Sarah was too shocked to start swimming, so two boys jumped after her and helped her out. They didn't hesitate a moment and Sarah was amazed - later, when she could think clearly. She couldn't imagine herself jumping to the Bog on her free will. Now she was sitting in a bubble bath with soap, bubbles, brushes and towels strewn about everywhere. The smell was gone, luckily. Another small advantage of being a goblingirl...
And in the evening she was a queen. Everyone who could come, did. They would sit around her and she read them stories. Sarah mostly read fairy-tales, but she would also read Jareth's books - sometimes somebody would bring a book on geography and history, other times somebody brought an ordinary Earth newspaper. Earth used to be their world once and, even being children, they wanted to hear the news. Sarah loved these moments, when they were all together.
One evening she went to bed and suddenly she realized - to her great surprise - that she was happy. She had lots of friends who needed her and who loved her, really loved her. Yet, she wanted something very different. She wanted to be that pretty girl, she wanted Jareth and his love. But... after everything had gone wrong, this was the best way it could have turned out.
Jareth returned after several weeks and Sarah was one of the first ones to find out – she accidentally met him in the library. She had been trying to climb one of the upper shelves, when she heard a noise. She didn't bother to turn, she had no idea that it could be... him.
"Oh, a new girl," she heard at that moment. She froze, too afraid to move. He will recognize her. He will definitely recognize her. Such a shame. Jareth came closer. "You don't have to be afraid," he said, "I'm your king, girl." Sarah trembled and wasn't able to say a word. He shrugged. "Did you want a book?" She didn't even nod, but looked at him and then she just kept staring. He was much more handsome than she remembered. He stretched a hand and gave her one book. "Here. Lots of pictures. You will like it." He was not mocking. He simply thought she was too young. Sarah took the book and tried to thank him, but instead of it she swallowed loudly. Jareth laughed. "OK, run." She didn't wait for the second chance and escaped the library as quickly as she could. Her heart was beating frantically. Oh no. At home she had realized that she loved the goblin king. But she didn't know it was THAT bad. |
