As the World Falls Down

Chapter 6: The Deserted City

I didn't sleep a wink that first night. I'm sure he noticed, too, because he looked alarmed when I stumbled my way into the kitchen. If his castle was like this, I wouldn't want to go through the labyrinth itself.

"Are you alright? You looked as though you've been through a battle," he said, fighting back laughter. No use in telling him that I've been through many of those. He probably already knew that. The remark still stung, though, despite the fact that it was a joke. Sensing that I was indeed hurt by his words, he quickly apologized. Seriously, though, where was the Jareth I had read about for so long? This wasn't him.

He invited me to sit down and have jam on toast with him. Interesting to know that the food wasn't any different here (wherever "here" was). I was actually enjoying my breakfast until I remembered something that made me almost lose it. What happened when dad figured out we weren't there? Did he wait for my mother and.. No, that was too terrible to dwell on any longer. Instead, I asked Jareth if he knew.

"Don't worry about it, lo- Lauren. She's safe and sound and all is as it should be. I've put her into a sort of trance, though, so she won't notice that you're missing until you choose to return." Did he almost call me love? I shook the ridiculous question from my mind and excused myself back into my chamber to get dressed and brush my hair. After checking that Elyse was indeed fine and occupied, I returned to find him dressed for traveling.

"I have more business. I'll be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, do whatever you want." I was hoping that I could spend some time with him, but my wishes aren't all that matter. I did what any normal person in a strange land would do; I decided to tour the city. What I discovered was that there wasn't much to look at. Stranger still, all of the goblins either stayed inside or stood behind their gates to watch me. Few were actually out and about. I counted only fifteen goblins. What had become of the thriving city I had once read about?

Something had definitely changed.