A/N: My new story! May suck, but whatever... R&R! I dOn'T oWn AnYtHiNg!

:Prologue:
If the world was perfect, none of this shit would've happened. Ben-- er, Sweeney, would've have never gone to jail, Lucy would be alive, Johanna would be a normal teen, and I? I would be just there. Living with the flow of life, making pies and collecting rent money. Who knows; the Barkers would probably be rich. But the world isn't perfect. Never was and never will be. And that is why I am here. To finally mean something to someone. To finally be useful.

:Grey Sunset:
The dismal day ended with a grey sunset. Mrs. Lovett cleared the shop with little stress, as Sweeney had no customers. Therefore, she had no pies. Toby dozed off in the parlor, his small body breathing small, slow gasps of air. Sweeney too took this time for some relaxation and sat in a dusty booth, watching the seemingly tired baker wash the last dish.

"Thats all. No mo' chores to do today. Such a great relief, as I 'ad no sleep the last few days. 'ways cleaning, I am. Never knew my pie shop would be so successful." she told Sweeney as she took a seat parallel to him. He grunted in reply, his eyes fixed on the empty gin bottle in his pale hand.
"Watcha thinkin' 'bout, Mista T?" she asked.
"Lucy."
"Quite the dearie, she was. I remember when you two was married. The cutest couple, yes. I remember my father, 'That Lucy Pater and Benjamin Barker, unusual and unsuspected.' Why, they said-- never mind, now. Past is past."
"What did they say, Mrs. Lovett?" he asked, wondering.
"You don't remember? They always said those rumors whenever we went out to town. Anyway, go off to sleep. I'll just carry Toby to-- oh look! He's already in the parlor! Poor boy, he must've," she looked at Mr. Todd's shadow creeping up the stairs, feeling hurt that he didn't care to stay and listen. She shook her head and wiped the dust from her dress. Oh well, she thought, at least he got to rest; Lord knows how isomnia affects Sweeney.

Toby woke up. He rubbed his eyes, feeling the sleep crumble upon his hand. How did I..? Oh yeah, I went to sleep, he thought to himself. He felt guilty for dozing off to sleep, leaving his mum to feed the customers alone. Why, she must be dead tired.

Toby lighted a candle and made his way through the halls of the small house. He opened the door slightly, just enough to peek into his mum's room. There was Mrs. Lovett, stirring in her sleep. Worried, Toby rushed to her side, shaking her.
"Mum, mum wake up!"

It was a warm summer day in London, and Nellie Morgan was walking with Lucy Pater. They, along with their friends Ben Barker and Al Lovett, stopped by the dock to watch the waves crash against the shore.

Nellie and Ben jumped into the waves, the cool water splashing against their warm bodies. The tide was strong that day, perhaps the strongest and highest that summer. But of course, that didn't stop the two brave rebels from enjoying the sea.
"Nell, I think you should get out!" Al shouted.
"Nonsense, Al! Wots the fun of the sea if you won't take a risk?" Nellie laughed.
"Nell, Al is right, you guys should get out." Lucy said as more swimmers evacuated the risky waves.
"Luce, loosen up! Come on, we're just having-- oh my God, NELLIE!" Ben yelled out as a huge wave swallowed the slim teen. Lucy clutched Al's arm as they froze in fear and surprise. Ben dove under the folds of blue ocean, searching for a glimpse of the auburn-haired girl. In the corner of his eye, he saw the sinking figure of Nellie, her eyes closing...

He lunged for her, grasping her hand in his, swimming fast to the shore, where Lucy and Al clutched to each other with fear. Carrying her to the shore, Ben sprinted with ease to their picnic area. He set down the fragile body as Lucy sobbed out, "Nellie!" while hugging a stunned Albert Lovett. Not knowing what else to do, Ben sat Nellie up while forcefully patting her back. She choked up salt water as she sucked in gasps of air. Slipping into unconsciousness, she smiled.
"Don't you worry, guys. I'll be back. I'm just so tired..."

"Mum, please, stop screaming!" Toby begged.
"Ben!" the baker screamed. Sweating and sobbing, Nellie Lovett screamed for her Ben, while Toby tried to calm her down. "Please..." she whispered, hugging her adopted son. "...get Ben."

A/N: End of First chapter! R&R please! Reviews give me inspiration! Italics are flashbacks, if you haven't guessed.