Hello! This is a story about the aftermath of the movie Sweeney Todd. It happens right after the end of the movie, so I would suggest that you should watch that before reading. This does not, unfortunately, follow the String of Pearls - Penny Dreadful featuring Sweeney Todd or the stage production, but I do hope to read the former and see the latter, if it comes back. I would probably buy my way to the States, or even Europe, to see that.

A torrential downpour burst from the sky as Toby emerged from the cellar. He stalked up the stairs and into Mrs. Lovett's house, where he collapsed on the well upholstered fainting couch. He broke out into small, devastated sobs as he dropped the bloody razor. I… didn't…did… harm, Toby's mind whirred, only spurting out a few comprehensible words here and there. They were all part of the same, however.

I didn't keep my promise. Something did harm her…

"Johanna!"

Antony burst into the dark room, drenched. He heard and faint noise from bellow, but ignored it. His eyes fell upon the lovely Johanna, barely visible yet still lovely, huddled under the vanity. Her eyes were red and watery, and she was holding on to some peculiar item. Antony gathered himself and walked slowly over to Johanna.

"Johanna…" he said, as he bent down so he could see under the vanity. Johanna's eyes shot open then relaxed in a second, and her grip on the intricately decorated wooden box tightened. "Are you okay?"

All he got was a choked sob as Johanna's head fell to her chest.

"Johanna!" the words echoed through the room as he swept the trembling girl into his arms. Thunder erupted outside and lightning illuminated the oddly shaped room. Antony took in the scene, and felt his throat tighten. Blood… everywhere. On the chair, on the window, on the floor. He could even see dried blood on the wooden chest across from him. He held Johanna tighter and began to rock slightly. He put his head in the crook of Johanna's neck and whispered to her.

"Nothing's gonna harm you. Never again…"

Toby's eyes were still red, and slightly watery, but he gathered up the strength to walk. He heard the door to the demon's lair slam above him, and his paranoia got the best of him. He picked the bloody razor off the ground, wiped the demon's blood on a piece of his clothing, and climbed the stairs up to the lair.

He peered through the window of the door, fully expecting to see the demon claiming yet another life, with a huge, maniacal grin on his face. Perhaps he was now going to kill the kid of that poor Benjamin Barker guy he had killed not more than a half hour ago. Benjamin Barker. He would remember forever the sound of the demon screaming the man's name.

He opened the door, and stepped into the room. He froze as he saw the two young adults huddled under the vanity. They froze as well, and stared wide eyed at the young boy with the razor that glinted in the little amount of light from the London streets. He was vaguely aware that he had the razor pointed out in front of him, and dropped his arm to his side. Toby's eyes caught a glimpse of the blood on the window as the lightning flashed.

Benjamin Barker.

"Who… who are you?"

Toby's eyes shot towards the voice. It was the girl. She was looking at him, with eyes so much like his. Full, beautiful, sad eyes. She had yellow hair. He remembered the demon talking about yellow hair once. The thought of the demon pierced through him again, and his look turned into a glare as all he could see was the demon. In her face. She looked so much like him, and as much as he wanted to hate her for it, she didn't have his evil. Or, he corrected himself, maybe I just can't see it.

It was the now the other boy's time to talk. He looked at Toby, holding the razor with a smeared streak of blood on it at his side, and got up from under the vanity. The girl clung to him frantically, and the boy wrapped his arms around her, protectively. As if to say if you take a step towards her, you'll regret having brought that razor up here. Toby looked at the young man, and saw nothing of the demon. Only a man completely infatuated with this girl.

"What is your name, boy?" Antony spat out, no fear left in him. Only determination.

Toby continued to look into the young man's eyes. His mind stopped reeling.

"Benjamin Barker."

At this point, I don't know if I'll continue. I may if people want me to. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the story though, and even critique (even though I don't consider myself a writer).