Title: Patchwork

Chapter Three: Now That We Meet

Started: August 22, 2009, 10:14:34 PM

Edited: 5/14/11 02:01:19 PM

Story Quote: Too bad she couldn't see the monster as he so plainly could. Poor thing.

Smile.

Don't forget to always smile.

He was to act as if enjoying every moment to the fullest. Even if it was a complete hell...

Muffled noises could be heard from the other side of the door. The soft murmured lies seethed between the teeth of that...thing. The button eyes of the boy on the veranda were downcast. Tonight, the night he had planned and hoped for since his creation, had finally arrived. Yet it was not what he had so hoped it would be, at least, not so far. No, he was only concerned about one thing.

He had to let Coraline know about the 'Other Mother'.

And he had to do so without the Beldam knowing.

But...how could he do that without his voice?

Creaky floorboards softly screamed as he padded back and forth among them. What was he to do? He couldn't try to write it out, for he had never learned to do so. Or...maybe he had, but he wasn't sure. Besides, it probably wouldn't even work. Those circus mice, her spies, would alert her before Coraline could ever make it to the door to run. He couldn't try and force her through that door himself, either. Not with the Beldam leering over the girl's shoulder. Pampering her, yielding to her every whim, anything in order to get her to stay.

Other Wybie glared mercilessly at the wooden planks beneath him. He had to do something. Anything. But what could he do? The voices suddenly became shushed. He could hear the lofty footsteps leading to the door.

Showtime.

Smile!

The door swung open and bright light scattered into the night beyond. Cautiously, Wybie approached the door. That witch with her feigned grin ushered him forward and when he managed through, she gripped his shoulder and wheeled him round. Then, for the first time, he saw the one person he had wanted to see this entire time.

Coraline.

Her bright hazel eyes scanned over his form with mild interest and what seemed to be...repulsion? No, not that strong, but she sure didn't look pleased. He wanted to mimic her expression, though he knew he could not. And not because the Beldam was just behind him, but because he couldn't help the bubbly feeling that arose when he looked back at her.

She looked so alive.

So this was what she looked like. Shiny blue-black hair clipped back by a single barrette, lopsided lips down turned in thought, orange flannel pajamas that draped over her. She was taller than he thought. His smile became more genuine.

"Hello, Why-were-you-born," she stated dully. Without skipping a beat, he raised his hand to wave back at her. Oh, how he wished he could say something! The questions itched violently at his tongue. "Hello?" she asked, her eyebrows tilting in mild frustration. Wybie nodded his head to her. Yes?

Behind him, the Beldam began to speak. "I thought you'd like it more if he spoke a little less," her voice chimed. "So I fixed him." He could just picture that lovely smile on her face. A shiver coursed through him.

"So he can't talk at all?" Coraline smiled obliviously. "I like it," she stated. She looked at him with appreciation. Now, he definitely liked that look.

"You two head upstairs." She gave Other Wybie a push into motion towards the door; his eagerness to get away from her almost getting the better of him as he hurried past Coraline. Excitement began to rush through him as he led the way for the girl following him. He kept looking over his shoulder every few moments as he exited the house. For some reason, he just couldn't believe it. Coraline was actually here! Even if he couldn't ask her all the questions he wanted, at least he would get a chance to meet her. He'd never been so happy before!

On the veranda, Coraline began to talk to him. The sound of her voice was very harmonious. It made the giddy feeling in his stomach rise with each syllable she muttered.

"Um, it didn't…hurt, did it? When she—" Coraline stumbled, pointing to her throat. At that, he had to end the conversation. No, he wouldn't answer a question like that at a time like this. For now, they were going to enjoy their time together. A small blue dirigible putted along over their heads.

It was time for the show to begin.

Clumsily, he raced up the stairs leading the upper apartment. Coraline was giggling in excitement as they stood before Mr. Bobinsky's front door, and she kept giggling until their entire world was turned upside down. Literally. His knees buckled and his feet were swept up from under him. The images around him distorted into nonsensical blurs of color as he was thrown from his previous standing into a revolving furry that promptly landed him, bewildered, on the floor inside. Everything remained in motion for a few more moments, and the few bright lights in the room waved eerily in his vision. His smile returned.

Now that was exciting!

He looked over at Coraline who too was wavering off-kilter. That lopsided smile remained in play. Good, then all was going well. Wybie looked forward to see a glowing yellow circus tent. Only once had he ever managed to see the Other Bobinsky and his mice before, and that was during a chance encounter right after their creation. A flash of movement alerted him from his dreamlike state. Coraline sprang forward towards the various wonders of the room. She spared a glance at the row of canons placed ceremoniously in procession before stopping at the wheel of popcorn. Other Wybie gradually rose to his feet padded along after her. Along the way he impeded in front of the canons in his path, striking the pedals with his foot.

You know, it was worth being bombarded by cotton candy missiles to see her face light up like that.

Bum-ba-da-da-da!

A horn blared elatedly from the tent at the far end of the room. Coraline wasted no time in forgetting her popcorn and dropping to her knees so as to fit through the fabric entryway. Wybie did the same, but before he could make it through, something caught his eye. There, sitting calmly in the window, was a small, lithe, black figure. It was perched boldly in the ghostly moonlight; head raised high and thin tail twitching fluidly from side to side. There was something… different…about this creature. Even in its stony silence, Wybie could feel the emotion it emitted, the cool indifference and wary suspicion that lingered behind it.

Another creation from the Beldam? A spy, perhaps? To watch over him, to make sure he didn't mess up her elaborate scheme?

Other Wybie shivered and followed Coraline into the tent.

Squish, squish, squish, squish, squish.

Wybie paced back and forth in the damp mud and moss. The anxious feelings inside of him were really starting to get on his nerves. Ever since he had gotten home, things had been a bit off from the norm. He'd been experiencing strange flashes for about the past hour. More frequently as the night progressed. They were so vivid, though, and so full of emotion that they had kept him from going to sleep.

Thus why he was now marching like a madman through the mud.

Bright yellow fabric fell around him. He felt apprehensive as he moved on. He could see a smiling face on the other side of the cloth; it made him feel slightly more at ease.

Wybie ran a skeletal hand over his weary face. He felt like he was seeing two things at once. One being the reality before him, then, overlapping that image, was the scene in his mind. He almost felt ill as he continued to pace, but he couldn't stop. Stopping almost seemed like giving in. His feet trudging through the mess of mud was the only thing that appeared to tie him to this world.

Horns melodically blared around him. Squeaking in a pleasant, upbeat sort of way. He was smiling happily. What fun! A flash of blue and another smile drew his attention. Such a great night!

Growling in frustration, Wybie banged his fist against the trunk of a birch. What the heck was going on? Should he be worried? Was he hallucinating? Maybe he should tell Gramma, get a ride to the doctor. No, maybe it would simply go away on its own. No need to worry her over something that might not be anything. He continued to pace.

The tall figure stood before him in a grand pose, arms outstretched to the audience. Someone was cheering. He waved his hands enthusiastically, but said nothing. Why not? He left through the yellow fabric. He could feel eyes upon him. In the window, something was staring. Steely blue eyes analyzed his every move. Its tail flicked menacingly.

He was now on his knees. The flashes were no longer brief; he couldn't see the earth he stood on. It was like looking through a TV screen. He could see what was happening, but could do nothing to control it.

The eyes remained on him all the way through the room. Even after he left, he could feel those eyes on him. Following him. He looked behind him; in the shadows he could see them still. What did it want? He continued walking. The door opened before him, he swore he heard a soft hiss behind him. When he looked, those eyes were gone. When he turned back around, she was there instead. Fear. Run. Hide.

His breaths were becoming sharp and shallow. He felt terrified. His heart stroke his ribcage with vicious intent. That thing looked so familiar, so hauntingly familiar. Where was it from?

He watched in silence as brown eyes fell shut. So peaceful. Lulled into a false sense of security. Too bad she couldn't see the monster as he so plainly could. Poor thing. He hoped, with all his might, that she would never return when she awoke the next morning. But he also knew better. Of course she would return. What irony. Now, he was forced to leave. Not that it took too much ushering. It was hard to overstay one's welcome in the lair of the beast. When he was out of the door, he was greeted by something shocking. A voice. A new voice. But not pleasantly.

"Hello, little monster. Want to play?"

He didn't even have time to raise his hands by the time the thing attacked him.

Raindrops began to fall. Small, harmless drips of water. Everywhere, bringing with it the thick and suffocating fog. Within the time it took for the first rays of light to weave through the trees, the fog had already consumed the still form of the boy lying in the muck.

Ending Song Time!

"This ordinary mind is broken,

You did it and you don't even know,

You're leaving me with words unspoken,

You better get back because I'm ready for,

More than this."

Artist: Mika Song: Rain