Chapter one:
Morning came and Coraline had awakened to the warmth of the sun. As she stretched the tree branch moved so it was no longer covering her. Her long honey auburn hair seemed to shine in the sun. Making look as though there was a bit of copper mixed in with the honey color. She sat up and stretched causing her back to crack slightly.
'Are you ready Coraline?' asked the owl after he had awakened and ruffled his feathers. Coraline smiled and nodded before she once again hid all her hair up in the hat. "You may take me down now." She said softly to the tree, and then it slowly lowered her down to the ground. The Owl fluttered over and sat upon her shoulder. She hugged the tree branch "Thank you my friend," The branch hugged her back before she let go, and then began to walk away.
"Where do you think we should head to next?"
The Owl hooted softly and shook his head, causing Coraline to laugh 'Honestly I do not know.' After Coraline had walked for what seemed like hours she came across a small village. Happily she ran till she reached the village and came to the nearest tavern. "Hello deary," greeted the Tavern lady, a small plump woman with a warm smile on her face.
Coraline smiled back "Hello," once she had got a good look at Coraline a look of shock came upon her face. "My goodness, you aren't nothing but skin and bones!" The lady came up to her and took her to a table and sat her down. "Now you stay here and I will bring you something to eat."
Coraline sat comfortably at the table, but was startled as the owl came fluttering in and came to sit upon the chair. 'Well that was delicious. It has been quite some time since I had a nice fat field mouse.'
Coraline shuddered slightly 'Oh dear, I am sorry little one. I forgot.' Coraline smiled and stroked his head, causing a small screech to come out. "Is that your bird?" She looked up to see the Tavern Lady. "Um…yes. He just seems to want to follow me around. Probably because I gave him some food, he hadn't eaten in a long time."
The Taverness smiled, never had she seen anyone so innocent. "Well here you are Dear, a nice bowl of hot soup. Oh and my name's Sarah." She smiled as she sat down beside her, "Coraline." Sarah smiled, "What are you doing so far from home Coraline?" Coraline looked into her bowl of soup, not knowing how to answer. She couldn't tell anyone the real reason; they would burn her for sure. "My….my parents didn't want me anymore."
"Oh dear, I am so sorry Coraline."
"It's fine, really. I'm happier now. I plan on traveling!" Coraline said excitedly, which indeed was true. She would always listen to her father's stories about his travels. To Italy, France, Russia, many places all across Europe. "Well Coraline I wish you luck on your journey. But, at least stay here a while if you want to travel you need money. And I can offer you a job for a short while."
Coraline looked at Sarah, "Free room and food." She nodded, "Thank you Sarah. Can my friend stay too? He's not messy at all, he does his eating out." Sarah raised her had to stop Coraline, "yes he may stay. So long as he doesn't leave little presents everywhere."
'I would never!'
Coraline tried not to laugh, after hearing the shock in the owl's voice, it was kind of hard not to. 'It's as if she is comparing me to a common Pigeon.' Sarah smiled as she watched Coraline eat her soup. "Thank you that was delicious." Sarah nodded happily as she took the bowl into the back. "Now follow me deary." Coraline grabbed her bag and then followed Sarah up the stairs, with the owl on her shoulder.
Sarah opened a door to reveal a small yet homey room. "It's a bit dusty, and hasn't been used in a while but it is better than nothing." Coraline smiled "It's perfect," Sarah smiled "I'll let you get some rest now."
She nodded as Sarah left then fell onto the bed with a smile "Home." 'Yes, not too shabby I must say.' Coraline smiled at the Owl "I still need a name for you, you know." The owl hooted and gave a small nod 'I do like the name Archimedes. He was a philosopher yes?' She nodded "As far as I know, yes."
The owl gave a happy smile causing Coraline to laugh "The Archimedes it is." 'You should sleep little one. I shall watch over you.' Coraline's eyes became heavy as she curled up into a ball and fell into a deep sleep.
