Author's Note:
There is a sequel to the movie called "Return to Labyrinth" in comic book form, however I was unaware of this when I wrote my submission. This takes place after the movie.

It was all just a dream.

Sarah had convinced herself that. What she experienced when she was younger was so obscure that she came to the conclusion that it was all just imaginary. Her brother, Toby, was safe. He was always nestled in his crib, and Sarah had merely fell asleep.

And yet there were times when she could hears voices calling her. They were faded and familiar. At times she felt as if certain places she went were like the paths she walked in her dream. But, as she always did, Sarah told herself that it was just as she said. A dream.

Afterall, 15-year-old girls certainly have a big imagionation. She always wanted to be an actress, always reading new scripts that excite her and wearing costumes that she can twirl in. But the fantasy that came with plays she performed in slowly died down when she became 17. At this age, plays were merely that.

Her Labryrinth book was hidden under stacks of notepads and other books, tucked away in her vanity's drawer. She rarely opened it and soon all together forgot that the book was in there. The only time that drawer opened was when Sarah needed her red lipstick, passed down to her by her deceased mother.

She would dream of her-- sunny days at the park where the two of them would have a picnic, or rainy nights indoors sitting by the fire. However, there were times when her mind would wander and she would be back in the fantastical world she dreamt of when she was younger. And yet every time she woke up, she forgot what the place looked like.

Her home still had the old grandfather clock. Only when it struck 13 did she ever feel a shiver run past her. And there was always the thought in the back of her mind, yelling at her to hurry up before it's too late. But too late until what?

She stopped by second-hand shops or vintage stores, always browsing by with a certain nostalgic feeling. Her fingers brushed against old books and down the chains of slightly rusted jewelry. Yet it was when she looked at the shelf of snow globes did she hear whispers echoing in the back of her mind.

"That's a pretty one." The shop keeper smiled, putting the glittery snow globe Sarah had chosen into a plastic bag, "What are you going to do with it?"

"It's a present." Sarah replied, yet she knew it was for herself.

The snow globe had a castle inside that was covered in glitter. She placed it on her vanity by her bed, letting it be the last thing she sees before drifting off to sleep. Her dreams became clearer and she saw herself in a room covered in broken bricks and arches. The place was foggy as if her eyesight had gone bad, but she noticed the figure clad in white step out from the shadows.

"Sarah." His deep voice called out to her.

With a gasp she awoke. The man seemed so familar, as if she had met him before in reality. Yet that made no sense. Somehow the more she thought of him, the farther away he felt. And once she heard her brother crying downstairs, all thought of the mysterious man disappeared from her mind.

"Sarah, you've barely touched your pie." Her step mother sighed.

"Sarah doesn't like peaches, honey." Her father spoke.

"And why not?"

"They leave a funny taste in my mouth." Sarah said.

She wasn't sure why she didn't like the fruit, she did when she was younger. For some reason peaches make her sick. And how ironic that is, as the night after Sarah was struck with a fever. It was the type of fever that made her sweat all over and her head feel heavy.

She riffled through the drawer in her vanity, searching for her mother's red lipstick. As her fingers swam through the mess, they touched the red book she had forgotten about until now. She held it in her hands like a precious jewel and read the title, tilting the book to watch the golden words sparkle.

"The Labyrinth." She whispered.

Her mind focused on walls with openings not first seen, bogs with a foul stench, ladders that lead you through large jars in open fields, and a ballroom that sparkled like the castle in the snow globe she had purchased.

The more she remembered the worse her head felt, and she opt for lying down on her bed to settle her headache. When she closed her eyes she heard voices asking if she needs them and the humming of a male from a song she seems to know.

The lyrics were faded, she couldn't recite them, but as the voice continued to hum Sarah felt drawn to the place she had first heard it. And there was no mistaking it for a dream, for Sarah knows that where she is is real.

"Sarah." His voice calls to her.

She turns around to see the figure who was always in the back of her mind. His eyes are as harsh as she remembers, and yet somehow Sarah feels lost in them. Standing across from her is the Goblin King.

"We don't have much time." He tells her.

"What do you mean?" She asks.

"This world is changing. You're changing my Labyrinth, Sarah."

Her eyes flicker to see the world around her crumbling and softly, she now notices, the ground is shaking.

"How?" She asks.

"I only exist because you remember me. When you defeated me all those years ago, the world changed. Time stopped when you forgot, but now it's moving again. And because you're sick, this world is finding a new Labyrinth."

Sarah's mind races. This is all because of her?

"Come with me." He whispers, "Love me, fear me. Rule the new Labyrinth with me."

"What about my brother?" She asks.

"Take him with us. I'll let you go back for him." He summons a crystal ball in his hand, "Another world, for you and me. See what I am offering you."

"And what about the others? My friends, Hoggle."

"I am being generous. I'll do it all for you."

Sarah cannot help but feel as if this is what happened last time, him begging her to stay so he can rule.

"I ask for so little. You must choose before it's too late." He says.

The ground begins to shake more vigorously and crashing buildings can be heard in the distance. If she stays with him she may never see home again, but if she doesn't then she may never visit the Labyrinth in her dreams.

As she looks up at him, he raises the crystal ball in his hand, "I still have no power over you."

And that's when she makes up her mind.

"Take me to the new Goblin City, the new Labyrinth."

He smiles and turns his hand to roll the crystal ball between his fingers. When it glows it envelops them and they travel to a world much like the Labyrinth, yet different.