Selfish

I smiled when she introduced me. I played along.

For my own sake.

"I thought you'd like him better, if he talked a little less." Right. She only made me mute because I was to spend so much time with Coraline. If I couldn't talk, I couldn't let anything slip. There was too much room for error, too much time for us to bond.

I was to distract, to entertain, to be a friend. So I smiled. I played. I made Coraline laugh with the cotton-candy-cannons. I cheered for the actresses. I even gave Coraline a flower.

Because as long as I played along, I'd live that much longer.

But I wouldn't live for long. I just wanted a little more time.

I was so selfish.

The Other parents were there to greet Coraline and me as we accended the stairs from the theatre. I let my face fall, my stance was a little weaker, as I followed. Coraline wasn't watching anyway. This was it, time was getting closer. She was going in for the kill.

And all I could think, was that when Coraline was eyeless, I'd be gone.

I was so selfish.

The Other father and Coraline entered the house, and She looked back at me. I pouted, I couldn't hold my head up too much. "Smile," she said, and she gestured it on her own face.

My pout turned into a full frown. I looked straight at the ground. Hoped she wasn't going to destroy me yet.

But she entered the house then. Another hour to live, I guess.

I was so selfish.


I hid in a closet on the first floor of the house. Other Mother didn't take kindly to disobedience. She had sewn thread into my face...forced my mouth into a smile. I hadn't been able to remove the thread, my gloves wouldn't catch purchase and there were no sharp objects in thehouse. The smile was horrible, ugly, hideous. I had taken one of her oven mitts and ripped it open to hide my face. But I was still hiding. If Coraline saw me...she'd look at me in horror. I don't think I could take that.

Even if I scared her back to her home.

I was so selfish.

From my hiding spot I heard the muffled argument of Coraline's defiment. Then the not-so-muffled sound of her voice. Followed by the loud sounds of her pushing Coraline through the mirror.

I took a deep breath that I didn't need. I'd have to get her. She wouldn't be able to get out on her own.

But I stayed in the closet. The Other Mother could move without sound. She could still be in the hall. Or she might not be. I was too afraid to find out. So I just stood there.

So selfish. What was wrong with me?

I exited the closet. I had to hurry. I went to the mirror and pulled out Coraline. She resisted and fought, not realizing it was me. I let go, fell to the ground.

"Who are you?" she asked.

She didn't wait for my to answer, if I even could. She pulled off my make-shift mask.

No! I covered my face, but she took my glove-hands.

"What did she do to you?" She undid the the thread. I moved my face, now that I could. "Does that feel better?"

There was no time. I grabbed her arm and we ran for the portal. I opened the door, and we looked inside.

The tunnel looked as though it had died and decayed. Spiderwebs blocked some of it.

"Let's go."

I shook my head, removed my glove, and blew the sawdust.

"CORALINE! HOW DARE YOU DISOBEY YOUR MOTHER?!"

Go! I pushed her through and closed the door.

"You!" She accused, rightly, as she entered the room.

I nodded. Me.

"You'll regret this."

I shook my head. No. I wont.

Because I was no longer selfish.