Unnaturally Beautiful

Chapter 06: Summons

Over the next weeks, Tobias searched every inch of his room for the playbook his sister had mentioned. He failed to find it. For some reason, he had it in his mind that he needed these right words. If it were so easy to simply call the man to him, it have happened by now. No, there were right words to be spoken. However, the book was no where to be found. He wanted to ask Sarah if she’d look for it, but didn’t want to bother her. She seemed on the verge of completely losing it.

He saw her at school everyday. They talked generically about classes and family, but little else was said. Their company was strained. He’d had several more dreams, but hadn’t breathed a word to her. He was more worried about his sister than his situation.

The dream of recent was simple. An image of Jareth sitting in some large, ornate chair, legs crossed, slouching, looking beyond sexy, that smirk on his wide, sensual lips, and with a simple little gesture, he’d beckon Tobias to him. That as it, he always woke just after that blatant summons. It was the same dream he’d had three times now. He got the sense that Jareth was becoming impatient. What else could he do though? Why didn’t Jareth simply tell him the words to say?

Frustrated and confused, Tobias found himself working harder than ever in art. He’d filled his sketchbook with endless drawings of goblins and strange rooms and furniture and most of all, Jareth. The current assignment was to do an abstract painting using acrylics. Tobias didn’t even bother discussing his piece with the teacher. Instead, launching into a confusing sketch of a corner of a room, Jareth standing in the doorway, facing out, throwing a mischievous glance over his shoulder, several goblins skittering about in the room, a vast scenery visible through the doorway. The large sketch on the canvas was nearly impossible to decipher , and the teacher had approved, thinking it surely abstract. When painting began, everyone realized this was no abstract piece, and since it was watercolor, he was doing extremely well, pleased with his own progress.

Another outlet was his journal. He’d been scribbling in it every evening before bed, filling three to five pages a night with musings on the situation, possibilities. He was beyond excited.

There was one other problem though. His mother. He could tell she was worried as hell, and no doubt for the wrong reasons. She thought he was gay and was watching his every move as if for some confirmation. It was more than annoying. He knew she was capable of talking his father into anything, and who knew what she was thinking? Tobias was tempted to confront the woman, but Sarah had promised that Karen wouldn’t try and make him see a shrink or anything. He just hoped Sarah was capable of fulfilling that promise. She was going through a lot after all.

……………………………

Sarah sat down opposite her husband weeks ago, explaining everything. Aaron had been sweet as usual. She wasn’t sure if that was a talent he’d picked up after hearing hundreds of nuts or if he was sincerely trying to help and understand. He’d heard her talk of these things before. Back in college she’d still been trying to deal with reality. Had it happened or not? Not she was facing the same questions. She told him about everything that was happening to Toby, the evidence on her little brother’s body. He listened to everything, and he’d suggested she start taking a prescription to calm her nerves. She’d nearly gotten into a wreck racing to the pharmacist. He also suggested Toby get professional help.

“Honey, he sounds delusional. Maybe these marks you saw were self-inflicted.” It had been just as Toby had said it’d be.

She’d shook her head, “No. I promised I wouldn’t force him into anything like that, and I won’t. I did suggest it though.”

They talked about it often now, going over details and possibilities. Aaron made a lot sense, telling her about others with similar problems. This was something from her childhood. Something she’d created in response to her mother’s death and her father remarrying. A fantasy land to escape. There was nothing wrong with her.

She expressed her concerns for Toby, and he’d explained that maybe Toby was going through stress as well. It was obvious he was having difficulty connecting with others. He had no friends at school, no relationships at all really. His appearance was a cry for help in Aaron’s book. When she thought about it, all Toby really had was her. He didn’t get along well with their parents. Aaron suggested that maybe he was stressed too about his sexuality. Perhaps he was latching onto this childlike fantasy much as she had in the past, an escape, like his artwork. However, it seemed Toby was taking it to the next level. Aaron insisted it could become dangerous, if he could just speak to Toby, but Sarah refused.

“He’ll ask for help when he needs it. I know Toby. If you push him, he’ll just draw further away.”

“Whatever you say, honey. I just worry about him.” He said, kissing her on the forehead in that protective manner.

She smiled, “Me too.”

Aaron had been a big help. She was no feeling rather calm about all this, convinced again that she’d been right. This was all silly childhood fantasy haunting them from the past. Never mind little things like Toby painting an exact image from her very mind. She just stopped thinking about those things, those doubts. Aaron was right. It was something created in moments of stress and pain, an escape.

It became easier and easier to see Toby at school. He seemed well enough, a bit sleep depraved, but otherwise well enough. He didn’t mention anything else happening, and he’d promised he would. So, perhaps things were returning to normal. She hoped so.

……………………………

The painting was finished in a matter of days. It was nothing like the rest of the classes’, but he still got a hundred. It was perfect. Perhaps Jareth wasn’t all he truly was, but it was the best he could do considering his source. It was hard to recall beauty from a dream. It was the best he’d ever done, much butter than the oil painting. In fact, he planned on replacing it with this new one.

He left the painting in class, going down the hill to meet Sarah without it. She’d been doing rather well lately, he didn’t want to upset her again. He said hi, walked her halfway to her car, talking about the usual, then excused himself suddenly, saying he’d forgotten something, which wasn’t a complete lie. He retrieved his painting and made sure she was long gone before beginning the walk home.

As he passed the last group of kids, he heard his name being called. He didn’t stop or turn, simply continuing on. Seconds later, he heard load tromping, someone hurrying after him.

“Tobias! Wait!”

He didn’t wait, and it didn’t take long for the girl to catch up. He glanced her way, recognizing her as the petite girl who’d asked him out not too long ago. She was wearing big clunky shoes, responsible no doubt for all that noise earlier. The rest of her clothing was a combination of chains black jeans littered with safety pins and a flowing black top with little neon pink flowers printed sporadically in the material.

“Aren’t you going to miss your bus?” He asked, assuming that’s what her and that group had been waiting for.

She laughed, “No, I walk home. I was just talking to my girlfriend.”

Tobias was curious whether she meant her girlfriend or her friend that’s a girl, but he didn’t ask. She continued following him, clomping along. Finally he stopped, looking her in the eyes, having to look down considerably to do so, “What do you want?”

“Well,” She said, all smiles and dimples, “I really want to go out with you, but I know you’ll say no. So, I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with being your friend.”

“Who said I want a friend?” He asked, walking again.

“Doesn’t matter. I’ve decided.”

“Why?”

She actually gave the question some thought, which gave her points in Tobias’ book, “At first because you’re hot, but now I just think you’re interesting.”

Tobias was slightly uncomfortable being called hot. He’d never considered himself attractive, “So I’ve gone from hot to interesting?”

“No, you’re still hot, but since you’re not into girls, it doesn’t really matter. And now that I know a little more about you, I think you’re too interesting to stay away from.”

He stopped again, looking down at this girl, “Who says I’m not into girls?”
She laughed, “Lots of people. Plus, it’s kind of obvious. You turned me down without even looking. Not to mention you’re always drawing sexy guys.” She said the last pointing to his painting.

He sighed, “Whatever. Just quit following me. The last thing I need right now is a friend.” He picked up the pace, hoping he could perhaps leave her behind.

She caught up, trotting along beside him, “Don’t be silly. Everyone needs friends.”

“Do you even live around here?”

“We passed my street. I didn’t know you lived in the suburbs. I thought you were poor.” She chattered on that way until they reached his house. He didn’t say goodbye or invite her in. He just continued ignoring her, going inside without a word. Hopefully she’d take the hint.

Once upstairs, he went to work switching out the paintings. It was a simple enough task. He leaned the other one against the wall near his closet, facing the room. He hung the new opposite the bed. It didn’t have a frame yet, but he’d get to that soon enough. For now he wanted it up so he could look at it.

Now there was something else he wanted to do. The library. Tobias had decided to do some research. Of course, they had a computer. It was his father’s really, but he didn’t want to use it. He didn’t know too much about computers and he didn’t want his father knowing what he was researching. Not to mention all the trouble it’d be to ask.

He let his mother know where he was going and headed out, promising to be back for dinner. The walk was a long one but that wasn’t a problem. The problem was that, upon arriving, he found that all the computers were in use. He had to wait a half hour before one was free. The librarian made him sign something about not looking up porn and what not. She then explained a little about their computers. Tobias had a little trouble at first, but figured it out rather quickly. He tried searching through a search engine, but that wasn’t turning up anything. He kept getting too many random things. So he decided to search through an online bookstore. A middle school sitting beside him suggested Amazon. And that’s where he found what he was looking for.

He started off searching book titles with any words he could think of relating to his dreams and stories Sarah used to tell. He remembered this book. It was a little leather bound thing with a one word title. Something to do with the entire adventure. He searched magic, fairies, goblins, everything he could think of. Frustrated, he sat back in his chair. Trying to calm down, he thought about how he’d finally finished his painting and how it’d turned out just as he’d imagined. Then he thought about how hard it’d been to paint the labyrinth in the background seen through the doorway.

It had dawned on him then. The Labyrinth. That was the title of the book. He searched it, finding just what he was looking for. It looked just as he remembered. A play by Jim Henson. He printed the page out, paying the five cent fee.

“Ma’am, excuse me, but do you have this book?” He asked, sounding anxious and feeling dumb for it.

The librarian took the paper, lifting her glasses from the gold chain about her neck and lifting them to her eyes without really putting them on, “Oh yes, The Labyrinth. That was a very popular play about twenty years ago. I’m sure we have several copies.” She returned the paper then, pointing with her glasses in hand, “The plays are in that back corner. Just look under H for the author. It should be there.”

Tobias hurried that way, weaving around the tables and browsers, finally reaching the section in question. He scanned the spines quickly, his finger hovering over each one as he read the authors’ last names. The H’s were easy enough to find. Henson, Henson, Henson… He snatched it from the shelf upon finally seeing it. The librarian was right, there were three copies. He chose the one in the best condition and proceeded back to the desk. Checkout was simple enough. He had to fill out several papers since it was the first time in years since he’d checked a book out. Finally done, he hurried out, beginning the walk home. As he walked, he read. This was the story Sarah had been so obsessed with as a teenager. He could understand why. It was really good, though he didn’t much like reading it in play format. Still, he understood the just of it. Though, the name Jareth wasn’t mention whatsoever. The Goblin King in general seemed to have little personality or character, he was simply an evil figure. And the girl in the story was almost comparable to a princess. She was pure and proper. It was nothing like the tale he’d heard over and over from Sarah’s lips. Still, it gave some insight into the origin of everything. He knew already that he’d never be returning the book. So, as he walked, he began peeling off library stickers and removing the little card from the inside. He let the litter drop to the pavement as he walked.

Dinner was already prepared and set out on the table when he got home. He tried to be as quiet as possible as he entered, hoping to hide out in his room and look more closely at this book. However, his mother saw him before he even got to the stairs.

“Toby, dinner’s ready. Get washed up and we’ll eat.”

“I’m really not hungry.” He said, slowly continuing upwards.

“Nonsense!” She all but yelled, “You haven’t been eating at all lately. You have to eat something or you’re going to get sick!”

He rolled his eyes, “Fine.”

……………………………

Tobias hadn’t realized how hungry he’d been. Still, he couldn’t eat much because he was so anxious about getting to the book and searching its pages for that one scene, that one line. He didn’t bother waiting for dessert, claiming he was full as he rushed up the stairs.

He kicked of his Brazilia shoes and climbed in bed feeling like a kid at Christmas. It’d been a long time since he was this excited about anything. He snatched the book and began flipping through the pages. He glanced up at his painting, Jareth looking back at him over his shoulder, that smirk ever in place, those eyes sparkling with mischief.

The scene was fairly easy to find, the maiden in the midst of distress, anger causing her to say things she doesn’t mean. Goblin King, Goblin King, take this child of mine far away from me! Tobias blinked. Was that it? He reread the scene, skimming more than necessary. Okay, something about the Goblin King falling in love with the girl, giving her special powers. None of this was helping.

Tobias sighed, shoving the book aside and lifting his journal from the floor. He read a recent entry.

Have I fallen for this idea of a man? I know nothing about him except that he’s erotic and enchanting and drop dead sexy. Why has he come into my life? Perhaps he’s fallen for me and is trying to seduce me from afar? For what purpose? Whatever. It’s all too dramatic. All he need do is show up and ask me out. I’d say yes in a heartbeat. Jareth. Where are you?

He knocked the journal to floor. This was all getting a bit too silly. Maybe the only way to reach Jareth was through his dreams, and he was going through all this effort in vain. The image from his most recent dream popped into his head suddenly, Jareth summoning him, motioning for him to come.

“I’m trying, damn it!” He yelled in frustration, willing the dreams to leave him be for a moment.

“Not hard enough.” Came a whisper, a breeze of a sound, most definitely a male voice.

Tobias shuttered, whipping around, his eyes wide, looking about for someone, anyone. “My God.” He whispered, not doubting for second. He had heard a voice, just now, plain as day. Not hard enough it had said. He wasn’t trying hard enough!

He snatched the playbook up, opening it to page one. He was determined to read the entire thing now. There was something he was missing, had to be.

To be continued…

Hopefully my next post won’t take too long. I definitely know where I’m going with this. Well, until next time!