Broken Thorns

Gosh, I haven't written for ages. Unfortunately my internet crapped out on me, and my Laptop was being incredibly stubborn for 4 weeks. Believe me, I came close to fixing it with a jack hammer. __

I hope you like this chapter, it isn't one of my favourite chapters, I'm more looking forward to writing the next chapter to be honest.

The barber, baker and boy continued to hurry down the dark cobbled alleyway, Mr Todd at the lead while Mrs Lovett and Toby took quick strides to keep up with him. Mrs Lovett felt numb, it didn't seem real to her. It never once crossed her mind that there was a possibility they could be on the run like this, never crossed her mind that she would have to leave her pie shop behind. This was like a dream...No...Not a dream. A nightmare.

She stared at the back of the barber as they continued in haste, only wishing that he was just a little bit affectionate. That he would hold her in his arms and tell her everything would be alright. But why would he? She wasn't his precious Lucy, he didn't feel protective over her.

They eventually reached the other end of the long alley, which led into the next main street. Sweeney instantly stopped, not daring to step out of the shadows as his black eyes scanned the new cobbled road. Nellie and Toby stopped right behind him, also glancing around.

"Are we gunna be able ter get a carriage in sucha busy street?" Mrs Lovett asked Sweeney, her eyes widening at the amount of people wondering up and down. Though there were plenty of horse driven carriages, their escape looked bleak.

"We don't 'ave a choice" Sweeney replied, as he reached a hand to his halter and pulled out the deadly, but beautiful, silver blade.

Nellie's eyes widened even more as she realised his intentions "No! Yer can't use tha'! We'll be caught righ' away!"

Sweeney completely ignored Nellie's plea, his silver friend grasped at the ready within his hand, he made to step out onto the street.

But Mrs Lovett was having none of it. She couldn't allow him to brandish the weapon and kill someone in full view of the public. She lunged forwards, and without even thinking, wrapped her arms from behind the barber, around to his chest until her hands met and locked into place.

Sweeney stumbled backwards slightly and tensed from the contact, but quickly tried to shrug her off, baring his teeth in anger and determination. This only caused Nellie to hold onto him tighter, her cheek pressed up against the top of his shoulder blade. She knew he was far stronger than her, but she had to hold on.

Toby stepped away, pressing his back up against the wall as he watched the two struggle in silence.

Nellie screwed her eyes shut tight as she felt a sharp pain to her ribs when Sweeney's elbow made contact, but still she clung on, even tighter than before.

"Damnit woman!" Sweeney growled in a deadly tone as he struggled with the determined baker.

"Mr T! Y-yer can't go doin' tha'! You'll be caught an taken away! Please Mr T! Please!" Tears began seeping out of her closed lids as she felt his hand try to prise her locked hands apart.

There was a sound of a clear cut snap, causing Mrs Lovett to sob harder in fear as she recognized what the cause of the sound was. His silver friend opened in his frustration from the clinging Mrs Lovett. "No, Mr T! Not that! Please!! I-I can't l-let you go out there like tha'! I-I..."

But Mrs Lovett cut short as she felt the barber within her arms pause, his whole body unmoving. "...Toby...!" He growled out, seemingly distracted.

Mrs Lovett's eyes instantly snapped open and peered over Sweeney's shoulder in curiosity. Toby had left the alleyway and was running across the busy open street.

Nellie let out a shocked gasp, allowing her arms to unlock and drop from Sweeney, taking a couple of steps towards the opening of the street, only to have Sweeney's arm thrown out to prevent her from making a step further. "Toby, get back 'ere!" She hissed out.

But it was no use; Toby was out of ear shot, disappearing into the babbling crowd.

Mrs Lovett stood in shock, her eyes wildly searching the crowd for a small boy; Had he done a runner and gone to the police in fear of the deadly couple? Even if that was the case, she couldn't leave the boy on his own, she /wouldn't/ leave him.

Mr Todd allowed his arm to drop back at his side once convinced Nellie wasn't going to make a dramatic scene amongst the crowd in search of Toby, his own eyes were scanning the area, his lips curling into a thin pink line. Such an action from the fragile boy was slowing them down, and Nellie knew if Toby didn't come back very soon Mr Todd would leave him, causing Nellie to make the hardest choice ever; Would she wait for Toby or leave with Mr Todd?

But just as quickly as he had disappeared, Toby was suddenly back in sight, though he was not on foot, guiding two pure black horses in the direction of Mrs Lovett and Mr Todd with the reins, as he sat perched upon the mahogany carriage.

"Get in!" He called to them as he pulled on the reins, causing the horses to prance a bit on the spot, knowing that they had a new owner controlling them now, but still obeying as they came to a halt. Toby threw Sweeney a dark look; it was fairly obvious Toby was angry that he had even considered using his razors to force Nellie off him, and Mr Todd returned a far more darker look then any man could muster, causing anyone to worry and wonder what sadistic thoughts this man could possibly be thinking.

Mrs Lovett hadn't noticed the dark exchanges, already clambering into the carriage, thankful that it was roofed making it far more difficult for those outside to see its occupants.

Mr Todd was the one who broke the gaze, much to his dismay, he climbed in after the baker scowling in annoyance, slamming the carriage door shut behind him and placing himself in the seat opposite Mrs Lovett.

They both drew the carriage scarlet curtains shut, casting them into a dark red glow. The carriage jolted and the sound of hooves could be heard, though even without the sound, the bumping of their transport made it clear that they were moving.

Sweeney was constantly pulling back the curtain slightly to peer outside, while Mrs Lovett kept her arms hugged tightly to her stomach. The butterflies were making her feel sick and dizzy, and her breathing was still erratic as she gazed into thin air, her bottom lip trembling.

Mr Todd dropped the curtain for the 15th time and gave the baker a half glance to check on her progress. She was still hyperventilating? Sweeney frowned and leaned casually back into the velvet seats, which were as scarlet as the curtains.

"Pace yerself Mrs Lovett" The barber spoke to her sternly as he closed his eyes. "We 'ave far to go yet."

It was enough to cause Nellie to blink her way out of a daze, but not enough to slow her breathing. She turned her head to Mr Todd, worried frown lines etched upon her forehead. Her eyes studied the barber, his face, his clothes, the way he was positioned. She was free to do so, since his eyes were closed making him oblivious to her scanning.

Being able to look at Mr Todd this way did enable her to calm just slightly, at least he was still here with her and Toby. He could have easily left them behind and saved himself, yet he stayed with them. Such a thought allowed Nellie's breathing to slow and her arms relax upon her stomach.

"...Mr T?"

"....What?"

"Where exactly are we going?"

Mr Todd slowly opened his eyes, tilting his head as he thought about this, before deciding it wasn't even important to him. "I don't care. Anywhere will be better than London."

"Well..." Mrs Lovett cleared her throat, slightly nervous about what she was going to ask. "...'ow about...we go to the sea?"

Mr Todd's eyebrows knitted together, that woman would never stop going on about that bloody seaside. He turned back to the curtain in silence, and pulled it open just slightly.

Mrs Lovett looked disappointed by his silence, and lowered her head as her hands grasped hold of the edge of the velvet seat tightly.

"We'll think about it...Mrs Lovett" Sweeney finally answered, as he saw they were now trundling over the London Bridge, on their bid for freedom.

A small smile finally twitched the edges of the baker's mouth as a wash of excitement filled her. At least he was thinking about it.

Little did the poor defenceless Nellie know, that Mr Todd was concocting a plan of his own.

I want to thank you all for the reviews, I absolutely love them all and they encourage me to write more. Always let me know if there is something you don't particularly like, as it will help me improve. ;)

Keep the reviews coming *cheesy grin* ^__________^