Masquerade

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Sarah opened the front door of the house she had grown up in. Quickly, she entered. The teen babysitter came into the entryway. Sarah could hear a horror movie playing in the den.

"You're home early. Is something wrong?"

Sarah looked at her. "No, sorry, but I can't pay you. You'll have to wait till my parents get home."

She nodded. "No problem. I'll just go back to my movie."

The young woman walked back to the den as Sarah raced up the stairs and entered her room. She threw her shoes toward her closet and quickly got out of the dress. She laid it gently on her bed. Then she grabbed her PJs and undies.

After a quick shower, Sarah sat at her vanity. Now she had to make her decision. Jareth vs. her family. There she had finally said his name in her mind. She had no idea what to do. If she chose him, then Irene wouldn't be able to control her life, but also then she would lose everything familiar to her. If she chose her family, she would lose her dreams, since they were all about him and his world.

Sarah sighed. This wasn't going to be easy. She glanced at her mirror and then at her alarm clock. She still had two hours to decide. Damn, things had to be so hard. She placed her head down on her crossed arms on her vanity top.

She heard her bedroom door open. Sarah raised her head and watched as Toby came in. He shut the door and came towards her carrying Lancelot. Toby stood looking up at his sister.

"Sarah, what's wrong?"

She turned towards him. "Why did you do it, Toby?"

He smiled at her. "You have been so sad and I asked your friends in your mirror. They told me everything."

She began to cry. "Toby, I'm so sorry."

Toby shook his head. "I'm not upset. I'm just worried about you."

Sarah got out of the chair and hugged him. "Oh, Toby, you don't have to worry about me."

"You worry about me. No one else does."

Sarah moved away a bit. "That's not true."

Toby nodded. "Yes it is. You spend more time with me than they do."

Sarah wiped a tear off her face. "So you don't want to stay?"

"Why stay? Sarah, you won't be lonely anymore."

Sarah sighed. "I still don't think this is right."

Toby slowly moved away from her. He climbed up into her window seat. Then he opened the window. Suddenly a golden white barn owl flew into the room. The bird then transformed into the Goblin King.

"Well have you made your choice yet, Sarah?"

Sarah stood up and glanced at Toby. "What happens if I choose to leave?"

"I make it when no one remembers you two in this world."

Jareth sighed and walked towards her. "Sarah, you still have sometime left."

"I know."

Jareth kneeled in front of her. "Sarah, what is here keeping from coming with me?"

"Nothing really."

"Then why are you putting yourself through this?"

"Toby."

Jareth sighed. "Precious, he would be coming with you. You are more his mother than she ever has been."

"I know but..."

Jareth placed a finger on her mouth. "Sarah, could you live the rest of your life without your friends."

Sarah shook her head no.

"Then come with me. If you stay here much longer, I'm afraid that your parents will get to you and change you from the woman I love."