Strangers ‘Til Now ~ Jareth/Sarah
likegrantingwishes:
She was back in the ballroom, but it was empty. Shards of mirror were scattered across the floor and crunched with each step Sarah took.
“He’s not here,” a voice said from behind her.
The young woman whirled to find herself facing a familiar figure… it was one of the women who’d danced with Jareth. Sarah didn’t know why she remembered that, but there was certainty in the knowledge. “He…?” she asked, although she already knew the answer.
The woman gestured around the room. “He did all of this for you. Gave you your heart’s desire, and what did you do?”
“I-” Sarah began, but was cut off.
“You ruined him! You didn’t just break his heart - you shattered it! Pieces all over the place! And if he doesn’t get them back, do you know what will happen?! Do you?!”
The woman was practically in tears now as Sarah shook her head, not knowing what to say.
“He’ll turn into stardust! This is why none of us watch the Earth anymore. You’re all selfish, small-minded, ungrateful creatures!” The woman strode closer, getting right into Sarah’s face, sneering. “You don’t deserve everything he gave you!” Then she put her hand on Sarah’s chest, over her heart. “And you definitely don’t deserve to have that bit of him glowing inside you!”
Then, before Sarah could react, the woman plunged her hand into her chest and began to pull at something within her. The author screamed…
… and woke up in bed, drenched with sweat. “Jareth…” Quickly her hand flew to her chest… which seemed to be glowing softly. With a gasp, Sarah rose and ran to her bathroom mirror. There, she watched as a soft light pulsed from beneath her night shirt. She didn’t understand what was happening, but maybe… maybe there was someone who did. It had been ages since she’d tried to call to any of her friends in the Labyrinth. After all, the last time she’d made the attempt, they hadn’t answered. But surely it couldn’t hurt to try. Staring into the mirror, Sarah took a deep breath and said, “Hoggle… I need you. Now more than ever. Something’s happening here, and I can’t figure it out without help. Your help. Please…!” Sarah took a deep breath… and waited.
The Labyrinth was not the place it had once been… nor were its denizens. Not since their world had literally shattered, and their king vanished. It had been chaos at first; survival the only thing on anyone’s mind. The portals to the human realm were in ruin, too. Hoggle knew because he’d checked - every last one of them - wanting to warn Sarah about what had happened. These days, the only way to leave the Labyrinth was with a shard. They’d appeared after the shattering - scattered about like bits of a broken mirror - but they were still rare. It was only recently he’d managed to even acquire one. But now that he had it, Hoggle feared using it. What if Sarah hated him for never returning?! What if they weren’t friends anymore?! So he’d kept it safe… and waited for a chance to be brave.
The wait was a long one, but when the old goblin heard his friend’s voice calling out for help, he knew the time had come. Taking good hold of his shard, Hoggle willed himself to Sarah, appearing only to find a woman in the place where a girl had once been. “S-Sarah? That you?” How long had it been since he’d last seen her?! Time moved so strangely in the Labyrinth, but he hadn’t thought… Shoving the thought away, Hoggle braced himself. “I know I ain’t been around like I promised. But I got my reasons. An’ I’m here now, so there's no reason for a fuss…” He was losing his bluster quickly, worried his reasons (no matter how serious) wouldn’t matter to the girl who’d become a woman. “So… what’s got you callin’ me here all sudden-like?” It was a lame finish, but he went with it, holding his breath with hope.



















