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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEPTXAzHON
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4tuVNwSXB
"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."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPebLJgRx9g
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." 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSkSG3K2Sq
A dark skinned officer steps up to him, telling him something I can't make out. 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKITTFRYnEH
I slow to a stop by one of the shops, drawn by what must be curiosity. 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6ZMo27IBA
The lead police officer pushes roughly past the young man, yanking his jar of sovereigns away.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz5sqjPa2x
"Hey!" Mr. Wonka turns and starts after the officer, his expression one of shock. "What're you doing?!"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zV7epP4RA
"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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOctsQe0Yc
Wonka looks back at the dark skinned officer, his expression forlorn. 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NjTBoJYai
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntyoQ4Luv5
After a moment when I don't see him coming back, I lean back around the shop.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwpIdLnThx
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaXQdbg48H
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdosptS6vCj
"Watch where you're going!" barks the man, shoving past Wonka unnecessarily.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3uRgTq5A1
I dart out of his way, lowering my eyes as I quicken my steps to catch up to Mr. Wonka. 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0a6HyDyQF
"Great." He sounds despondent. "Now what am I going to do?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQm2mQBAMG
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDAbmLpETr
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalM5sQcyQi
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQdUP1W0QI
"The one officer gave me a sovereign to pay for my room." He looks up again, his eyes meeting mine for a brief second.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdzKssVaHJ
I blow out a breath, forcing my fists to unclench. "That was.. kind."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmJTxCAnTd
"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?52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoecucODUKW
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." 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpz3Kzn7h4
He lets out a slow breath, staring past me.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWrOixB9mW
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IZHHgRKHz
Another person winds around us, stopped in the middle of the path. Which reminds me...52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF6eVoW26x
"Why are you stopped in the middle of the path anyway?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQeebUexum
"I dropped my sovereign.."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDMnY3Ge8p
"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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2qrBG5RhD
He shrugs again. "I don't know how I'm going to pay for my room now." 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h79WoMP4j
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX72A6rRaeI
"What're you doing?" He watches me as I tug open the drawstrings.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOQRntnCXk
"Helping you." I pull out a few silver sovereigns, tugging the strings closed and slipping the pouch back in my pocket.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYF7SLpvDD
He smiles a small, soft smile that makes my heart skip a beat. "I can't accept that.."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fXOSpZnVm
I reach out and grab his hand.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXl68D3yJ2
"Your hands are so cold!" he cries. And yet he doesn't tug away.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMyhANsRVI
"Why thank you," I say dryly. I take the opportunity to press the coins into his palm. 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiCyk3RS7k
He tries to push the coins back into my hands, his eyes dropping to my frayed dress. "I really can't take these."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHfRRbFW3Q
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlxBxhotNu
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. 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBmMJfoygH
Features I suddenly want to study...52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhHEr6RxbL
"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."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH12KOw6r3
"When will I do that?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh3m2uKlGl
Never, most likely. "The next time you see me, I assume."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObmlmZIsgc
"When will that be?" His eyes glimmer green, begging me to answer.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCWrzkbfFk
I force my feet to take another step backward. "I don't know." My response borders on a whisper.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtBpSrPfcF
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lgNBAWTBi
"I don't even know your name!" Something in his voice halts me in my steps.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuKxmkJR4T
I look over my shoulder. "Ember." And then I surge forward, sliding between passerby.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsphgSSUU2e
I slip between person after person, trying to keep from shoving and leaving a ripple of my presence.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzqnxNItdY
"Ember?" The sound of my name, makes my steps falter. "Ember? Ember!"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0X8IovFFX
Is he coming after me? I slow my steps and glance over my shoulder.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNVy7MeDhS
Sure enough, I see his coat as he pushes through the people toward me.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL7eafq6DT
"Ember!" He catches my eyes. "Wait! Please!"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4C6P31OZr
My muscles are poised to run; my breath caught in my throat.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUNz6BCIp6
He reaches me, and I tilt my head back slightly to meet his eyes. "Yes?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUFByQFTne
"I'm Willy. Willy Wonka." He smiles at me, a lopsided smile.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3boxqG0uG
"I know. I heard you say it in the Gallery."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPWevM5WWe
"I know. I saw you there." His expression grows animated. "Did you like my song?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyaQVs3Bri
"I.. I did actually."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Aeelyall2
He smiles again, shifting slightly. "I have something for you."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA6IFLSn04
I step back, thrusting my hands into my skirt. "I'm not taking the sovereigns back, Mr. Wonka."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTJhYSYlA3
He pauses for barely an instant. "Call me Willy."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2R9Av9mAgw
"Alright... Willy. But I'm still not taking the sovereigns back. I want you to have them. To pay for your room."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcueBlHjPVV
"I only need one to pay for my room." His lopsided smile returns, making my heart trip over itself.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaqqjwljui
He leans forward quickly, reaching behind my ear. I find myself so surprised by his movement that I don't even pull away. 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ESRDgSdCB
His hand brushes my ear as he pulls it back with an expression of mock surprise. "Look what I found."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OhPtGleSa
In his hand is a Hoverchoc, a teal, teardrop shaped chocolate. But it certainly wasn't there before. "How'd you do that?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlPTFZNc24
He smiles. "Magic."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh0o1QipGo
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."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4CHSIqHnl
"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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMiIqQfzXZ
I lick my lips, staring at his incredibly warm hands resting on mine. "Thank you, Willy."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaTztJz6HB
He smiles again. "You did pay me for chocolate, remember?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaubK0cqEo
"Yes, I remember." I look up into his earnest face. "You do remember that I said I was afraid of heights, right?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTGCUxcDUQ
"Sometimes, when we face our fears, we find that they're not so scary anymore."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6jUEz09uR
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."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUwE9rpqeT
He looks confused, tilting his head and looking down at me.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaaHxgoAxA
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."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJffZ6orTqJ
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."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrcGSgHIkn
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeMNx4P0d7
When he doesn't make a move to walk away, I take a step back. "I should be going.."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg52DFQLOTs
He smiles. "I'll come with you."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MBTqZphTC
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixqD4qjyIO
"So, where are we going?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA7uTB6ogt
"I don't know."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttDjcjHO80
"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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZVx4F0Jee
"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'!"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQps2YWtYV
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!"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyUKRNSLpG
"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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVYTWmzsu1
"Not for a while." He smiles, giving his cane a merry twirl.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡappNf9fxh6
For a while he tugs me along with him, and I follow, slightly breathless. We reach a street packed with storefronts and passerby.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhEieVfTB9
He slows our pace to better weave through the people. "Do you have anything you want to do?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAmZVKeT5j
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiPkQnpbXL
"Me too!" He immediately tugs me into a line of people waiting to order something from a cart up ahead.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJCTFygIP9
I laugh, amused by his impulsiveness.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapFvAYyb8Y
"Tell me about yourself, Ember." My name coming off his tongue sends a little shiver up my spine, another strangely warm one.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvncUYQqTO
"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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdVn1z7MhU
"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."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sjeBmFyAM
"You've been to London?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhrBZzFG3K
"I've been to many places. I spent seven years of my life upon the ocean."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JFEuaerhv
"Why?" I ask curiously.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5JQeWscHN
His expression changes, matching his mood shift. "I wanted to travel. Collect the best ingredients for my chocolate."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPXVx7v0Gl
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?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhlVRf7fXR
His expression falls further and he shakes his head.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVRtZdsjUk
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."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI5n0Sk9SJ
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYnIwLJ1uJ
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqE7v3jepY
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."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTAFkwznCm
A soft pang clenches my chest for a moment. "I suppose I do."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09eXpl1PBy
"You said you live at the inn you work at. Why don't you live with your parents?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC6dU4sRMh
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-T52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJgUTIrJXy
Also I have no idea where he got his coat either..
I hope you enjoyed the new chapter :352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBYwqLD8lh
Let me know what you thought! :D
and then Add to home screen.