A/N I don't own any characters except for Erika, Charity, Rosaline and Annaliese
Chapter Nine I stand alone
The next day, Charlie, Erika and Annaliese repaired the hole in the roof. He also told Annaliese about the factory, but whenever he mentioned Willy Wonka, Erika went quiet and left the room. During the next few weeks, things seemed a lot brighter for the Bucket Family. With all the success at the store, Erica was given a promotion to Assistant Manager, which included a pay rise. With the extra money coming in, the family of 3 was able to buy more food and other necessities. They all were happier and closer to each other than ever before. Things had never been better for Charlie and his sister. Unfortunately the same could not be said for Willy Wonka.
Ever since that particular day in February, Willy had been miserable. It really didn't make sense to him. Why did Charlie turn the offer down? He never had his family around and he was a world-wide success. Although, he probably shouldn't have acted that way, he remembered the look in Erika's eyes. The poor girl looked heartbroken.
"Wait. Why should I care?" Willy thought to himself.
"Why do I care? I mean it's not like I feel anything for her...do I?"
Things had gotten so bad at the factory that even the candies were turning out terrible and Willy had no idea why. One of the Oompa Loompas was actually a trained psychiatrist so Willy spent most afternoons lying on a couch talking to him.
Willy sat in an armchair in his study. Thinking over the past events of the tour Softly, the radio was playing in the background. He hardly ever had time for music but today he felt like something different. All of a sudden the tempo changed and I stand Alone filled the room.
I know the sound of each rock and stone Everything breathes and I know each breath
And I embrace what others fear
You are not to roam in this forgotten place
Just the likes of me are welcome here
For me it means life
For others it's death
It's perfectly balanced
Erika was working at the store when Rosaline decided to turn the radio on. When she recognized the song, Erika immediately stopped what she was doing
Perfectly planned Like every tree stands on its own
More than enough for this man
Reaching for the sky I stand alone
I share my world with no one else
All by myself
I stand alone
Erika could feel the tears streaming down her face. She quickly ran out the back door holding her daughter close to her and sat in the alley on a milk crate.
Charlie sat on his bed doing his homework, listening to the radio. He always found that music helped him relax while studying.
I've seen your world with these very eyes Like every tree stands on its own
Don't come any closer, don't even try
I've felt all the pain and heard all the lies
But in my world there's no compromise
Reaching for the sky I stand alone
I share my world with no one else
All by myself I stand alone
All by myself I stand alone
All by myself I stand alone
He closed his book and walked out onto the little balcony for what seemed like forever; Charlie stared at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory and thought about what might have been.
"I just don't understand it." Willy said the Oompa Loompa that was scribbling down notes.
"Candy has always been the only thing I was ever certain of but now… I'm not certain of anything. I don't know what flavors to try, I'm second guessing myself…and that's nuts. I've always made the candy I felt like and now…" he jumped up off the couch.
"That's just it isn't it. I make whatever candy I felt like but now I feel terrible so the candy is terrible. I should probably go talk to them shouldn't I?"
He asked the Oompa Loompa. The little man just nodded.
"You're very good!"
