He'd been made for her. Coraline Jones. Right from the start he'd been created to bring her laughter and light up her eyes with joy. Every part of him that could possibly jeopardize her happiness had been removed. His voice for example, so that she could talk, and he would always listen. He didn't mind though, her voice was like music to him. He could be whatever she wanted him to be. He'd been made to care for her.

Unfortunately for his creator, she'd made him too well. His care for Coraline override his fear of her, and he could stand by and let the witch lock her up. He wouldn't let her be kept in this nightmare world to be devoured by the woman she called a 'mother'. Her soul was much too precious for that.

He wanted to frown, but that was impossible now. The Beldame had made sure of that, with two well-placed stitches in the corners of his mouth. They twisted his lips up into a painful grin that was more a grimance. He didn't care about that though, she could punish him as much as she wanted to, he would still save Coraline. Even if it killed him, he would save her.

However, he couldn't let her see his face like this. She'd surely be disgusted by the grotesque expression of his stretched lips. So he made himself a mask, out of one of the Other Mother's oven mittens, to hide behind before he headed to the mirror door for her.

He'd over-looked one fact however. With the mask covering his face, it also hid his identity. She didn't recongnize him when he pulled her out. She fought his careful grip like an animal, knocking him against the wall in a painful heap. Angrily, she ripped away the hastily made covering, only to gasp in surprise and horror.

"Wybie?" She knelt in front of him, and he tried to cover up his distorted expression with his hands. Gently, she pried away his fingers, her eyes sad. "Did she do this to you?"

His lack of response seemed answer enough, and she carefully undid the bindings that held together his misshapen smile. He felt his suddenly free cheeks gratefully, glad for the release.

"There, I hope that feels better." She said and, though he shushed her quickly, her concern warmed his heart as he tugged her down the hall towards the living-room.

They had to work together to knock down the bug that guarded the little door, and the noise alerted the Other Mother of their actions. Her calls sent chills down his spine, and he quickly gestured for Coraline to go. She looked at him questioningly.

"C'mon, she'll hurt you again." She tugged slightly at his sleeve, but he pulled away sadly, shaking his head and pulling his right head out of his sleeve. He blew it away, to dust. He couldn't go.

Before she could protest more, the Beldame called again, this time closer. He hesitated only a second, the fear on Coraline's face making him want to pull her to him and hold her close. He wanted to make it okay, but there was no time to show her that, and he pushed her through the door. Closing it hastily, he leaned on it afterwards, feeling weary.

The Other Mother would be there soon, and she would definately punish him for his insolance. He didn't care too much about that though, because Coraline was safe now and that was all that mattered to him. And as the click of heels got louder, the spiderlike shadow of his creator looming over him now, he smiled. A small, sad, but wholly satisfied smile. He hoped the real Wybie would take care of her, now that he couldn't, and that she'd be happy with him.

'I wish I could have told you...' He thought quietly, as needle fingers reached down to him. Silently he mouthed the name of the one he'd been made for. 'Coraline I...'

I love you