Nutty For Wonka

by Jadyne Farrow

Matilda Prescott, ten going on eleven and a dedicated Wonkarer. For years, she's idolized Mr. Wonka. And with her notebook of ideas inspired by him and his factory being located in the city she lives in, what could be better? But one day, things begin to turn dark. Classmates have been disappearing one by one; and the last place they were seen was near the Wonka factory...

6. Story Swizzles

(Charlie's POV):

After dinner, I help clean up the dishes and then I remember.

"May I please be excused?" I ask.
"There's something I have to do. I don't think it will take too long."

"Alright, but please hurry," my mother says.
"You don't want to miss your grandpa's story for the night."

I smile excitedly.

"Never in a million years would I miss one of Grandpa Joe's stories."

I hop onto my bed and pull out a piece of paper. Matilda's birthday is coming up and though I can't give her much of a present, the least I can do is make her a nice card.

I'm going to be honest. I feel different when it's just Matilda and I. On the outside, she's tough. Incredibly tough and witty. But I feel like she's covering up something; the fact that maybe she's been strong for too long and I have a sudden urge to protect her when she looks or acts hurt. You could say it's like I'm her slightly older brother (our birthdays are only about a few days apart), but I'm not sure if that's the best way to describe it. I feel like she's a precious gem that could be stolen or destroyed at any moment, yet tough and sturdy at the same time.

Maybe I can finally see if those feelings are really what I think they might be. I pull out a pencil and begin to write throughout the night, taking a break only to listen to Grandpa Joe tell another story about the famous Wonka factory.