Linda Nelson: The Girl History Forgot

Chapter 1

Another Night Alone

I sat there half a sleep exhausted from all the work I had to do. Since Benjamin was gone I had to take care of the barber shop, and the house because Lucy was always taking care of Johanna. I was so tired. Lucy looked out the window crying as usual then walked over to Johanna who was complaining. Again. Ugh I was always stuck with the night shift while Lucy cried herself to sleep. When out of no where a knock came from the door. I got up and yawned then walked down the stairs to the door. To my surprise it was Beadle Bamford. " Oh good 'ay Mr. Bamford" I said trying to fake a smile through my exhaustion. "Good day to you, may I speak with Mrs. Lucy Barker?" he said trying to look into the house. Oh lord what could he want. "Oh of course Mr. Bamford. Won't cha please come in?" "Why, thank you." he said stepping in. "Now just one moment while I goes and gets Lucy." I said leaving him in the front room. I walked up stairs told Lucy that the Beadle was down stairs and I would take care of Johanna. I took Johanna from Lucy's arms. And she walked down the stairs. I closed the door behind her so they wouldn't hear Johanna if she decided to make a fuss. A few minutes later I put Johanna back in her crib after she fell to sleep in my arms. I decided to look out the window and after a few moments I saw Lucy and Beadle Bamford walk away. "Now where's she goin' ?" I whispered to myself. One minute crying the next going off with Bamford. Always abandoning me with the baby when I'm at my most tired state. I sat down on the floor and rested my head on a big steamer trunk and slowly fell to sleep. The next morning I woke up to find Johanna crying. I calmed her down and walked down stairs with her. There wasn't a soul in sight. I went back up and calmed down Johanna. After a while Lucy finally came back really sick for some reason. So now I had to take care of Lucy, Johanna, and myself. A few weeks went by I was about ready to crack when I just started passing back and forth in Johanna's room while she was napping. I was so tired but strangely awake. When I heard some one come up the stairs from outside. I walked over to a table that had a letter opener on it, I picked it up starting to think it could be robbers. But I continued passing anyway. The door opened and none other than 'The Great' Judge Turpin. I glanced up from my dark little world I was living in. But kept passing trying to hide my anger and look completely normal. "Hello Mr. Turpin what brings you hear?" I said putting the letter opener down. " Ms. Nelson, you are here by restricted from this premises and it's occupants." he said in his regular stern voice. " Excuse me? I 'ave to take care of Johanna until Lucy gets better. I am not leavin' 'ere." "You are restricted from the premise-"

"Like I said I'm not leavin' 'ere!" He looked to his side and then Beadle Bamford came in. I shivered inside what would they do to me? I thought. " I'm not leavin" I said again and with that I took a step forward but before I could blink the Beadle grabbed my arm and had flung me against the wall. At this point I was terrified. I watched in horror as Judge Turpin ,who I knew sent Benjamin away because of his own greed, walked over and picked up Johanna. "Don't you dare touch 'er!!" I somewhat yelled pulling away from the Beadle's grasp trying to run over to stop Turpin but Beadle Bamford wouldn't let go and pulled me almost into him he turned me around and held my arms behind my back. "It seems your mind isn't in it's proper state." Turpin said turning to me obviously loving that he was practically torturing me. "Maybe I should knock her mind back into it's proper state my lord?" Beadle Bamford asked. Lord he was such a kiss up.

"No I think we should leave her to professionals…" I didn't understand what he was talking about but I was pushed out the door. I was pushed down the stairs and over to a stage couch. I turned around and saw him coming down still with Johanna in his arms. " YOU'RE A DEVIL!!! YOU DESTROYED TWO PEOPLE'S LIVES ALREADY! NOW YOUR GOING TO DESTROY TWO MORE!!! I HOPE YOUR HAPPY!!!!" I screamed but I was thrown into the stage couch and later dropped off at an insane asylum. After 14 years of torture there and of almost going insane I escaped! I was so relieved! I stayed hidden in the shadows and managed to make a friend.

Her name was Mrs. Lovett. I would help her get meat for her pies and she in return would give me some money. A year passed and I was now 25 years old I got up and went to Mrs. Lovett's store feeling like something important would happen that day.