The Time After

Charlie's mother held the boy softly while planting kisses on his forehead as he told her the gruesome story. She cried softly to herself as she heard each word enter her ear. The father's expression grew more and more grim as Charlie told the gory details of each death. His hands were around Charlie's neck as he tried to gently remove the candy collar. However, it was firmly stuck on Charlie's skin. He then got a wet washcloth and placed it around the collar. Then he started to pull it off as Charlie screamed. It slowly peeled off of his skin like a band aid.

"Then he asked me where my house is and I told him...you know the rest." Charlie finished. His father placed the candy collar on the table and he looked him in the eyes.

"We...we could have lost you." Charlie's mother gasped. Charlie leaned back into her embrace.

"But you didn't, I'm here." Charlie replied. She held him even tighter.

"What are we going to do?" asked Charlie's father.

"We'll go to the police, the government!" Charlie's mother shouted angrily.

"We can't, they won't believe us." whispered Charlie.

"They have to believe us! They must!" replied Charlie's mother. Tears streamed down her face.

"They won't. Mr. Wonka says he has ways of keeping this quiet. I don't know how, but he does." Charlie responded.

Everyone just stared quietly at Charlie.

"Things are going to get much better!" Grandma Georgina blurted out. Everyone smiled warily at her. That moment bought a bit of hope and light to the dark and gloomy moment. Charlie's mother let go of him.

"I should wash up." Charlie said.

He walked towards the bathroom. Meanwhile, Willy Wonka slammed the door in anger. He threw his cane at a nearby lamp shattering it into pieces. He sat in his mobile armchair and he removed his hat. He rubbed his forehead and thought. How could this have failed? Months of planning and everything is ruined. All because that little boywanted his family here. They would ruin everything. Willy sighed. He spent too much time and lives have been lost. It was bad enough that reporters had to be mind wiped and clones had to be created. He stared at the wall. He couldn't have another contest. They knew things. That boy knew things. Willy couldn't risk the truth being leaked. His face grew darker. If the truth got out what about the oompa-loompa's. They would be exposed and exploited. USED! All of his life's work would be taken from his and he wouldbe put into a asylum. Willy stood up and paced out of the room. He dropped his waistcoat and scarf. He knew he couldn't wait until it was too late. Wonka knew that Charlie was the only one. He sat on the edge of his bed. A oompa loompa came in a started to clean up the mess.

"Max, what am I going to do?!" Wonka asked.

Max just shrugged at him.

"You're no help!" Wonka exclaimed.

The oompa loompa looked sympathetically at him and he came over to the bed. He whispered something in his ear. Wonka quietly listened.

"THAT'S IT!" Wonka shouted happily, "You are pure genius. Thank you."

The oompa loompa gave a grin and bowed. Wonka stood up confidently. The plan was perfect! He put all of his clothing on and he headed out the door while formulating his plan.

Charlie looked into his mirror. He could clearly see the red, irritated, sticky skin where the candy collar once was. Charlie sighed and he poured water on his face and neck, removing the melted candy. He glanced into the mirror again. His bright blue eyes once filled with innocence were lost and replaced with a darker shade of blue. He had bags under his eyes and his skin was a deathly white. He looked back into the mirror in thought. Why was the candy maker this way? Why did he want Charlie and the others to kill each other. Grandpa Joe had always told stories of the generous candymaker and his wonders. Why the killing? Charlie shook his hands side to side and he wiped his face. He knew that Wonka was getting older, and more desperate. He knew this wouldn't be his last encounter with him. Charlie had better watch out for himself.