Caveats And Cliches (A Labyrinth Fanfiction)

Chapter 5: A Shot In The Dark

GIGANTIC BATS!

That is my first thought when I clap eyes on the creatures in front of us. On closer inspection I see there is little similarity. These monsters are the size of koala bears but with thinner arms and legs that end in raptor claws. They have enormous ears like jack rabbits stemming from eyeless faces. Triangular noses pushed up like a pig's hover above terrifying mouths gaping with inch long pointed teeth. Leathery wings spanning about four feet protrude from their backs, giving them the bat-like appearance. I'm surprised that their extensive ears have not picked up the sounds of our approach, but they seem to be preoccupied with digging a nest of lizards out of the rocky wall. Their gleeful jabber at consuming the reptiles has covered our footsteps. Jareth turns slowly toward me and puts a finger to his lips. I nod and he guides me back around the bend in the tunnel. When we have back tracked some distance, he turns and pulls me close, breathing into my ear.

"Those are Swaths. They'll rip us apart if they hear us."

I nod. "Any chance that crystal of your's can repel them?"

He shakes his head, cheek grazing against mine. "My crystals are programmed to operate in my kingdom. They can do little more than provide us with light in this place."

"How can we possibly pass them without making a single sound?"

Even though I can't see his face, I feel him frowning.

"We may have to go back." He finally whispers, but I can tell he's worried that even our retreat might attract the Swath's attention.

I'm worried about what we will encounter on the other paths; we can't turn back every time, and maybe the next predator won't be distracted by an opportune meal. I pull at the strap of my messenger bag in frustration and a light bulb comes on in my head. Pulling away from Jareth, I slip the bag off and carefully rummage through the contents. I want to shout Eureka when I find the two small silver objects, but instead I content myself with grinning broadly and holding up my prizes for him to see. Jareth quirks an eyebrow in confusion, and it's my turn to pull him close and speak into his ear.

"These are whistles. The long thin one is for dogs, it emits a high frequency sound. We won't be able to hear it, but I'm betting those big eared beasts will, and it's going to hurt."

I slide the dog whistle into his hand and start to turn, but he tugs me back.

"What does the other one do?"

"Oh, it's just a regular whistle that makes a terrible racket. I'm guessing together they will create a cacaphony that will either drive those buggers away or make it impossible for them to locate us as we pass."

Jareth nods gravely. Taking my hand again he says, "Stay behind me, but don't let go." We make our way back to the curve in the wall. Just before stepping out, he pauses and glances back at me. I nod, and we step out into the Swath infested space.

We both start blowing into our whistles the second we round the corner, and the effect is immediate. The Swaths go nuts, swooping, screeching and diving around the tunnel. Some climb the walls and retreat into dark crevices trying to escape the noise, others streak aimlessly, screaming in pain. Jareth sees an opening, and we start to run, still blasting the shrill whistles. We seem to be through the worst of it when a Swath slams into me from behind, knocking me to the ground. My head smacks into the rocky floor and I see stars. As fast as I can manage, I roll onto my back and try to scramble away from the dazed animal. I feel blood trickling down my temple and notice that the Swath has regained its footing and is snuffling, turning its head towards me. It smells the blood, I realize. Heedless of the noise I'm making, I start scrambling, trying to find the whistle that I dropped. The noise confirms my location and the Swath dashes toward me. Just as it leaps, Jareth side swipes it with amazing force, slamming it's gruesome face into the wall. I'm sure its skull fractures from the blow and it lets out a horrifying wail. Jareth tosses the broken monstrosity back the way we came, and most of the remaining creatures converge on it, tearing it in pieces and feasting before it is completely dead. Jareth turns and yanks me off the floor where I am still sitting, aghast at the grisly scene.
He braces me with an arm and together we run. It's not long before a light comes into view, signaling the end of the wretched tunnel. We burst into daylight, shaky and panting.