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The noises were creeping closer…ever closer, yet the silver girl could not move, could not flee. All she could do was stand frozen, waiting for death to finally claim her. How it had found her through space and time was beyond her – she didn’t even know where she was, so how could death know? Or was this some sort of game – to send her somewhere, and then to seek her, the proverbial game of cat-and-mouse, until she was found, and was no longer? She wished she had her fox at her side, at least the little stuffed fox would put on a show – maybe slow death down a little bit. But of course, she would have to step in front of Pandora before death could claim her, too. Coraline didn’t want anyone else getting hurt for her – one was far too many. And so, with all these thoughts running rampant through her mind, she stood quivering, and as, at last, the underbrush exploded outward to claim her life, she saw not death, but an old friend. Still, she couldn’t stop shaking, for what sort of miracle would this be if it were truly Pan, and not death in disguise? But it spoke, and she realized that it wasn’t a trick, or a cruel joke – it was really Pan. She blinked her button eyes in surprise and still remained rooted to the spot, unsure of how her legs worked anymore. She stared and heard him, and blinked several times before bounding forward, as if a surge of electricity ran through her again. In but a few leaps, she was near chest to chest with the youth, her neck trying to wrap around his, wanting to be close to someone familiar; to feel the warmth and comfort of a living being. She had been too long trapped in whatever place the magic had taken her, hiding her away from herself, from her friends, and from her family. Moments passed like this, assuming Pan didn’t move away from her explosive antics. She stood there, breath coming in ragged gasps, tears welling up in her button eyes and her heart racing faster than the Triple Crown winner. Finally, with a jerking breath, she stepped back, certain that it was still a trick of the lighting, or of whatever gods ruled this strange world. But alas – Pan remained where he had started. Near her. ”It’s me! And it’s you! You’re here!” She couldn’t hide her excitement or her bewilderment. ”Are we dead?” The thought suddenly came to her. She wondered if they were dead, and if they were – where was he? Shouldn’t he be here, too? ”Are the others here, too? Anyone else?” She would even settle for Tarquin – the one who started the rock slide that turned into an avalanche that destroyed her world with one sweet word. ”I don’t know how I got here. It was like before – I woke up here. What about you?” She imagined the youth went exploring and was sucked up by a rogue wave and brought to the shores here. Strange things always happened to Pan, but she knew that was just who he was. She had missed him terribly! And now, it was as if fate had thrown them together again – maybe not in a romantic way, but at least she had something familiar to cling to for a while. Anyone else would have shunned the silver girl for following around a young colt, looking for security and comfort, but Pan didn’t seem to judge her, and for that, she was thankful beyond belief. ”Speech” |
| Coraline | Silver chain from the pirate siren | Blue Macaw feather in mane | |
@Pan
