Nightmares

Part three

Coraline had never been inside this cafe before. She barely even went outside of the gardens surrounding her home. She had no clue as to what she wanted to eat.

"So...what ya want?" Wybie tilted his head sideways like he always does when asking something.

"Ummm...," Coraline looked at the menu and pondered over a couple ideas, "Just get me whatever you're having."

Her mind was still on the image she saw outside. It's been 5 years, why was she still so connected to that horrid place? The thought of that world still existing chilled her to the bone. She still remembers how the world changed once she said no to getting buttons sewn into her eyes. She shook off the feeling and shook the image from her head.

"We'll have two grilled cheeses with chips and a large soda." Wybie looked at her as if making sure that was ok, to which Coraline nodded her head in agreement. What Wybie picked out did sound really good, and Coraline didn't realize it till they sat down to eat just how hungry she actually was.

"Yo, slow down before you choke. It's not running away from you." Wybie laughed at Coraline, which in turn made her laugh slightly.

"You know...you should really talk about what happened out there. It's been awhile since you've had a panic attack in public. You sure you're–"

"I'm fine, Wyborn. And yes, I'm sure I don't want to talk about it. I just want to eat my food then go home, ok?"

Coraline and Wybie sat in silence for the rest of the meal.

Once done, they gathered their things and hopped on the motorcycle and headed towards home.
Wybie let Coraline off at the big Pink Place, leaving her with the words "If you need me you know where to find me" and drove away, leaving Coraline alone till her parents got off of work.

Coraline closed the door behind her and went into the kitchen to do some homework. She hated how eerily quiet it was within the place.

"Ahh!" Coraline yelped, looking back behind her, revealing a cat.

"Really, cat? Haven't we been through this? Stop startling me. Geez."

The cat merely turned his head sideways, understanding why she was so startled. This was the same cat that had been with her when going through the other world. The same cat who could apparently talk within that other world.

All Coraline seemed to be able to think of was what happened, if anything, to the other world and the Other Mother. So much so that it seemed to have kept her up every night since age 11. She needed closure. No...she needed answers.

She stood up, the cat following her on top of the cabinets. Opening up a drawer, she shuffled through some keys, hoping there was a second one that opened the door. Surprisingly, there it was. The same black button key that she had thrown down that well 5 years ago.

The cat immediately had something to say, jumping down and taking the key from Coraline.

"Oh come on cat, I just want to see. If something happens you will be right beside me."

The cat dropped the key, seeming to give up a game of chase. Coraline picked it up and headed towards the door hidden within the living room. Putting it in the lock and turning it, she inhaled sharply. Coraline opened the small door and to her surprise...it was that same swirling purplish blue that had called her in before.

As if nothing had changed at all.