Chapter One

Run, her heart said. Don't let them catch you. Nellie Lovett's side ached with a stitch that had been there for blocks. She wanted to stop, she needed to sit and breathe, but she couldn't. Sweeney was already strides ahead of her. Mrs. Lovett was lucky he hadn't just let her fall behind. Oh, but if he knew what you've done…

The not-quite deceased Judge Turpin began writhing and reaching out to Mrs. Lovett. With a jolt, she let a bloody scream escape her lips. First one, then another, and soon enough, Sweeney was there. He inquired, but she almost ignored that as she tried to hide the body of Lucy Barker from her former husband. Distract him, she thought. Make him look away. "It was nothing," she spat out in desperation. "Just…just the Judge. Ain't quite dead yet." Indeed, gurgles rose in the half-dead man's throat. "Can ye…can ye finish him off? Please?" She locked eyes with him. Her gaze was so strong that he didn't look down.

"With pleasure."

Not much time. Mrs. Lovett drug the body into the oven, Sweeney thankfully a bit preoccupied. I'm sorry, she thought. It wasn't anyone's fault but the Judge's. You've got your revenge now, Lucy.

"Rest now, my friend. Rest now forever. Sleep now the untroubled sleep of the angels." Nellie turned away from the oven and saw that Sweeney was now standing facing the body and breathing heavily. He was undoubtedly covered in blood. How poetic. Then they heard footsteps.

Both the barber and the baker's ears pricked as they heard many footfalls coming down the basement stairs. In a panic, Mrs. Lovett rushed to Sweeney's side and looked earnestly into his flaming eyes. "Quick," she said, her voice a bit higher than usual. "We've got to get them into the oven before…" A small voice interrupted her.

"Before we get here?" Standing before Sweeney Todd and his love struck accomplicewas a group of five policemen, headed by a small, dirty boy of twelve. The boy pointed at Sweeney. "The barber, there. He kills people." He swallowed and swung his arm towards the woman he had seen as a mother. "And her. She puts 'em…she puts 'em in her bloody pies!" Tears were obviously being restrained as he screamed, "I trusted you! And you lied to me! You said it was a family secret!"

"No, no, not lied at all. No I never lied, said it was a secret, I did, never made people die. Poor thing, I did put them into pies and sold them. All the people loved them, and Toby, you did. Prob'ly should've told you, but thought better of it instead, poor thing. Better you should think they weren't men. Yes, I lied, 'cause I love you. And I helped him 'cause I love him. Could anyone have cared for you like me? Toby, darlin', please say that you'll forgive me!"



"No." Toby turned his head as the policemen advanced towards the two with billy clubs in hand. Always quick on his feet, Sweeney whipped out his razor and began swinging away. Mrs. Lovett stayed behind him and Toby cowered in a corner opposite from the Beadle and the Judge. Soon enough, there were five fresh bodies on the ground, and the three living people were covered in blood.

"Come." Sweeney marched toward the stairs.

Mrs. Lovett gathered her skirts and followed after him, pleading with Toby. "I'm sorry, Toby. I'm sorry for everything! Maybe one day you'll be able to forgive me!" The last thing she heard as she left the basement was the series of no's Toby was shouting at her. Ignoring these, she followed Mr. Todd up the stairs that led outside. They stopped at the top of the stairwell and spotted the officers stationed a few yards away, but it was too late. They had been seen first.

"There! Get the murderers!" And the barber took off at a dead sprint. Nellie ran after him, barely keeping up. The police weren't far behind; she could hear the screeching whistles and the heavy boots. Mrs. Lovett finally got to a point where she couldn't feel anything. She could barely see the buildings passing by, and when the rain came, she didn't notice that either. Finally, thunder jolted her awake. They had been running for several blocks and they were still being chased.

Run. Don't let them catch you. She looked from the ground to the man running slightly ahead of her. It was a miracle that he hadn't left her behind; left her for dead. Oh, but if he knew what you've done, you would be dead on the floor of that basement right now, or perhaps in the oven. Suddenly, the two took a few unexpected turns. They were getting desperate now; the policemen were right on their tail. The alley they were in now was dark, and the end wasn't in sight. Oh, please don't let it be…a dead end. Sweeney saw it, as well, and he tried to turn. It was too late. Just as his hand was beginning to reach for his blade, a young officer ran at him with his billy club and clobbered him over the head. "Mr. T!" she gasped as she saw him crumple to the cobblestones. Mrs. Lovett rushed to his side just in time to prevent his head from hitting the ground. She checked his heartbeat, and he was still alive. She looked up at the officer in disgust.

"Ah," he said. "So you're the ones who slaughtered a quarter of Division 8." He looked down at the unconscious Sweeney with a grimace and spat on him. "Murderous scum." And that was it. That was what finally got to Mrs. Lovett.

She rose quickly and stared at the man. "Don't…you…dare say that about him!" The officer gave her a smirk, and in reply, Nellie swung her fist at his nose. The six men behind him chuckled lightly.

"You're a feisty one, aren't you?" He took a step towards her, and she crouched back down, her dress covering Sweeney's belt. Mrs. Lovett took his razor and hid it in her skirts. "Get up," he growled. She did so slowly, and he grabbed her by the back of the neck, placing his mouth next to her ear. "You know," he whispered, "I could keep you from jail…for a price." Shocked and disgusted, Nellie felt his rather pudgy hand on her waist, and it was time.



The razor came from behind her back and stabbed the man's left wrist. He let out a string of curses, but he was focused enough to notice that it was his right hand that wielded the billy club. "I'll take that as a no." He hit Mrs. Lovett over the head, and she landed next to the fallen barber.

Author's Note: This is going to be a short one, like the description says. It started out just to be something to fufill my Beta Reader requirements, but I'm starting to like it. It should be done by 28 July. Thanks for taking the time and reading and reviewing! (I love reviews. They're my favorite things to read.)

Edit: Thanks so much for all of your reviews and favorites!! I can't believe people are actually reading what I write and liking it. I am almost done with Part Two, and I'll try my hardest to have it up by tomorrow night. (That is the 25the of July.) I really enjoy doing this, and it will be done WAY before Secrets Can Be Broken. (That's going to be a long one.)