Chapter 2
The moment I got home from the police station, I placed the diary and envelope on my nightstand. The diary seemed to stare back at me, compelling me to read it. It was as if the thing had me under an awful spell. I couldn't escape its pull no matter how hard I tried. So I snatched it from my nightstand and curled up in a nearby chair.
At first I studied the diary closely, running my hands across the front cover. I flipped the diary open to the first page. To my surprise his writing was actually quite beautiful. Every word was written so clearly in black ink as if it were carefully crafted letter by letter. It was then that I came to an awful realization.
"You wanted someone to read this, didn't you?" I asked, "That's why you made sure the writing was legible."
I began to read the first entry. Sweeney Todd, like any other normal human being, had a wife and a daughter. It was almost as if he were just like any other man. He wrote of how badly he wished to return to London just to see the both of them again. However, apparently that horrid judge had hurt him and his family.
Year after year, I'd wait and wait just to see my beloved wife and child again. It's ironic how cruel life can be at times. I wanted so badly just to see my precious Lucy again, to touch her soft skin and declare my love for her once more. That Judge, how could anyone just watch a that man destroy Lucy before their very eyes? And they even had the audacity to laugh at her!
I couldn't believe what I was reading. I actually began to feel sympathy for Sweeney Todd, a murdering madman. It seemed as if the whole world was constantly trying to ensure his unhappiness, and because of this he resented everyone in the entire world except his daughter and perhaps Mrs. Lovett as well.
Before I could read any further, I heard a knock on the door. "Come in Anthony."
Anthony smiled as he entered. Regardless of what I had just read, I couldn't help but smile back at the man that would be my husband. To me, Anthony was my one source of strength. Even in my worst moments, he made me feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
When Anthony finally noticed the diary, his smile faded instantly. "So you've decide to read it?"
"I don't see why not," I replied.
"Is there anything...uh, interesting in there?" he replied while his feet shifted uncomfortably.
"I still don't see how this has anything to do with me," I replied, "but he mentions you a couple of times."
"Did he?" Anthony asked nervously.
"He was very thankful that you saved him at sea," I replied.
"He seemed humble enough at the time," Anthony replied, "If I'd known—"
"You would still have saved him," I replied, "because you are a good man."
"You're right," he replied hastily with a forced smile, "I probably would have saved him regardless."
"Look here," I said, "I think there's something about you."
I skimmed through the entry quickly. In this entry, he described that he was so close to taking Judge Turpin's life. Then my eyes widened with shock as I read on: If it weren't for that damned sailor, I would have had my revenge! That boy, he thinks he can take the one thing I have left, my daughter. I've already lost my precious Lucy, but I will not allow him to take Johanna from me. Mark my words, Anthony Hope, you're petty love will be your end!
The diary slipped from my hands and fell to the floor. I could hear Anthony, but I didn't register what he was asking me. I tried to rationalize the diary entry, trying to discredit it somehow. There was no way this was some mind game though. Why would a man lie in his own diary after all?
"Johanna!" I heard Anthony cry, "What's wrong?"
"Sweeney Todd," I said as tears rushed down my cheeks, "is my father."
To Be Continued
