The Labyrinth Sequel

Chapter 19

When he looks up at me his eyes are pleading. Instead of looking at him I force him from the bed and march him, supporting his weight, over to the mirror.

"This is how you get back right?" I ask.

He doesn't answer.

"Don't be an idiot Jareth you have to go back before you die! Without you the Goblin Kingdom will crumble again!" I cry.

"What is the point of returning to a kingdom where I don't have you with me?" He mumbles, not looking up at me.

"This again?" I huff, "Look Jareth, no matter how long you stay here I am not going to agree to going back to the Underground with you. I am not ready to give up my life yet. Maybe some day in the future I will be ready, but not now. I can't make any decisions if the Underground is gone, can I?"

He seems to think it over for a moment. "Do you promise you will think about it?"

"Of course I will." I promise.

"Then," he straightens up awkwardly forcing himself, "I suppose I will have to wait until you make a decision. Please don't leave me waiting long."

He suddenly leans over and kisses me. For a moment I am taken off guard, then, before I can recover, he disappears into the mirror and the room is dark once again. 

Slowly I make my way back over to my bed where I lay in silence, alone. Suddenly the room seems a lot darker with him gone. All I can think is if he got back alright. There is no way that he would be able to communicate with me for at least another couple of hours if he is resting.

With those thoughts in my mind, and now alone in my bed, I slip off to sleep.

The next morning I wake to find that the events of last night were not a dream, and that I am still alone. I move slowly over to the mirror, staring into it, waiting to see if Jareth will appear to me. After a few moments I know he isn't going to.

I sit for a moment and think what to do next. I want to know if he is alright, but there is no way for me to talk to him. Soon I will have to go back to school, and then I won't be able to see him until I come back in the summer. What if he isn't okay and needs me? By then it may be too late!

But there is nothing I can do anymore. With that in mind I head downstairs, defeated.

Karen is in the living room with Toby pulling on his shirt. When she notices me come in she looks up and shakes her head.

"Sarah, you were supposed to get up and be ready an hour ago. You are lucky your father slept in as well or he might be very upset with you." She warns me.

"I know, sorry." I mumble.

She looks at me for a moment and then shakes her head. "You look like you are running a feaver. Do you think you need to stay another day and see if you get any better?"

What good would that do? "No, I will be fine to go back I guess. I just need a little more time to get ready that's all. Do you think Dad will mind waiting just a couple more hours before we leave?"

"I suppose he can wait a little longer." She sighs dramatically.

"Thanks, I will be in my room getting ready. I'll come down with my things when I am ready to go. Tell dad that I shouldn't be too long." I turn and leap up the stairs, my spirits still not lifted. 

I have bought myself a few more hours to try to get a hold of Jareth, but not long. I still have to pack, as I was supposed to do so last night but got distracted by Jareth, and I also need to have a shower and get dressed. All I can hope is that by time I am done Jareth will be well enough to respond to my calls.