The Labyrinth Sequel

Chapter 15

Closing my eyes and willing myself to be brave I turn to face him. He smiles meeting my eyes with a charming smile. His hair is styled over his face in a white fluffy mess. He notices me checking him out, just as he always does.

"What do you have to say for yourself." I say, my voice steady.

He sneers. "Had I known you would react like this to seeing me I would have appeared sooner. Although, I might have been able to see you sooner if you didn't spend so much time avoiding your own home."

"How did you know that?" I demand.

"I have other ways to watch what is going on in the above ground. You didn't think I just magically heard when people called me did you?"

"So you really are stalking me!" I cry.

"Don't get so full of yourself. I've been watching you for half a day. You can't call it stalking if it hasn't even been a day. I was nearly checking up on you to make sure you were handling the trip back alright." He tries.

"Or were you just making sure Toby actually forgot and that I hadn't said anything."

"Oh, don't be like that. I know that I can always trust you to keep my secret. After all, you have kept it for so many years."

"So what is it that you want?" 

"Sarah, do you think I wouldn't be upset with you leaving? You were the first... friend I had."

"I wouldn't call the relationship we have friendship. We have a bad past and maybe get along every once and a while. But I don't think we are..." I stop when I see his tortured look.

I suppose I shouldn't say something like that, seeing as he has been alone for so long. Maybe he really thought that after everything we were friends. He probably doesn't even know what it means to be friends with someone.

So by telling him I am not his friend, essentially I am taking away his feeling of friendship again. 

"Okay, look, let's not talk about this. It's great that you found a way to spy on me while I am sleeping, but it doesn't make any sense to me. Maybe it is better if you just go and we can try talking about this another day." I try.

He look down away from me. "Maybe you are right. I suppose I never stopped to think whether or not you even wished to see me again once you left. My hopes had been that perhaps you would miss me and would be excited to see me again. I suppose I was wrong."

"That's not completely true, I did kind of miss you," I feel nothing but pitty for him, "And it isn't like I hate you. I just need some time to get back into the rhythm of being home. Plus, like I said before, I am not exactly comfortable with having you being able to spy on me while I am sleeping."

"I never thought about that, but this is the only way I can contact you."

"I thought you said you have been watching me all day. Can't you just talk to me through the TV or something?"

"I can see you through various methods, but I can't speak with you. This is the only place that you are connected too enough that shares a memory with me. This is the only protal I have with you."

"Wait, portal? Does that mean that you can actually come into my room while I am sleeping too?" I demand, a trickle of fear creeping into my chest.

He smiles sadly. "Unfortunately I cannot. You could come through to this side, however, if you wished. I would have to be the one to send you back when you wish to go, keep in mind."

"So if you can just send someone back to my world why is it you can't come here yourself?" I know I told him to get lost, and honestly I still do wish he would just leave me alone. But part of me is still curious about what makes the Goblin King tick and how he does what he does. There are just so many things that I don't understand.

He seems to understand that about me as well, and he has been humoring me throughout the conversation. I should want to turn away, but curiosity is holding me in place.

"I could easily come to you if you wished, but I have not been called. You belong in your world so it is easy to send you back, but for me I must be called whether it be to take the children or simply for business. Though, it has been a while since I have been called for either..." He says thoughtfully.

"That does explain a lot I guess."

"You seem bored, Sarah, are you sure you wouldn't like some more adventure in your life? There are still so many places here in the Labyrinth you have yet to explore. You wouldn't even be missed a day if you were to return..." He offers.

"Thanks for the offer but I think I have had enough adventures in the Underground for my liking. Most time I go there things don't seem to end up going well for me." 

"If you do not wish to come to my world, would you do my the favor of at least inviting me to yours? I find it has been far too long since I have seen it and this world is beginning to bore me terribly." He sighs wistfully.

"I don't know if that is such a good idea..."

"Oh come now Sarah," He steps so close to the glass that I am sure he is about to press his face up against it, "There is no harm in asking to me to come. There is no harm I could do because I would be there any way should someone call me to do such terribleness."

"Where would you stay while you were here? What would you even do?" I demand, not sure I like the idea of him being in my world any more than being in his.

"I do have connections in your world, you know. There are plenty of things I could be doing and you wouldn't even have to see me." He promises.

I think about it for a minute. Once he is here there is no telling what he is going to do, plus I won't be able to send him back. But on the other hand he isn't going to leave me alone until I let him in. And I have no proof that he is going to do anything bad...

"How much power do my works hold?" I demand.

"Absolute."

"So if I were to wish you to this world but put restriction on it there would be no getting around it? As in, if I set conditions you would have to follow them?" 

"Oh Sarah," He groans, "I really wish you wouldn't. You can trust that I won't start any trouble, I give you my word!"

"Don't try to change the subject Jareth, just tell me whether or not it is going to work. I need to know I can trust you if I am asking you to my world." I try to explain.

He sighs, defeated. "If you make the terms that I have to follow to come here I have to agree on them or I will not be allowed to come. But I don't think that is very necessary..."

"So all I have to do is say anything that sounds like an invite plus use my words carefully and that is basically it?"

"Yes."

"Okay then," I straighten myself up, "I invite you, Jareth, to the human world... BUT only on the condition that you do not steal any children while here and I maintain the right to send you home whenever I chose."

Before the last words are fully out of my mouth the mirror begins to glow. Slowly I begin to approach, unsure exactly what is going to happen and what I have to do. I reach forward and touch the glowing glass...

And suddenly the glass shatters towards me sending me falling to the ground.