A/N: I'd like to thank you all for being so patient with me. I know I haven't updated in some time but know I will be now. Not everyday or anything but enough to satisfy your cravings ;) I would like to point out that this chapter is not all that long but only because its been a busy week and I'd like to give you all something, since you haven't had anything in a long while. So without further ado, enjoy and please be sure to review!(a Wonka cookie and a sneak at the picture I have of him licking chocolate off his finger to all who review…. the picture is in my head but I'll still share lmao.)
Disclaimer: I own nothing except Aspen and her family.
The Search
Dawn climbed into the night sky turning blackness into beautiful shades of blues, oranges and pinks. Inside Willy Wonka's factory, the inhabitants still slept peacefully.
The sunlight shone brightly into a particularly large bedroom. Darkness slowly crept away and revealed Aspen snoring lightly beneath the covers. It wasn't long until the sun began shinning brightly on her face causing the young woman to toss and turn from the uncomfortable warmth. Aspen's eyes shot open only for them to slam shut again due to the blinding light invading her vision.
"Stupid sun." she muttered moving to get up only to have pain shoot up her side. She then remembered the night before and decided it best to lie back down. No harm had really been done to her but Aspen was still sore from the cold her body had been overcome with and her head still had a slight ache. She knew better than to push her body when it was in need of rest.
Aspen sighed and began humming a non-familiar tune. Her thoughts quickly turned to the night before and she began to laugh. She had pulled a quick one on Mr.Wonka and really didn't mean to upset him. She hoped she hadn't done just that. Aspen was really only trying to shut him up or in the least tease him. She feared she might have angered him with her abruptness but decided to wait and see what his reaction would be next time they met.
Aspen played with her nightgown in wonderment. She hadn't remembered changing, nor did she remember being changed. Strange…
Just then a light tap sounded at the bedroom door and a small person, an Oompa Loompa, entered with a tray of fruits, toast and juice. She smiled and stiffly pulled herself into a seated position then said her thanks. The tiny man only smiled back then made way to leave.
"Wait!" she called sending the Oompa Loompa into frenzy. "I'm sorry but could you tell me the time?" The small man nodded and scurried away, a few moments later he re-appeared with a clock and handed it to her. It was small and round, made of silver plastic.
"7:30 am. god, it's so damn early.", the Oompa Loompa considered her response then giggled. Aspen regarded the tiny being strangely and set the clock on the bedside table.
"Will Mr.Wonka be stopping by today? I'd like to see him." She didn't know why she had asked that but it was too late to take back now. The Oompa Loompa gave her a cheeky smile and nodded. Just as quickly as he had come, the Oompa Loompa left, leaving Aspen slightly confused but content as she had some food to settle her grumbling stomach.
It was well past noon when Aspen finally decided it was time for her to get out of bed. True her body was still recovering but should she have to stay in that bed one minute longer, Aspen was sure she would go crazy.
She took her time in showering, thank the heavens there was a small bathroom adjoined to her room; it was painted in maroons and golds making it cozy and warm. Once she finished she made her way back into her room in search of clothes to wear. It was then she noticed her long purple skirt and white tank top, cleaned and folded neatly on a dresser. Aspen surveyed herself in the small mirror behind the door of her room.
"Same old average me. I wish I looked like Mellie…Mellie!" She hadn't even thought about Mellie! What about her family? Would they have noticed her missing by now?
Aspen decided she had to find her way back home, if it were possible. Mr.Wonka had insisted she stayed, even refused her to leave but she couldn't stay knowing her family and friends were probably sick with worry.
Aspen decided to make her way to the room from whence she came and quickly exited the bedroom. Tears flowed freely down her face as she thought about the pain everyone was going through because of her and over her own stupidity. She ran down the hallway, cringing every so often at the stiffness in her bones and fighting the overwhelming fatigue overcoming her mind. Her face grew pale as she pushed her body beyond its present limits.
Aspen began to walk slowly, weak with fatigue and pain. It wasn't but a few minutes later when she finally found the glass elevator. Aspen started as the door opened with a 'ding' and she walked in cautiously. What was the matter with her? She had been close to death last night yes, but she wasn't hurt nor was she sick. Rolling her eyes, Aspen looked at the large array of buttons on the elevator's clear wall.
"Candy Room, Factory Offices, Oompa Loompa Quarters…Ah ha! I'm sure it was the Inventing Room. It had to be? It sure looked like one." Aspen pushed the button and screamed as she was flung against the hard surface of the elevator. It whizzed past and through many rooms and Aspen began to get dizzy as colours and machines quickly flew past her. She decided it best to sit down until the insane contraption came to a halt.
When it finally did, Aspen was sure she would never get into that elevator ever again. She scrambled out of it and into the Inventing room. It was very cold and she knew immediately she had chosen the right room.
Aspen glanced around for the staircase but saw none so decided to wander around the large room in hopes of finding it. She quietly crept around, every so often staring at strange things being made. Aspen sighed in frustration and decided to head back to her room, planning on waiting for Mr.Wonka or someone else who knew where she could find it. She didn't even know if this staircase was the key to getting back, but she had to try.
She tiptoed towards the door, hoping not to be seen and sighed in relief when her hand wrapped around the large metal handle.
"Just what are you doing here in my inventing room! I knew you were a spy! I knew it! You've come to steal my candy recipes! I knew Charlie was wrong and…"
Aspen whipped around to face Mr.Wonka halfway through his babbling, she was surprised and hurt by his accusations but as he went on she became more and more angry and more and more tired and dizzy. Finally she had enough and decided to stop him, she was not interested in listening to his stupidity.
"Enough already! For goodness sake! I wasn't stealing anything, I swear to you. I was merely trying to get back home. I don't want to be here anymore" That last part being said in nothing but a whisper.
Mr.Wonka made way to speak but then stopped; he did it again, this time holding up his purple gloves index finger but stopped again. "Are you well girl? You don't look very well. I thought I told you to stay in bed or your room, perhaps not. Well I've just said it so I think you should be back in bed now."
Aspen made no room to fight with him; she was feeling rather ill now that she thought of it. Mr.Wonka eyed her suspiciously but called over some Oompa Loompas to bring Aspen back to her room.
As they led her away Aspen turned her head to look back at Wonka, who was staring at her intently. As soon as he noticed her gaze he scowled and stalked off in the opposite direction.
"We will discuss this again later when you are no longer ill! I better not find you snooping around in here again or I shall not be so lenient next time!" he called to her as he disappeared behind some large machine. Aspen sighed; home would just have to wait until she was well enough to find it. Until then, she was stuck in this place with that jerk.
A/N Review!