Take My Hand

ONESHOT

Inspired by a combination of Ordinary Day by Vanessa Carlton and the line "I had a hunch, you know!" when Willy's shaking Charlie's hand after he wins the prize.

DISCLAIMER; I don't own Willy Wonka or his amazing chocolate factory. They belong to the Dahl estate, Tim Burton, Warner Bros. I have made no profit, please don't sue.


Looking out across the vast expanse of white snow that covered the little town outside of my factory, I reminisced on the days of the past when I trusted those people out there. My eyes scanned the streets, noting the shoppers carrying bags or the men walking their dogs in that ridiculous uppity way. Pausing as my gaze fell on a static dot I could barely make out as a child, I looked in its direction.

It was a little boy, about eleven and he was looking up at my factory. I felt as though I knew this little nobody and before I knew it, I was running to the door. Why was he looking up, directly into my windows (or so it seemed)?

Swinging around to the elevator, I took it to the entryway and cracked a door to slip out. No one had to know I was out and about, and no one did. I edged closer to the gates, sighing in relief that the little boy was still there. There was something about him that made me feel as though my future — my factory's future was safe. I couldn't quite place it, but his earnest look was just that powerful.

He saw me in the shadows and smiled, extending his hand through the gate's bars. Hesitantly, I stepped forward and looked at the small hand poking into my fantasy domain.

"Hi there…" he said, "Let's go."

"Go where?" I whispered, as if scared someone would overhear. I looked into his face and the gates opened. Hey, I didn't ask for anyone to open those…! He smiled, showing his crooked teeth and I felt the corners of my lips turn upwards.

"Anywhere."

"'Kay." I said, placing a gloved hand in his. He led me into reality and I wasn't scared. I wasn't afraid of being seen by anyone or anything. I felt safe, calm. I wasn't even hyperventilating! What was going on? How could this ordinary little boy make me feel… so secure?

We walked about the town and, thankfully, no one looked at me oddly or noticed who I was. It's not like I chose to be a celebrity, you know. I just wanted to get through life and do what I loved — make candies. The boy pulled me to a small shop and I noticed it was my old shop. It was still in use as a candy store, but nowadays, it housed other brands as well. I smiled when I saw him forgo the other confections for mine, as though he had passed some sort of test.

I felt as though I had known this boy since forever ago, and I couldn't explain why. He led me to another door and we were in the Chocolate room. Of course, this was impossible and I realized —

I woke up and I wondered if it was some sort of sign. I could have sworn it had really happened, it was so realistic. I sat up and got out of my bed to fetch myself a glass of warm chocolate milk.

While sipping the liquid, I chanced a peek outside, no one would be there and I'd be able to enjoy the cool night air and the light of the full moon. Settling down on a small bench that was to the starboard side of my factory, I looked up at the sky with the sinking feeling that I was not alone. I didn't know what to make of this unease. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a small form looking into my gates in a familiar way and I strode up to find the same boy from my dream.

"Hey, there." I whispered. He looked at me silently. He took a step backward, then another until he turned and ran away. I smiled to myself, he's the one. He's my heir. I just knew it.

Finis

a/n Reviews are nice. I hope you all like this, even if it's short. I just had to write something like this… I promise to have chapter 8 of Raining done soon. I'm just having difficulty figuring out some important plot points etc. etc. so bear with me, okay?