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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA0iiwtmrK
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52TudGOguu
"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."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMXau2rPfJ
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." 130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetzfyKt6Ut
A dark skinned officer steps up to him, telling him something I can't make out. 130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx48jVPlFd
I slow to a stop by one of the shops, drawn by what must be curiosity. 130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7BencieXa
The lead police officer pushes roughly past the young man, yanking his jar of sovereigns away.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfxFkZbnVB
"Hey!" Mr. Wonka turns and starts after the officer, his expression one of shock. "What're you doing?!"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vBZqm3XRR
"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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NF5gbwSUJ
Wonka looks back at the dark skinned officer, his expression forlorn. 130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86j232XbNn
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboYfJPFuqn
After a moment when I don't see him coming back, I lean back around the shop.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxuk5W6of2
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCVMDB3p6N
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke82CAG31e
"Watch where you're going!" barks the man, shoving past Wonka unnecessarily.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ8GzQGmOO
I dart out of his way, lowering my eyes as I quicken my steps to catch up to Mr. Wonka. 130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMckmifPBB
"Great." He sounds despondent. "Now what am I going to do?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg7bxVyTiw
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiomWqhkKx
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAnQoiPH29
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgXqQ5jBy5
"The one officer gave me a sovereign to pay for my room." He looks up again, his eyes meeting mine for a brief second.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QX8TEScdu
I blow out a breath, forcing my fists to unclench. "That was.. kind."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVazmbrNQeK
"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?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhE9IJn4Uq
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." 130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5xSzyam9C
He lets out a slow breath, staring past me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lZL1UyUIz
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbAHBNKngU
Another person winds around us, stopped in the middle of the path. Which reminds me...130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyNCFu1SQw
"Why are you stopped in the middle of the path anyway?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwUYE3Zqof
"I dropped my sovereign.."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZrbL4Hdml
"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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9l0G368Vf
He shrugs again. "I don't know how I'm going to pay for my room now." 130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQQ4NCbv6N
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MHA9wR5MK
"What're you doing?" He watches me as I tug open the drawstrings.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1lwVAhV29
"Helping you." I pull out a few silver sovereigns, tugging the strings closed and slipping the pouch back in my pocket.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaaJPcaUpF
He smiles a small, soft smile that makes my heart skip a beat. "I can't accept that.."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyAq0WAi5d
I reach out and grab his hand.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qjiYy953b
"Your hands are so cold!" he cries. And yet he doesn't tug away.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSbUQyqXHC
"Why thank you," I say dryly. I take the opportunity to press the coins into his palm. 130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDpyPnLRHY
He tries to push the coins back into my hands, his eyes dropping to my frayed dress. "I really can't take these."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueU51QxR3r
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80gOKNmxkG
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. 130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfogS4xJi6
Features I suddenly want to study...130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2SlDc8jlo
"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."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v6RCUfuZX
"When will I do that?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IkEpQ8SMm
Never, most likely. "The next time you see me, I assume."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF57P83PWM
"When will that be?" His eyes glimmer green, begging me to answer.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaDPoY9hyD
I force my feet to take another step backward. "I don't know." My response borders on a whisper.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi6RtlthWc
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zYCsR3xEm
"I don't even know your name!" Something in his voice halts me in my steps.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ava03UnHK
I look over my shoulder. "Ember." And then I surge forward, sliding between passerby.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa3k749X9T
I slip between person after person, trying to keep from shoving and leaving a ripple of my presence.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcbR8qsYvp
"Ember?" The sound of my name, makes my steps falter. "Ember? Ember!"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0IGhyVaoQ
Is he coming after me? I slow my steps and glance over my shoulder.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaplTWfjDzH
Sure enough, I see his coat as he pushes through the people toward me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhvvdejEck
"Ember!" He catches my eyes. "Wait! Please!"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1llVr2RhS
My muscles are poised to run; my breath caught in my throat.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm9QoBAV2F
He reaches me, and I tilt my head back slightly to meet his eyes. "Yes?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ24YKrEycY
"I'm Willy. Willy Wonka." He smiles at me, a lopsided smile.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV1powQ9oh
"I know. I heard you say it in the Gallery."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD3ONzgi6Q
"I know. I saw you there." His expression grows animated. "Did you like my song?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz1MLcEBvZ
"I.. I did actually."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR93G85rP4
He smiles again, shifting slightly. "I have something for you."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ8v9REcc5
I step back, thrusting my hands into my skirt. "I'm not taking the sovereigns back, Mr. Wonka."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGUpRtG0yx
He pauses for barely an instant. "Call me Willy."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c5B4bdhM5
"Alright... Willy. But I'm still not taking the sovereigns back. I want you to have them. To pay for your room."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBu1zwnVn1
"I only need one to pay for my room." His lopsided smile returns, making my heart trip over itself.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Jc73WjGVY
He leans forward quickly, reaching behind my ear. I find myself so surprised by his movement that I don't even pull away. 130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvJMLAvStt
His hand brushes my ear as he pulls it back with an expression of mock surprise. "Look what I found."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzws3bQc0j2
In his hand is a Hoverchoc, a teal, teardrop shaped chocolate. But it certainly wasn't there before. "How'd you do that?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw7J77mnNi
He smiles. "Magic."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsfmk7tnt4
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."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvpSnt5dfS
"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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD9lqtHqOW
I lick my lips, staring at his incredibly warm hands resting on mine. "Thank you, Willy."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpaqBjOgZV
He smiles again. "You did pay me for chocolate, remember?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRv6U8bM0n
"Yes, I remember." I look up into his earnest face. "You do remember that I said I was afraid of heights, right?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6B1plfcf9
"Sometimes, when we face our fears, we find that they're not so scary anymore."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzs8A4pqAR
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."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1zN5kawOH
He looks confused, tilting his head and looking down at me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6xNF6itOZ
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."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXuO9MpjQY
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."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7iT6iWwFj
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96mzXMoUGq
When he doesn't make a move to walk away, I take a step back. "I should be going.."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSsHhimBHv
He smiles. "I'll come with you."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc38XU70GRU
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92g44I5aVH
"So, where are we going?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJkwXmU3Zs
"I don't know."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMvy7YdFQU
"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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDamBnO1cKB
"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'!"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa3yBZqxfs
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!"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRbmaE1AQQ
"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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8kKkfx8fi
"Not for a while." He smiles, giving his cane a merry twirl.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoIhXKMVt5
For a while he tugs me along with him, and I follow, slightly breathless. We reach a street packed with storefronts and passerby.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJYCCY9uHY
He slows our pace to better weave through the people. "Do you have anything you want to do?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YWnYOUhSd
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPCzo03zbe
"Me too!" He immediately tugs me into a line of people waiting to order something from a cart up ahead.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3X013z7QY
I laugh, amused by his impulsiveness.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI0dLOG9Lm
"Tell me about yourself, Ember." My name coming off his tongue sends a little shiver up my spine, another strangely warm one.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0LQjorhVu
"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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKUdRTn9Eq
"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."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGKSqNkrvn
"You've been to London?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq2KL7B4u4
"I've been to many places. I spent seven years of my life upon the ocean."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ry9GHWJPf
"Why?" I ask curiously.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dQXs7sFiv
His expression changes, matching his mood shift. "I wanted to travel. Collect the best ingredients for my chocolate."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5ps0PZm2d
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?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3e5XDhIME
His expression falls further and he shakes his head.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZBpdMVoC5
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."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf6J73xZhk
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHigFrXYUP
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPrbjf8x59
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."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDMginrSjP
A soft pang clenches my chest for a moment. "I suppose I do."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnQWTWdgJf
"You said you live at the inn you work at. Why don't you live with your parents?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbExIBX6v6t
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-T130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6Jfw9ylAy
Also I have no idea where he got his coat either..
I hope you enjoyed the new chapter :3130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmIjjhKqYN
Let me know what you thought! :D
