Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- The Loneliest Abyss

Chapter 11- An Arrival and a Blueberry

Isabella's POV

I watched as Mr. Wonka led us to a pink boat that had just arrived along the river bank. Was that made out of candy as well? Then I heard the sound of the Oompa Loompa's laughing.

"What's so funny?" Violet asked. Mr. Wonka looked amused "Must be from all those dog-gone cocoa beans. Did you know that a special ingredient in chocolate gives the feeling of one being in love?" He questioned.

"No, but now I know why couples give each other chocolate on Valentine's Day." I said. Mr. Wonka smiled at me before he looked behind us. There was an Oompa Loompa coming towards us with someone in tow behind them. I blinked before realizing we were missing a person. Tricia…

"Who is that?" Mr. Wonka questioned. I looked at him "Tricia, the person who found the fifth golden ticket." I told him. I had totally forgotten about her. Well, this day will be even more interesting now. Please note my sarcasm.

"I'm sorry about being late, Mr. Wonka. I had to help my grandmother unpack her belongings. This is her hometown and she just moved back. I wanted to stay and help her, you don't mind do you?" Tricia questioned coming up to us. You see, knowing her for a long time, I can tell when she's lying. But, I didn't need that skill for I knew that her grandparents, on both sides, died while we were in high school. Mr. Wonka didn't know that though.

Nodding he said "Well, if that was your reason…" He said before going back to the boat "Alright, all aboard!" He told us all. Everyone climbed into the boat and when it was my turn Mr. Wonka held out his hand "Here, let me help you." He said. I cocked my head at him before taking his hand. I then sat in the back of the boat and Mr. Wonka sat next to me, whilst Charlie was in front of us. Then, unfortunately, Tricia sat next to him. She then looked up at me.

"Izzy, is that you? Why I haven't seen you since high school, how have you been?" She questioned. I smiled at her "I've been great and my name is Isabella, not Izzy." I told her tensely. She looked at me, in a fake sad way, before turning back around. I didn't notice Mr. Wonka and Charlie looking at me with worried expressions.

"Onwards!" Mr. Wonka then shouted. We then started our way through a tunnel. I watched as Mr. Wonka picked up a ladle from his side, he dipped it in the chocolate, and handed it to Charlie. "Here you look starved." He told him. I smiled.

Charlie took the ladle and put it to his lips "It's amazing." He said handing it back to Mr. Wonka, who looked at me "Do you?" He questioned. I shook my head "Thanks, but no thanks." I said. He nodded before putting the ladle away, but not before Tricia said "I would like some, Mr. Wonka." She said. Said man paused for a moment before handing it to her. She put to her lips and after she was done she licked them and said "Delicious, I've never tasted chocolate as good as this. You're a genius." She told him. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Here we go…

Either Mr. Wonka ignored that, or he didn't care, but either way he said (again) "Did you all know that the waterfall mixes up the chocolate, making it light and frothy? No other chocolate factory in the..." He was then interrupted by Veruca stating "You already said that."

"How rude is she?" I questioned in my mind. I still can't believe she was a part of my heritage. It disturbed me to tell you the truth.

"You're all quite short, aren't you?" Mr. Wonka said. I guess he was trying to make up for his mistake. "Yeah, we're children." Violet said. Mr. Wonka shook his head "That's no excuse I was never as short as you." He said.

"You were once." Mike said. Mr. Wonka shook his head "Was not! Know why? Because I distinctly remember putting a hat on top of my head, look at your short little arms, you could never reach." He said. I chuckled, accidentally, before realizing what I did. So, I turned away for a moment. I didn't see it when Mr. Wonka smiled at me or when Charlie was looking between the both of us.

"Anyways, do you remember what it was like when you were young Mr. Wonka?" Charlie questioned. I'm going to have to tell him later not to talk to Mr. Wonka, or mention, anything about childhood's or parents. He seems to have had a rough past.

"Of course I do." Mr. Wonka said. Then he went into one of his trances. I concluded he was remembering something about his childhood. It couldn't have been good if he was going into trances like that.

"Charlie, I think it'd be best if you refrain from asking him anymore questions about his childhood. I think he had a rough one." I whispered to him. He nodded, in understanding, before saying "Will do." I then took notice to Tricia, who was looking at Mr. Wonka. What was she doing?

I was about to question her when someone said "Turn on the lights" It was Mr. Wonka. He seems to have snapped out of his daze. I then watched as the boat, which was out of control now, went down the river of chocolate. Everyone was holding on to their seats with fear on their faces. I, however, grinned.

"Are you afraid?" I heard Mr. Wonka question. I looked at him and mouthed "Me?" He nodded and I shook my head "Nope, it's just like a roller coaster, and I just so happen to love roller coasters." I said. He nodded and turned back towards the front.

"Mr. Wonka, can't you stop the boat?" I heard Tricia question in fear. I didn't know whether she deserved to feel like that or not.

"Nope, it's completely up to the river now!" Mr. Wonka said which frightened her even more. I didn't really mind it being out of control, but I hope we don't crash or anything like that. I think Mr. Wonka noticed my worried expression "It's alright, nothing will happen." He reassured. I nodded as we swerved around a corner.

"Turn on the lights!" I then heard Mr. Wonka shout. Lights suddenly turned on and we could see, that was one thing I was happy about now. Looking around, I noticed we were passing by some rooms. We passed by the room where a bunch of creams were made...including hair cream.

Miss Beauregarde looked back at Mr. Wonka "What do you use hair cream for?" She questioned. He didn't use it in any of his sweets, did he? If so, I don't think I want to know which one...or maybe I do, so I won't eat it.

But, reassuring my worries, Mr. Wonka simple said "To lock in moisture" He said touching his hair. I blinked at him but didn't say anything. I had surprisingly gotten used to his quirkiness already.

We then passed by a room that had Oompa Loompas whipping cows...with whips. "Whipped cream?" Charlie and I said at the same time. We looked at each other and smiled, along with Mr. Wonka. I didn't notice the scowl on Tricia's face or that plotting look she always got on her face whenever she was planning something. I wish I did though, so I could be more careful around her...as if I wasn't careful enough already.

I then watched, and felt, as the boat stopped. We all clambered out of the boat as Mr. Wonka said "Now, this right here is the most important room in the factory." He said. We were at the invention room, it made sense. It was where everything way made, correct?

"Now, please...don't touch anything, okay?" Mr. Wonka said making a slight face before straightening it up. "Alright now, go on. Scoot! Scoot!" He said waving his hand in a "Go" formation. I kept an eye out on Charlie as he went over to a tank where an Oompa Loompa was trying to catch something. Tricia was nearby and I didn't want her to try anything...I'm surprised she hasn't said anything to me so far other than that greeting.

"Is everything alright, Miss?" I heard a voice question. Jumping a bit, I turned around to see Mr. Wonka standing there. "Yeah, I'm fine...why?" I asked.

"You just seemed worried is all" He said. I shook my head "Oh, it's nothing..." I said waving it off. He then frowned a little "Worrying about something is never nothing, Miss." He said.

"Like I said before, you can call me Isabella. Miss makes me sound old." I told him. He then grinned "Well, you can call me Willy then. Mr. Wonka makes me sound old." He said. I didn't mention that the others called him that as well.

"So, what is the problem?" He questioned again. I sighed and was about to tell the story when Violet interrupted.

"Hey Mr. Wonka? What's this?" She questioned. I was somewhat happy that she did that because I really didn't want to have to think about Tricia, or talk about her, anymore than I wanted to..which was not at all. Anyways, tuning back in, I walked over to where Charlie was standing. I looked at Mr. W..oh, I mean, Willy..and saw that he was holding what looked like a gobstopper. Me and another friend had one of those, he tried to bite on it and it almost broke his teeth. Sighing I looked down.

"Never realize how much you miss home until you start thinking about it." I thought before shaking my head. I was here to have fun, with Charlie of course, I couldn't afford to be depressed all day. So, I tuned back into the conversation. I noticed a slightly miffed expression on M..Willy's...face.

"No. Gum is for chewing. If you tried chewing one of these gobstoppers you'd break all your little teeth off. They sure do taste terrific." He said slightly to himself at the end while smiling to himself as well. I'm going to go on a whim here and say that Violet said something and it had something to do with gum. Anyways, we all followed Willy ,finally got that right, and we stopped at a bench.

"What is that?" I questioned pointing to the little square on the bench. Willy turned and picked it up before looking back at us.

"This is hair toffee." He said with a smile. "You suck down one of these little boogers and in exactly half an hour a brand new crop of hair will start growing all over the top of your little noggin, and a mustache, and a beard." I raised an eyebrow at his tone with the last two examples. He sounded like he was talking to a bunch of little children, which he was.

"Who wants a beard?" Mike questioned.

"Let's see: Motorbike riders, people who are obsessed with beards, you when you get old and don't have a single hair on your head." I said with a smile. I heard a few chuckles and saw Charlie and Willy smiling.

"Anyways, those people, but...unfortunately...because an Oompa Loompa tried one yesterday and well..." Willy stopped once said Oompa Loompa came up. I blinked and bit my tongue so I wouldn't laugh. What was wrong with me? Normally I wouldn't laugh at these kinds of things.

"Isabella...are you alright?" I heard Charlie question. I looked down at him and nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking about something." I then led us over to the rest of the group, and Willy, who were surrounding a lever he was by.

"Watch this." He said as soon as we were near. Once he pulled it a bunch of lights and sounds came on. Sounding like something big was about to happen.

"Hm...wonder what it is?" I wondered. I then watched as a single piece of what looked like a strip of gum came out of the machine.

"Wow..." I thought.

"You mean that's it?" Mike questioned irritable.

"Do you even know what it is?" Willy retorted. Violet, who had the piece of gum in her hand, answered "It's gum."

"Yeah, it's the most amazing and sensational gum in the whole universe. Know why? Know why?" He didn't leave us time to answer the question though. "Because it's a three-course dinner all by itself" He then giggled. He really is a child at heart, isn't he?

"Why would anyone want that?" Mr. Salt questioned. I looked at him, "Because some people don't have personal chefs to cook all their meals." I said before turning back around. I felt a hand on mine, I looked down to see Charlie staring at me with a worried expression. I smiled at him in reassurance that I was fine. I just don't like the way the Salt's acted, like they were better than everyone else.

"Yeah, and it will be the end of all kitchens and all cooking. Just a little strip of Wonka's magic chewing gum and that's all you will..." He switched the cards in his hands, "...ever need at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This piece of gum happens to be tomato soup, roast beef, and blueberry pie." You know, out of all the invention I saw that he has created, I think this is the only one that I'm feeling two-sided on. One, people would get lazy and not want to cook, then again it would be a good thing for people who don't have enough money to eat things like this.

"I think it sounds weird." I heard Veruca say. I didn't even bother to look at her nor comment. It wasn't worth it.

"It sounds like my kind of gum." Violet said before removing her gum from her mouth to behind her ear. I shook my head, that was disgusting.

"I-I'd rather you didn't. There's still one or two things that are-" Willy was interrupted.

"I'm the world-record holder in chewing gum. I'm not afraid of anything." Violet said firmly and put the gum in her mouth. What does chewing gum all day, and being a record holder for doing it, have to do with being afraid of anything? I'd like to see her wrestle an alligator, see who's afraid then.

"How is it honey?" Miss Beauregard question with a smirk. Violet smiled, "It's amazing! Tomato soup! I can feel it running down my throat!" Willy gave a nervous laugh.

"Yeah, spit it out." He warned as cheerfully as he could. I looked at him and then back to Violet.

"It's changing! Roast beef and baked potato! Crispy skin and butter!" Violet boasted. I shook my head, this wasn't going to end well. I already knew it.

"Keep chewing, kiddo. My little girl's going to be the first person in the world to have a chewing gum meal." Miss Beauregard said proudly. Why is she proud? Some people I swear...

"I'm just a little concerned about the-" Once again Willy was cut off.

"Blueberry pie and ice cream!" Violet said grinning once more.

"That part." He said now frightened. I looked at him, worriedly "What's going to happen?" I mouthed to him. Nervously, he pointed to Violet. I looked at her and saw that her nose was turning blue.

"What's happening to her nose?" I heard Veruca question.

"It's turning blue." Mr. Salt said in shock. I watched as Violet looked at all of us in confusion. I now felt sorry for her even if it was her fault for not listening to Willy's warning. "What do you mean?" She questioned putting her hand to her nose. I saw Veruca's eyebrow raise in a "I'm amused" kind of way. Again I will say nothing.

"Violet! You're turning violet!" Miss Beauregard exclaimed before looking at Willy. I turned to him feeling sorry for him at the moment. Some people were probably blaming him at the moment.

"Well, I told you I hadn't quite got it right...cause it goes a little funny when it gets to the desert. It's the blueberry pie that does it. I'm terrible sorry..." He then ducked out of sight. I looked back at Violet to see the color spreading to her hair and the rest of her body. I watched as she looked at her hand in horror, I felt horrible not being able to do anything. But what could I do?

"Didn't you once fix Eric's arm when it was swollen?" I heard Tricia question. I'm surprised that she's been quiet all this time.

"Yeah, why?" I questioned. She motioned towards the now swollen Violet, "Well, why don't you fix her the same way you fixed him?" I could feel eyes on me. I didn't look to see who they belonged to though.

"That's different." I simply said. "His arm healed on it's own, due to him leaving it alone and applying cold to it, but Violet is turning well...violet...along with swelling!This is not something I've ever heard of happening. I don't know how to fix it." I then turned around to Violet who now looked like a giant blueberry. I stepped back pulling Charlie along with me. I looked around, "Where is Willy?" I wondered.

"I tried it on like twenty Oompa Loompas and they all ended up as a blueberry." He then smiled. "It's just weird." Miss Beauregard looked at him incredulously.

"But I can't have a blueberry for a daughter. How is she supposed to compete?" She questioned. Charlie and I looked at her oddly.

"Well, I think there's a simple solution to this." I said stepping up next to her. "You could not let her compete, take care of her, and stop being the horrible parent you are acting like at this moment." Charlie smiled as did Willy. I noted Miss Beauregard's angry facial expression.

"How would you know how to treat children?" She questioned. "Let alone how to afford to keep one." I stepped back and pushed Charlie back as well.

"One, I'm not poor, and two even if I was I would still be a far greater parent then you are." I said. "And I know how to treat children because I'm with them all the time. I babysat, took care of some of my other relative's children when they were left alone so that they would be taken care of, and I helped a young boy left on the street. I may be younger than you but I know how to treat children." I then looked back to Violet. Now my mood was ruined. I felt Charlie put his hand through my own. I gave him a small smile before looking back at Violet.

"Well, you could always put her in a county fair." I heard Veruca suggest after that. They'd probably treat her better than her own mother would. I then stopped thinking about all that, seeing as how it was stressing me out, once I heard a rhythm start from the machines. I guess we're about to get another musical number from the Oompa Loompas. Good Timing.

-Willy's POV-

I watched, from my place beside Miss Beauregard, as Isabella's frown turned into a small smile at the song playing. When she said all those things that she did, I couldn't believe it, how can someone so young go through something like that? I remembered my own past and it made me compare it to hers. I chose to leave and she chose to take care of those kids, even though she didn't have to. We both chose the path that led us to what we are today.

"Hm...interesting." I thought before going back to my dancing.

-Isabella's POV-

Once the song was over, I looked at Willy as he instructed an Oompa Loompa to take Violet to the juicing room. I had a feeling about what they were going to do to her.

"Juicing room? What are they going to do to her there?" Miss Beauregard questioned. Wasn't it obvious from the name of the room?

"Uh, they're going to squeeze her. Like a little pimple." Willy answered. I smiled, my mood being lifted a little.

"We've got to squeeze all that juice out of her immediately." We then heard Violet call for her mother so said woman ran over to her. She then helped the Oompa Loompas push her out of the room.

"First kind act of the day." I thought.

"Alright, come on." Willy said to the rest of us. "Let's boogie." We then left the room.