p data-p-id="7df2605c71ae034336d75980415be326"strongThis/strong strongtakes place years before most of the kids meet each other and their respective movies hasn't happened yet./strong/p
p data-p-id="c4d29e78d93b0cf8adac039466148939"Why Coraline had to go to this family reunion, she didn't know. /p
p data-p-id="603fda860ad567e99431978ebf3dc907"What she did know was that it was going to be emboring/em, all that is going to happen is a bunch of people that she didn't know, was going to go all "goo goo" over her. /p
p data-p-id="c78936292e73cf68e0dc2c2cd1da1b04"She despised that idea./p
p data-p-id="63e6400c1853c5baca3d2d32a8cdd414"She also despised this drive; stuffy, cramped, smelly, it is every travelers worst nightmare. Coraline just gazed out the window at the endless free trees, wishing for this torture to end./p
p data-p-id="f087a9e866b940573b0fd2e6c7486df4""Coraline." She turned her gaze to her mother who was looking at her from the front passenger seat./p
p data-p-id="578c0cbc0f89f352289595ff00c982b4""You can at least act excited."/p
p data-p-id="2477a374b1a834a81c898207bba830f3"Coraline rolled her eyes. "For what exactly, meeting a bunch of people who supposedly know emeverything /emabout me while I know nothing about them?"/p
p data-p-id="ebcf3d4c32df1282f92962336bf7ea86""Well you get to meet your cousins, some I believe are your age." Her dad brought up./p
p data-p-id="0e7420ca99b7ac20139b481ef35cbcb0""Perry and his family are supposed to be there, I haven't seen them in years."/p
p data-p-id="a4bea4e59c4735b00a541460add2ffce"Coraline sighed and slumped down in her seat, her mom was about to start talking about them again. /p
p data-p-id="8e884288dc6c3e0036ec19c01d098b27"Uncle Perry was her brother so she was excited to see them again. /p
p data-p-id="b19e5ebcc5db683c976e82e8f01d7064"Coraline looked back out the window./p
p data-p-id="9c6653e1e46054746f465ecda05b9cdb".../p
p data-p-id="a331f7470f210fcb52855649840d192e""Wait, is that a lake to swim in?!"/p
p data-p-id="58c7fea8509f545b568c15a8caf80400"They were just now driving into the park the reunion was to be held at. /p
p data-p-id="a3415bf886b16c967b0006bceec86c8e"It was very... green. Green grass, green trees, you know, a park. There was some picnic pavilions and a kiddie playground with a slide, some swings and a low see saw, but the most amazing thing to Coraline was the lake. /p
p data-p-id="10adda949aa1d16691e41affb49ed422"It was a bright shimmering blue and it had a tall slide, she knew swimming was allowed to happen in it because there was like, twenty people in it./p
p data-p-id="9150ef05877ec1a0989ece407349018b"When they parked the car Coraline started digging around in the bags for her swimsuit. Maybe this reunion wouldn't be ems/emo bad./p
p data-p-id="4b2ef874083da42c37de2d0a259f9715""What are you doing?" Her mom asked./p
p data-p-id="f87318f6ecde17f318f13b11d8ff7be0""Getting my swimsuit."/p
p data-p-id="ce26d2bf7ae4950abe2aacdb3a19bd71""Don't worry about that right now, we will come back for it later."/p
p data-p-id="d840eb9b86f2c5f03ad32f58562c359a""But mom, I want to swim!"/p
p data-p-id="8e265e6563230a49b09013bcf6edda8d""Coraline we need to say hello to everyone first."/p
p data-p-id="e1e2ea8dba2744f259d3e4bc95aef7fe""But mom, can't I just swim for awhile first, I'll stay safe!"/p
p data-p-id="e83a7037b031f3d652bfe50e0fc35cd8""No Coraline."/p
p data-p-id="c928e85eea78e81007b07675acc28d0f""Listen to your mother Coraline." Dad now found it appropriate to step in./p
p data-p-id="a865dfd5e73f36e565a521beccca0971""Ugh, fine!" Coraline closed the trunk and crossed her arms exasperated./p
p data-p-id="3acee051264b1505827881c67e8a34c7".../p
p data-p-id="c9912a1e9b8bb353a1feb72b1599465d"'Oh Coraline look how big you are! Oh Coraline I haven't seen you since you were a baby! Oh you look just like your father!' (how emdoe/ems that even emwork/em!?) Coraline was tired of all that, she was just about to sit down at a picnic table when her mom pulled her over to some other people, a embigge/emr man with black hair and some stubble, a skinny woman with blond hair, and a very pink uninterested girl, also with blond hair./p
p data-p-id="d6c177d2696851543b942afe2ba5b7d7""Coraline, this is uncle Perry, aunt Sandra, and your cousin Courtney, wait where is Norman?"/p
p data-p-id="991b591a1604778305c0fd80c7ba95ea"Courtney without looking up from her phone pointed over to a spiky haired boy who seemed to be talking to a, tree? /p
p data-p-id="d370b01ef424473be24ecbc31cbbd60b"Her mom started talking, seemingly forgetting about Coraline so she thought 'why not,' And walked over to Norman./p
p data-p-id="4c0a59dd7ce34249353709a88e6479f9"As she got closer she could hear what he was saying. br /"So you see, cats are actually very nice. I understand Mrs. Victoria but, they do catch mice. Yes I know."/p
p data-p-id="62e37eb0d19fdabcf98ce1c17e8c6fc2"He kept going on like this, was he practicing something? Was he crazy?/p
p data-p-id="60643219a13b64b4dbfe7da7cbdfb292""Hey, Babcock!"/p
p data-p-id="5535b171436c07eb0bed10d76749865a"Norman flinched, straightening up while whipping his head towards Coraline. He looked a mixture of surprised and nervous./p
p data-p-id="688a5a0883f9492e881ed02cc57f63de"After a moment he relaxed a bit, not too much though, and he slipped his hands into the pockets of his red jacket, avoiding eye contact. "Um, hey," he said nervously. "I'm Norman."/p
p data-p-id="e49b9bc2d5be8f130413f57f592a8c73""I know." Coraline said crossing her arms./p
p data-p-id="addbf5afdd81d112da2d5f910fd2f91f"Norman looked up at her confused. "Why did you call me Babcock then?"/p
p data-p-id="446f1f8b3903981c77311c6663513258""Cause' I felt like it; what was with the tree?"/p
p data-p-id="42ebc0fa1f2de07799ca2724c22adf0d"Norman was silent for a moment looking down. "Um, cats?"/p
p data-p-id="98dbd1c52f344739e9d97e2f56125ed4"Coraline looked up at the tree seeing no cats, she gave Norman a annoyed glare and gestured up at the tree. "I see emn/emo cats."/p
p data-p-id="27b7cdf39e489c6d4ff2eb192d0d91dd"Norman looked up at the tree with a sympathetic smile. "Looks like the cats are gone."/p
p data-p-id="e22dcec70af0cdf31cb7281473d607d0"Coraline looked around her, still no cats. "So where emar/eme the cats then?"/p
p data-p-id="0b1c77855bdef2ec368f808a1b17a0fb"Norman hesitated then pointed to the playground. "There is one under the see saw."/p
p data-p-id="e0e777baa33d9420d2198970d08f56c3"Guess what was not there; Coraline narrowed her eyes. "Babcock, you're emlying/em aren't you."/p
p data-p-id="cdd1e7a958f91a4b907237ac501d5699"Norman looked down and shoved his hands into his jacket. "No, I'm not."/p
p data-p-id="5008fff1975019b45bbc4641224aee5f"Coraline crossed her arms. "Well, there seems to be a suspicious lack of cats for you not to be lying."/p
p data-p-id="386b30bca2bb51778b23f2d60806022c""I'm not lying."/p
p data-p-id="4e09390b5d632d2d168345dc07c725d0"Coraline rolled her eyes./p
p data-p-id="f5b966cd3dd70516c8d5346ba5c905de""I swear, I'm not."/p
p data-p-id="c96e2c0a51e13c7b61358b436de0c0aa"Coraline gave Norman a annoyed look. "Look Babcock, you must be blind or something. There are no cats!"/p
p data-p-id="60ec350d3e8c139b8c9c367b0f188e17"Norman was about to say something when their parents came over./p
p data-p-id="5a0282df1a80cc803e5762d2b229284d""Come on Coraline, lets get your suit." Her mom said./p
p data-p-id="3be310896a6a079f50a4a3811e2198ca".../p
p data-p-id="bc3d0a9afb6288241ab6befe5e3737bd"Their parents for some reason decided it was a good idea for them to go swimming together. Coraline figured it was so their parents wouldn't have to watch them so /She stood by the lake in her blue one /Norman nervously stood next to her in his red swim /br /"What, are you scared of water or something?" Coraline asked./p
p data-p-id="3000bd88b5a53bb6f65d9b2426c948b7"Norman stared at the far half of the water for a moment before realizing Coraline spoke to him. "Huh? Oh, um no."/p
p data-p-id="74e1a5679f976cb7dbab9700166dcacf""Then why are you all nervous Babcock?"/p
p data-p-id="080699d3317bd1113d38a25b5f868cf0"Norman shifted then pointed towards the far half of the lake. "I, I don't have a good feeling about that part of the lake."/p
p data-p-id="df68e8db281d40aa39fc0479202e3071"To Coraline, it didn't seem that different, maybe a bit deeper, but nothing more. "If you can't swim that well, you can just say so."/p
p data-p-id="8a08f68a56bfa93c6695dbf730eb4fb4""What? No, I can swim just fine."br /br /"Then why are you so scared of the deep end?"br /br /Norman shifted uneasily. "I never said I was scared of it, it's just, it looks unnerving."br /br /Coraline sighed and started marching off to that part of the lake./p
p data-p-id="b5689507bdb2fb7801f392a2ee36746e".../p
p data-p-id="819b14cc1a332b5922a947432bf80fa2"Norman called for Coraline to come back but she wouldn't listen. /p
p data-p-id="cb8ec9646a14a6e187600dd7f6c353d1"He could see that many people died in that area but he didn't know why, he just hadn't had the chance to ask the spirits yet. /p
p data-p-id="4ed7d3187bb11c054bce8fb246193033"Norman wanted to say why he was so anxious about the lake, but this girl, that he was somehow related too, would make fun of him. /p
p data-p-id="adea87d2864e118a97ef3aeefd96dd1f"He just knew it. /p
p data-p-id="a9836383a93af27b8787fee5940871eb"Everyone makes fun of him so why wouldn't she?/p
p data-p-id="e8dfddf04731c18dfd5fe23e6513c57b"Norman ran after Coraline, calling out to her. "Coraline! Stop! It's dangerous!"br /br /Coraline wouldn't stop, apparently she is one of those people that when they have made up their minds they would stick to it, how inconvenient./p
p data-p-id="3662cee3f22797fad6407aae10afa2f3"Coraline stopped at the edge of the water and after looking in for a second turned towards Norman. "There is nothing to be scared of here, it's just a emlake./em"embr /embr /Norman shook his head. "Can't we just swim on the other side of it?"/p
p data-p-id="61cd97d3eb3dee1f1a0fc40ce3d7a8f3"Coraline jumped in./p
p data-p-id="b6b2e42adaec3ef75db871af9f8a33ec"Norman ran to the edge and getting onto his knees, he looked into the lake. /p
p data-p-id="887170e1a7503748becd65ca57d65ce0"Coraline swam up and poked her head out of the water. "See! There is nothing to worry about in here!"br /br /Norman looked into the water to see the worried faces of ghosts telling them to get /The boy looked Coraline right into the eyes. "You need to get out of there."br /br /Coraline looked exasperated. "Babcock! Just get in it's perfe-" She went under./p
p data-p-id="b40c78ecc2902be085e603674b40b79c""Coraline!?" The spirits watched sympathetically as Coraline struggled under the water against what seemed to be dangerous seaweed wrapping itself around her legs and dragging her down./p
p data-p-id="185aba38828a17d8571adda46eea58e6"Norman nervously watched for a second but steeled himself, held his breath, and dived in./p
p data-p-id="69db2f9ac8ea64dd1ad92ec55a202a0f"The water felt cold but he kept swimming past the spirits who were telling him to turn back. /p
p data-p-id="dc38784cf434ca29788629d54b75bdf1"When he reached Coraline her attempts were getting weaker to escape./p
p data-p-id="ad7c7f929d433e5884ddb0914168b5d5"Norman swam farther down and started untangling her but Coraline was still kicking against the plants, and at one point his face. /p
p data-p-id="0876ca3a30797b68f44cff1f55ddd8c5"He poked her and motioned for her to stop so she did after a second and he got the plants off. /p
p data-p-id="448feb1d60773f2b41ad44cbe829822c"But they were now grabbing Norman's arms./p
p data-p-id="2708efd0dc942bbd83739893ec241d74"Norman struggled and he tried to call out at one point but the plants held tight./p
p data-p-id="575ca0d3e2a51be5c110a3e8ce5366f8"Coraline swam down and started tugging on the plants, freeing Norman./p
p data-p-id="3b589c60d0c77f63c773021bbcb1497b"The two of them swam up, the plants narrowly missing their feet. /p
p data-p-id="6af54453b2bc8a97f773dd5b5b85ecbd"When they dragged themselves onto the grass, they were gasping for air. /p
p data-p-id="98ab78a3b8218272b9a5fc5c1ae7378c"The cousins flopped down onto the grass, unmoving for a few minutes, just taking in what happened./p
p data-p-id="421e5138cc5e5121801c2e82742b0527"Coraline was the first to speak. "So... evil plants..."/p
p data-p-id="1ebc78fa83f7fcee001e8d6324596de7"Norman just nodded./p
p data-p-id="89a38f79638ecaad4adbf7b642fa8df8""I never thought that plants would have it out for me." Coraline turned her head to face Norman. "How did you know that that part of the lake was dangerous?"/p
p data-p-id="8882cc0e6cb18236f5418020828a3d22"Norman contemplated his answer; if he told her, she could make fun of him, possibly even worse than Alvin. /p
p data-p-id="f5271c315da6ac1a7f20ca881bae9a6f"But, she could also accept him, she would eventually find out though, right?/p
p data-p-id="956a2d1eceda1e5d4ba3f404fda6bc6c""I, saw the ghosts in there..." Norman winced, waiting for the certain lash out. /p
p data-p-id="5552dbcb827b8c23c020f63970170a4c"But, he heard nothing. /p
p data-p-id="53274f67950ccdf34c40e60b04935e69"He looked at Coraline who's face was just filled with confusion. "You saw the ghosts? Of dead people?"/p
p data-p-id="808e3401e38220df055c2085dac8ebb5"Norman nodded. "They were all warning us to stay away, stay on the other side of the lake."/p
p data-p-id="162e2287880ad96dda36b72aafef3c50"Coraline sat up. "Well Norman, I think that is pretty cool."/p
p data-p-id="777f6124dd0d998c1300ae9d473b6514"Norman followed suit. "You do?"/p
p data-p-id="d0daaefa3459aa13a5e0b83c6128cbfa"Coraline smiled. "Of course! Who wouldn't find that cool?"/p
p data-p-id="a5739350d3c44ef305fb5f7a97f718a2"Norman looked out at the lake. "No one. No one finds it cool."/p
p data-p-id="92bbaecb04811f7d8728909b5ae4990d"Coraline's smile faltered. "Well, whether they are all idiots, or I am the idiot, I still find it cool."/p
p data-p-id="d5a5b6c987a9063065ddf3bf65a97f95"Norman faced Coraline with a small smile gracing his face. "You used my actual name earlier."/p
p data-p-id="62f4a89f0a62e43b3ec35151b55621df""Of course, why wouldn't I?"/p
p data-p-id="26478db11a74b3c8675f463fee30cba7" /p