Chapter 12

Stuck

Rated: T (Language)

Warnings: Willy/OC, Language

Disclaimer: Please don't sue. I spent all my money on a copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Theme song for chapter: "Evelyn" By Goldmund

A/N: I very much appreciate reviews! Tell me if you liked this chapter. Heck, I'd even appreciate it if you told me you hated it. The point is, I love reviews. No matter what nature they are. Nice ones encourage me to write, to post the chapters faster and generally make me feel fucking euphoric and criticism motivates me to improve, helps me to pinpoint errors in my story.


The next two weeks were pretty mundane, apart from the pain, injections, and occasional screaming from the corridor.

Mr. Wonka didn't visit me again. Actually, that's not entirely true. He visited me the day after the accident, but it was just to tell me that he had informed my mother about the accident and to ask if I was willing to come back to the Factory when I was discharged from the hospital. He left abruptly after I gave him my answer, which was yes.

Kim came to visit almost daily, after work hours and on her days off, which I was immensely grateful for. She brought movies and her laptop to watch them on, and bags full of candy she got from the factory. I noticed my design on one of the bars.

Even John visited sometimes, and he brought me flowers every time. Where he got them in the dead of Winter, I would never know.


I parted the red curtain that fell from the ceiling, breathing in the familiar smell of what now felt like home, in a way. Kim walked ahead of me, carrying my bags. She'd insisted that I was still to weak to really do anything. It was around 7:30pm, and it was already dark outside.

I went to my room, and thanked Kim, saying that I just needed a few moments of rest. She agreed, and hurried off excitedly. I assumed that she was going to tell the others that I was back, since they weren't already aware that I was released two days earlier than expected.

I carefully sat down on my bed, wincing slightly at the jab of pain in my abdomen.

I just sat there, staring off into space for who knows how long.

I jumped at the abrupt knock on my door, snapping out of my stupor. Kim was back already?

"Come in. The door's unlocked." I called, irritated.

I heard the doorknob turn, but the movement was restricted.

"Crap, sorry. Turns out it is locked. Hang on." I laughed a bit. I pulled myself up and unlocked the door, opening it.

But, needless to say, it wasn't Kim. I think we can all guess who it was.

"Oh, Candice! I wasn't expecting you."

Just kidding.

"I was just coming to see how you were doing." She said with a shy smile. "How is your injury?"

"It's great." I said, kind of shocked. She never talked to anyone, really. "I mean, obviously it isn't. I was stabbed, haha. But I'm getting there. I'll shut up now, seeing as though I'm making no sense whatsoever."

She chuckled. "It seems you've had a lot of bad luck since coming to the factory." She said, looking at my short hair.

I nodded in mock sadness. "I have, indeed."

She paused. "Actually, there was something else I had to tell you."

"Go on."

"Well since the accident, Mr. Wonka hasn't really been that 'social'. By that, I mean I've seen him twice in two weeks." She explained.

"Oh." I said, my brow furrowing.

"We think it might have something to do with you. I don't know, he might be feeling bad for everything that's happened, and maybe you could talk to him. After all, you seem to be closer to him than anyone else, or at least more in his 'good books', because of the promotion."

I paused for a moment, absorbing the information.

"Right. Damn, I wonder what's wrong. I don't- It doesn't seem like he'd feel sorry for me, though. He doesn't exactly like me, and none of those things were his fault, but I'll talk to him."

Candice smiled.

"Thanks. Well, I hope you're feeling better."

"Thanks, Candice."

She nodded, and walked off down the corridor. I closed the door behind her.

I vaguely wondered if she meant for me to go and talk to him right now, or whenever I'm ready. I contemplated that for a moment, but decided I'd see him tomorrow or something. After all, I had a day off tomorrow anyway.


I closed my bedroom door behind me, and went to the Wonkavator. I was kind of dreading confronting Mr. Wonka, but I might as well get it over with. I pulled my coat tighter around me, shivering.

Just as I was about to press a button, I heard footsteps ring out through the corridor, along with the rhythmic tapping of a cane against marble.

I poked my head out to see if it was Mr. Wonka, and to my luck it was.

He tucked the pocket watch he was looking at into his coat and looked up, just in time to see me.

He made a face, and turned without hesitation in the opposite direction.

"Mr. Wonka!" I yelled, walking up to him.

I thought I heard him mutter something under his breath, and he turned around with a bright grin.

"Alice! What a surprise to see you here."

"What are you talking about? You saw me and walked away." I accused.

"So you noticed that."

"So.. what's up with you?" It felt weird, talking in such a casual manner to someone so… famous, I guess.

He looked up. "The ceiling."

"No, apparently you've been acting weirdly the past two weeks."

"I have?"

"According to Candice." I said. "She said that her and the others thought it was because you… felt bad for me? Personally, you've always seemed rather indifferent so I don't really believe it. No offense. But, they wanted me to talk to you and I did. So there."

"You stabbed yourself." He said.

"You don't say."

"Of course I feel bad for you. But you're right, that isn't the reason why I was 'acting weirdly' as you put it. In fact, it has nothing to do with you."

"Oh goody. Well, now that that's over and done with, I'm going to go." I decided not to pursue the subject of what else he was involved with. Probably business or something.

He noticed my coat and my bag. "Are ya going out already?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure you feel up to it? You just got out of hospital, I'm not entirely sure if it's safe for you to be going anywhere, especially alone."

"I'm not going alone."

"Who are you going with?"

"Oh, my friend John. I organized something with him while I was in hospital." I explained, somewhat embarrassed.

"Ah." He smiled. "Well then, I'm not gunna keep you waiting forever. See ya!"

He walked past me into the Wonkavator, and I followed him into it.

"Well, this is awkward." He pressed a button.

"It is. I hate it when you say goodbye to someone, and then you walk in the same direction." I pressed a button too. The Wonkavator swished off, and stopped at the inventing room. Mr. Wonka stepped out without a word.

The doors closed with a loud 'Ding' and it zoomed off again.


I tucked the books I borrowed from the library into my bag and walked outside with John. It was getting late, and the sun had almost begun to set.

John looked at his watch. "So I should probably be off, now. My Aunt will be wondering where I am. Will you be okay getting back?" He looked at me anxiously.

"Yeah, I'll be perfectly fine." I assured him. I really wasn't as weak as everyone thought I was. "I should go too, I have work tomorrow. That is if I'm allowed to work. Anywho, it was fun reading with you."

"You too. Well, I'll see you! Text me if you want to do something another time." He smiled.

"Thanks, I will. Bye!" I set off down the street, John walking in the opposite direction.

My teeth were chattering as I walked past the rows of identical houses. It was freezing, but the setting sun cast an orange glow over the monochromatic city, creating the illusion of warmth. It was beautiful.

I kept walking until I reached the traffic lights, and I pressed the button and waited for the light to turn red. The traffic had died down somewhat, but not completely. There were still a few cars on the road. I rubbed my hands together while I waited. There was the sound of rapid, thumping footsteps from behind me, and I didn't turn around until I felt a forceful tug on my arm. I screamed and yanked myself back.

The man was wearing a dirty red plait shirt, jeans and a baseball cap that hid his eyes in shadow.

"Give me your bag!" He yelled aggressively.

"No!" I retorted automatically.

"Give me you fuckin' bag!" He yelled again, more forcefully.

He snatched the bag from my grip, but I immediately went to pull it back out of his clutches.

He raised his fist and caught me on my jaw. I screamed and fell onto the pavement, losing grip of my bag. He kicked me in the gut and ran off down the street. I felt a fierce slash of pain in my abdomen, and struggled for air. After I'd caught my breath, I sat up with much effort.

"Fuck!" I yelled out at no one in particular. I put my face in my hands.

After some of the pain in my stomach had eased, I got up and pressed the button again. I guess there wasn't really anything I could do, except go back to the factory. It'll be impossible for me to catch him.

The light turned green and I walked across the street. By the time I'd gotten back to the factory gates, night had fallen. I went over the little side gate, and realized with dread that my key card was in my purse.

I groaned, and walked over the larger gate in the center, examining it. It was fairly wide apart. A small child could fit through, possibly. Maybe if I sucked it in a little, I could fit through too. I was short, and had a fairly small frame. I quickly sized up the gate, deciding whether I should risk squeezing through. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try, right? I mean, where else would I go? I couldn't possibly climb it, and I doubted there would be a back entrance. It was this or nothing, and if it didn't work, then it was worth the effort. I'd just find a lovely park bench to lie down and freeze for death for the night. Simple, easy to remember plan.

I removed my coat, and placed it on the ground.

I inhaled deeply, sucking in my stomach, and squeezed through. I got about half way, when I realized that I couldn't go any further. The bar pressed against my stitches, causing me to wince. The gap was too thin for me to fit through completely. Oh well, it was worth a shot.

I tried to get back through the way a came, and with an impending sense of doom, realized that I couldn't go back that way either. I gripped the bar in front of me, trying to push myself to the side, but I didn't budge. I cursed under my breath and tried again, with no luck. The cold was painful. I was frozen to the bone, and it didn't help that I was stuck between two ice-covered bars in nothing but a thin, long sleeved top and jeans.

I lashed out at the bars, trying to shake myself loose.

"Hello?" I called out desperately, hoping that someone inside of the factory would somehow hear me. The chances were extremely thin, seeing as though the courtyard was fucking huge, and the Cafeteria and Guest Rooms were on the other side of the factory. Plus, my voice didn't carry out well because my stomach and chest felt like they were being crushed.

I screamed out again, weakly shaking at the bar in front of me. I maneuvered my leg a bit, so that I could maybe push myself out. But as usual, it didn't work.

By this stage I was frantically hyperventilating, fighting back tears. It was late, and I doubted anyone would be out for a casual stroll at this hour, so there wasn't any chance for help. I'd be frozen to death by morning at this stage. I felt real, unadulterated fear as I considered this, and I lashed out again.

"Help! Hello? Can someone please help me!"

I was stuck there for about another 10 minutes, desperately trying to free myself, when I saw a jet of light appear on the snow covered ground in the courtyard. The giant metal doors opened and a figure stepped out.

The relief I felt at that moment was amazing. "Oh, thank god! Please help me!" The tears blurred my eyes, and I couldn't make out who it was at this distance.

He was about 15ft away when I realized that it was Mr. Wonka.

I heard him chuckle as he approached me. Sadistic bastard.

"How'd ya manage to get yerself in this situation?" He asked, amusement evident in his voice. The streetlight cast weird shadows on his face, making him look sinister, despite his perfect smile.

"Who fucking cares. Can you please help me out? I'm freezing and it's extremely painful." I gestured to my stomach.

"Okey dokey." He said lightly, and leaned his cane against of the bars, and gripped my arm with his latex clad hands. His grip was firm, but somehow delicate at the same time. He yanked on my arm.

I hissed. "Ouch!"

He tried again, being a little gentler.

"This isn't going to work." I stated. I hadn't budged an inch.

His brow furrowed, and he thought for a second.

"I have an idea. I hope you don't mind.." He extended both hands and pushed them through the bars, gripping my around my waist. I winced at the contact with my injury.

He muttered an apology, and moved his hands upwards a bit, so he didn't come into contact with my injury.

"No, no, no! Go down!" I said in panic, blushing and his hand faintly brushed against my chest. Not that I had much, anyways, but the general area.

His eyes widened when he realized, and he also blushed. "Fudge cakes. My sincere apologies." He stammered and moved his hands down slightly, and pulled.

"You're not very strong, are you?" I commented, when he stumbled back, losing momentum.

"Insulting me does not make you more intelligent than I." He retorted, placing his hands around my waist again.

"No, being more intelligent than you makes me more intelligent than you, you idiot. Now pull, please, before I freeze to death."

"I guess it's to late to pretend I never saw you, isn't it?"

"Yes. And anyway, if you left me here, you'd have to explain why you have a frozen corpse in your courtyard, wouldn't you? Surprisingly, frozen corpses aren't too good for business."

He waved a hand. "Halloween decorations."

"It's December." I pointed out.

He grudgingly pulled a bit harder this time, but slipped again.

"Keep going. I think I moved a bit that time."

He pulled again, and I felt myself move.

"Okay, one more should do it." He pulled again, and I moved, but I wasn't completely out. With one last heave, I felt myself slip through the bars and fly forward, hitting Mr. Wonka with a small thud. I cried out as we hit the ground. Unfortunately, I fell directly on top of him, so that I was pretty much lying on the poor guy.

My head swayed a bit from the sudden movement and the newfound ability to breath, but once I realized the situation I was in, I felt my face burn.

"There we go!" He said with an anxious giggle. I could sense his embarrassment when I met his eyes. Those mesmerizing, deep, violet eyes, framed with thick lashes. I saw them widen as I gazed into them. They were so strangely beautiful, like the man himself. I'd be kidding myself not to admit it, but I hadn't fully appreciated it before. Maybe it was the proximity, the sweet, intoxicating scent of him.

"Thank you, Willy." I said breathlessly.

Unthinkingly, I lowered my head until my lips met his, soft and hesitant.

I felt his breathing speed up and his lips moved against mine. I'd like to say that there were fireworks and sparkles everywhere, but that would be a lie.

It was just us, and nothing else existed except his mouth moving against mine.

My lips parted, and we kissed more deeply, each savoring this perfect moment of bliss before the cold reality of what we were doing would come crashing down.

Suddenly, the only thing I felt was horror and disgust. I quickly pulled away, snapping out of my stupor.

"Oh." He gasped.