Labyfic

Sarah had her suspicions when she saw a horde of goblins clamoring to access a broom cupboard. After shooing them all away she knocked on the door, announcing herself before entering.

Sitting on the floor was a small goblin who was happily working her way through a strawberry shortcake. “Queenie, share?”

“No, thank you, Screech. You enjoy it.” Sarah shook her head and smiled. “Take the plate back when you’re done.” She turned back. “You know they’re going to figure out that the door opens outwards one day?”

Screech made a snort of derision that managed to convey her opinion on that being an unlikely occurrence when male goblins shared a single brain cell whenever high value food was in their sights.

Leaving the goblin to her bounty, Sarah produced a crystal and called Irene.

“You had a good strawberry crop this year.”

Irene laughed in delight. “We always do with Screech watching the plants. I even had enough to make some preserves this year.”

Sarah’s family had had a contingent of goblins guarding them since she’d run the Labyrinth as a child. They’d remained hidden for years and it wasn’t until Sarah was away at school that their presence became known.

Irene had been in town when a car had swerved off the road due to the driver having a medical episode. Screech had ported Irene out the path of the vehicle. It seemed the shock of almost dying overrode any concerns over a small creature clinging to her leg who kept repeating that Mama was safe. The long distance conversation to explain everything had been mitigated by Jareth alerting to the incident and porting them both to her parents house to await Irene’s return. Sarah would have preferred to have not introduced her family to the Underground while wearing her pyjamas and still groggy, but she supposed there was never an ideal time.

They had been remarkably calm about everything, but perhaps that had more to do with the arrangement being the reason Sarah had a fully funded scholarship to Oxford. When your daughter had the opportunity to study abroad and the only price was to accept that goblins were real, they were pragmatic enough to not make a fuss when others were struggling with their children’s educational costs.

Once they did learn of the goblins, Sarah was surprised how seamlessly they integrated them into their lives. They adored Irene’s baking and she made a habit of doubling batches to share. While her father had found them handy garden assistants. This was how Screech had earned her nickname, as she terrorised any creature that dared approach the garden.

In appreciation, excess crops were gifted to their goblins, but in thanks for Screech’s diligent garden surveillance, Irene always made her a treat with the first of the year's strawberry crop.

“You really do spoil her,” Sarah said fondly.

“If not for her actions, I would not have seen my children grow up. Making her something sweet is my pleasure.”

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labyfic — drabble #214: screech
Part of the Balance!verse