Deliquesce

Chapter 5: City

Warnings: Nothing

Disclaimer: Nothing

A/N: Okay… I lied. I got distracted okay. But at least this update didn't come half a year later so I have that going for me, and if we're talking like that then I didn't lie and I did update somewhat quickly. So there you go. 3

Turrislucidus: I'm not lying I'm just stunnin' with my love-glue gunning

FelinesandPheonixes: Why thank you.

The two of us went back to the Nut Sorting room. Despite my big discovery, only about nine minutes had passed since we split up.

"Well. We're supposed to be meeting here, in twentyish minutes. We split up to check the factory for zombies or things. So we're gonna have to wait." We stood in the white corridor once again. He seemed distressed at the muddy, bloody traces left on the pristine white floors.

"You mean… they're potentially anywhere in my factory right now. They could be in any of my top secret rooms. Tracking filth. All over my floors." Wonka's eye twitched a little.

"Yep. Sorry. For what it's worth, my shoes are mostly clean."

He looked at me and exhaled forcefully.

I stared at him.

He stared back.

"Would you like something?" He asked.

"No. I'm just kind of shocked. This is weird."

"How so?"

Like. Imagine this. You're dying, starving and freezing in a basement. Your family is dead. You are injured, you have two aspirins and a can of asparagus left, and basically the whole country, or maybe the whole world I'm not sure, is dead. A zombie. Or they've lost any last bit of humanity they have left in them. And a group of people pick you up and take you to a factory and they need your help to get in. And this factory is the worlds most famous factory. At least when fame mattered. So you end up getting in. You're not really sure whether to feel relief, excitement, awe or shock to begin with. Then you find out that the worlds most famous chocolatier is also alive... And you're talking to him. So that's pretty weird. I'm just weirded out I guess. Like it's just so weird. Because things like pretty buildings and candy and chocolatiers were things that people worried about before all this. Sort of like nostalgia but not really. Seems just kinda like a dream, y'know? Being in a building that doesn't stink like rotting corpses. Electricity. Haven't had that in a while."

"You went through all that?" He frowned. "I had no idea how bad you people had it out there."

"I guess not. So what's your story? People thought you were dead. Apparently the last place you were seen was at a hospital, when the worst of the attacks were happening."

He plastered on a fake smile. "That, my dear fish, is a story for another day."

"Oh come on. So what. You escaped the hospital I'm guessing?"

He nodded.

"Who were you at the hospital for?"

He was silent for the longest time. "Charlie."

"Oh." I remembered Charlie from the headlines, years ago. The new heir to the throne. Final winner of the golden ticket. "I'm sorry."

Yet another artificial smile was smothered onto his face, stifling any emotion that was threatening to rise up.

"Tell me about yourself. I'm curious." I said.

"My name is William Wilbur Wonka. My dad was named Wilbur. My grandfather was named Wilford. My great grandfather was named Wilder. I have no siblings. I was born and raised in this town. I ran away at the age of ten and subsequently began to make and sell candy. I have a penchant for anything vanilla scented. I like chocolate. Yeah! So what about you, Ember?"

"My name is Ember. I broke my arm, and I would love to have a hot shower."

"You're in luck."

"You have hot water here?"

"I most certainly do!"

"Oh lordy. Please, even if you decide to kick us out anyway, at least let me have a hot shower before I go. I've been bathing in freezing thawed snow for a month in a basement in winter."

"Yikes."

"Did you actually think I was a hallucination?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Psh… no.." He gave a half-assed smirk.

I wanted to continue the conversation, but I heard quick, heavy footsteps coming down the corridor and looked over to see who it was. It was Jackson and Briley. Daniel and Spencer weren't there. They stopped walked as soon as they saw Wonka.

"Jackson, Briley, meet Mr Willy Wilbur Wonka."

"He's alive?" Briley asked, astounded.

"He's alive." I said.

Jackson walked forward slowly, and extended his hand. "It's an honour to meet you. My apologies about trespassing into your home. We never would have guessed that you were still alive."

Mr Wonka looked at his hand, mustered a smile, and looked pointedly back at his face. "Charmed, I'm sure."

Jackson pulled back his hand with a smile nonetheless. "I take it you don't exactly want us here."

"Not at all."

"I guessed so. I have a proposition for you, if you would like to hear it."

"I can't imagine anything that I want you people could give me."

"So you don't want to hear it?"

"I'll stoop."

"If you let us stay here, in the factory, for a few months we can get your city back. Start around the immediate vicinity, kill whatever's there, clean up a bit then put up barricades. Next day, expand a bit more. It's not a massive city, and it's pretty much surrounded by fields and wastelands, so it wouldn't be a problem. See? It's a win-win scenario. You get your factory, all to yourself, and the city. When it's all clear, then we have tons of houses to live in. We can rebuild. Provide a safe place for survivors."

"And if I said no?"

"I have a gun in my jacket, just saying. We kind of need your factory."

"Sounds like a grand idea then! Well, let's get you guys all settled!" Wonka made a grand gesture with his hands, grinning. "Just please. Wash your gosh darned shoes."

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