Once upon a cursed king

Chapter 6: Dreams or Reality

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Sarah sat quietly processing what she had just been told, wary of the man who had introduced himself as August.

"So let me see if I've got this right," Sarah began. "Everyone in this town is a fairy tale character, but they don't remember and this woman... this Emma person is going to save everyone."

"Well, it's not just that they can't remember; they've been put under a dark curse. A curse which has ripped them from our homeland and placed false memories of a life here, forcing everyone to forget who they really are and where they come from," August replied agitatedly.

Sarah rolled her eyes at his dramatic speech. "Right, yes, as I was saying, you've said that this woman Emma is supposed to save everyone, but you haven't said how she's going to do that. You've also failed to mention how you're involved in this and how it is you know about the curse. I did, however, notice your slip up when you said our homeland, so the real question is who are you?" Sarah asked calmly.

August smiled solemnly at her. "You don't miss much do you, Sarah?" He asked rhetorically as he walked over to his bedside picking up a hat and a piece of paper.

"Wait a minute, I never told you my name. How do you know my name?" Sarah demanded.

August handed her the piece of paper. "Read it."

Upon opening the letter, Sarah immediately recognized the writing. "James. He knew about this place already didn't he, the curse and everything. So why did he really send me here?" Sarah scrunched the letter up as she rose from the chair.

"Look, Sarah, read the letter. You'll soon see I'm not here to hurt you; I'm here to help you." August said quickly trying to calm her down.

"It's time for me to send her. She's going to need your help; I've done all I can to keep her belief in magic alive, but I can see it slowly dwindling with every failed attempt at finding him. I've made so many mistakes. I'm hoping that helping Sarah will alleviate some of the guilt. James." Sarah finished reading the letter aloud. Her mind was racing. She stared blindly at August; her eyes glazed over with confusion.

"Sarah," August called softly making her jump. "I know you have lots of questions about me and James and the curse. I also know your feeling guilty for not wanting to ask them because you're focusing on the possibility of finding Jareth. Everything else can wait, Sarah; I think you've waited long enough."

"Whe- where is he?" She asked her voice cracking with the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes.

"You can usually find him down at The Rabbit Hole around this time," August replied, barely able to finish speaking before Sarah rushed past him and out the door.

Sarah ran blindly down the street only to realize that she had no idea where The Rabbit Hole was. She quickly skidded to a stop, noticing out of the corner of her eye that she had just run past a dimly lit sign for The Rabbit Hole. Sarah bent over slightly trying to catch her breath, suddenly nervous to see Jareth after all these years looking for a way back to him. Hearing a door open, Sarah stood straight and began to turn around.

"Give me a break guys, I'll be back in a few minutes," the voice shouted before closing the door behind him.

Sarah stared at the man who stood by the door with his back to her. She would recognize that voice anywhere, not to mention the out of place hair and clothes.

"Jareth," Sarah gasped as she shook off her nerves and ran at him.

Jareth turned around at the sound of his name just in time to catch the unknown woman as she threw her arms around him and kissed him. Startled by the passion of the kiss he automatically began to respond. Coming back to his senses he pulled away from her and set her back on the ground.