This fic is dedicated to my muses.

Forever may they whisper into my ears.

It is truly strange...

Everyone says they understand, that they know what it's like to lose a loved one, but they're lying. They may think they know, but they don't. And no matter how much they try to comfort you, it doesn't work. "It's a phase," they smile knowingly. "It'll pass."

Liars.

He was more than your little brother; he was your best friend. When the people at school teased you about your imagining, he smiled and said; "It's okay. They don't know." And you'd feel better. But now...

He's gone.

Where's a Goblin King when you need one?

Cancer.

Nasty, foul, uncouth word. You told him it'd be alright. You said it'd get better...

You knew it wouldn't.

"I wish the goblins would come take Toby away, right now. I wish the Goblins would come and take Toby away right now….right now."

Living out the rest of his life as a goblin would have been better than dying. Slowly dying. So you wished him away. Over and over and over again.

It didn't work.

Toby died.

After the funeral, you went to Cudgeon Bridge. The water was rushing by so fast….

"Sarah," Toby had once asked. "What's it like to swim in Hurricane River?"

"I don't know." You replied. "It's too dangerous, Toby. Don't you ever try it! You promise?"

"I promise, Sarah."

"I wonder what it is like…" you mutter. Someone rests a gloved hand on your shoulder.

"Don't do it, Sarah." You don't even turn around.

"Why shouldn't I?" you whisper mockingly.

"Don't do it...for my sake." You laugh bitterly. "For Toby's sake then." He prods. Coward! Bringing Toby into this!

"Toby is gone!" you hiss, whirling around. "You wouldn't help him. You wouldn't save him! Why do you care now?!" Jareth looks pitying. He brushes your hair out of your face. For what good it does: the wind is blowing fiercely now.

"I cannot help anyone but you. You know that. Let me help you, Sarah. Come with me! Love me, fear me, do as I say, and I will be your slave." You look up, angrily.

"Liar!" you yell. "It's just another fairy-tale! It isn't real!" Jareth points a gloved finger behind you.

The Labyrinth.

"It's not real." You sob. "And you aren't real. You're not real…" He smiles and says:

"Then let me be real." What other choice did you have?

"Hello, Dr. Wendell. How is Sarah?" The doctor consulted his clipboard.

"Not good, I'm afraid." He said gravely. "I think it might be time to consider institutionalization." The couple looked regretfully at each other.

"What exactly is wrong with Sarah?" the Mr. Williams asked.

"She has created a fantasy-world." The doctor sighed. "She believes she is in some sort of…Labyrinth. Perhaps representing a maze of emotions? She frequently is heard muttering a name. Jareth. Do you know a Jareth?" The couple shook their heads. "An imaginary character, then." The doctor conceded. "It is…strange. Most patients in this situation would be frightened, usually to lethal capabilities. But she seems quite content in her Labyrinth. It is strange…"

Our minds are wonderful things.

But they are also deceiving.

Illusions are accepted as reality without a thought.

Dangers unknown are fought in our dreams,

and hardships unnumbered are nothing but thoughts in the wind.

But it is not safe.

If we give in, we are lost forever.

To face fears that are not real.

To dream reality.

To be with people we create.

Think before you act.

And whatever you do:

Do

Not

Lose

Yourself.

Our minds are great and terrible.

It is strange...