Labyrinth: A Darker Season

Chapter 1

When Sarah returned from the Labyrinth, she kept mostly to herself and became quiet. She never told the tale to anyone and refused to ever wish for anything again. She was terrified to go back to the Underground because Jareth frightened her so much. Sarah wasn't sure she could put herself through that again and be able to get back. So, it was easiest to never try it.

Sarah believed Jareth was handsome and all, but he wanted too much in exchange for her freedom, only giving her material possessions through his final offer. She had spoken to her friends a few times and the mirror just never worked again. She wasn't sure but figured the Goblin King shut it down.

Sarah was walking out of the coffeehouse, as the door chime tinkled, with her favorite caramel latte. It was November and a cold, biting gust of wind hit her while wearing her winter coat. Walking back to work on a cold, sunny day, Sarah was at the end of her break. It was a slow day in the Self Defense class she taught at the Dojo on Tuesday through Saturday in the town of Greenwich, Connecticut.

Sarah learned Krav Maga, All Season Survivalist Training, Archery, and Shooting Marksmanship from age seventeen. She was now twenty seven years old and completely trained in all four with completed certifications. Sarah learned Self Defense classes after she was attacked in a dirty alley at night in downtown New Haven, Connecticut eleven years ago. Her so-called girlfriend in high school stranded her at a club, not telling her that she left with some random guy. Sarah went to a dance club with her friend that night, driving from Guilford, Connecticut to New Haven. She was told never to go to New Haven alone. She regretted that night and never spoke to her ex-girlfriend again. Her father collected her from the hospital the next day, and he lectured her for days, as well as her stepmother. Like she didn't feel bad enough.

After that night, Sarah swore she would never be vulnerable like she was back then again. So, she immersed herself in books studying Anglo-Saxon History and training herself physically and started teaching men and women self defense until it became her career of choice.

When Sarah got back from her break between classes, the man who taught in the Dojo next door, Darryl the Doofus, asked her out every day when their schedules crossed, mostly Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sarah always said no, but he wouldn't stop, and it was always ticking her off. He wasn't a bad looking man, tall blonde hair, tight muscular body and blue eyes, it was just his skirt chasing and thinking he's God's gift to womankind. It grinds Sarah's gears that he's relentless in trying to wear her down. Even if she went out with him, she would never sleep with a jerk like him. Sarah was not easy, and he wanted easy, you could tell.

Darryl begged and said, “Come on, Sarah. Just go out with me once. If you hate it, then I'll leave you be.” He was like an over anxious puppy. She heard some women telling each other that he was a total player and only wanted sex, then Darryl would dump the woman. A hump and dumper. Sarah couldn't stand him and his acting so arrogantly. Like she would change her mind after the hundredth time of being annoyed.

Sarah rolled her eyes and said stoically, “No, Darryl. Leave me alone, damn it.” She turned and walked out of the locker room into her classroom.  He just stood there by the locker looking at her ass and fantasizing.

Sarah finished her day of teaching and went home to her upper flat above a small business insurance agency on Sound Beach Avenue. It was a nice two-bedroom flat.  She got out of her clothes and took a shower.

When she came out, she tossed her dirty clothes in the washing machine. She was towel drying her hair and not paying attention. She walked into her bedroom and dropped her towel on the bed and put on her panties, bra, sweatpants, and long sleeve tshirt. Sarah was oblivious to the Goblin King standing there in the doorway of the second bedroom.