The Beldam is Back

Chapter 8

They ran and ran, but had no idea where they would go. For now, they ran to their school.

Coraline and Wybie walked up the eerie corridors, waiting and listening. They seemed to think that at any moment, something or someone would jump out at them.

Suddenly, they heard footsteps, but they were more likely clacking. Coraline found her locker and unlocked it with the key she always had in her pocket. She went in and closed the door.

Wybie slipped into the locker too and sat down. Coraline was lucky. She had one of the biggest lockers in the school, but it was mainly because no one wanted to have their locker around them, as everyone thought she was crazy after she came back last time, talking about the Beldam.

The cat was silent besides them. They tried to control their breathing and keep quiet. Coraline peeked out of the crack and watched the hallway to see what would happen.

The Other Mother, in her full spider-like metal form walked by. Small footsteps were heard behind it, and Other Wybie walked by. He followed the Other Mother, head down, looking sorry for himself. His mouth wasn't sewn shut and he could freely speak.

"Where is the girl you insolent boy?" The Other Mother demanded.

"I told you, I don't know. I haven't seen her since I helped her..." Other Wybie stopped. He was about to remind the Beldam that he had helped Coraline escape, and the Beldam hated him for that.

"You helped her escape. I am most displeased with you for that." The Beldam slowly walked by and Other Wybie stopped. When the Beldam had left, he opened the locker and Wybie and Coraline stumbled out.

Coraline raced and gave Other Wybie a hug. "You're alive!" She cried.

Wybie looked at Other Wybie. So this is what I look like, he thought.

He gave his hand to Other Wybie, for him to shake.

"You must be normal Wybie." He said. Wybie chuckled and bear hugged him.

Other Wybie said that they had to get out of there. He was going to help them. The group of four, (including the cat) left the school. The cat perched itself on Other Wybie's shoulder and he patted the purring cat fondly. He had missed his friend.

They walked down the pathway to the town. Other Wybie was describing exactly what had happened around here recently, and what had happened with the Beldam since she left.

They passed a store that Coraline knew wasn't in the real town.

Inside, there were lots of swords and guns. She knew that she had to grab one, because it would help with the fight with the Beldam that was to come.

She tested the size, shape and weight of a few swords, but they were way too heavy for her. Suddenly, she saw the one for her.

It was more like a dagger, and it had the perfect sense of balance for her. It had blue stones on the hilt and a small scabbard in a belt that she could put around her waist.

She carefully picked it up and alarms went off. She could hear the Other Mother in the distance, screeching with excitement because she had found her.

Coraline raced out, with Wybie and Other Wybie on her heels.

They ran and ran, but Coraline didn't care. She had a weapon.

She could win this.