Into The Labyrinth

Chapter 2

I closed my eyes and shook my head. "You're not real, though." I laughed at myself. I had never had a dream so real before.
"Oh... But I am." I looked up at his smirking face, with his eyebrow arched ever so slightly.
"But that's impossible..." My voice trailed off. My mind was screaming to wake up, but I couldn't. I couldn't wake up because it wasn't a dream.
"Is it impossible, Anna? I heard you calling for me. I've heard you for years now."
"Then why didn't you come until now? Why did you wait so long?" My voice was getting louder as I gained confidence.
"It wasn't the right time." He turned away from me to face towards the sky. I took a step forward to see the Labyrinth sprawled out in front of me. Exactly how I had imagined it.
"Why am I here now?"
"I've come to give you a choice." I looked up at him. He stood a head taller than me. "You can chose to stay here with me. Or, you can run the Labyrinth. If you win, you get to stay in your world. If you lose, you stay with me. Forever."
I gaped at him. "What?" My mind went blank. I had no clue what to chose.
"You have three days to make your decision. I will be back then." His voice faded as I realized my room began to take shape again. Gone was the desert and heat. The darkness of my dorm took its spot.
~~~~*~~~~
I awoke the next morning staring at my ceiling. It all felt like a dream. But I looked over to the window, and there was a bird feather stuck in it. I pulled it out and shut my door. I knew what happened last night was real, but I couldn't comprehend it. And then I remembered. I had to make a choice. I had three days to decide.
I didn't know what to do. What did I have going for me here?
Before I did any decision making, I would make a pro and con list.
In the pro column (to leaving and living with him): I wouldn't have to finish college, he was pretty gorgeous, it's a magical kingdom, I'd learn new things, I'd live the fantasy life I had always dreamed.
In my con column: wouldn't finish college, would leave dad behind.
So far, my pro column was looking better and better.
As my days went on, I would periodically add an item to either side of the list. And I did eventually think of more things to add to con; leaving my friends behind (what few I had,) never seeing Paris, no internet.
But my pro list grew more and more. There wasn't much left for me here. I wasn't a fantastic student, I didn't have many friends, I wasn't really excited about the degree I was pursuing and my dad... Even my dad didn't call to check up on me anymore. I was putting myself through school all on my own.
After three days, I knew my decision.
~~~~*~~~~
On the third night, I was fast asleep. My days had felt longer because of the waiting and decision making. I was exhausted and nervous and scared all at the same time. But I awoke feeling uneasy and nervous. There was an off air in the room. I turned over and sat up. Standing in front of my window was the familiar dark silhouette in the moonlight.
"You're back." I said groggily. Wiping the sleep from my eyes.
"Have you decided?" His beautiful English accent came out in the still night.
I took a breath. "I have." I nodded, swinging my legs over the edge of my bed.
"And...?" He cocked his head to the side. I slipped on my slippers and stood up.
"I'll go with you. There is nothing left for me here. And your labyrinth was huge. There is no way I could win that, I'm horrible at mazes." I grabbed my jacket that I had draped on the corner of my bed and I put it on.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" He took a step towards me. He towered over me. I was only 5'5. He was at least a head taller than me. I nodded in reply.
"Then, my dear, let's go." He held out his arm to me, and I slipped my hand through and held him.