Chapter Text
The mysterious candy factory still ran. People ceased to be seen coming in and out of it. The factory owner, that magical wizard William Wonka, had gone missing along with his many employees. The only survivor, the last one to leave the factory, was you.
You left the factory that day and had later been questioned by the police. They suspected you to be the cause, or in the very least, you had to have known what happened that night.
You were unsure what should be said, what should be given to the public. You explained that you only gave the candy creatures the access to healthy sugar, and nothing more. You saw no bodies, no blood, barely heard a scream. You knew what had happened. You had asked Sun and Moon what had happened. They were upfront and honest, you could tell. Coming from you however, was just hearsay.
The cops asked if you could lure the candy creatures out for questioning. You explained the creatures feared the outside because of the outdoor elements that could hurt them.
They asked if the building’s owner were still alive.
“Who could say.” You shrugged.
“Who will pay taxes on the building and land?”
“I can teach them to do so.” You explained. They had plans to live there, to sell their shedding’s, to be peaceful within their walls.
“The family’s of those missing may want justice.”
The conversation had ended, but you knew it wouldn’t be the end. With any luck, the city would let the creature alone, letting them dictate themselves like Disneyworld and the other exceptions.
You were the only human allowed in, your password being the loving nickname given to you by Sun, inspired by the shape of your glasses. As the years passed, you brought them saplings for fruit trees, help them make covered ground for it, and brought them bees as well. Their garden grew gloriously, making them more self-sufficient. Solar panels on the roof and other sources of power were constructed.
You were often accosted by reporters, begging for pictures inside, the real story behind the disappearances and what has become of the creatures that still live inside. They also asked secrets you couldn’t possibly have the answers to, questions of how the creatures came to be, what gave them life, and can they reproduce. As an investigator yourself you knew how to give unsatisfying answers that made the reporters grumble away, never to return. There was always one who came back.
You never caught her name, she always spoke quickly and was short on her own answers to you.
“Are you sure you haven’t seen any bodies of the missing people? Could they be living somewhere inside with the creatures, being held hostage?” She asked you in her usual urgent tone.
“I can assure you that is not the case.” You said swiftly, huffing along as you drag your groceries home. She always seemed to catch you with your hands full.
“What of the factory owner? No sign of him either?” She asked.
“Nope.” You said plainly, huffing as you tried to walk faster.
“They say William kept his records in his office, any chance you could bring them out?” She asked.
“Never seen his office really, no clue where it is and I have no interest in looking.” You stated.
“You’ve never checked the end of the hall behind the Taffy creature’s room?”
You stopped dead in your tracks and slowly turned to look at her.
“I have my sources.” She said simply.
At that, you rushed away from her and made it inside your apartment. She could have been talking nonsense. After all, the taffy creatures, puppet, marionette, and nightmarionne, weren’t the friendliest. Well, puppet was, and marionette seemed to have a soft spot for you for some reason.
Nightmarrione however…well, lets just say there were many incidents with them before you came along. Long before, what is now called the “Autumn night”. Autumn meaning end of harvest, it was all too fitting as now the candy creatures no longer have to suffer being carved up every night, or any night ever again.
Pondering the possibilities of nightmarrionne having more secrets, you decided it was at least worth an ask. You haven’t asked about William Wonka ever, so you hope they would be gracious in their answers.
The next day you made your usual trip to the factory. Some people stand by the gate, hoping you’d let them join you, but none were here today. Not entirely odd, but very welcome. You came to the door and typed in the password “Cry baby”. The moment the door opened however, something bumped the back of your head.
