The police whistle pierces the air, making me jump, tearing my eyes from the chocolate maker. My heartbeat speeds up rapidly and my gaze darts to the gate.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFGcWtalGH
A young girl with dark skin and and mess of frizzy curls steps back as a group of police officers push past. It's Noodle with her laundry cart, which reminds me, I need to see if I can catch her to bring her a new book from the library later.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo5ZdOVnsu
"Alright folks," calls the lead policeman. "Nothing to see here. Just a small group of people defying the laws of gravity." He makes a gesture to the following officers. "Poke 'em boys."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd0zHiW05M
Everyone around suddenly disperses with such speed, leaving me alone. I scamper after the closest people, glancing back at Mr. Wonka as he calls something out. "That's the Hoverchoc, sir, that's the point." 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUu647bNu0
A dark skinned officer steps up to him, telling him something I can't make out. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrSu36R6fy
I slow to a stop by one of the shops, drawn by what must be curiosity. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx3yX9zTFJ
The lead police officer pushes roughly past the young man, yanking his jar of sovereigns away.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rqkqVNJXC
"Hey!" Mr. Wonka turns and starts after the officer, his expression one of shock. "What're you doing?!"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsmi0UJ3OP
"Don't worry. It's going to a good cause. Sick kids or something." He doesn't even bother to glance at the man as he tosses the words over his shoulder.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJfsDHgu4d
Wonka looks back at the dark skinned officer, his expression forlorn. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknRSl3tpgr
The police chief approaches me, and I duck behind the building, watching him stride past, pulling a floating person along. It's not against the law to watch, at least I don't think it is. But that doesn't mean I want to run into him.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqcRcQTaV2
After a moment when I don't see him coming back, I lean back around the shop.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpofk3cgnsI
Mr. Wonka trudges back across the square, picking up his suitcase and slinging it over his shoulder on a strap. Then he picks up his cane which has somehow shrunk back to its original size. Then he starts forward with such an air of dejection that I decide right then and there to follow him.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsoXmSrCS1
He walks out of the Gallery slowly, his eyes on the road tiles. I trail him from a distance, but I still flinch when a beefy man slams into him, sending him stumbling backwards.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ft4j95prW
"Watch where you're going!" barks the man, shoving past Wonka unnecessarily.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyTmggCOTL
I dart out of his way, lowering my eyes as I quicken my steps to catch up to Mr. Wonka. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn5Bqnmx7N
"Great." He sounds despondent. "Now what am I going to do?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjcHcaJqKa
I stop just behind him, scrambling for something to say. I open my mouth, but decide maybe he won't want to know I followed him. "Why are you stopped in the middle of the path?" I try to keep my voice soft.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOHK8wrkoJ
He turns to face me, something flickering in his eyes. Eyes that are brown with an undercurrent of green. He shrugs, his shoulders slumping, and drops his gaze to the ground again.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1fhoeAqqm
Something bubbles in my chest. Irritation with the people who crushed this young man's dream. "I saw what happened," I say, trying not to sound too angry. "I don't understand why they'd take your money. That seemed completely unnecessary." My hands, held loosely at my sides, slowly start fisting.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlJ6jIoEwr
"The one officer gave me a sovereign to pay for my room." He looks up again, his eyes meeting mine for a brief second.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjWLO4zOf9
I blow out a breath, forcing my fists to unclench. "That was.. kind."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8h7sFaxWD
"Did you get to try a Hoverchoc?" The hope in his voice makes me want to lie and say yes. I resist the urge to tilt my head and study him further. Did he see me in the crowd?42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYDTI3rjXw
I shake my head. "I wasn't close enough to grab one." His face falls, his expression turning disappointed. "But it's okay," I quickly add, struck with the need to make him happier. "I'm afraid of heights anyway, so I don't mind missing out." 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHX8cpIWAR
He lets out a slow breath, staring past me.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGQ56ZkaqE
I fidget, knowing I should walk away, but still feeling the need to stay. Somehow he knew I was in the crowd. And something about that makes me feel drawn to him. Nothing about me from my brown eyes, brown hair, or my average height is particularly noticeable.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYTwHUM1bp
Another person winds around us, stopped in the middle of the path. Which reminds me...42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2ckJOcFse
"Why are you stopped in the middle of the path anyway?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKVT1t4VKH
"I dropped my sovereign.."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKWaFNrAzM
"Oh no!" I lift a hand to cover my mouth, the movement causing my other hand to bump against my pouch of sovereigns in my dress. I lower my hand, suddenly struck with a thought.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBJp9C2wYu
He shrugs again. "I don't know how I'm going to pay for my room now." 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nr4Bxbc03
I slip my hand into my pocket, my cheeks warming ever so slightly when I notice his eyes on my movement. I pull out the pouch, lifting my other hand up to open it.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqSUfCJQV7
"What're you doing?" He watches me as I tug open the drawstrings.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq8OWn3Ee3
"Helping you." I pull out a few silver sovereigns, tugging the strings closed and slipping the pouch back in my pocket.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡratFb7o5jY
He smiles a small, soft smile that makes my heart skip a beat. "I can't accept that.."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5B6J5tlwo
I reach out and grab his hand.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ798slhVDEN
"Your hands are so cold!" he cries. And yet he doesn't tug away.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PMhSjULN9
"Why thank you," I say dryly. I take the opportunity to press the coins into his palm. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxeYfqLjHz
He tries to push the coins back into my hands, his eyes dropping to my frayed dress. "I really can't take these."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlb0DF9RBM
His refusal makes me more determined. He has nothing, and yet he won't take my money. "I insist." I turn his hand over, pressing his fingers in so that he's holding the sovereigns.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0aqGv2MHK
He stares at my hands and I let go, taking a step back. I resist the urge to fiddle with my skirt, instead lifting my chin slightly, daring him to refuse the sovereigns again. He doesn't say anything, staring at my face, something a bit like awe flickering across his features. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOal4iPZZhC
Features I suddenly want to study...42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMrUIc8OPJ
"Think of it as an advance payment." I say the first words that come to mind. I step back again, trying to force myself away. "Another time you can give me the chocolate I'm paying you for."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ikCwCPj2r
"When will I do that?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrfSvAvZh5
Never, most likely. "The next time you see me, I assume."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdDwgRUZIf
"When will that be?" His eyes glimmer green, begging me to answer.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgYh7IrAAq
I force my feet to take another step backward. "I don't know." My response borders on a whisper.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9DCHGEOj6
I turn away, ready to stride away as fast as possible. I need to get away from his eyes, and his rumpled hair. I need to get away from the sharp line of his jaw, and his expressive face.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz7V6r3uWB
"I don't even know your name!" Something in his voice halts me in my steps.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2muq3z9376
I look over my shoulder. "Ember." And then I surge forward, sliding between passerby.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu6J8u6EeJ
I slip between person after person, trying to keep from shoving and leaving a ripple of my presence.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfOejKC94E
"Ember?" The sound of my name, makes my steps falter. "Ember? Ember!"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFXBq0ZJaZ
Is he coming after me? I slow my steps and glance over my shoulder.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WQMhbj8Ed
Sure enough, I see his coat as he pushes through the people toward me.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRm9QeHfBX
"Ember!" He catches my eyes. "Wait! Please!"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTNZflhAWW
My muscles are poised to run; my breath caught in my throat.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwB2AqSedZ
He reaches me, and I tilt my head back slightly to meet his eyes. "Yes?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDdDJlHM3J
"I'm Willy. Willy Wonka." He smiles at me, a lopsided smile.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFO7HWEcki
"I know. I heard you say it in the Gallery."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iSYemKDpH
"I know. I saw you there." His expression grows animated. "Did you like my song?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfmkLF4YXv
"I.. I did actually."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi31VQCm1U
He smiles again, shifting slightly. "I have something for you."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriStKGJZqb
I step back, thrusting my hands into my skirt. "I'm not taking the sovereigns back, Mr. Wonka."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCT3VGGHEk
He pauses for barely an instant. "Call me Willy."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbREwV5bHF
"Alright... Willy. But I'm still not taking the sovereigns back. I want you to have them. To pay for your room."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iiEyUPY3W
"I only need one to pay for my room." His lopsided smile returns, making my heart trip over itself.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2BKVf7tx1
He leans forward quickly, reaching behind my ear. I find myself so surprised by his movement that I don't even pull away. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYHEQBbJIV
His hand brushes my ear as he pulls it back with an expression of mock surprise. "Look what I found."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYpb4y0qKb
In his hand is a Hoverchoc, a teal, teardrop shaped chocolate. But it certainly wasn't there before. "How'd you do that?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn3f6dbREz
He smiles. "Magic."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVCSBIBADs
I stare at the chocolate as my mouth waters at the thought of chocolate, something I didn't get the chance to buy despite my intentions. "I thought you sold them all."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A0I6dZd1D
"All but one." He grabs one of my hands and tugs it out from my skirt. "And it's for you." He gently pries open my hand, his eyes glittering brown, then green. He presses the chocolate into my palm, pressing my fingers over it in an imitation of my very own action a few minutes ago.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRdE43NaCi
I lick my lips, staring at his incredibly warm hands resting on mine. "Thank you, Willy."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlIijA9hMF
He smiles again. "You did pay me for chocolate, remember?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbsLwS3wKb
"Yes, I remember." I look up into his earnest face. "You do remember that I said I was afraid of heights, right?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOZyiM2gIK
"Sometimes, when we face our fears, we find that they're not so scary anymore."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQG00OqG3q
I gently tug my hand out of his. "And sometimes, when we face our fears, we find that they're just as scary, if not more that we remember them being."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyLwJtcL4U
He looks confused, tilting his head and looking down at me.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxj0q2pWDVY
A tiny shiver downs down my spine, bringing something warm rather than the expected cold. "Thank you for the Hoverchoc, Willy. Even though I have no clue where you managed to pull it from. But I'm not going to eat it... I'm sorry."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUIS4e4Mpr
His expression falls slightly. "That's.. alright." He takes in a breath through his mouth. "But I still want you to have it." His voice turns slightly wry. "Even if you payed too much for it."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhJdCsUcfD
I blink, trying really hard not to think about how sweet he is. "Thank you." I slide the Hoverchoc into my dress pocket, unsure what else to do with it.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LrAlj7IWR
When he doesn't make a move to walk away, I take a step back. "I should be going.."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0llEwpGvgx
He smiles. "I'll come with you."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYkxHZmw7B
I blink, opening my mouth to tell him he can't before realizing that it's my day off, I don't have to go back to the inn. At least, not yet. I slowly close my mouth.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaQkBx2m91
"So, where are we going?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU6W1hDAia
"I don't know."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLiIE6lf5I
"That sounds like fun, let's go!" He grabs my hand and tugs me with him as he starts forward, his cane tapping against the tiles with every other step.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tsjJNpJuS
"Willy!" I laugh slightly. "I meant I don't know where to go, not that I want to go somewhere called 'I don't know'!"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvFMZ0vWux
His steps don't slow, and he tosses me a glance that sends a thrill of excitement down my spine. "Then I guess we'll just explore!"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPlipOng02
"Don't you have to go back and pay for your room?" I ask in a last attempt to prevent him from spending any more time with me.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCTbCiLJij
"Not for a while." He smiles, giving his cane a merry twirl.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuqcEIa9NJ
For a while he tugs me along with him, and I follow, slightly breathless. We reach a street packed with storefronts and passerby.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt3IjRLZZA
He slows our pace to better weave through the people. "Do you have anything you want to do?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AqQx5wwUy
I open my mouth the respond, but my stomach takes that moment to remind me that I skipped breakfast and that by now it must be close to noon. "I'm a little hungry," I admit.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgG1iKDWxk
"Me too!" He immediately tugs me into a line of people waiting to order something from a cart up ahead.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrllhAAMxuo
I laugh, amused by his impulsiveness.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZoxQv4QzF
"Tell me about yourself, Ember." My name coming off his tongue sends a little shiver up my spine, another strangely warm one.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy163ZzYurG
"Well, I'm 17. I live and work at an inn. Uh.. red is my favorite color." I gesture a bit sheepishly at his coat.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjb5FyRglH
"I'm 17 too!" Willy replies excitedly. He then smooths his hand down his coat. "It is a nice shade, isn't it? I got it from a magician in London."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGpQVA90ON
"You've been to London?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3MLVMUnKB
"I've been to many places. I spent seven years of my life upon the ocean."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8NtdP1Ong
"Why?" I ask curiously.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh2IRguFOg
His expression changes, matching his mood shift. "I wanted to travel. Collect the best ingredients for my chocolate."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoQ0UrpgLe
I nod as we shuffle forward a few steps in line. "Seems reasonable. Do you have parents somewhere around the world, waiting with bated breath to hear when you become a famous chocolate maker?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5sQ7BZMxR
His expression falls further and he shakes his head.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBhCW7S6Fy
I reach up and put a hand on his shoulder, wanting him to know I feel the pain I can see in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Willy. It's hard to loose good parents."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYb6NYEHSj
We shuffle forward in line a few more times before he looks back up and shrugs. Then he reaches his own hand up and puts it on top of mine.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx00VVNkcwI
I slide my hand off, unsure if there's anything else I could say to this fascinating young man. To my surprise, he lets his hand come with mine, and then we're holding hands again.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74GuSGLXQ7
We wait in silence another moment before he turns to me, a question in his eyes. "What about you, Ember? You have an unusual name."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym002Tdq7M
A soft pang clenches my chest for a moment. "I suppose I do."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1OUucyWON
"You said you live at the inn you work at. Why don't you live with your parents?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2fHBkd5WF
I blink rapidly, trying to push back the tears that have sprung to my eyes. I haven't cried for a long time. I'm not about to start in front of Willy. He's still a stranger after all. "They're... well... they died."
I just want you all to know that I don't know Wonka's cannon age and just picked 17 T-T42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErawrvlaoA
Also I have no idea where he got his coat either..
I hope you enjoyed the new chapter :342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukfD5giyJp
Let me know what you thought! :D
