I stepped back hurriedly. Coraline was hurt, and I was hugging her? What was I thinking. I gripped the hair on my head. "I... No. It's just... Someone hurt you, Coraline!" I took a deep breath, held it, then let it go. "I really, really want to hurt them back."

I felt like I'd failed. I'd fought for my friends before. Who was I if I couldn't protect them?

"Sorry," I said. "I'm acting like an idiot. You probably don't want to hear this." I looked at her. "Is there anything I can do? Do you want me to get Johnny?"