(Matilda's POV):
After our little discussion, Charlie and I take a little walk while James stays behind to finish the raking. The sky is still incredibly cloudy and the air has taken a turn for the chillier. As we walk, I can't help but think about the message I received. Was it meant for me? The implication's point to yes, but could it have just been a misdirection of some sort? Perhaps it was meant for someone else? But the note did say red marks and my arm is full of them. The chances of someone else being in the same situation as I am are incredibly slim at this point. It makes me wonder whether I should tell Charlie or not.
On one hand, he's my friend and I should be able to trust him. But on the other hand, I doubt it's ever really happened to someone before. He might think I'm crazy.
"Matilda?" I hear him ask.
"You seem upset about something. Is it about the contest? Don't worry. I'm sure you can get the money somehow."
I stop in my tracks. Perhaps I can trust him.
"Actually there are two things," I confess.
"The first was about the contest."
"What's the second?" he asks coming to a stop beside me.
I look around to make sure we're alone. I beckon him to come close.
"Last night after you and James left," I whisper.
"I found something inside the walnut shell he broke open."
"But didn't he say there wasn't a walnut-?"
"Yes, but only a walnut. Either he didn't bother to look at it or he didn't notice it."
I pull the little slip of paper out of my pocket and hand it to him.
"Read what it says."
His eyes take in each word slowly and steadily. When he hands the paper back, I can see a mix of fear and confusion in his eyes.
"What red marks?" he asks.
I hold out my arm and show him the scratches.
"Help us-Wonka?" he reads.
"Where did you get these?"
"That's another thing I meant to tell you."
I take a deep breath.
"Call me crazy, but every time I pass the gates of the factory, I feel a sense of uneasiness inside of me. It's almost nauseating. Not too long ago, I began to hear cries for help that become louder the closer I get to the gate. They don't sound human and yet they have a human-like familiarity about their voices. That's what makes it nauseating.
"Then when it was my turn to grab the gate yesterday, it became worse. Then when I touched the gate, the cries were pounding against my ears. And I felt something pulling forward on my whole body. I also heard a man growling in rage. Next I felt and heard something scurry up my arm. Then I felt several hurried scratches, almost as if someone-or something-was trying to send me a message of some sort, but had to do it quickly. Then I just let go."
Charlie just stares at me in disbelief. I sigh.
"Of course you probably think I'm mad now, right?"
"A tad, but I don't know what else could've spelt out that message. When did this occur?"
"I told you. Yesterday when I touched the gate."
He looks at me, his face completely colorless.
"What is it, Charlie?"
"I remember. The Wonka Factory."
"What about it?"
He takes a deep breath.
"That's where Alfie and Billie were last seen."