Chapter Twelve:
Such an Item

The day had gone surprisingly well after the disposal of both bottle and horrid pill, and the wonderfully poetic feeling afterwards held Evelyn in a happy medium as she spent the remainder of the day with none other than Willy Wonka. . .

They sat in a peaceful silence upon a bench not too far from a playground where several children laughed and played. Evelyn sat, hunched slightly with her elbows on her knees and chin in her gloved hands, watching a game of tag erupt with the little ones.

"Do you ever miss your childhood?"

"Who said I left it?"Came Willy's sly remark, which cause Evelyn to give a soft giggle.

"Seriously!"She smiled, looking up from the playground and up to the man next to her who was leaning casually back into the bench, one leg crossed over the other. His purple clad fingers held his cane on the side farthest from her, and the other was draped along the back of the bench, nearly tickling her hair if she moved backwards.

"I am entirely serious,"Came his soft voice as he turned his gaze to her, and gave a smile. "Theres no point in growing up fully. It's too serious of a business to get into!"

"Which is why you make candy for a living?"

"Well, I couldn't sell couches!"

Evelyn held her face in her hands as she playfully shook her head and gave a heartfelt laugh. After spending most of the day with her companion, she found him a bubble of pure innocence at the rarest of times, and a second later he was everything an adult should be.

He was such a riddler! Constantly pulling and pushing at everything she ever asked. She found herself more curious than before the first question!

Her attention went to the empty playground and she gave a puzzled turn of her head, obviously noticing her confusion the older man next to her gave a small chuckle and replied to her silent question;

"Their parents called them home for dinner."

"Oh. . ." Came her soft voice, as she watched the playground with a thoughtful look on her face before she stood. Willy watched her curiously, but she held no explanation as to where she was going, or what she was going to do.

Evelyn shed her coat and set it on the back of the bench and gave a small smile to the chocolatier next to her.

As she walked away, and towards the swing set not too far from him. His eyes admired the way her slender body moved as she walked away from him. The way her shapely legs carried her to that swing,

He shook his thoughts away as Evelyn perched herself upon that seat and waved her hand for him to join her on the spare sing just a foot away. His grin was barely noticeable as he stood, and set his cane aside, and approached without too much of a squeak of his glove.

Evelyn looked confused as she let her silver eyes watch him circle around her until he stood directly behind her. She bit her lip as his hand came into contact with the chains holding her in suspension. His arms pushed her forward and let go quickly, watching him out of the corner of her eye as he stepped backwards and gave her a gentle push.

She couldn't help but grin as she felt his hands on her back as he pushed her higher into the air. So high she could soon see the tops of the trees. Evelyn closed her eyes, and the feeling of peaceful heaven filled her mind. All she felt was the wind on her face that fluttered her skirts and hair. Pressed against her like a cool blanket.

She saw nothing. It was black, and it felt better. She was the bird flying away.

Evelyn was the bird. . .

Willy had walked Evelyn home after a nice game of twenty questions in the park. Each question he answered left her even more curious than the first. It seemed he had a way with his wit, because even though she had known him for a total of days, he left her in the dark.

Not that she minded! In fact, she was thankful. He was obviously giving her time to relax and become more cooperative.

Evelyn stopped in front of the door to her apartment, keys in hand as she turned to look at the tall hatter next to her. He was giving her a soft smile, his eyes shaded from the brim of his hat.

"I had a wonderful time, today. I was hoping we could repeat it again sometime!" She gave a soft chuckle, and wrung her hands nervously. Willy Wonka seemed to take notice, and let his smirk flow into a full fledged grin. Bearing his white teeth like some plastic Ken.

"It would be a pleasure, seriously. . ."

Ugh, she hated that smile. That plastic fake one that constantly appeared when he was in an uncomfortable situation. But she found herself amazed at just how perfect that fake smile was.

"Well, you know where I live. And I know where you work-" She gave the smallest of winks as she unlocked her front door-" I would very much like to see you again."

With a small adue Willy Wonka turned on his heel and left the apartment building. Unfortunately it was not the same for our lovely Evelyn.

"I would love to see you again, Dear Eve."

This voice was not her own. Nor was it Willy's. It was sinister, and cold. So cold she gave a visible shiver to the man who now stood behind her. His stench filling her nostrils without a warning.

"Please-"

"Eve, we were an item. Friends do these kinds of things."

Evelyn didn't sleep that night.