Labyrinth Pt. II

12. Welcome Back

"Well the entrance looks the same." Jareth runs his hand on the the door. "Somehow that does not reassure me."

The entrance is similar to when I was here as a 16 year old. It ran left to right with no end or corner in sight. It was tall and made of grey stone. The only difference was the surroundings which had lush grass and bushes with colorful berries and flowers. I'm sure they berries were for decoration and not eating...

"Let's just go in. Let's do it quick like a band aid. If we sit here thinking about it we are going to psych ourselves out." I quickly step forward and push the door open. There wasn't much resistance when they opened. Inside was a table surrounded by three pathways. "Well this is different." I said and walked up to the table. Jareth was behind me.

 
"Like I mentioned, I redecorated slightly. The three paths magically change their destinations. Only one leads directly to the castle."

"Well do you remember which one is which? There used to be the door keepers with their riddle. Is there a riddle for this?"

"It was random. I did leave a small mark on the hall that was the right one but it's not there anymore." We studies each entrance probably looking for the mark. "We can most likely thank the new king for that."

I looked down, still feeling guilty about everything that happened with Nyx.

 
"Hey, look. A note." I picked up the piece of paper that sat under a red flower. I didn't touch the flower because I was now paranoid thanks to the goblin's earlier warning.

Welcome Uninvited Guests!
If you are reading this, it appears that you have made it in to my new Labyrinth. I made a few improvements for the better, as you can tell. Please mind your step and take care not to touch anything.
See you soon!

I finished reading the note and looked at Jareth.
"If his tactics are similar to yours, he's watching us."

"I dare say he is." Jareth looked at the note in my hands when he spoke. "In your world they say that imitation is the highest form of flattery. Here, it's a reason for execution and quite insulting."

"What! Why? That seems rather over the top." I'm flabbergasted at what he just said, in case you couldn't tell.

 
"As it may be. However, here, if you are imitated, it's usually used to mock and ridicule the originator." He still staring at the note when he crumpled it in a violent manner. I think about what he just said and can easily see Nyx doing this to get under the Goblin's skin and to mock him. So in a way, it does make sense.

 
"Come let's move forward and choose a path." Dropping the crumpled paper, he moved around the table and I follow. "How should we decide, Sarah?"

I walk up to each entrance and study them. There's one that distinctly smells terrible. I automatically rule that one out. I'd like to avoid smelly things this time around. I go back down the row of entrances again. When I touch the frame of the first one on the left again, I squeak awkwardly and rub at my chest.

 
"What happened?" Jareth asks, but doesn't move towards me.

 
"The key burned me!" I pull it out from under my top to see it glowing white. I walk away from the frame to show Jareth but it fades instantly when I turn around.

 
"That's odd." I mumble to myself and get an idea. "Come here and watch this."

 
Jareth does as I ask and I approach each entrance with the key dangling in front of my face. No other door way gets a reaction.

 
"Now come to this door way," he says standing at the first one. I move towards it and the key reacts, burning so cold that my fingers holding the chain start to turn blue.

 
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" I meet the goblin's eyes.

 
"Unfortunately yes. And I don't like it."

 
"The key is showing us which way to go.... I have a terrible feeling about this."