Chapter Text
Sunlight stroked her cheek, past the thick glass windows of her bedroom. That was enough for her to wake up, quite instantly. She rose from bed and stretched. She felt so energized today! Quick as a flash, she put her slippers on and ran downstairs. There, past the corridor, on her left, was the kitchen, of neat blue and white tiles. Everything was set just fine. The bread was cut in similar slices, the orange juice was stored in a bottle next to it, and the jam and butter were on the side table… but there was no time to eat now. She wanted to go outside, and quick! Enjoy the outside landscape, before being able to start the day well! That said, she turned around and crossed the kitchen, then the living room, before being able to open the front door.
Past the balcony, a radiant blue sky was rising on top of her head. And the grass seemed greener than in any bedtime story book, or painting from the latest artist in vogue. It was like paradise to her eyes. She breathed in, stretching her arms up to feel the wind surrounding her, both on the outside and the inside. She felt lighter than ever. She walked, then paced up to the grass. She then started to shout joyfully, spinning around and rolling down in the dirt. True, it was just grass. But to her, it was more than enough for her to feel new again.
And now, here she was. Lied down on the floor. With her arms flipped behind her head. She breathed in again, the sun gently cradling her in its warm embrace… she was about to fall asleep again…
Knock knock!
She woke up abruptly with a gasp. She checked her horizons. She was surrounded by four grey walls, a blank floor and ceiling the same color. She was sitting on a bed with blue, ragged sheets. Thanks to the light coming from her candle, placed on the floor, she saw a wooden door on the opposite wall… she blinked… then suddenly realized the upsetting truth.
“Darn it! It was all a dream!” she sighed desperately. How anti-climactic! The door knocked again, and this time, a voice asked from the other side:
“Hello, Miss Barcheor? Are you awoken? May I come in?”
“Yes, come in,” she addressed the voice as she stood up from bed, lazily. A woman entering the room, her hair hidden behind a frilly hairband, her black dress accompanied with a neatly white apron.
"Good morning, Miss Barcheor," the older woman addressed her. "Breakfast will be almost ready. Do you need any help with your dress?"
"I'll manage it… by the way, remember you can call me by my first name. No need for formalities with me."
"O-Oh… but I am your maid, Miss."
"I know. But my parents are not here anymore to tell you off. Not even my sister, Camellia, is here to raise you in the right way. So, it is best that starting now, we raise ourselves to the same level. You’re Mary-Rose, and I am Coraline. And that name only."
The maid was astonished to such answer, coming from her mistress. She has been knowing her since childhood, and never thought that such familiarities would happen between them. It was almost as if Coraline was her daughter, and she grew up to become an adult. She wanted to question her mistress again, but she couldn't help it but nodding at her. Couldn’t afford the risk to disobey to such a hot-tempered lady her kind, after all. She then said:
"Very well… Coraline."
"Thank you, Mary-Rose," she smiled softly at her. "I will be ready in five minutes. Do not wait for me to eat your part. I can feel you are hungry. Have a bite, I will come soon," the maid bowed at her, thanking her before she left the room. Coraline enjoyed the time she was now all by herself to wear her long orange dress, and managed to close it without any help. She then turned around and looked at herself in the mirror.
Yup. This was her. Her, and her bags under her eyes, and her long, messy hair, certainly due to her moving around in bed at night. Quite the hassle to brush in her morning, you might say. She took her brush, placed the candle nearby and took a good five minutes to brush her scarlet red hair. Once neatly arranged, Coraline wore her shoes and was about to go for the door… ah, looks like she was about to forget something. She hurried back to her closet, and picked the candle just next to her. She opened the closet, and found, just behind the door, many marks curved in the woods. About one or two hundreds, to be exact. Coraline picked the piece of blade at the bottom of the closet, and made a new marl, just next to the others. Then, she stood up and directed herself to the main room, where a table with two chairs were placed in the middle. Mary-Rose was sorting out two plates with two slices of bread.
"So, what's for breakfast ?" she finally asked the maid.
"Canned beans with toast."
"The usual."
She shrugged as she sat down with her, and the two proceeded to eat.
Guitar scratches could be heard from the other side of the basement. Strings being played with, and a voice. A soft, reassuring voice, that sounded so quiet, it almost sounded like it was singing to itself.
Coraline was back in her bedroom. She was tuning her guitar, and played the melody again. She hummed along the strings that produced a melodious sound to her ears. Then, she started mumbling words, incoherent to anyone listening to her. But to her… it was clearer than water. She played some more, until she paused and looked at the ceiling.
It would have been nice that someone else but her, or Mary-Rose on occasions, listened to her playing the guitar. She longed to be able to go outside, be able to meet with new people, exploring new places, traveling abroad! But… since the Cows Came Home, all these dreams were shattered to pieces. And no one was here to listen to her. Her parents were long gone, since day one of the invasion. And as for Camellia… she was unsure. Was she going with them? Was she somewhere else, to live her living? Not even Mary-Rose, her closest companion for these past years, would give her tales a listen. Either because she was kept busy with chores, or she would switch subjects quickly… how long since she was here, trapped into this basement, locked between the same walls, and the same ceiling? Ten years, maybe? Even more?
Her brain now had food for thoughts, and there was not the time to play any songs again. She placed the guitar besides her, and crawled herself into a ball. Oh, the poor lady she was, forced to remain in this timeless environment for so long now! How she urged to be able to go past this door, this corridor, this…!
''Understood, thank you,'' the gentle voice of Mary-Rose rang across the floor.
By these words, Coraline's curiosity managed to pull her out of her trance, as she rose her head up. Who was it? What was it looking for? Why would Mary-Rose let anyone come to the basement, ever, when she was told that they were the only one being able to stay indoors? All these questions piqued the young lady’s mind, and she slowly stood up, to check on the maid. There, by the main corridor, she saw Mary-Rose waving, and closing the door that she then locked. The maid then turned around, tugging a key back in a purse, then in her pocket. She then stepped away from the door. Coraline waited till she was at her level, before clearing her throat. The maid jumped of surprise as she saw her mistress just in front of her.
''Oh, careful here, dear! I was just about to-''
''Mary-Rose, I saw you waving to the void with the door open… what’s happening?''
''Ah, that is none of your interest. There was someone, who were just taking news on how we were doing. Now then…'' she was about to go back to cleaning, when she heard Coraline asking her out again:
''Mary-Rose… how long has it been since we're here?'' The maid stood there, immobilized. She took some time to think before speaking up:
''I… I don't quite remember, my dear. But I must admit, this has been a while.''
''And… how long do you think we are going to stay in this?''
''For as long as needed, which I unfortunately don't know till when, precisely.''
''And… we really can't get outside, not even for a little bit of air?''
“Oh, Coraline…” the maid looked at the young lady with dread in her eyes. How would you tell her? How would you tell someone as innocent, as joyful as her that, since these past tragic events involving her masters, they were not allowed to be out, ever? The words had to be chosen wisely. Even if she was an adult, she had this curiosity and temptation, similar to a child. And now, only these words would sort out:
“Y-You must know… that since the incident regarding the Cows Came Home… it is not possible to go upstairs again. Who knows. The walls must not exist anymore.”
“But it’s been so long since this happened!” Coraline retorted. “I was a kid when it happened! And I'm twenty-four, now! It must have changed since the time, don’t you think? Aren’t there any ways to prove it out? A message? An external witness, even? We already talked about this since the first few days, there must have been something since then! Please, tell me there is!”
“I am afraid that this won't be possible. There is no way for us to tell is there are more of them around here, or not,” Mary-Rose voice responded with an assertive tone. Then, realizing the gravity of her voice, she proceeded to breathe in, then out, before saying:
“Well, now. I have business to hold onto. If you excuse me.''
Mary-Rose then went away, a basket full of laundry in her arms. Coraline looked at her going away, shocked. Revolted, even. Not even her, who was the only one having touch with a potential outside acquaintance, was able to tell her the meaning behind this basement nonsense! This was more than enough for her to convince her of one thing. She needed to go outside, right now. It was an evidence to her. If no one else would help her out of her distress, then… she would have to manage it by herself.
''It's a deal. Starting tonight, I'm going outside!'' she told herself while clenching her fists, and turning back to her room.
Coraline checked a last time her guitar case. Of course, inside it was her instrument, but also some additional supplies like her brush, some canned beans she eventually picked from the shelves, with a knife to open them. Lastly, she took a last glance at the letter she would drop, to not leave the one woman that raised her without alarming her much:
‘My dear Mary-Rose,
By the time you would read this, I would probably be gone somewhere far from the mansion. I decided that tonight would be THE night to sign my departure, and new life outside of the basement.
Indeed, as the years flew by, I grew exhausted and weakened by waiting news from the outside world. Not even the guitar Uncle Edmond has given me was enough to keep me busy, away from the dreams I had lately, of blue skies and green grass. I had to do something about it, and I thought taking a spoon of fresh air was the best mean to my contentment.
Please, do not try to go find me. It would be too late for this anyway.
I am sorry I could not tell you about my worries any sooner, I did not want to worry you with all these selfish thoughts.
It is now time. Thank you for taking good care of me for all these years. I will now take care on my own, and you should do as so for yourself.
Sincerely,
Coraline.
PS: Maybe the outside world is not as bad as you would describe it. I will have to also check that by myself.'
She nodded. She closed the case then picked it with her. She dropped the letter on her bed. She exited her room, slowly closed the door, then went on tiptoe to Mary-Rose's room, that also appeared to be where they were eating -- there was a couch where the maid would lie onto. She was sleeping soundly. Next to her, on the table, was situated the key to the door, half-way tucked in the purse. In the end, it was not that hard to dupe her. They were the two of them only, but it could have been anyone ever, picking up the key and locking them two forever, and ever.
She approached it. She slowly reached her arm to it… she took a deep breath… she caught the key, but as she stretched her arm back to her, she almost lost balance and, in her attempt to stand back on her feet, made the key fall to the floor, it making such a loud noise that it felt like the whole world was quaking. She shuddered. Mary-Rose turned around in bed, but didn't seem to wake up… probably was she so asleep, that she barely reacted to the single noise erupting in the room. Coraline reassured herself, before going back for the key, carefully lifting it from the floor. She stood up again. She then went to the far end of the room, still on tiptoe, climbing up the stairs to the door.
Now, the fastidious task… opening the door, she thought to herself, entering the key in the hole. She turned it in a reverse clockwise pattern. A loud click noise could be heard across the room, meaning the door was open. But also meaning Mary-Rose could be awoken anytime… good news for her: she only snorted loudly before turning around in bed again. Coraline wiped the sweat from her forehead. She turned the knob over, slowly pulling the door to her. It creaked so loudly, it sounded like the scream of a tortured soul from the depths of hell. Dear goodness, this door better not fail her, or she would miss the opportunity of her whole life. Before crossing the door, however, she turned around and looked at Mary-Rose, a last time. She was feeling pretty guilty over not saying her goodbyes to her in a more ‘appropriate’ manner, but, at the same time… if she wanted to go, it would be now, or never. She now made her decision, and it would not be now that she would stop herself from doing it.
She turned herself around, now facing it from the other side, and closed it. She turned around for the last time. She was now facing a long corridor, certainly heading outside. She nodded, picking her case and walked to the end of it. Her steps echoed through the whole corridor. She walked, until she entered another room… she recognized it as the mansion's living room. Large and extravagant, as it has always been. Well, truth being seen, it was no different to what she used to know, a dozen of years ago.
Due to the moonlight, the walls were not so yellow and ever-shiny than daylight, but she sure was going to miss them. After that quick moment of nostalgia, she hurried to the right, where she could find herself being inside the kitchen. This would be where Mary-Rose, along a few more butlers and the chef, would cook and serve dinner, for her and her family. Food will be another matter to look upon, once outside of the mansion. But for now, her primary objective was to leave to outdoors. From where she stood, she could see a window that was half-open. She attempted to fully open it, and once that successfully done, she climbed on the edge and jumped outside, landing on her feet. She looked behind her a last time. A flash and a flow of memories crossed her mind. She remembered all the time she would spend in this gigantic house, learning music, tales, singing. All the times she would play with her friends, with her sister, or even her maids, in the sub-garden, with the fountain and the flowers in it. All the times she had to stay in this mansion… all by herself…
But she made up her mind for a while now. She nodded to herself.
''Oh, and one last thing before going…''
She opened the case to pull out the knife from it. She grabbed her hair the closest she could, positioning the knife just atop of it. Then, with one being slash, her hair was cut away, only leaving her with a short portion of it. All the rest fell to the grass. She ruffled it, making it as messy as possible.
''There. I never liked long hair. And it is time for me to mark a new page, anyway. Now then…''
Coraline picked her once long, scarlet hair and threw it in a bush nearby. Now, she was ready. It was time for her to go on her own, exploring some new lands…! But… where to go first…?
''Ah, I guess I can find a way. Maybe not by this time of the day, but surely will I manage to find something soon enough!''
She rejoiced, now dashing forward, away from the mansion. She went straight ahead, without any further thought. Finally. After so many years, and so much time spending it on her own, she was going to be able to be free! To feel the fresh scent of air in her nostrils. To be only one with the Earth. She now ran away, the furthest she could, until she ran out of breath. Her pace slowed down, and she dropped her case on the floor. She laid her hands on her knees and panted. Once she rose her head upwards, she saw she was just at the edge of a lake. The moonlight was glistening on the watery surface, allowing Coraline to look at her surroundings. It was such a beautiful sight to contemplate. But no other human being, nor nothing alike seemed to be in sight... she looked a bit further to her left. Then, to her right. At last, something. A cart, full of bags, and a horse. She could distinguish all of this thanks to the campfire lit not so far away.
Maybe if I go to this cart, I might be able to go somewhere even faster! She thought, approaching the cart. Alas, it seemed like the owner saw her coming. A tough looking guy with a bunch of muscles, a hat on top of his head. His hair seemed curly. It was actually hard to tell with the poor quality night time can offer. But regardless of the lack of details, Coraline froze. She looked at him with intrigued eyes. Then, the tower of muscles bent down, now revealing the face of a man, most probably around her age, with eyes widen out of curiosity.
"Hey, what a lad like ya doin' ou'side at dat time of ta night?" the stranger asked her, rising an eyebrow.
"Oh! Uhm... I-I lost myself in this grove, and I thought that perhaps, now that I've seen your cart, you could... offer me a drive back home?" she stuttered out, as an excuse. The stranger looked at her from head to toes. He blinked at her. He considered her for a moment. She broke a sweat. Was he going to believe her?
"I mean, sure. Yer a helpless lad, afterall. A'right. I'll take ya with me. Yer lucky, I was headin' down to Borin' Springs by tomorrow."
"Perfect, just... perfect. That is exactly where I live! Thank you again, Mister...?"
"Robert Puntchallo. Just call me Bob," he said, smiling at her and shaking hands with her.
"And I'm Coraline Barcheor-Tretchy. But it's best you keep the 'Coraline' bite in mind."
Robert invited her to sit next to him for a talk. The two chattered together for a good time, getting to know themselves a bit more. By what Coraline understood, Robert was a humble farmer that also does deliveries across the west, and that his favorite hobbies in life were harvesting, and swimming in big big lakes. Probably why he was parked here tonight. But Coraline shared poor information about her: just the fact that she came from a big family and that she wanted to see them back. It was all some sort of lie, of course, but it was the least she could tell, before they shared some grilled vegetables – so tasty and juicy ! – and fell asleep.
Next morning, Coraline could climb into Robert's cart and the both of them set off to further west. From here started the exciting adventures of our tremendous protagonist, on her quest to explore and discover the outside world. An endeavor she was not going to forget so soon.