Wonka's Wars (Book 2 of Oompa Loompa Takeover)

Chapter 13

The stairs finally ended beneath May's feet and she heard the creak of a metal hinge. The air around her felt cool and damp on her exposed forearms. She was pushed forward for only fifteen more feet and then she heard the clank of someone's cuffs falling from their wrists.

Whoosh. The bag was pulled from her head. Wonka was pulling the bags from everyone's heads while Little Dude was using a key they had given him to unlock everyone's cuffs around their legs and arms. They were all in a large barred cell with a high ceiling, where two lights glowed. The bars were tight together, leaving little area to see through, except for where the barred door was. There she could see Miles and his gang of Oompa Loompas standing there watching them. In the dungeon lights, two dark circles were now visible around each of Miles's eyes. He hadn't said a word since his outburst earlier and now just looked drained and cold.

Suddenly an Oompa Loompa appeared and joined his pack. Miles looked down at him.

"You brought everything I asked for?"

The soldier nodded.

Miles pulled a key off the golden chain that went across his vest. He unlocked the cell door and had the Oompa Loompa set the pile of things he had been holding to the floor. Then Miles relocked the door. "It would be a shame if you all died in the night." Miles said, his voice emotionless. "Then there'd be no one for us to torture and execute."

Frowning, Wesley went to the bundle and pulled it apart. It was filled with bandages and medical supplies. Wesley looked up at Miles, looking confused. May didn't get it either. Was this Gloobenstomper telling him to do this, or was it Miles...feeling bad for them?

Still mulling it over, May went to help Wesley get the stuff sorted. As she walked over, she noticed that Miles's gaze was on Gerald, who had sat down on one of the bunks, looking pale and unwell as Sadessa looked after him.

"Hey, you." Miles said to May as he pulled a slim metal container from his pant pocket and opened it. He pulled out something small from it and pushed his fingers through the bars. "Take this and give it to him." He said, motioning towards Gerald.

May took it. It was a small red pill looking thing. "What is this?"

"Just give it to him. It'll help him rebound from all the blood loss." Then he doffed his hat to them and started to walk off. "See you all in the morning."

"Wait!" Wonka said.

Miles paused. He looked back over his shoulder. "Yes?"

Wonka's face was morose as he stood tall in the middle of the cell, his eyes locked on Miles. "Miles...I've made so many mistakes in my life. I've done terrible things. Things I will never be able to forgive myself for." Wonka sighed. "It's a terrible curse that I don't want you to bear. So I'm begging you not to do this. It will haunt you for the rest of your life. Please, just think about it...Think about who you are. Is this really what you want to do? Is this right?" Wonka pointed to his comrades around him. "We still believe in you. We haven't given up hope. If you let us out right now..." Wonka approached the bars and placed his hands against them. "...if you fight with us, we'll welcome you back with open arms. We are your friends...no matter what they tell you, or what those fake memories in your head show you. Make the right choice...please."

There was a long moment of silence. Then Miles looked away. "Goodnight Mr. Turner." Was all he said before he hopped up the steps and left them.

"Well at least you tried, Wonka." Sadessa said, gazing at the stairway Miles had disappeared on.

"Even though it was freakin' useless." Wesley said as he unrolled some gauze. "Hey, how the hell am I supposed to cut this?"

"He's not...completely lost." Yeltsin said, looking up at Wonka.