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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnJ9CdocR9
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIQaiZ0fTN
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm67GKLQFz
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." 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTQRsanCh5
A dark skinned officer steps up to him, telling him something I can't make out. 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoKlve3n8d
I slow to a stop by one of the shops, drawn by what must be curiosity. 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2SMrkS2hz
The lead police officer pushes roughly past the young man, yanking his jar of sovereigns away.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbTNayY7zw
"Hey!" Mr. Wonka turns and starts after the officer, his expression one of shock. "What're you doing?!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqoTd2hHJO
"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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxZBGr5xq1
Wonka looks back at the dark skinned officer, his expression forlorn. 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDRpWHbbqy
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ5K01wbWz
After a moment when I don't see him coming back, I lean back around the shop.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEMaguivYj
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplC2hbkCyu
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZv3wTLJoy
"Watch where you're going!" barks the man, shoving past Wonka unnecessarily.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxuKaPFeYp
I dart out of his way, lowering my eyes as I quicken my steps to catch up to Mr. Wonka. 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UMUKY6rmZ
"Great." He sounds despondent. "Now what am I going to do?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lwZ6Ztr62
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8d1sWb9uv
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bjrjw9Beb
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCpBbp6drx
"The one officer gave me a sovereign to pay for my room." He looks up again, his eyes meeting mine for a brief second.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFhbfyChOd
I blow out a breath, forcing my fists to unclench. "That was.. kind."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6IEQmNl2K
"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?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop4WPMzTmV
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." 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEwRKtNHse
He lets out a slow breath, staring past me.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTq3QXLsMF
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbZAqqYSHA
Another person winds around us, stopped in the middle of the path. Which reminds me...149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZtEd3e8ye
"Why are you stopped in the middle of the path anyway?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzP5KBpZw8
"I dropped my sovereign.."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoSyHHSXp6
"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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9shQyvj070
He shrugs again. "I don't know how I'm going to pay for my room now." 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAyMEMycn0
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCABvIjB99Z
"What're you doing?" He watches me as I tug open the drawstrings.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCINXOuwOO
"Helping you." I pull out a few silver sovereigns, tugging the strings closed and slipping the pouch back in my pocket.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lfXs1z7Kv
He smiles a small, soft smile that makes my heart skip a beat. "I can't accept that.."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydURFJtsU1
I reach out and grab his hand.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnR19KwiiJ
"Your hands are so cold!" he cries. And yet he doesn't tug away.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk0MfnwRa7
"Why thank you," I say dryly. I take the opportunity to press the coins into his palm. 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jdCBszqLr
He tries to push the coins back into my hands, his eyes dropping to my frayed dress. "I really can't take these."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18xgG0jOdo
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIPynm2t35
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. 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO5Bs6Ff7i
Features I suddenly want to study...149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qprNwC8aB
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWCmHlNWWO
"When will I do that?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAmj2OPaS1
Never, most likely. "The next time you see me, I assume."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3XgBMPM5c
"When will that be?" His eyes glimmer green, begging me to answer.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMvD7BqBga
I force my feet to take another step backward. "I don't know." My response borders on a whisper.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc6UaER5SZ
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMr12swHce
"I don't even know your name!" Something in his voice halts me in my steps.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyEOhUymdG
I look over my shoulder. "Ember." And then I surge forward, sliding between passerby.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIyeSkQtj5
I slip between person after person, trying to keep from shoving and leaving a ripple of my presence.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa6tMYeHIy
"Ember?" The sound of my name, makes my steps falter. "Ember? Ember!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkSy5z6EFT
Is he coming after me? I slow my steps and glance over my shoulder.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXRS5HLFvC
Sure enough, I see his coat as he pushes through the people toward me.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5dGFhuQmE
"Ember!" He catches my eyes. "Wait! Please!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ2fCxW6IP
My muscles are poised to run; my breath caught in my throat.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQgJlYljrQ
He reaches me, and I tilt my head back slightly to meet his eyes. "Yes?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4rfJDgpkj
"I'm Willy. Willy Wonka." He smiles at me, a lopsided smile.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQFXzzv1Vo
"I know. I heard you say it in the Gallery."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mR9RfQcGZ
"I know. I saw you there." His expression grows animated. "Did you like my song?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ5opCtG1G
"I.. I did actually."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlXnQsROyX
He smiles again, shifting slightly. "I have something for you."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mSg3ohKqN
I step back, thrusting my hands into my skirt. "I'm not taking the sovereigns back, Mr. Wonka."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG37L5cBjZg
He pauses for barely an instant. "Call me Willy."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE5VEW70SQ
"Alright... Willy. But I'm still not taking the sovereigns back. I want you to have them. To pay for your room."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2icSdBSOJ
"I only need one to pay for my room." His lopsided smile returns, making my heart trip over itself.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAf4Uw82sm
He leans forward quickly, reaching behind my ear. I find myself so surprised by his movement that I don't even pull away. 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXBYSVhPYD
His hand brushes my ear as he pulls it back with an expression of mock surprise. "Look what I found."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0xnnjCRhN
In his hand is a Hoverchoc, a teal, teardrop shaped chocolate. But it certainly wasn't there before. "How'd you do that?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1D29wcnKD
He smiles. "Magic."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbpPZQ4jPn
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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo6cpzMSl6
"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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTLFM2Qf3v
I lick my lips, staring at his incredibly warm hands resting on mine. "Thank you, Willy."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6ArmxlWDK
He smiles again. "You did pay me for chocolate, remember?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFL024Pbqw
"Yes, I remember." I look up into his earnest face. "You do remember that I said I was afraid of heights, right?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjdzsqBYwU
"Sometimes, when we face our fears, we find that they're not so scary anymore."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvbnYJsVdc
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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HrB0SeDsv
He looks confused, tilting his head and looking down at me.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlg1a9s5o8
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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuUvaTUiVr
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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBuIdBPEUO
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5ZHpDIkOF
When he doesn't make a move to walk away, I take a step back. "I should be going.."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0l6Xv0WLF
He smiles. "I'll come with you."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgEsaaZVvr
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tpwP9Evrc
"So, where are we going?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykiAOqxIxj
"I don't know."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1LZ3xZICK
"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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ABkeyaI2c
"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'!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fqn3uWtAX
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!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEIxb3VBel
"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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT16OaPnklJ
"Not for a while." He smiles, giving his cane a merry twirl.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqJAEi7d2D
For a while he tugs me along with him, and I follow, slightly breathless. We reach a street packed with storefronts and passerby.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JFeXAFI96
He slows our pace to better weave through the people. "Do you have anything you want to do?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKFa4qR6N2
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGonSDmrqdS
"Me too!" He immediately tugs me into a line of people waiting to order something from a cart up ahead.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRKtt7A9dg
I laugh, amused by his impulsiveness.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaMEaMwUFQ
"Tell me about yourself, Ember." My name coming off his tongue sends a little shiver up my spine, another strangely warm one.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhAh2iuxxC
"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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn5OMRbrq6
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjwBOfvsB5
"You've been to London?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNSH8xG7eq
"I've been to many places. I spent seven years of my life upon the ocean."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDGUwSMVsN
"Why?" I ask curiously.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyhBxu83Os
His expression changes, matching his mood shift. "I wanted to travel. Collect the best ingredients for my chocolate."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOr2L8wmHi
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?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhreO9FXG0T
His expression falls further and he shakes his head.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI76DIm9qOo
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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBqjP8fFoR
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK5vJKLfLE
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9M6V9HrXl
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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyEhzJYd7K
A soft pang clenches my chest for a moment. "I suppose I do."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0nmpiIxF1
"You said you live at the inn you work at. Why don't you live with your parents?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq5CZQlrj7
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-T149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdji16NVMYt
Also I have no idea where he got his coat either..
I hope you enjoyed the new chapter :3149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhus3yARMJn
Let me know what you thought! :D
