Oh great. Why-Were-you-Born's unconscious on me, the Other Mother's coming at me, and the cat's not even around!

I wasn't going to throw Wybie at her either. Instead, I mustered up all the courage I had and glared at the Other Mother, who had a confident smirk upon her crusty-white, cracked-like-a-plate face.

"Leave him alone," I growled, setting Wybie gently down on the floor away from the Other Mother. He muttered a little, but stayed unconscious. Thanks for the help Wybourne.

The Other Mother looked at him hungrily for a second, before turning back to me. "Why should I leave him alone...? He's just like the Other Him! The ungrateful brat! He deserved what I threw at him."

I glanced at Wybie. Sprawled out on the floor, looking weak and helpless. The place where the Other Mother had hit him was dotted with red, some of the blood showing through the curls. I had to help him after this.

"He...he didn't deserve anything," I protested. "What did he do?! This trap was meant for me, right? The cat told me so." I smirked slightly. If there was one thing the Other Mother hated besides cheaters and disobedience, it was the cat.

The Other Mother narrowed her eyebrows, glaring at me. "That vermin is a liar," She snarled. "you shouldn't be around him. Vermin are a bad influence. And so is that boy." She nodded towards Wybie. He was groaning a little now.

"This..." I said, standing up a little taller. "is between you and me. Not Wybie, not the cat. Just you and me."

"Oh...is that so?" The Beldam questioned, walking with her spidered legs in circles around me. My eyes followed her every move. How was I going to defeat her again? The cat wasn't here, Wybie was...well, down for the count, and I was alone.

I blinked hard. Think, Coraline, think! I started edging towards the door, but the Other Mother stepped in front of it. I was a cat playing with its prey, a spider with a bug caught in its web.

I was trapped.

"It's just buttons darling," The Other Mother smiled sincerely. "All of your problems could be cured with a simple needle and thread."

"No," I spat, backing up and looking at Wybie. His eyelids fluttered a little. Barely. Hurry up and wake up, you dork! I wanted to scream.

"I don't want you, I don't want your love, I want to go home!" I shouted, angry. We've been through this whole matter before.

"But you are home darling." The Beldam informed me. It was a lie.

"This is no home of mine. All this is on the inside is just scraps and bits and pieces! Nothing is really what it is."

The Other Mother's button eyes glinted in fury. "I knew you were a bright child, Coraline, but I'm afraid you are trapped. There is no escape this time. If it would make you feel any better, I'll even sew little Wybie some buttons. Maybe green, perhaps brown. Would you like that?"

"Ugh!" I said in disgust. "No! I wouldn't like that at all! Wybie has nothing to do with this, you witch! Let him go! Please..."

My gaze flickered upon Wybie again. Not the slightest movement, not a sound from him. I lost all hope.

"My dearest Coraline," The Beldam said affectionately. She sauntered up and ran her needle-like hands through my hair. I shook my head and stepped away. One of her hands though...it looked battered.

One of the needles were missing! I almost smiled. Her right hand, the one Wybie and I had thrown down the well, was twitching slightly. Like it had a mind all its own. I knew what it wanted to do. Skitter off her arm and come after me.

Or Wybie, who was still laying on the floor. I mentally sighed.

Oh Wybie.

I could tell the Other mother was getting impatient. "Well," She said, in a voice barely above a whisper. "It seems you are cornered. Surrender now, Coraline, and I won't punish you and your friend too dearly."

I saw the long pointed needle and the black spool of thread. It was going to be the end of my life. That's it. The great explorer, Coraline Jones, killed by a simple job of needlework.

I squeezed my hazel eyes shut tight, preparing for the worst, clenching my fists.

That's when I heard the shout.

I had been knocked out by something, but by who, I forgot. It's fragile how much memory counts when you're in a life or death situation.

I was unconscious and the Other Mother was right by me and Coraline. I saw her advancing slowly, needle and thread in silver, needle-hands.

The rest was fuzzy. Then everything was black.

My second headache that day started to rear its ugly...well, head, making my head pound like someone was hitting it with a mallet.

But, it still counts whether you're awake or unconscious during the whole event. It's like running a marathon you're sure you're going to win, but at that last stretch, a faster person runs up and passes you by, winning.

Two heads are better than one. But only when both are awake and aware.

We were going to die. My journal was burned, my head was aching, and my Jonesy was alone.

I was alone too. Alone and scared, even in unconsciousness.

I know how some people managed to wake themselves up when they got knocked out, but how?

Being unconscious...I had to wake up. I had to. For me and Coraline's sake. I struggled to wake myself up and managed to groan a little. Wow. Great progress Wybie. The most I could get was a groan and a twitch.

I tried again and this time I was able to flutter my eyes, the ceiling visible between flickers, blurry, but still visible.

At least the buttons hadn't been put in yet.

I then heard the Beldam's voice, and tried my best to listen.

"Surrender now, Coraline, and I won't punish you and your friend too dearly."

The voice echoed through my head, sending more pain to the back. Pound, pound, pound, like a dull drum.

It was the worst headache I had ever experienced, and when I tried to sit up, the pounding increased. I moaned and fell back down. Jonesy needed my help, and I had to help her. I sat up again and, quietly as I could, stumbled to my feet, shaking my head.

Dizzy, I towards the Other Mother. She had Coraline cornered, and I knew there was only one thing I could do:

I leapt on her.

I knew it was crazy.

I knew I'd probably get killed.

But it was the only thing I could think of.

Time seemed to freeze for a split second. Coraline's wide hazel eyes stared into mine before the Other Mother started to buck and spin, making me even more dizzy.

"Ugh! You little brat! Get off!" She exclaimed, reaching behind her to get me dislodged from her back.. I dodged the needle-hands best as I could, and clung on for dear life.

"R-run!" I managed to call to Coraline.

"B-but the key!" She replied.

I saw the key flash black against the Other Mother's neck as she twirled me around and around.

Great...We're doomed.

"Get off of me! Ungrateful little..." With another jerk, the Other Mother managed to send me flying in the air. But not before I grabbed the string from her neck and pulled the key off.

I landed hard on the floor, and rolled to my feet. I stumbled and shook my head, before looking back up at the Other Mother, who was looming over me. Her eyebrows narrowed.

"Give me...the key." She hissed.

I gulped back my fear and stared at her buttons. Coraline was right behind her, waving her arms at me. The message was clear as day: throw me the key!

"If you want it..." I took a deep breath and raised my hand, aiming carefully. "You'll have to CATCH IT!" I threw the key over her head with all my strength, which wasn't a lot. Thankfully, she caught it with both hands and ran towards the door.

The Other Mother didn't turn around. She just stared at me, looking deep in thought about something. Then, she lashed out with one of her hands and grabbed me by the throat.

I choked. She wasn't letting me breath. I looked wide-eyed at her. "L-let me..go!" I managed, gasping and clawing at her hands.

She smiled maliciously, button eyes glinting evilly. "Now...why would I do that. Coraline wouldn't leave without you after all.

Upon hearing her name, Coraline froze, right in the middle of turning the key into the lock that was preventing her from freedom.

She turned around and gasped. "Wybie!"

I tried to shake my head. "N-no! Just...go!" I gasped.

The Other Mother looked from me to Coraline. "Really Coraline dear? You'd leave this little..." she squeezed me neck. "brat, and save yourself? How sweet."

Coraline looked from me to the door, contemplating on what to do. I wanted her to go. There was no way she was going to save me.

"G-go!" I managed again. "Go Coraline!"

I barely heard her whisper, "No."

The Other Mother frowned for a second, then smiled again. "No? Hmm...I don't think you understand what kind of situation you're in, Coraline."

Coraline's eyes flashed, they always did when an idea sprouted in her head. "You're...right. I don't know what I'm going to do. But...I feel like a game."

"A game?" The Beldam's eyes flashed, a glint. A confident smirk made it's way across her broken white face. "And what game would it be, Coraline?"

"A...A action game. A hide-and-seek game."

"Hmm...." the Other Mother thought for a minute. "Okay. How is this...hide-and-seek game going to work?"

Coraline held up the key. I paled. Not the key Jonesy. Not the key.

"If you can find this," Coraline made the key shine in the dim light. "Then you can keep us. Both of us."

the Other mother laughed and dropped me to the ground. I fell and gasped, trying to get my breath back. Coraline ran over and kneeled beside me.

"You okay?" She whispered.

"Y...yeah. I'm al...alright." I panted, rubbing my throat.

The Other Mother smiled up at us. "So, Coraline. Should I wait...until you hide the key?" She asked.

Coraline nodded. "Yes. Cover your eyes, too. I promise, I won't cheat if you don't." The Other mother hesitated, before covering black buttons with needle-hands.

"I'll be right back." Jonesy whispered, before nimbly running upstairs. I crawled and laid my back against the door, still breathing heavily. This was insane. Not even twelve feet from me, was a witch who could easily jump on and kill me in three seconds flat.

Why can't I ever make normal friends? Or animals?

Coraline soon came walking down the stairs slowly. The key was gone. "Okay," She said, walking and standing by me. "You can go look now."

The Beldam gave Coraline one confident glance, before slowly making her way upstairs. When her many footsteps faded, Coraline shoved me away from the door and pulled the key out of her pocket.

My mouth hung open. "Coraline..."

"Shut up Why-Were-You-born," Coraline said, hurriedly tugging the door open and pushing me inside. "Let's go!"

I didn't need to be told twice. I grabbed Coraline's hand and ran for my life, dragging her behind me.

We were halfway through the tunnel before we heard the Other Mother's angry scream of rage.

If there was anything she hated more than losing, it was cheating.

And we had cheated and escaped the witch.


A/N: Sorry this took so freakin' long! D:

I've been a busy girl.

I think there's only going to be one more chapter after this, but there may be two. =)

I hope to update sooner. xD Enjoy.