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Chapter Eight
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They returned to the castle in a daze of emotional aftershocks from the lasting effects of the Solstice Celebration and the renewing exchange of the Heart Songs, an unheard of event in the Underground to the best of Jareth's knowledge. Neither wished to do anything but gaze into each other's eyes and remain within touching distance in some ridiculously romantic mood which they seemed unable to shake for days until even they couldn't help deprecating themselves at their sappy behavior. Jareth and Sarah found relief that this one time Lizzie's presence was elsewhere otherwise her sarcasm would be endless.
Ultimately, even this wondrous disposition must cease and real concerns intrude. Jareth received a call from Aboveground from an old friend they'd not heard from in years and with a cheerful heart he left Sarah to deal with whatever needs were required of him. For her, Sarah decided his absence, while lamented, would serve her best since she could finally start researching the bowels of the castle library which other events had set aside for too long.
After the Fae Council placed their third request on hold she and Jareth discussed their options and he suggested they should start searching for the original spells used to Bind the Labyrinth and create the Game so many centuries ago. When asked what possible help those spells could be to them, he explained the primary reason they required the Council's permission to end the Game was due to the Council possessing the sole right to grant or deny the creation or destruction of large scale spells such as theirs. This management kept order in the Underground and disallowed any potential tyrants of extreme magical ability. Jareth explained if they could locate the original spell documentation perhaps they could alter it to suit their needs without wholesale destruction of the Game, thereby sidestepping the Council's involvement.
Bringing Sarah presently to the castle library where she and several of the more intelligent, helpful goblins including Skittle her favorite, searched the enormous stacks and shelves of ancient books and scrolls. The hunt as yet unsuccessful but Sarah was hopeful that the document existed somewhere amongst the dusty, disorganized tomes; if not in the Goblin Kingdom library then perhaps in the Camlann library, which would be her next call if nothing of import was found at their castle.
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Sal Silvari couldn't stop thinking about the tortured mind of Aaron Blalock and several days after that night in Aaron's house Sal finally gained enough courage to call upon the one person who might hold the answers to his questions. Unfortunately, regardless of his previous beliefs, Sal feared this person may be the source as well as the resolution, which caused his procrastination. After his shift ended he arrived home and waited until after Susan left for work before digging the crystal sphere out of hiding. He wanted to make sure any danger was well away from his wife before activating the crystal.
Placing the crystal securely in his palms he spoke the activating phrase aloud, making sure to firmly believe. "I want to speak to Jareth." The crystal lit up brilliant white casting his middle-aged face in dips and glows as he stared at it, his pupils pinpointing. Several minutes elapsed before the atmosphere in his apartment swelled and electrified; Sal's ears popped and the fine hairs on his skin stood upright while his head of hair frizzed. As quickly as it began it ended and several feet in front of him stood Jareth wearing the same formal black armor and cape as he'd worn the last time Sal and he parted seven years ago. A few seconds passed of Sal staring at Jareth's stoic visage in mild shock, some small part of Sal still yet unconvinced that the call and the crystal were not a hoax, when Jareth suddenly smiled warmly and approached Sal with his hand outstretched.
"Sal Silvari, it pleases me that Fate has brought us together again." Jareth said cheerfully and Sal nearly faltered in his plan upon hearing the sincerity in his voice.
"Don't come any closer, Jareth! I'm on to you!" Sal reached out his hand as well with his palm and fingers spread wide, the crystal still clutched in the other. Jareth froze his steps, his face altering rapidly from pleasant greeting to suspicious questioning.
"Sal, whatever do you mean speaking to me thusly?" One of Jareth's brows arched and his eyes grew cold as he absorbed his friend's threatening behavior and words.
"Carol told us that you gave people the choice to challenge The Labyrinth to regain those they've wished away, to right their wrong or to accept their dreams and forfeit the wished away." Sal raced on afraid he might falter, knowing Jareth could execute him with the tiny flick of one finger.
"Yes, that's correct." He answered in a bored voice.
"That if they challenged and lost they returned without the wished away but also without their memories to start a new life." Sal went on, his hands visibly shaking.
"Yes, Sal, why are you questioning me on this matter?" Jareth asked his voice displaying a note of irritation through the bored tone. The knuckles of Sal's hand gripping the crystal blanched as his body tensed in anger and apprehension; if his misgivings proved correct his next statement would likely cause his death but he must know, he must confront the Goblin King.
"You lied...about all of it! You don't offer them a choice! You force them and you most certainly don't wipe their memories as a mercy!" Sal yelled at the powerful, immortal being standing a few feet away. The being that could expunge his life and the knowledge of his life from all those connected with him as an afterthought and still Sal's outrage bade him shout at this being, hoping he might be wrong. In the bright light of his apartment Sal observed a muscle in Jareth's jaw twitch and his lips thin and whiten as he clenched his jaw. Sal practically heard the grinding enamel and the air seemed to thicken.
"While I do not appreciate these accusations nor do I appreciate the manner in which they were delivered," Jareth said in a strangely calm voice, his mismatched arctic eyes flashing, "I will forestall killing you in your stead due to your previous service to myself and my Queen. Explain yourself Sal Silvari and waste no breath."
Sal's knees weakened a bit at Jareth's eerie, razor-edged voice knowing he'd skimmed death but that outcome yet remained uncertain, he'd better talk fast. "I meet someone last week, a patient who had several interesting things to say that only someone familiar with your Labyrinth would understand. While his memory wasn't completely intact it was present." Sal explained his voice surprisingly firm. He went on to detailed everything he knew concerning Aaron Blalock and the situation of last week and watched as Jareth's expression gradually morphed from icy offense to sincere curiosity.
"You say this transpired a week preceding? Runner's name of Aaron Blalock?" Jareth slowly moved towards Sal, his face thoughtful and his hand stroking his chin with his arm supported by his other arm crossed over his chest. Sal nodded affirmative to both questions and resisted the impulse to back away as Jareth drew closer. "I request you to show me if you are willing."
"Show you? How do I do that?" Sal's eyes darted to Jareth's nervously.
"I will need to access your memories so that I may understand exactly what you witnessed." He replied as his conjured a perfect crystal with complex twisting of his right hand, wrist, and forearm. "Take this crystal and place it to your forehead as you remember the event in as much detail as you may manage."
Sal hesitated slightly before accepting the sphere from Jareth's offering hand and touching to his forehead. A pulsating glow radiated from the crystal leaking through his closed eyelids as he replayed the disagreeable memory of Aaron Blalock's madness. A short time later he opened his eyes and withdrew the crystal handing back to Jareth, who watched Sal's memory play out within the crystal sphere.
"Well?" Sal prompted as the memory ended and Jareth continued to stare unmoving into the crystal, his eyes clouded and his voice devoid of infliction.
"I remember this Aaron. He was indeed a Runner who wished away his daughter, Zoe. He lost the challenge and was returned home but his memory was erased. This tragedy should not have occurred." Jareth twisted his arm and vanished the memory crystal in the Ether.
"What about what he said about being told he 'had to do it or die'?" He asked Jareth in a less accusatory voice as Jareth appeared as concerned and confused as he.
"That is a mystery to me, Sal. I swear to you it is not done. Runners are always given a choice; they are never threatened in any manner by either myself or Sarah. This has always been so. And as to why he still retains some memory, again I'm afraid this is a mystery I dearly want solved."
Sal appeared to deflate, his arms dropped to his sides and his face lost its fierce determination. His relief palpable to Jareth as his muscular physique seemed to putty on his bones. Jareth watched his friend sag in upon himself and felt a measure of pity for so sturdy a man weakened by an outcome.
"Sal, are you not relieved to be wrong in this matter?" He asked quietly as he approached closer.
Sal met Jareth's questioning gaze, his eyes reflecting the relief of Jareth's inquiry. "Yes, of course I am. But now I'm even more confused as that what happened to Aaron." Sal shrugged, completely at a loss for an explanation. If Jareth wasn't responsible and didn't know then what else would someone like himself be capable figuring out? Jareth saw despair match with relief in Sal's eyes.
"You know once a person in the Aboveground is touched by our magic they become marked for life." Jareth explained and waited for Sal's comprehension.
"So?" Sal looked a Jareth who returned a leading stare for several seconds until Sal clicked. "Oh...You can locate Aaron, right? Then can you read his memory like you did mine?" Jareth grinned at Sal's quick understanding.
"Something like it, although if his mental state is as precarious as your memory depicts I will be required to use more invasive measures which I fear are necessary given the circumstances." Jareth extended a hand to Sal. "Will you accompany me? A trusted ally is always valuable." Sal eyed Jareth's black, leather gloved hand with a modicum of suspicion before joining his hand with Jareth's.
"Yes, I want to know what's going on, too." Sal replied and Jareth grinned when he heard the strength of conviction in Sal's voice.
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They located poor Aaron in the psychiatric ward of Bellevue hospital, where Jareth followed the lingering magic of the Underground upon the man much as a bloodhound trails a scent once given its lead. Arriving in Aaron's room invisible and soundless, Jareth immediately recognized the building and was grateful he'd answered Sal's call alone; he preferred not to subject Sarah to any unpleasant memories unless absolutely necessary. The hapless Aaron lie curled about himself on the twin sized bed, light snores sounding from him while a roommate on the opposite side of the room sat upright staring out the barred window.
"They can't see or hear us?" Sal confirmed in a whisper, unused to the idea of invisibility and stealth cloaking as they stood in the center of the small room adjusting to the atmosphere.
"Correct, so there is no need to whisper." Jareth replied in his normal voice, a touch of sarcasm lacing his tone.
"Look, invisibility is just a little out of my comfort zone so give me a break, okay?" Sal snapped back; Jareth chuckled, it was good to have the old Sal returning. Jareth advanced nearer Aaron and leaned over the unshaven, pitiable looking man and lightly touched his forehead with his gloved palm as he craned his head over his shoulder at Sal.
"The mark is upon this man. You recognized this man as Aaron?" He requested of Sal. Jareth normally trusted his magic but since there was something highly unusually occurring with the wish invocations, he was determined to be positive in his identification before invading the man's memories.
Sal nodded, "Yeah, it's him."
"Very well, watch the door and notify me if we are to be interrupted."
"Got it." Sal moved to the door and stood guard looking out the small, wire-reinforced glass window just in time to see his wife, Susan walk passed intent on paperwork on a clipboard. He nearly attempted to get her attention before remembering his reason for being there and that he was invisible and silent to her.
Jareth covered Aaron's forehead with his palm and muttered a quick spell to prolong and deepen his sleep before initiating the memory spell, he had no desire to traumatize the man further. Aaron's snores grew louder and deeper assuring Jareth it was safe to proceed. Closing his eyes to assist concentration, he delved as shallowly into the man's mind as possible, searching for the specific feel of the wish invocation memory which took a great deal of time due to Aaron's memories being disorganized and chaotic. There...finally...a faint ripple of the correct memory. He pushed a bit harder until the memory coalesced becoming coherent; he forced it to start at the beginning and play in real time as he formed a crystal with his other hand and copied the memory from Aaron's mind to the crystal as it played.
Sal observed Jareth as he performed the memory spell upon Aaron, occasionally glancing to the window to check for employees. Close to a half an hour elapsed while Jareth remained crouched over the man, his hand flush on his forehead, eyes closed in attentiveness, and absolutely motionless until suddenly Jareth gasped and flung his head upwards, hissing not unlike some rapid animal. The sound caused goosebumps of fear to race over Sal's skin making him very, very glad Jareth considered him an ally.
"What is it?" Sal asked but remained by the door. Jareth turned his enraged face to Sal, his pale eyes alight and the sharp points of his teeth gleaming in his snarl as he still crouched next to the sleeping Aaron.
"Someone interferes with the wish invocations...this someone shall die..." Although Jareth whispered his response Sal felt the words as if he yelled, such was the power behind them. Before Sal could answer Jareth had stood and in two strides reached him, grasp his bicep. and teleported them back to Sal's apartment.
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"What do you mean interfere? How could someone do that?" Sal asked the furiously pacing Jareth who insistently lapped his living room while slapping his thigh with a short, whip-like stick he'd materialized shortly after arriving. Jareth spoke to himself, muttered things beyond Sal's comprehension but he must've heard his question because without breaking stride Jareth brought forth a crystal and tossed it to Sal who caught it in quick hands and a surprised face. Before he could answer another question of the pacing, furious Goblin King, Sal saw motion inside the sphere and raising it even with his vision, he watched and listened intently as Aaron's memory of the night his daughter, Zoe, was wished away replayed.
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Aaron heard a soft, scratching noise and a high pitched squeak originated from his daughter's room. The hour was late and the sound sent a chase of nerves up his back causing his heart to skip a beat. Zoe should be asleep and they owned no animals. Zoe's mother had died in childbirth leaving the two of them to brave the world alone and Aaron would do just that and more for his stoic, beautiful little girl. Aaron hurried down the hall to his daughter's bedroom, bravery and fear overriding his rational sense as he shoved the door open revealing Zoe held against her will to the chest of a tall, shadowed figure. The figure's hand covered Zoe's mouth which she vainly struggled to pry at while the dark man's hand gripped her long hair in his other hand hanging her bodily in the air so that her little legs kicked madly in fright, connecting uselessly to his body. Aaron noted vaguely that Zoe's picture window was wide open and her curtains whipped about her and the figure as they partially obstructed the window's view. "
Zoe!" Aaron shouted lunging forward, prepared to die in defense of his daughter. He'd not reached two steps into her room when the sharp edge of a knife cut at his throat held by a strong arm forcing his surrender. A harsh voice spoke into his ear. "
I wouldn't if I were you; on your knees." An anguished cry escaped Aaron's vocals cords as he saw Zoe's eyes widen in distress and pain, still dangling from the shadow man's grip on her hair, unable to cry out or speak. Aaron complied, albeit reluctantly, never taking his vision from his daughter. "
It'll be okay, Zoe. Daddy'll make it okay." He heard Zoe's muffled sob and barely restrained his impulse to go to her, the knife still sharp at his throat. "
That's very touching, isn't that touching?" The man at his ear asked the shadow man who grunted as if he could care less. "Aaron Blalock...I assume you'd like your daughter, Zoe, and you to live through the night?" "
How do you know us?" Aaron asked and received a shallow cut to his neck for his impertinence. Aaron hissed at the pain, feeling warm blood run down his neck soaking his t-shirt. "
No questions, it is your job to comply only. Understood?" The voice demanded and Aaron stuttered out a 'yes'. "Good, you're trainable, that's very good. My colleague and I have a request for you. A very small request really. Once you do this and succeed than you and your daughter shall live and return to your lives as if nothing happened. However, if you do not comply with our request you both shall die this night." Aaron jerked at the man's threat as if to resist but the knife dug deeper and Aaron relaxed again. The man continued in a cold and vicious tone. "And you if you chose to die this night my colleague and I will be sure to torture your lovely little girl in many delightful ways before killing her before your eyes and then, if we are so inclined, we will be merciful and kill you quickly." "
Why? Why are you doing this?" Aaron pleaded his voice cracking as he began to cry, watching his Zoe struggling with the other featureless man by the open window. "What did I ever do to you?" "
It's nothing personal, Mr. Blalock. Take comfort in that. I also need you to promise never to speak of these happenings between us else any success on your part shall be considered void. Understood?" "
Yes, yes, I understand. Just tell me what you want." The voice drew closer to his ear and the knife deep a bit deeper, more blood oozing. "I want you to say a certain phrase and no matter what is offered to you by the persons that arrive, I want you to demand to challenge The Labyrinth; we'll be watching." The voice whispered the required phrase into his ear and to whom Aaron was required to refer it towards. "
Oh my God...you want me to say that? I can't say that, she's my daughter, I love her!" Aaron yelled and jerked at the man restraining him. "
I know that's what makes this particularly enjoyable." "
You sick bastards! Zoe, daddy loves you, no matter wha—" The knife cut into Aaron's throat ceasing his words and he gasped in sharp pain. "
I suggest saying the phrase before I cut your vocal cords and the decision is made for you, Mr. Blalock." "
Alright! Alright..." He rasped holding one hand near his neck just below the edge of the knife. He looked at Zoe several feet away, meeting her eyes until all he could see was her beautiful brown gaze pleading with him to save her. He said a quick, silent prayer to his personal God for forgiveness and strength and began the hated phrase that may or may not be the key to their salvation. "
I wish...the goblins would...come and...take...you...away...right...right" He strangled on the last word. "
Say it!" The voice yelled. "
...Now..." The last word fell from his lips as a sob, voice sighed happily, the knife disappeared from his neck and Zoe was released from the shadow figure to dash immediately to him; they huddled together on the floor of her room sobbing and shivering as the two dark figures regarded them for a few seconds. "
It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Blalock; we wish you the best of luck during your Run." The voice spoke to Aaron one last time before they both sped from Zoe's room through her window, closing it behind them. At first Aaron was too relieved that their bizarre nightmare was finished to even call 911 and repeatedly told Zoe that he didn't mean what he said, he'd never wish her away and held her close, rocking. Then the air became thick and electric and an entirely new nightmare began as two new, dark strangers appeared presenting him another choice. Aaron not only did what he'd agree to do, he did the only thing his heart bade him do; he Ran and he lost. .
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"Holy shit." Sal uttered quietly as the crystal recording ended. Jareth had since ceased pacing waiting for his Mortal friend's reaction.
"Precisely."
"Who the hell are these guys?" He asked meeting Jareth's enraged visage and feeling the emotion growing within himself.
"I know not but I suspect they've been at work for quite some time now."
"How can you not know? Can't you just magic up some tracking device or something?" He couldn't believe someone of Jareth's power would be unable to snap his fingers and have the answer. Jareth snorted at Sal's elementary lack of understanding of magic.
"It's not that simple, Sal. As much as I would wish to conjure the answer, even magic has its limitations. These...these
perpetrators used mundane means to force this wish invocation thereby leaving no imprint of magic, if indeed they possess any themselves. I am unable to track them and they kept their identity concealed from the Wisher and the Wished Away so again, I am unable to even withdraw this information from their memories. I understand now why the invocations lately have been so...tainted and increasing but..."Jareth commencing pacing again, the stick thwacking against his thigh, "I am at what you Mortals call a dead end." He ground out the last word until Sal could feel Jareth's frustration in the air.
"So...that's it?" He said in disbelief. This can't be the end. A powerful being like Jareth being waylaid by two, whatever these guys were...that can't be it.
"No...No, that's not it." Jareth froze mid step remembering another ally nearly forgotten. He knew someone else Aboveground who could perhaps assist them in a mundane matter where his magic failed; he faced Sal with a predatory grin and gleam in his eyes. "I know of a person who may be willing to aid us. Come, Sal, there's not a moment to lose." He reached a hand out to Sal once again and this time Sal showed no hesitation when grasping it.
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Detective William Scarvy collected his purchased regular coffee from the diner near his apartment, thanked the waitress at the counter and left out of the main entrance. His shift started within the hour and he needed to get on the road otherwise the traffic delay might make him late. As he walked to his parked, unmarked car he thought he saw a fluttering in the corner of his vision. Scarvy turned his head left but didn't see anything unusual...but a strong feeling of being followed overwhelmed him...like a itch between his shoulder blades. He casually approached his car door, his eyes astutely checking the window's reflection for anyone behind him; his vision zeroed on a short haired, blond headed man he thought to never see again. Scarvy whirled about dropping his coffee and gaping in shock.
"Detective William Scarvy," The blond man said in a casually, regal tone one brow arched in amusement. "It's good to see you again." The man...wasn't Jareth his name?...stood a few feet away on the sidewalk dressed in jeans and a white, button down shirt, his hands clasped behind his back; he looked very like the first time Scarvy saw him as he lay bleeding to death on the floor of Carol Bagby's apartment lobby floor. "I'd like to introduce you to another friend, Sal Silvari." Jareth nodded towards a slightly shorter man of possibly Italian descent standing next to and a bit behind him.
"What are you doing here?" Scarvy finally managed to croak shaking off his surprise. "And why do you always ruin my food when you sneak up on me?" Jareth smiled and Scarvy heard a small chuckle but Jareth's eyes stayed serious. The man called Sal stepped around and stuck out his hand which Scarvy shook after eying him suspiciously.
"Sal Silvari, huh? You a magic being, too?"
"Me? No way, man, I'm just a regular Joe. NYFD paramedic...still getting my head around the amazing shit Jareth can do. So you're a detective?"
"NYPD Cop...Twenty-five years..." Scarvy relied instantly liking Sal, anybody on the Job couldn't be all bad.
Jareth interrupted their mutual admiration club bring them back to the matter of importance. "I'm so pleased you approve of one another." He commented sardonically causing both men's heads to swivel in his direction. "Detective, we need to speak with you on an urgent matter that concerns both our Realms, privately." He added glancing at their immediate surroundings, he'd chosen to appear Mortal and drop the invisibility and stealth spells for the present not desiring to unduly pressure Scarvy.
"Oh, right, we can use my apartment. I just need to call into work, let them know something came up and I'll be late..." He said the last in a questioning tone, uncertain how much time they required and Jareth nodded to confirm his assumption. Scarvy walked them to his apartment while he used his cell phone to call work. He let them inside, offered them something to drink which they declined and they all settled in his living room until Scarvy's anticipation got the best of him.
"Well, are you going to tell me what you need or do I get to play twenty questions?" He snarked and Jareth smiled while Sal appeared rather sheepish leaving the information sharing to Jareth.
"Indeed, you are both direct men, straight to business...a circumstance which makes things easier for me." Jareth twisted his arm and hand pulling a crystal from the Ether and handed it to Scarvy who took it slowly.
"Is this another memory spell?" He asked which brought forth a look of inquiry from Sal which Jareth indicated as inconsequential.
Jareth sat forward steepling his fingers to his chin. "Not a type as you remember. But it does hold a memory, watch closely and then we'll explain everything we know and why we need your assistance."
"Okay." Scarvy said and watched the crystal recording play out its horror before his eyes, his disgust obvious to Jareth and Sal by the look on his face and the tightening of his hand around the sphere. At its completion he looked back to them with his lip curled at one end, his respirations panting.
"Tell me everything...I want these bastards."
A/N: Thanks, Moira! I'm glad the last chapter was so lovely!
