Twisted Fates

Chapter 14

The Beldam just grinned. A sick, twisted thing.

Coraline suddenly felt sick to her stomach. The magic roiled violently.

It was doing something. Her stomach hurt. Her muscles ached. Her blood boiled. She groaned in pain, even the Beldam had to rush to her side.

"Maybe you should rest, daughter."

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

She knew something was wrong.

The Other Mother had something up her sleeves . . . but what?

And why was the magic so strange?

She heard a soft purr, and looked out the window. The Cat was there. "Hi. What's going on?"

"Your friend has turned. He's been caught."

"Which one?"

"The boy with the eyepatch."

Kubo.

"What happened?"

"His magic's been tainted. The witch has captured him. I'm betting that she would do the same to the rest of your friends."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Norman had no doubt about it. He was next.

His hands shook as he thought of the possibility of him harming his newfound friends.

He simply lay down, willing himself to sleep.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Something felt wrong. Eggs knew that.

As if he could feel the magic . . .

But he didn't have magic, did he?

His head was pounding so hard that there were black spots in his vision. His hearing muffled.

The next to turn had to be one of them.

Eggs sat down next to Winnie, who offered him a comforting smile. They had both been sent here to study . . . none of them expected this mess.

Norman moved slightly in his slumber before he jolted up, eyes opened and bloodshot red.

"I think I know who's next."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

He wandered back to the Pink Palace after persuading his friends, only allowing the talking black cat to accompany him.

"What are you doing, boy?"

"I have to confirm my suspicions. The magic here is evil - I can feel that as well."

He climbed up the branch through the window - where he saw the blue-haired female fast asleep. He had to protect Coraline.

He moved slowly, whipping around as he heard a sound.

The door opened. Light spilled into the room.

"Who are you?" Norman dared ask the shadowed figure.

The humanoid creature just prowled next to him. "Norman, you don't know me?"

He recognised that voice. As the light spilled upon the woman's face, Norman's eyes morphed into one of pure horror.

It was his Mother.

With buttons for eyes.

"Your friend is asleep, so why don't you go downstairs?"

Norman shook his head. "I have to help her," he muttered.

The button-eyed imposter just angled her head. "Go downstairs now."

Norman refused to move.

The woman made her move. She grabbed his nose and hauled him down the hallway. "Let me go!"

She yanked him before her as she forced him to step into . . . a mirror?

Norman had no time to protest as she faded out of view.

He sat there for a while. Then, some lights caught his attention.

"H-hello?"

A turquoise spirit floated out of nowhere. She had long, flowing hair and was wearing a nightgown. The other was a male. Slightly older than he, but had cropped hair and wearing some overalls.

Norman gasped, "Wha - who are you?"

"We cannot recall, young sir. But I know that a girl saved us all."

"Then why are you here again?"

The two ghosts looked at each other. "I'm afraid we don't know, young sir . . . but it may have something to do with the Beldam's return."

The Beldam.

It rang a bell . . .

That was the last thing he thought before his mind began to be filled with malice.