I'm back and STAYING as an author, everyone! :)

I apologize for my absents, but I'm here to make it up. However, I do plan to do one story at a time, so I'm gonna wrap this story up before I go and finish up my other remaining four stories.

Here's the long-awaited chapter for "Paraline".

Enjoy,

~Nixter97~

Chapter 10: Hide and go Shriek - Part 1

Coraline stumbles through the dark woods. Now that she's in the other Blithe Hollow, she not only has to rescue Norman, but Aggie, Cat, Courtney, Neil, and Salma too! What a night this is turning out to be; a nightmare. Walking through the clearing, Coraline was beginning to take the time to think everything through that had lead her to this very moment: the Pink Palace, the door, the key, everything about her old home before moving to Blithe Hollow. If only she hadn't gotten so curious about that stupid door, none of this would've happened to her. Or if her parents had any brains and didn't have them move there for that matter.

Of course, that would mean that she'd possibly never move to Blithe Hollow and met wonderful people. Like Norman. Norman. Oh, sweet, caring, and in serious danger Norman. Coraline kept blaming herself for this whole mess: breaking Norman's heart like that. Keeping a crush is hard, especially if you really want to tell someone, but you're too afraid to.

Stupid Alvin, Coraline thought aggressively. She also made sure to make a mental note to crush him once all of this was over.

As Coraline makes a left turn, she stops, and slowly turns her head, after hearing a crackle in the woods. A bright light shines from the horizon. Coraline narrows her eyes, squinting as she tries to make out the image. She then falls backwards, as her feet stepped on some thin piece of land on the edge of a small cliff, and falls, screaming in surprise during the process.

Now on the ground, Coraline wipes her face to get the dirt off of her. The light soon finds its was to Coraline's presence, which gets her slightly frightened. However, once she caught a clear look at the strange light, it was revealed to be Aggie.

Coraline blinked, "Aggie?"

Aggie nods and turns around, shouting, "Cat! I've found her!"

Cat meows as he leaps next to Aggie. Looming over Coraline above the small cliff, she licks the back side of his paw and rubs it on the side of his head, getting behind his eyes. Opening his eyes, he swishes his tail, indicating that Cat was somewhat relieved.

"Coraline," Cat begun; anxiously. "so relieved that we've found you."

"Hey Cat," Coraline replied with a sad smile. "what happened to you guys? I thought you got captured like the others."

Aggie fiddled with her hair, a soft blush of anger crept upon her ghostly appearance. "She tried," Aggie huffed. "the Beldam attempted to keep us locked up like the others, but we've managed to escape with my ghost abilities."

Coraline furrowed her brow.

"Why didn't you help the others?"

"We tried," Cat explained.

"But we didn't have enough time, I'm afraid. She was too quick, and Cat was the only one who was light enough for me to carry away to safety. The Beldam won't be so happy to hear that you now have help." Explained Aggie.

Help. That word stuck to Coraline. If there was anything right now that could assist her to save Norman and find the others it was help. They either had to stick together or go and separate again. But which option would be the best choice? Coraline made a puzzled look as she crosses her arms and rest her chin upon on her right hand, obviously thinking. Cat and Aggie didn't make any sudden movement; they just stared and wondered what she was thinking.\

"That's is," Coraline sighed and looked up at them once more. "Norman needs our help, more than anyone. But right now, we must find the others. And in order to do that, we only have two options: separate or act as a team."

Cat shook his head, followed by an annoyed grunt.

"Have you got no sense in adventure, child?"

Aggie looked back from Coraline, who looked angered that her taste of adventure had been insulted, and to Cat, who seemed to act like he knew more than Coraline did.

"Unless you wish to have a death wish, we must stick together." Cat explained. "Two heads are better than one, remember?"

"But there's three of us..." Aggie furrowed her brow in confusion.

"Three heads are better than one. Excuse me," Cat sighed with irritation.

Coraline had put two and two together. Cat was right. Climbing back to the top of the cliff with all her strength, she says, "Then it's settled. C'mon guys, we're going to hunt Courtney down first."

"But where could she be?" A puzzled Aggie asked.

Walking through the woods, they finally find the exit, and stumble into the streets. Coraline leads as the trio walks through the other Blithe Hollow.

"Isn't it obvious?" Coraline remarked. "Blithe Hollow Mall."

Back in the real Blithe Hollow, it was a tragic scene at the Jones's residence...

Police cars surround the two houses that belonged to Norman and Coraline. Their parents, Perry and Sandra, and, Mel and Charlie, all look devastated. The group of four were sitting in the Jones's dining room table. The women held cups of coco in their shaken hands and blankets were wrapped around their necks. Their husbands attempt to comfort their devastated wives. Perry and Sandra were enjoying their weekend-longed vacation, but once the cops called about their children's disappearance, they rushed home as soon as possible. Once getting home, it was exactly like this: the husbands comforting their broken-hearted wives.

"Any luck?" Sandra Babcock asked eagerly; her voice very shaken. The cops have been on the search for nearly more than five hours, and it's starting to both annoy and worry the mothers. Annoyed because of their beliefs that Interpol is barley doing anything in their power. Worried because they love their children so much, and it was hard for them to accept their disappearance.

The cop shakes his head.

"We're sorry, ma'am, we still haven't found them. But we're doing the best we can."

Mel then darts her eyes. She quickly stands up, and slams her mug down, shooting the cop a stern look that was filled with rage.

"YOU'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH!" She bellows.

The entire house went silent during that point.

"Mel..." Charlie warned with concern, taking her arm with his hands, and slowly slowing her down to her seat.

Without even hesitating, Mel begins to break into quiet sobs which soon grow louder, and clutches to her husband, burying her face into his chest. Everyone just sits there and watches the scene in front of them. Sandra sighs with grief and sobs quietly, following Mel's lead by clutching onto her husband. Both Petty and Charlie give each other knowing looks. Looks that read, "we have to find our kids".

The cop takes out a pen and a notepad and looks at Perry Babcock. He clears his throat, followed by, "Sir, have you noticed any strange activity involving your son and daughter before their disappearance?"

Perry looks at the cop and shakes his head.

"No, I'm afraid not..." Perry sighed. "Although, before we left, Norman seemed to be...rather depressed. Severally depressed."

Sandra gasps and looks up from her sobbing fest. Her eyes were huge with fright, and more fresh tears were beginning to form in her eyes, ruining her eye makeup. "Oh god, Perry! You don't think that he...he..." Sandra didn't have the guts to finish before going back into sobbing, blowing her nose with a tissue.

"No, Sandra, I don't believe that Norman committed suicide. He's not that crazy!"

Sandra gasped as she looks up from her tissue with her face written in shock. She turns and slaps her husband across the cheek hard. The sound of the slap was so loud, that the entire house could even hear it.

"Don't you dare say such a thing, Perry." She hisses.

"Look, people, let's just calm down." The cop assures. "Let's all just take a deep breathe and calm down. We'll find your son. We just have to think positive thoughts."

"Any little positive thought?" Both Mel and Sandra asked.

The cop nodded in response and Sandra glared at him. "Then please, with all of our hearts, we're counting on you...find our children! Is there any place that you guys haven't searched yet? Any clues?"

"I think I might know," Came a voice from the door frame of the dining room. "But you may not believe me."

Everyone turns to find a boy with tanned skin, brown hair, brown eyes, a black raincoat with white strips, black gloves, black boots, and blue jeans. The boy rubs the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Who are you?" Asked Perry.

"I'm Wybie. Wybie Lovat."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Part 1 of this chapter done! Be sure to check out the next chapter soon! :)

Yes! Wybie is here! XD

Stay tuned! Hope you liked this chapter!

See ya soon,

~Nixter97~