08/02/08
4:30-5:30 pm
Escape
When Anthony opened the door to the barber shop, he found Johanna in the chair, trembling with fear. When she let out the breath she had been holding, a tear slid down her cheek and her breathing was fast. Something horrible had happened. "Johanna!" She just stared at him, sadness mixed with fear in her eyes. "What happened?"
The girl could barely speak. "He meant to kill me!"
"Who?" This was obviously news to Anthony.
"Mr. Todd. He was covered in blood. He killed Judge Turpin while I was hiding out in the trunk. I - I thought it was safe to come out..." Tears were streaming down her face.
Anthony couldn't take it. "I'm so sorry." He gently pulled Johanna from her seat into his firm embrace. "I promise you, everything will be better in America. The ship leaves at dawn."
Johanna, who had calmed sufficiently, pulled back suddenly. "Did you know?"
"Know what?"
"That Mr. Todd is a madman? That he meant to kill me?" Her eyes glistened with tears.
"I swear on my life, I did not know. If I did, I would never have left you here alone."
"Thank you," she sighed.
"Come on, now; our coach awaits us." So they left.
After a few short hours of sleep on board the ship, Anthony awoke to find Johanna still in his arms. She woke as he slipped out of bed, and followed him to the top deck. Already London was awake, the ship's crew making their final preparations. Over the cry of these men rose that of a young newsboy: "Extra! Extra! Demon Barber found dead among his own victims! Fear no more!" Johanna smiled at Anthony, who smiled back, as the ship took off towards the ever-brightening Western horizon.
FIN