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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTugaS8kK2
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCASaXxBXL
"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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQER6mUSBB
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." 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtPw1fPo2z
A dark skinned officer steps up to him, telling him something I can't make out. 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0SjzQDf7i
I slow to a stop by one of the shops, drawn by what must be curiosity. 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpd5GMAurk
The lead police officer pushes roughly past the young man, yanking his jar of sovereigns away.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRxgkDX1Ox
"Hey!" Mr. Wonka turns and starts after the officer, his expression one of shock. "What're you doing?!"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1vmyl3m1Q
"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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObXT8BJ0gr
Wonka looks back at the dark skinned officer, his expression forlorn. 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3tGZeYUdG
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSEEfiLfbt
After a moment when I don't see him coming back, I lean back around the shop.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2BO6BX4GN
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVomDESHKJS
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQhCDRhkCR
"Watch where you're going!" barks the man, shoving past Wonka unnecessarily.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSckPAOlxS
I dart out of his way, lowering my eyes as I quicken my steps to catch up to Mr. Wonka. 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt4qj3R63o
"Great." He sounds despondent. "Now what am I going to do?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66Kr6rLjm7
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEa5xS7vyI
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Kb51HWLJf
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZId5FcLmL
"The one officer gave me a sovereign to pay for my room." He looks up again, his eyes meeting mine for a brief second.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wBMRjqDkn
I blow out a breath, forcing my fists to unclench. "That was.. kind."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A7FDPBuh3
"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?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTxNXPtDCC
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." 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XGAvxmexk
He lets out a slow breath, staring past me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLkgSU5UXF
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryKjoUtj2p
Another person winds around us, stopped in the middle of the path. Which reminds me...314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFATo0VzN7
"Why are you stopped in the middle of the path anyway?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMlmyynNyu
"I dropped my sovereign.."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9cKsTjpHc
"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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwnc8NyonE
He shrugs again. "I don't know how I'm going to pay for my room now." 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6q9kgckEO
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ot5UnNjAh
"What're you doing?" He watches me as I tug open the drawstrings.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUDWgFjHev
"Helping you." I pull out a few silver sovereigns, tugging the strings closed and slipping the pouch back in my pocket.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtEmZmTCqO
He smiles a small, soft smile that makes my heart skip a beat. "I can't accept that.."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89cFFeWt3H
I reach out and grab his hand.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk1KcfEnoU
"Your hands are so cold!" he cries. And yet he doesn't tug away.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWvmtgMG5A
"Why thank you," I say dryly. I take the opportunity to press the coins into his palm. 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCdb09Dr7O
He tries to push the coins back into my hands, his eyes dropping to my frayed dress. "I really can't take these."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGZHK172CD
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE380yfpxq
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. 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZaRonc3WV
Features I suddenly want to study...314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bdg459M2R
"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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThN0ydZHr8
"When will I do that?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2rpXL8F6K
Never, most likely. "The next time you see me, I assume."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vx8BzYo7x
"When will that be?" His eyes glimmer green, begging me to answer.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOutYSEsXn
I force my feet to take another step backward. "I don't know." My response borders on a whisper.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFcl0OB7G4
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3Je3hhuOw
"I don't even know your name!" Something in his voice halts me in my steps.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0sSX2oLml
I look over my shoulder. "Ember." And then I surge forward, sliding between passerby.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjoi8DqWFC
I slip between person after person, trying to keep from shoving and leaving a ripple of my presence.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CG4h2R0kQ
"Ember?" The sound of my name, makes my steps falter. "Ember? Ember!"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrk3bWeEQt
Is he coming after me? I slow my steps and glance over my shoulder.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNenD15xHG
Sure enough, I see his coat as he pushes through the people toward me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6ZcNNEga2
"Ember!" He catches my eyes. "Wait! Please!"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hg3WY9TLv
My muscles are poised to run; my breath caught in my throat.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ8EExfbyn
He reaches me, and I tilt my head back slightly to meet his eyes. "Yes?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyo3YVKYg7
"I'm Willy. Willy Wonka." He smiles at me, a lopsided smile.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7VqTquGwg
"I know. I heard you say it in the Gallery."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDqfD7k2NN
"I know. I saw you there." His expression grows animated. "Did you like my song?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HLbfIf0wj
"I.. I did actually."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLiFr7Etjp
He smiles again, shifting slightly. "I have something for you."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD2OuvEFcV
I step back, thrusting my hands into my skirt. "I'm not taking the sovereigns back, Mr. Wonka."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqANKaUcAxv
He pauses for barely an instant. "Call me Willy."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG4HuF553H
"Alright... Willy. But I'm still not taking the sovereigns back. I want you to have them. To pay for your room."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj5BH2jZTZ
"I only need one to pay for my room." His lopsided smile returns, making my heart trip over itself.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0SXFa7S9L
He leans forward quickly, reaching behind my ear. I find myself so surprised by his movement that I don't even pull away. 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXjH9Gb7Lt
His hand brushes my ear as he pulls it back with an expression of mock surprise. "Look what I found."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3vqi36DSt
In his hand is a Hoverchoc, a teal, teardrop shaped chocolate. But it certainly wasn't there before. "How'd you do that?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5pMgm8Uuj
He smiles. "Magic."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ddwIeYuG9
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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgluStUaPtH
"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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNPuEoW6sc
I lick my lips, staring at his incredibly warm hands resting on mine. "Thank you, Willy."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU08wWWXFc
He smiles again. "You did pay me for chocolate, remember?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GquMKXyWq
"Yes, I remember." I look up into his earnest face. "You do remember that I said I was afraid of heights, right?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLBaZY92mn
"Sometimes, when we face our fears, we find that they're not so scary anymore."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwFT702Zth
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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcn4E4JBtv
He looks confused, tilting his head and looking down at me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqeHpawePe
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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshIOTAOf2P
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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJS5TWMR3p
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pN4pKIwKW
When he doesn't make a move to walk away, I take a step back. "I should be going.."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWkEQqznwv
He smiles. "I'll come with you."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY0lVTzmS8
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOXjwKxzka
"So, where are we going?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcfLu1b5YW
"I don't know."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjrw8sYTEx
"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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOEueowmo5
"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'!"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XQlF9ZJcK
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!"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujsYY2pFS7
"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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBihvYCcS9
"Not for a while." He smiles, giving his cane a merry twirl.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdilduq5jsj
For a while he tugs me along with him, and I follow, slightly breathless. We reach a street packed with storefronts and passerby.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssl4nqEfDy
He slows our pace to better weave through the people. "Do you have anything you want to do?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g50kQwuYu
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1iopxg7Sn
"Me too!" He immediately tugs me into a line of people waiting to order something from a cart up ahead.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlIFVY33SA
I laugh, amused by his impulsiveness.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3OowU6IaI
"Tell me about yourself, Ember." My name coming off his tongue sends a little shiver up my spine, another strangely warm one.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcptHjsNPWa
"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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbyddkUyLR
"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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz90S13hnfG
"You've been to London?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPocAInUvg
"I've been to many places. I spent seven years of my life upon the ocean."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXMHPL19rD
"Why?" I ask curiously.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvztXDDz60K
His expression changes, matching his mood shift. "I wanted to travel. Collect the best ingredients for my chocolate."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93T1tlziCK
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?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3KLQVxL7W
His expression falls further and he shakes his head.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96SuY0aTJZ
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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGqsLZRwOo
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgmoqypNeJ
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU29bPHlMbF
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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDNjv3NNA2
A soft pang clenches my chest for a moment. "I suppose I do."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIdvkNoSDf
"You said you live at the inn you work at. Why don't you live with your parents?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6VmYv6JFX
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-T314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS1Roj5Djz
Also I have no idea where he got his coat either..
I hope you enjoyed the new chapter :3314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4g4hcwm3I
Let me know what you thought! :D
and then Add to home screen.