...We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the morning's light
We'll be halfway to anywhere
Where no one needs a reason...

"I know I said I'd be there!... No it's not my fault!... I dunno, I fell asleep in the bath again..."

Coraline sat on the dirty sofa with her hands nervously resting on her lap. She watched as Wybie walked back and forth while arguing with someone on the phone. Even though she was happy to see him... she wasn't.

This wasn't what she expected, she never even thought it was possible. This was Wybie... Wybie!

He was nice, he was sweet, and he would never let the Pink Palace or his house end up like this!

So why was everything like this now? What happened when she left?

She jumped from her thoughts as she heard something drop onto the floor. She looked to see the phone on the carpet and Wybie walking over to the sofa. Her eyes followed as he past her and threw himself down next to her, spreading his body out in a relaxed manner.

Coraline found it hard to not stare at him, and he seemed to have noticed. "So... why are you back?" he asked staring back at her, though he didn't sound or look like he really cared, instead his tone sounded sharp and spiteful. Coraline wondered if it was intentional or if it was just natural now.

"... I-I came back to see my parents. But they've gone for the week" she replied. She watched his reaction carefully, he carried on staring at her for a few seconds but then shrugged and looked at the TV while turning it on.

There was a dangerously awkward silence. "So... w-wheres Mrs. Lovat?" she asked. She knew it probably wasn't the smartest question to ask, but she needed something to get rid of the silence. Wybie looked at her as if she was plain stupid. "Ten years! Where'd you think? She's dead!" he shouted angrily.

Coraline raised her hands in defence, "Okay I'm sorry, sorry" she said, trying to keep him calm. He seemed to calm a bit, but he turned his attention to the TV again.

"Wybie?" she whispered, but he didn't reply. He didn't even look at her. "... What happened while I was gone?" she said a little louder. She bit down on her lip worriedly as Wybie suddenly tensed up. She was scared, really scared, he looked as if he would loose it at any given second.

Luckily he seemed to have controlled himself and calmed himself down again. "Nothing" he replied.

"Nothing? Nothing! Ten years ago this place was amazing, it was beautiful. Now look at it!" Coraline yelled while standing up angrily.

"Then why did you leave?" Wybie snapped back, his eyes meeting hers in a furious glare. For the first time she could remember, Coraline was the one to back down. "You know why" she said quietly. Wybie looked away again. She had always thought he'd be happy to see her after so long but now, he just looked annoyed, angered by the fact that she was even here.

Suddenly everything was tense. Wybie got up, leaving the TV on. He walked towards the door but stopped, "Get your stuff and go to the spare room."

"What-" she started. "Look your 'rents aren't coming back for another week so you'll be needing a place to stay!" he snapped again, though he refused to look at her. He let out a sigh before walking out the room, "Just get your stuff and stop whining" he mumbled on his way.

Coraline watched him as he left before looking down and letting out a sigh, this is going to be a difficult week she thought before walking outside to get her bags.

She had soon settled herself in the guess room and unpacked her things. It turned out that the guess room was actually Wybie's old room before his grandmother died and he got her room. She was lucky though, it was the only room in the house that wasn't a mess. It was surprisingly clean. Maybe it had never been used before, she didn't know. All she knew was that she needed some air.

Which is why she found herself walking around the Pink Palace garden.

She had to admit, the garden wasn't exactly a paradise when she first got here fourteen years ago. But now... she let out a sad sigh, everything was dead. There were no flowers in bloom, the trees were crippled and leafless, and the rocky path on the ground were cracked all over.

She should have expected this though, everything else was ruined, so why should this be any different.

Coraline wiped her eyes sadly as small tears ran down her face. This was her home! How could this have happened? This garden was her haven, she used to plant all kinds of flowers here, roses, blue bells, tulips, baby's breath, the list goes on.

But now... everything was gone. There were even dead insects on the floor, probably dead from starvation. That's how horrible this place was.

How could Wybie let this happen?

Oh who was she kidding, even Wybie was a mess now. Drinking, smocking, not caring that she was back! These were just not... him...

She wished her parents were here, then they would tell her what had happened. But what if they had changed too? Coraline couldn't bare the thought of that.

She sat down on the stone wall and put her hands over his eyes. She should never have come back!

"Okay I know this place sucks and all but, really, its not worth crying over" a male voice came from beside her.

Coraline looked up to see a young man, maybe in his early twenty's, walk up to her. She put her hands on her lap and shrugged her shoulders, "This place used to be my home, it was beautiful when I lived here, but now... it's horrible" she said sadly.

The man just looked around, "Yeah its not at the best we've seen it. The names Darren, Darren Rains, my dad owns the Pink Palace" he introduced himself while holding out his hand.

"Coraline Jones" she replied while taking it. Then she realized what he said. "Wait, your dad owns the Pink Palace?"

"Yeah, he got it from the old lady uh... Mrs. Lovat, I think. Left it to him in her will. Shame really, this place could have had a lot going for it, but my dad owns so many buildings, this one sort'a got pushed aside" Darren explained.

Coraline's mouth dropped, "B-but I thought Wybie owned the Pink Palace, he was Mrs. Lovat's grandson" she said confused.

Darren's face suddenly grew serious, "Stay away from that guy, my dad told me about him, don't go near him no matter what!" he said.

Coraline gasped from shock, "What are you talking about?" she said, almost panicky. "He's evil Miss Jones. Dad warned me never to go near him, and I think you shouldn't either!" he warned, he looked frightened from even talking about it.

"I have to go now" Coraline said before leaving Darren alone in the garden. She walked fast, faster so she could get away.

"It's not true... it can't be true!" When she was halfway to Wybie's house, she stopped running and fell to the floor desperately, letting go of her fearful sobs.

"It can't be true."