Labyrinth Pt. II

29. Learning New Tricks

Sarah's POV

The feeling of being touched stirred me from the dreamscape.

"You are crying, snowflake. Are your dreams not pleasing?" Nyx sat on the bed next to my horizontal body. "Wake up, human."

His fingers brushed my unruly bed hair off my face. With reluctance I opened my eyes to meet his piercing crystal ones. I moved ever-so-subtly away from his body.

"Hello there, snowflake." He sharply whispered. "I came in here to find you crying in your sleep. It is still very early, but I felt it best to wake you."

You took her away from me, a voice that sounded like Jareth's quipped in my head.

"I am fine, Nyx " I wiped my face and removed the unfallen tears from my eyes.

"Did it have something to do with our conversation last night?" He raised his eyebrow. "You should feel honored that I proposed such an arrangement. Many creatures would kill to have your position." He stopped and thought for a moment, smiling. "In fact, they very well might."

My eyes widened at his musing. The prince stood and walked to the door.

"I have someone you must meet. He should be delighted to protect you while we organize the ceremony." With those final words he opened and walked through the door way, entrapping me once again. I fell back in to the pillows.

"I 'ave a bad feeling 'bout this, deary." Mr. Worm was inching his way to the top of the bed post near my head. Had it been any other day, any other bug, I would have screamed. This certain bug, however, brought me comfort.

"As do I, good sir, as do I." I situated myself so that we were at relative eye level. "Have you seen Jareth? Do you know where they are keeping him?"

"I've seen 'im." His little face looked glum. "I've seen 'im in better condition too. The last I saw, he was beaten and badly hurt. A familiar faery here has been torturing 'im and finished when he's almost dead!"

"Oh good heavens!" I cover my mouth in shock and my eyes well up.

"How does he appear to you, when you see him?"

"At breakfast he looks tired, and in our dreams he looks normal. Well, normal and weary."

"They must give him magic salve in the morning to heal his wounds... and of course he wouldn't want you to see him hurt or weak." We both ponder over this information in companionable silence. "Deary, can you speak with him when you aren't asleep?"

"I'm not sure. I hear his voice in my head, occasionally, but I've never tried to respond." I state.

"Why don't ya give it a go?"

I took a breath and focused.

J-Jareth?

A moment passed long enough for a heavy feeling to enter my chest. Despite the doubt that took seed, i tried again.

Jareth? Can you hear me?

Sarah?

I gasped and locked eyes with Mr. Worm. He kindly smiled.
"I see it's worked. I'll be off then." He wiggled quickly away.

Sarah? Was that you? Jareth voiced again in my head.

Yes. Jareth its me. I responed quickly. I didn't want to loose him.

It took you long enough to figure this out. I've been trying to gain your attention for a bit now. He smirked. Of course he can smirk when he's talking to me in my head. How very like him.

Mr. Worm helped me. I thought i was imagining your voice in my head.

Does it happen often enough, then? Enough that it didn't phase you?

He sounded so pleased. I, on the other hand, was happy he couldn't see the blush tinting my cheeks.

Are you blushing, dear? Don't be embarrassed. I think about you often.

How are you? I'm changing the topic now.

I'm always fine, love.

Jareth, be honest. What is happening to you?

What did you hear?

Jareth, are you being tortured? Who is doing it?

Yes, but you don't need to worry.

Yes I do! How bad is it? What are you hiding?

Dear, it's nothing I can't handle. Especially now.

Are they doing it now?

My question was met with silence. The hair on my neck stood on end.

Where are you? Can you be seen? He responded.

I'm in my room, alone. Jareth you didn't answer my question.

I allowed you to change the subject earlier. I get a subject change now as well.

That's not fair.

So you will answer my earlier questions?

I- no.

Then I won't either.

But-

Sarah, I'm serious. my answer is one you wouldn't like. Just please keep talking with me.

Fine. What do you want to talk about?

Tell me about your room.

A/N: Sorry for the long break between updates. Life gets in the way of hobbies. This new COVID-19 quarantine has given me time to update and write. Please expect more soon.

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