Unnaturally Beautiful

Chapter 17: After Dinner

Tobias opened his eyes slowly. Though he appeared calm, his heart was beating frantically. He was so happy, so excited. Things had gone well with Jareth and those damned prejudice royals! They could be together. They would be together! Tomorrow night he’d see his lover again. Only a week and he missed him so.

Trying in vain to still his heart and mind, Tobias concentrated on the music streaming quietly from his stereo. He’d put in two CDs before bed, pressing the SHUFFLE button. Right now the “Ballad Of Maxwell Demon” by Shudder To Think was playing, perhaps his absolute favorite song ever. He lip synced the chorus, “Ten feet tall, better walk it back down…” It was a shame it wasn’t at maximum volume.

He closed his eyes and breathed deep, recalling his dream. Jareth had been nude, hadn’t he? Tobias felt a stirring in his groin but ignored it. It was definite then, he’d be seeing his lover come nightfall. There were things he needed to do. He needed to spend time with his mother and father and Sarah and little Claire. He needed to get cleaned up, do something with his hair, get a few items together he wished to take back with him. So many things!

Leaning over the side of his bed, Tobias retrieved his journal from its place on the floor. He snatched up a pen as well and rolled onto his stomach, flipping to a blank page. He made a list so as not to forget anything. He made quick work of it, a mess really, and the first thing on the list was to talk to Sarah. He had to get Sarah to wish him away!

Just as he was getting excited again, he heard several creaky steps followed by three swift knocks to his door. He didn’t have time to cover himself, the sheet had fallen to the floor. His mother entered with a smile that quickly faded. He should have locked his door!

“Toby! My goodness, get some clothes on!” She all but screamed, quickly closing the door again, giving him time and privacy to dress.

Tobias did as he was told, glad he’d been lying stomach down. It wouldn’t have been so good for his mother to see his semi. He clambered out of bed and pulled on yesterday’s black jeans, calling out, “Okay,” as he went to his closet in search of a decent T-shirt. He quickly selected a faded red one with holes near the hem.

His mother came in holding an empty laundry basket, “You’ve been home for a week, so I figured your room must be a mess of dirty laundry.” She looked around at the strewn about clothing, “I was right.”

He went to the stereo, turning it off in the middle of a Gorillaz song before his mother could complain about the noise, “I was thinking about going and seeing Sarah today, hang out with her.”

Karen went about collecting all the laundry, straightening a bit as she went, “That’s fine, dear, but when do you plan on going back to school?”

“Soon.” He answered through a smile, realizing suddenly that he was going to have to think of a way to break things to her. “Umm… Mom?”

Karen stood, turning to face her son, a little worried at his tone, “Yes?”

“Well,” He stepped closer to her, feeling completely horrible, “I’ve been talking to my… Uh… Boyfriend again, and well…”

Karen stiffened up, “No. No, I don’t want to hear it. You said this guy was much older than you. Absolutely no.”

Tobias sighed, “Mom, I just…” He shook his head, lacking the courage to come out and say… Whatever he was trying to say, “Never mind. I’m going to go see Sarah, okay?”

She nodded, watching as her son grabbed up his journal and his black hooded jacket and headed out. She stood starring at the open door, listening as he descended the stairs and left the house, the door slamming behind him, not in anger, just habit. Peering out the window, she could see him hurrying down the sidewalk, zipping his jacket up, stuffing the journal in his pocket. Was he wearing flip-flops?

Shaking her head, she turned back to her task. She tried not to think about walking in on her son to find him naked in bed or why he’d be in such a state. And she tried not to think about his homosexuality. My goodness, her son had a boyfriend! And to think they were speaking to one another again. She’d have to have a stop put to that. There had to be something she could do. She thought again of her friend down the street, Nancy.

………………………………...

Sarah was just stepping outside when she saw her brother coming down the walk, “Hey.” She greeted, stepping across the porch and down the steps.

“Were you going somewhere?” He asked, his hands shoved deep in his jacket pockets, his hair a mess.

She nodded, “Yeah, I was going to pick up a few things from the grocery store.”

Tobias smiled, “Can I come? I need to get some stuff too.” Thankfully the small amount of money he had was still wadded in his jeans pocket from yesterday. He and Sarah walked together. The K&R Grocery store was a small little place just a few blocks away. No doubt they were headed there. Tobias looked his sister over, she looked well, wearing jeans and an off-white sweater, boots and her hair done in a braid down her back. She held a small, brown leather purse in her hand as opposed to wearing it over her shoulder.

After crossing a narrow street, Tobias decided to give it a shot, “Can you wish me back tonight?”

Sarah stopped dead in her tracks, turning to her brother, “Already?”

He nodded, “Please. Jareth just let me know that something really good has happened… The Great King and Queen told him it was okay for me to be there, and I miss him Sarah, I really miss him.”

“But it’s only been a week!” She protested, walking again, her pace brisk with her frustration.

Tobias kept up with a little effort, “I know, but I’ll be back to visit again, promise.”

“I just… I don’t know, Toby. I don’t think it’s such a good idea.” She said, trying to be gentle. She didn’t intend on doing this for her little brother. They reached the store after crossing another street. It was hardly crowded. They each picked up a handheld basket, starting down the isles.

Tobias was unfazed, he knew his sister would do this for him. She had to. He pointed towards the cosmetics department, “I’m going to get some hair dye and stuff, okay?”

She nodded, “Meet you at the register.” Poor Tobias. He seemed so upbeat. She hated to crush his happiness, but she felt she knew what was best for him. Shaking her head, she headed down isle five in search of a few necessary spices needed to bake a special cake she’d been planning for dinner.

………………………………...

Tobias pulled his journal out and looked over the small list he’d made of things he needed to buy. He had all but one thing, and he stood before the numerous hair dyes, staring. He wasn’t sure which color to go with. He wanted nothing more than to dye his hair black again, the color he’d been using for years, but it didn’t seem a wise choice. Just a couple months and his roots would be growing out again in the Underground. It was a tough decision. Finally, mind made up, he snatched a couple boxes off the shelf and headed for the registers.

………………………………...

Sarah suspected her brother was completely oblivious to the group of thirteen-year-olds staring and talking amongst themselves. She guessed Toby had no clue how attractive he was. Really, he looked like a young model standing there, leaning against the magazine rack, waiting for her, his form slouched, his jacket unzipped now, a bit of bare midriff visible.

“Have you been waiting long?” She asked as she approached.

He stood away from the rack, “No, I just finished myself.” He said lifting his basket in a gesture to show its fullness.

They got in line, and Sarah blushed to see Tobias unload his items; plenty of eye-liner and lip gloss, some mascara, hair dye, a new hair brush and accessories, and numerous bottles of lubricant, all of different colors, scents, and flavors. The checkout girl blinked up at him, eyeing these items. Tobias was so calm about it, his money out. He was short a bit, so Sarah helped out.

Once they were through, their items bagged, they exited the store, stepping into the winter cold again. Tobias swung his bag gently in his right hand, “There’re so many things I want to do before I leave,” He said, looking to his sister, feeling a bit sad that this was their last day together for a while, “I wanted to spend more time with you and Mom and Dad and Claire…” He sighed, “I don’t know how I’m going to leave, what I’m going to tell Mom.”

Sarah reached out and touched her brother’s shoulder, “I think it’d be best to wait, to think things through.”

He shook his head, “No, I want to go back. I think I’m just going to tell mom that I’m going off with my boyfriend, that I’m safe and all that, but that she can’t come look for me.” He raised a hand to silence her before she spoke, “I know, it’s mean, but it’s better than just disappearing like last time. That was really wrong of me to make all of you worry.”

Sarah looked her brother in the eyes, seeing such maturity. It seemed like he’d really grown since his absence. And not just in his behavior either. She noticed suddenly that she wasn’t looking slightly down to make eye contact, that they were now about the same height. Which put him at what…? Probably five ten.

“What is it?” Tobias asked, wondering what this expression was on Sarah’s face.

They started walking, heading back the way they came, “I have to be honest with you, Toby. I believe all of this now, but it’s still really hard, and knowing all those horrible memories were real… And knowing that you’re mixed up in all that…” She physically shuttered, “I had so much guilt for sending you there the first time, I don’t think I can do it again. I can’t believe that Jareth is a good person, I remember what he did to us, and I… I can’t forgive him or myself.”

Tobias stopped, realizing that Sarah wasn’t just doubtful or worried. She really wasn’t going to do it, and she was trying to break it to him gently. His eyes watered instantly at this realization, but he refused to sob like a child, “Let’s not talk about this right now.” He said finally, “I don’t even want to think about it.”

They’d reached her house, “But, Toby…”

He shook his head, interrupting her, “I want to be happy like I was this morning, I want to believe that in the end, you’ll do this for me, for my happiness. Maybe…” He took a breath, “Maybe you and Aaron and Claire should come over for dinner.”

She nodded, “Okay, but…”

He held up his hand to stop her words, “No, don’t say anything. I’ll see you later. I have a lot I want to do.”

………………………………...

When Tobias got home, he found his mother in the living room, on the phone. She looked up from her seat on the sofa as if she’d been caught. Tobias waved so as not to interrupt the conversation. He gestured to his shopping bag and headed up the stairs once he received a nod. What was his mother up to? She’d acted as if she were hiding something from him, clutching the phone as if to prevent him from hearing whoever it was on the other end.

No matter. He was going back tonight, and it didn’t matter what his mother was up to. It was difficult, but Tobias managed to distract himself for all his current worries. He emptied his backpack of schoolwork; papers and books and trash mostly. He then proceeded to fill it with little things he wanted to take back with him. He had a little mini-boom box CD player that fit perfectly in the bottom. Something he’d gotten for Christmas from his grandmother and had never used. No matter about electricity, Jareth cold make it work with magic. On top of that, he piled about ten of his favorite CDs, his journal two of his favorite T-shirts, and all the items he’d just purchased, except the hair dye of course.

That he held in his hands, sitting on the edge of the bed, reading the label. He’d dyed his hair so many times, he was practically a pro, but this was a lighter color, and he was more accustomed to black, which covered so easily. He hoped it worked. He imagined it would. His roots were grown out considerably and the rest was all together faded. It should lighten successfully.

He lifted the other two boxes of dye, reading. Yes, he could do this, no problem. That decided, and determined, Tobias removed his jacket and went to the restroom across the hall, locking the door. He spread towels out on the floor and removed all his clothing. He wasn’t sure this was necessary, but he knew it was with black and wasn’t taking any chances. He could still remember the first time he’d dyed his hair black. The bathroom carpets, the towels, the shower curtain, the counter; everything had been stained with little black splatters.

Tobias smiled at the memory, combing through his locks. It just brushed his shoulders now. He was tempted to trim it a little, but the ends seemed rather healthy, and he kind of liked the way it looked long. He could always cut it later.

It turned out to be a more difficult job than he’d predicted taking some three and half hours. It took another half hour to clean up. With his hair wrapped in a towel atop his head, and a fluffy robe tightly secured about his waist, he went downstairs to have a late lunch. His mother was no where to be seen. No matter, he went about making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and headed back upstairs.

There was a good four hours before dinner. His mother was still receiving phone calls, but she’d begin cooking soon. He looked around his room, lacking anything to do. He’d straightened everything, emptied his trash cans. Oh, there was one thing he’d almost forgotten! He pulled a spiral notebook from the stack of things he’d removed from his backpack earlier. He flipped to clean page and grabbed a pen. He wanted to leave his parents a note.

Yes, initially he’d planned to talk with them, but when it came down to it… He was a chicken shit after all. Tobias sighed, wording his goodbye note carefully. It wasn’t really goodbye, he wanted them to understand that he’d be back to visit. It was kind of difficult, but he finally managed to get it all down, the purple ink scrawled upon the white page. As an afterthought, or perhaps out of boredom, he sketched in little flowers at the corners.

He was about to tear it loose and leave it on his dresser but changed his mind. His mother had a tendency to barge in and start cleaning up without warning. It wouldn’t do for her to find it early. So Tobias left it in the spiral, dropping the notebook back on the stack of binders and books.

Now what to do? Tobias considered taking a nap, seeing Jareth again maybe in his dreams but decided against it. They’d be seeing each other soon enough. Placing his prepared backpack in his closet, Tobias pulled on the new clothes Sarah had bought him and his hoodie and headed out.

His mother was in the kitchen as he passed, “Where are you going?” She called out.

Tobias paused, “Just for a walk. I’ll be back for dinner.”

She nodded, glancing about, “Okay.”

Tobias looked at her for a moment, deciding she was definitely nervous, antsy even. Something was up. He wondered if maybe Sarah had given their parents a heads up to his departure. He just wasn’t sure.

Again, he wasn’t too worried. After dinner, he’d be back in his lover’s arms. Of course, Sarah was an issue. He knew she was really serious about not wishing him away, but…

Shaking his head, he started out the door and down the sidewalk, heading for the park. The winter breeze felt good against his cheeks, reminding him of Jareth’s touch. It was a bit of a walk, but not too bad. As expected, the park was deserted.

He selected a bench and plopped down, leaning his head back, stretching his legs out. Up in the tree branches hovering over him, he could see a little yellow kite tangled, its white tail whipping in the wind like a dragon’s. Tobias watched if for a few moments, wondering if a child had cried over the kite’s loss.

Sitting up, he could see in the short distance the place where they’d held Sarah’s birthday party. How long ago had that been? Something like six months? It was hard to believe. It felt as if years had passed. So much was happening, so many new experiences. Tobias felt like a different person altogether.

He hoped Sarah came through for him. She had to. He’d just have to be more convincing. He’d have to make her do it. Like last time, if need be.

He hadn’t brought a watch. Near the little pond closer to the center of the park was a small clock tower. As a child, he had always depended on its chime to know when to hurry home, but it no longer worked. Deciding he should just head back, Tobias rose to his feet, awaiting the pass of a little head rush before beginning his trek home.

………………………………...

Sarah arrived to find the living room rather crowded. Claire was unfazed, she ran in, hugging her grandparents hello. Sarah had dressed up a little, she was wearing a knee-length skirt. Aaron hadn’t changed after work, his casual suit comfortable yet formal.

Karen and her father were seated side by side. Karen was wearing one of her more casual skirt and blouse combinations, one she normally cooked in. And it was obvious she had been cooking, the air smelt sweet of roast perhaps? And sweet potatoes.

Her father was wearing slacks and a button-up plaid shirt of muted greens, blues, and grays. Sarah stepped forward suspiciously, “Hey, what’s going on?”

There was a stranger sitting in the matching armchair, a woman. She looked to be slightly younger than Karen, her false blonde hair pulled up high on her head, secured with an ornate clip that looked to be painful. The woman smiled wide, her lips painted bright with an almost red lipstick, “Hi, I’m Nancy Baker. I live just down the street.”

Sarah’s eyes went wide. She remembered Karen mentioning a Nancy! “I remember Nancy down the street telling me her nephew was gay until his parents took him to some kind of priest therapist or something. She said he changed back to normal.” Yes… That’s what had been said!

Sarah closed the door behind her and entered further, “Hi, I’m Sarah,” She turned, gesturing to Aaron, “My husband, Aaron, and my daughter, Claire.”

Claire smiled sweetly to Nancy Baker, her little hands busy with her long sleeves, “Hi!” She announced courteously. Sarah was about to press the question as to this woman’s presence, but was interrupted by her daughter, “Toby!” The little girl squealed.

Tobias could sense the atmosphere was tense as he entered. Only Claire had noticed his entry. She plowed into him, not realizing that she was far too big for such rough play. He closed the door with one hand, gently patting his niece atop her head with the other. Sarah had done her hair in two neat braids, very cute.

Sarah smiled, watching the way her brother interacted with her daughter. Who knew Toby could be so kind? He unzipped his jacket, pushed the hood back off his head, and removed it in a smooth motion, receiving a gasp from Karen.

“Tobias!” Karen exclaimed in a harsh whispered, rising from her seat, “What have you done to your hair?”

Sarah smiled at the normalcy of the situation. Indeed, Toby had really gone all out. His hair was dyed the most lovely shade. It wasn’t brunette, yet it wasn’t exactly blonde either. It was the color of rich honey, streaked through with faint orange-ish highlights. Sarah guessed at once that this was an attempt at recovering his natural color. This was hardly anything that would upset Karen. What upset her stepmother was that the bottom four inches or so were dyed the brightest of blues. It looked strange to see her brother this way, but only because she was so used to the black. The blue really looked good, bringing out the brilliance of his eyes.

She approached her brother, unable to resist hugging him briefly, “It looks good, Toby.”

He smiled, an almost shy expression, one she couldn’t remember ever seeing on the old Toby.

Tobias remained calm, taking Karen’s shock well having expected as much. After all the hellos and the fuss over his hair, Tobias cleared his throat and nodded to the strange woman, “Who’s this?”

Karen straightened her posture, shaking her head in an attempt to forget the little issue of her son’s wild hair, “This is Nancy Baker, a friend of mine.”

Tobias nodded, “Oh, is she joining us for dinner?”

Karen smiled, “Yes, if that’s okay with the rest of you?”

“I wouldn’t want to intrude.” Nancy said, lifting her hands in a gesture that proved she’d back off, she didn’t mind.

“Nonsense, Nancy, you’re welcome to dine with us.” Doug, Sarah and Tobias’ father, said, rising and escorting the pudgy woman into the dining room. Aaron followed with Claire. Tobias shrugged and followed as well.

Sarah took hold of her mother’s arm, holding her back, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Karen pulled herself together, her features hardening, “I have to do something, Sarah. He was talking about his ‘boyfriend’ this morning. I think he’s going to go back to him. I can’t stand for it.” Karen jerked her arm free and hurried into the kitchen.

Sarah followed, her stride rushed, stomping, “But you can’t… He really loves this guy!” She exclaimed in a whisper, knowing everyone was only a door’s width away in the next room. She stopped the moment the words left her lips. Here she was, trying to stop her mother when she was also planning on holding Toby back. She was being hypocritical, wasn’t she?

Karen didn’t answer her stepdaughter, lifting a dish with matching potholders and heading into the dining room.

Sighing, Sarah lifted another dish from the counter, trying to sort her thoughts as she carried it to the table as well. Karen finished up the task, and soon enough, the table was littered with pots and glass dishes and a large roasting pan.

“You made a feast!” Aaron said through a laugh, impressed and unsure as to the occasion.

Karen laughed, the last to take a seat, “Well, it started off small. I just couldn’t stop.”

Sarah looked around the table, unsure what this was coming to. What was happening to this little family? She tried not to think about it too much. Perhaps Nancy Baker was only their because she and Karen where becoming friends. Yes, this was going to be a pleasant dinner. Sarah looked over to find Tobias picking at his food as usual. She realized suddenly that he was wearing the clothes they’d bought the other day. The shirt looked rather fabulous on him, black with a wide, white stripe on each arm just below the shoulder. His hair was down and fell forward each time he leaned in or looked down at his plate.

Idle chat ensued as they ate. Desert was served, hot apple pie with crisscross crust. After serving everyone, Karen suggested Claire eat her pie in the family room where she could watch cartoons. The little girl was glad to do so, carrying her plate carefully as her mother had taught her.

“Toby, your father and I have decided that you should start seeing a counselor.”

Tobias looked up from his pie, “What?”

“Do you really think that’s necessary?” Sarah hissed, angry but trying to keep cool.

Doug spoke up, “It’s what we decided, Sarah.” He was obviously trying to prevent a fight.

“Why?” Tobias asked, sitting back, crossing his arms.

“Now, honey…” Karen started, easily reading the hostility in her son’s posture.

“Because I’m in a complicated relationship? Because I’m growing up?”

“No. Because you’re in a relationship with a man, because you ran off for months with no word, because you’re quiet, you don’t eat well, you wear make-up, and your hair…” She stopped, sighing, “There’s just too much going on in your life, and I don’t know how to help you.”

“I don’t want any help.” Tobias answered, angry but remaining calm.

Karen acted as though she hadn’t heard that, gesturing with a smile suddenly to the woman sitting beside her, “Nancy’s nephew was… Like you. He went to see a priest who specializes in counseling young people with all kinds of modern issues. He helped him, right?”

Nancy sat up, her smile spreading to a grin, her lipstick like a whore’s, “Oh yes, he’s so well behaved now.”

Tobias grimaced, “You can’t be serious. We’re not even Catholic.”

“Oh no,” Nancy said, using her hands again in wild gestures as she spoke, “His services aren’t restricted to church members. When it comes to counseling, his door’s open to anyone.”

“I guess that’s his slogan.” Tobias grumbled, rolling his eyes. How ridiculous could this get? He wished his mother would have waited one more night before bringing this up. He didn’t want to end his visit with a fight.

Doug suddenly slammed his fists to the table, causing everyone to jump, eyes wide, “You’ll take this serious, young man. Your mother’s trying to help you.”

Tobias, eye’s wide, sat forward hesitantly, placing his arms on the table, hands overlapping, “Look… I’m not trying to argue, but… I don’t want help. I know I made a mistake running off the way I did. It won’t happen again.”

Karen half-smiled, knowing her son was truly sorry, “I understand, and we forgive you, but… Honey, I can’t accept your choice of relationship.”

“Because he’s a man?” Tobias asked, his gaze on the tabletop.

“It’s just not natural.” Karen said, nodding.

Sarah sat forward, “But that doesn’t matter. Can’t you tell how happy he’s been lately?”

Doug sighed, “That doesn’t mean it’s good for him. For Christ’s sake, look at that hickey.”

Tobias instinctively reached for his neck, covering the mark he knew was there, “It just happened.” He whispered, not for a minute regretting the mark.

“Just calm down, dear.” Karen said, reaching over to pat her husband’s hand. While Doug remained calmed with most situations, she alone knew how upset her husband was over all this.

“Do you plan on sending me to this guy against my will?”

Karen sighed, nodding, “If you refuse to go.”

Tobias looked up, “You won’t accept me for who I am, for who I love?”

“It’s not that… We love you, you’re our son, but we know you’ve been influenced by all the modern nonsense around you, and… Well, we know you’re better than this.”

Tobias wasn’t sure if he was more angry or sad. He wanted to cry but couldn’t, “When do you plan on going through with all this? I thought I was supposed to start school again soon.”

Karen waved her had in dismissal, “School’s going to wait another week. Starting Monday, you’ll begin your sessions with Priest Meza, and we’ll just see how it goes from there.”

Tobias stood, “If you’ll excuse me… Sarah, can I talk to you?”

Sarah nodded, rising as well, “Sure.” She followed her brother from the table, knowing what was coming, knowing what he was going to ask of her. She watched his bare feet as he climbed the stairs, his narrow form moving up with lithe grace. Had her brother always moved this way?

He held the door for her, closing it once they were both inside, alone. She stepped inside, looking about. He’d cleaned up. It looked nice. She watched as he retrieved his backpack from the closet, it was stuffed rather full.

“I’m going to take this back with me.” He explained, though she hadn’t asked.

She nodded, “You still want me to do it?”

“Of course, but…” He sighed, “I hate to leave it like this.”

“What if I won’t do it?”

He shook his head, reaching out to finger the chipped corner of his bedside table, “I don’t even want to think about. You have to.”

His face brightened, as if he’d remembered something. She watched as he lifted a notebook from the floor, flipping to a scrawled out page, “This was the note I was going to leave Mom and Dad.” He said, ripping it out, tearing it up.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to write a new one real quick.” He laughed, a dry, somber sound, “That one didn’t make much since after everything that happened at dinner.”

Sarah nodded, taking a seat on the edge of the bed while Tobias sat against the headboard, notebook in his lap, pen moving quickly over the page. It didn’t take too long. He left it open to that page, dropping it onto the bed beside him.

“I want you to know I’ll always come back to see you, Sarah. I love you and Claire and Aaron even.”

She waved her hand at the mention of Aaron.

Tobias frowned, “I want you to be happy, Sarah. Do that for me, okay? Be happy, take care of yourself.” She nodded, and he went on, “And I love Mom and Dad too. All this makes me so mad, but I know they care about me.”

“Toby, I don’t want you to go.” She blurted suddenly.

He smiled, “I’ll be back, promise. Jareth’s good to me, he understands how important you are to me.” He remembered something suddenly, his eyebrows shooting up, “Oh, I forgot to say goodbye to Court!”

Sarah laughed, “Want me to tell her bye for you?”

He groaned, “Oh man… I feel so bad. Would you mind?”

She laughed again, “Of course.” She watched then as he went to his closet and pulled out a couple of his more “Goth” shirts, also grabbing up a couple of CDs from a pile by his stereo.

“Here.” He said, stacking them on the edge of his dresser, “Would you give these to her when you can? Tell her it’s a gift for forgiveness.”

It was so cute the way he said it, she couldn’t help laughing. Or maybe she was using the amusement to push away her feelings concerning his departure. She wasn’t sure if she was sad or regretful or just confused or what.

Tobias sat again on the bed, watching the expression change again and again on his sister’s lovely face, her cheeks so smooth with a faint rosy quality.

A chill swept his body then, like a great hand caressing him from head to toe. He shuttered and closed his eyes. “Tobias…” Came a whisper, as if the air were speaking, filling the room with the quiet summons.

Sarah’s eyes went wide, her breath quickening.

Tobias opened his eyes, noticing instantly Sarah’s reaction, “You heard it too?”

“Was that… Him?”

He nodded, closing his eyes again, “Yeah.” He said through a sigh.

“A little demanding, huh?” She tried to laugh it off, unable to shake the fear at hearing that voice again.

Tobias sat up, rising from the bed, lifting his backpack into his arms. He smiled sweetly at her, waiting patiently for her to get it together. He could tell when she was ready. She sat up and swallowed and had obviously gotten her resolve together. “I’ll see you soon, okay, Sarah?”

She smiled, nodding, unable to say goodbye. She’d cry if she tried to say goodbye. Instead, she concentrated on what must be done, what must be said, “Goblin King, Goblin King, take this child of mine far away from me.”

The wind blew, a cool wind coming from nowhere, swirling gently about the room in a circular motion, causing the curtains and bedding and paper here and there to flutter. The lights blinked, hardly noticeable. Sarah heard a scampering behind her, but didn’t look away from her brother, keeping her eyes locked with his.

“Tobias…” Came that whisper again, and suddenly she could see a ghost-like form step out of the air, standing behind her brother. She knew at once this was the Goblin King. He looked the same as ever, what she could see anyway. One second his image was clear down to the buttons on his outrageous jacket, the next it was hard to make out his shape at all. Translucent arms came up to encircle her little brother, holding him in what appeared to be a tight grip.

Tobias turned his head to the side, lifting a hand to rest on that of the Goblin King’s. Sarah rose to her feet, staring wide-eyed. She heard that scampering sound again but ignored it. She watched those ghost-like lips move, “Nn… Tobias…”

She watched in utter amazement as her brother himself began fading. She was tempted to reach out but restrained herself. At the last second, before the two forms were gone completely, that of the Goblin King lifted his head and looked her dead on, making eye contact, “I thank you, Sarah.” And with that they were gone, disappeared into the air itself. She fell back onto the bed, eyes still wide. She remained there for some twenty minutes pulling herself together.

Had she don’t the right thing? She wasn’t sure. Wiping away tears she hadn’t realized were there, Sarah noticed the notebook on the bed. The note to their parents… She lifted it, reading the rushed handwriting…

Mom, Dad,

I know I promised not to leave without word like I did last time, but I didn’t know how to tell you.

Please don’t think this is because of what happened at dinner. I was already planning to go back to my boyfriend before all of that. I really love him.

I don’t know when I’ll be back. It might be a long time, but I’ll definitely come back to visit. So please don’t worry. I’m safe and happy and taking care of myself. Take care of yourselves as well, okay?

I love you guys,

Tobias

There were rushed attempts at flowers and leaves and swirling lines in the corners. Though it was messy, it was really a touching note. Sarah had to hold back the tears as she returned it to its place on the bed. Getting up to leave, she looked around the room to see if anything was out of place. Satisfied, she left the room, turning out the lights and closing the door behind her.

She’d have to regain her composure now. She couldn’t let anyone know something was up. She’d tell them Tobias had decided to go to bed, that he was a little upset. She could do it. She was an actress, after all.

To be continued…

Okay, some more notes: I don’t think I succeeded in this chapter, but I have serious plans on fixing Tobias’ character that seems to have gone too fluffy. The next chapter’s looking good so far. And there will be citrus! So, please, stay with me!