Isabella

Prologue

An idea that's been brewing in my mind since I became obsessed with "Coraline". I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Coraline or any of its characters, or even its plot. I simply plugged in my own OCs and added a twist. Isabella and her mother belong to me.

New beginnings can offer many things. A chance for a new start, a chance for adventure, and perhaps a hint of danger...

The door was locked. The key and hand were at the bottom of the well. All was calm and at peace. Coraline and Wybie didn't have to worry any longer. Cat could relax. Or so they thought...

Hazel eyes stared out at the dreary landscape along the side of the deserted road, more of a green color at the moment because of the sunlight shining on them. Long, chestnut hair was brushed back by a pale, bony hand out of the girl's face. Red-tinged lips were set in a bored, aggravated scowl as her free hand rested on her lap. Feeling the rough material of her blue jeans, her white sneakers twisted against the carpeted floor of the black car.

Fidgeting now out of boredom, the girl turned up the volume on her white i-Pod Shuffle with an experienced finger. Squirming a bit in her seat and causing her brown felt jacket to scrape roughly against the seat, she sighed quite audibly. The brown-haired woman in the driver's seat next to her let out a sigh of her own and rolled her blue eyes, shifting slightly in the seat so that her own jeans rubbed against the material. A white sneakered foot pressed down on the gas pedal as the woman simultaneously nudged the girl with an elbow, plaid wool jacket brushing against the brown felt.

"Come on, Isabella. I thought you wanted to leave Ohio... You were always complaining about how boring and dreary it was there," the woman stated.

The girl, Isabella, sent a glare at the woman out of the corner of her eye. "Because it was. And I was glad when you said we were moving. But to Oregon?! That's just as boring and cold and wet as Ohio! At least there we had Cleveland. But what does Oregon have?? Nothing," she huffed.

The woman sighed again. "Now, you know that's not true. Oregon has plenty of things..."

"Oh really? Name three." Isabella countered swiftly, pausing the song currently playing on her MP3 player with a smirk. She had to hear this.

The woman hesitated, frowning as she tried to think of three examples. "Well, there's, uh...a-and of course there's the, um..." she stammered.

"Ha! See? Nothing. The only good thing about this place is the fact that where we're staying is going to be pink. But I still don't see why we had to move..." Isabella grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.

The woman brought a hand to her temple and rubbed the muscles there, feeling a headache coming on. "Isabella, we've been through this. We couldn't afford to keep the house and the shop any longer. We were forced to sell everything just to get enough money for this move. And it was a chance we couldn't pass up... If it wasn't for your grandmother's old friend sending us that offer for lowered rent, who knows what we would have done."

Isabella rolled her eyes, a deep frown set in her face. "Couldn't we have found somewhere else to stay? Seriously, mom! We're in the middle of nowhere!"

"No, we're not. If we were in the middle of nowhere, you're father wouldn't have a job. The Pink Palace Apartments is only a few miles outside of Ashland... And besides, it's not like we're going to be the only ones living there. I heard there's a family and another man staying there, as well as the landlady's grandson."

"Mom! You know I'm not good with strangers! Especially with kids around my age...I'm so self-conscious..." Isabella muttered, looking back out the window with a sad expression.

Her mother gave a soft sigh and glanced at Isabella, frowning slightly. "I know...but maybe, this will be good for you. A fresh start. Just...try to be friendly. For your father and I, all right? Please?"

Isabella glanced back at her mother for a moment, and then sighed heavily. "Fine...I'll try..." she muttered.

Her mother smiled. "Thank you. It shouldn't be much longer...I think we've already covered two or three miles out of Ashland."

Isabella didn't reply, simply pressed the "Play" button on her i-Pod and let her imagination run free. Resting her forehead against the cool glass of the window, her thoughts drifted to her life in Ohio and how different it would be so many states away...

Okay, so I know that this is partially going to revolve around an OC, which people don't normally like. But I promise you guys that Coraline and Wybie get just as much screen time! If I make mistakes, or if you have suggestions, feel free to point them out for me in a review! Remember, reviews hold my interest to a story and give me inspiration to type and please! Thanks! Oh yeah, and if any of you artists out there could do me a favor and draw my OCs, I'd highly appreciate it and be forever grateful! I'll try making them myself on MS Paint, but we all know how THAT looks...