The Wish

Never had I sung a song, or tasted my first word in my mouth. It was numb and lifeless there, as if dead. I was mute as a mime since birth, but you get used to it.

I was to be watched the night of my seventeenth birthday by my older sister, Elisabeth. Meanwhile, our parents went out on a business dinner, not to return until well after midnight.

Whoopee.

She'd made me clean the house from dusty attic to grimy basement before she allowed even a thought of bed for me.

Just having finally finished the last chore, handwashing all the dishes from the day-despite our fully functional dishwasher- she came into the room holding a trashcan full of my books. "Oh, I'm throwing out those old books of yours. They're gone!"

She laughed, standing behind me with the trashcan opened towards me, showing all my favorite books including the novel that'd been my comfort for years.

The Blood red cover and gold emblazed script "The Labyrinth" caught my eyes. My wet hands snatched up the book from the top in a moment.

"Really, you don't need these anymore. You're an adult. Give up those stupid imaginings and come over to the real world."

And then she crossed the line.

"No wishes come true. Especially not for some mute little girl. You can't make a wish if you can't talk!" She cackled in my face.

Furious, I wrote on a whiteboard at hand, "I wish the goblins would take you away! Right now!" and turned it to my older sister. At the same moment, lightning struck directly outside as a sudden storm kicked up.

When the blinding flash passed, Elisabeth had disappeared into thin air.

I saw a shadow at the glass door behind me, and I heard the flapping of ings at the door, turned to see an owl attempting to get inside, out of the storm.

In an unseen gust of wind, the owl swept in, fluttering about my head mockingly, then turning and when it reached the door, another flash came.

When the flash dissipated, in place of the owl stood a man in a long black cloak with a high collar. He had flowing blonde, layered hair and bright eyes that defied common logic- one was crystal blue, the other dark chocolate.

I felt my eyes widen at the sight of him. I knew immediately who he was: Jareth, The Goblin King.

He didn't look 40, like in the movie with David Bowie, but more of twenty and he smirked at me after a moment.

"Hello, Kirstin." His deep, enchanting voice carried close to me, purring in my ears.

I watched him walk up to me, long legs eating up the distance between us like it was nothing.

I knew somehow that he heard the question in my head. You took my sister?

His grin widened as he circled around me. "Of course. It was what you wished for." I felt my hair lift by his large, warm hands.

"Such lovely hair. Not red, not brown, and not golden, but random mixes of the three; changing every day…" He whispered in my ear. I whirled on him, finding him nearly to the window.

I suppose I would have to make a deal with you to get her back. Maybe he's reading my mind? Anything's possible with this man.

"Correct and correct. I can read your mind. A newfound gift of mine." I blinked.

Will you allow me one thing before I take the offer? I couldn't believe that he could do this. For once, I didn't have to struggle to communicate.

Jareth's face lost some of his warmth at the mention of my going in the Labyrinth, but he nodded consent.

I slowly walked toward him. I want to make a deal… I thought.

"Before we get on to that, answer me one thing. Why do you want that horrible half sister of yours back?" He stepped back as he asked, getting closer to the glass door.

She was always Mom's favorite. I know I was never the one on her mind. I looked down, but looked back up to follow Jareth. We somehow came to a moor with a view of the Labyrinth just beyond the dried, fall colored landscape.

"Hmmm…" Jareth's eyes brightened as a thought crossed his mind. "You were saying about a wager…"

And what would I be wagering…? I raised an eyebrow.

"You, taking her place as captive if you lose. And I will be quick to note to you directly that those who are taken as payment for wishes do not always become goblins. I can be generous, and would show that to you."

I nod, silent, of course.

"Well?"

I look up at him. What about your side of the deal?

"I will give you one wish, free of charge. That is, if I lose our wager."

With that, he disappeared. I already knew that he'd just intentionally wasted a good bit of my time. Sighing, I began the short walk to the wall enclosing the labyrinth. Here we go- Off to save the day, I thought.

Wait a sec, I thought and stopped walking towards the Labyrinth. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO ASK TO GET IN THE LABYRINTH?

LOL couldn't resist putting that as the end of the chappie!

So, yeah, I was inspired to do this story because I've been officially mute for the past THREE DAYS because my GD throat is an ass to me. *sighs*

Redid this chapter, for those interested or new, the old version was very mismatched and noob-ish. Hope you understand/can appreciate the change!