one remotely attractive and intriguing to me. I just don't know...

The guys left just after eleven in the evening, so Sarah wandered back into her room intending to not come out until the morning. She picked up a brush and stood in front of the mirror on her wall and started running it gently through her long locks. Then she paused as she stared into the green eyes looking back at her. A mirror was once not just a mirror to her.

Events were confusing her lately, and she wished someone was there to talk to about them who also knew all about the labyrinth. Someone she could be completely open with.

It had been a few years since she last called upon some old friends.

"Hoggle?" she whispered into the mirror. "Hoggle...I need you."

A long silence drifted through the minutes.

"Ludo? Ludo, are you there somewhere? Sir Didymus! Any of you? Are any of you there anymore?" Her voice had dropped to a low murmur with the dropping of her heart. The next silence that followed was grieving and terribly long without one single sign of answer.

"I need you! I need all of you right now," she pleaded into the reflective glass. She glanced over her shoulder, but no one else was in the room.

It was as if two paths lay before her: one with her old friends and memories of the labyrinth and staying oddly separated from much of the world or one where the Underground had no place anymore and she chose to move forward with her life with it all forgotten. Right now it felt her feet were already on the second path.

She was alone. Her friends were not responding.

And they probably never will again. Maybe it really is time for it all to go away.

A/N: Dun dun dun! Who is Bran? Will Sarah choose to let go of all her old friends and memories of the labyrinth?

Please review :). I would really really appreciate hearing whether or not you guys are even liking the story so far.

And Happy Easter everyone!