AN: Normally, I update the fanfiction within one to three days, but this time, I took even a longer time. I have 2 very good reasons:
1) I had a business quiz yesterday
2) Shortly after finishing the quiz I had writer's block . Oo"
Chapter 7
Sunday…
I was sitting on my bed, thinking about what had happened the past two days. Did this really happen? I gazed at the cage where Butterscotch (my pet bunny) was scampering around, letting myself drift away with my thoughts.
Yesterday I was able eavesdrop on Ms Lovett and Sweeney while cleaning upstairs. I remember feeling sick and almost dropping the broomstick in shock when I heard the few words they mentioned.
Bodies… blood… evidence… Emma.
I looked at my watch and coughed slightly. 10:30 am just like last time.
Time to go.
I knocked on the door, waiting. To my surprise, it wasn't Todd who opened the door, but Ms Lovett.
"Come on dear," she impatiently said. "We've got lots of work to do."
"Where's-"
"He's upstairs, preparin' the barber shop." She pulled me in the house. "You go see 'im, he wants to talk to you. Then come back down 'ere; Mr. T's shop isn't the only one that's bout to reopen!"
I nodded solemnly. "Yes, Ms Lovett."
She looked in surprise at me. "Aww, come on, dear, cheer up! This is just business, an' he won't kill anyone who'll be missed!"
I really wanted to slap her hard in the face, shake her violently, anything to wake her up from that crazy dreamland she was in. Since when was killing people a good thing! But instead, I avoided her eyes, and went upstairs to Sweeney.
The door creaked loudly as I opened the door. Then my eyes fell on the chair. There he was, covered in the dark. I approached reluctantly.
"Mr. Todd?"
No answer.
On closer inspection, I noticed he was sleeping. His eyebrows were knitted into a frown, and his razor was gripped tightly in his hand.
Was he really sleeping?
Perfect, now I don't have to talk to him! I backed away, step by step, and turned to the door. I was just about to open the door when I heard movement behind me.
I turned to find the man shifting in the chair, his frown deepening, mumbling.
"Lucy…"
I went back to him, watching him. Then to my alarm, he violently swung his razor around. "No, Lucy... Turpin TURPIN!"
Terrified, I tried to wake him up, but at the same time dodging the razor.
"Mr. Todd! Wake up!"
But he was still thrashing around, kicking his legs in the air and still slashing invisible throats. "MR. TODD! WAKE UP!"
Panicking, I looked around for something which I could use. I spotted a pitcher full of water next to an empty cup.
Dare I?
Without a moment's more of hesitation, I grabbed the pitcher and threw its contents at Sweeney's face. Immediately, his eyes flew open. I stared at him as his dripping face showed a series of different expressions. First fear, next surprise… and lastly, anger.
In spilt seconds my head was already banged against the wall as he clutched my neck with one cold hand and held his razor with the other.
"Don't you ever do that again." He whispered in a deadly tone. He hand tightened around my throat.
I choked, staring at him in horror. Finally, he abruptly removed his hand, his eyes still full of rage. I almost fainted as I felt a sudden rush sweep over me, swaying on the spot and gasping for air. I leaned against the wall to keep myself from falling over as I glared at him hatefully while he sat back in the chair.
"I was only trying to help!" I yelled once I recovered. I felt my eyes get wet.Not now…
Not replying, he wiped the freezing water off his face with a dirty sleeve, and calmed down, his face slowly turning into that emotionless look he always wore.
Trying hard to control my voice, I broke the silence. "M-Ms Lovett said you wanted to…to talk to me."
His eyes lingered on me before he replied. "Ms. Lovett tells me you'll be arriving late from now on. Because of school." He snorted, without smiling.
What's so funny about going to school?
"You are to come here directly after the school day is over, do you understand?"
"Y-yes sir"
"Now go. 'expect that Ms Lovett has work for you."
I pulled the door open and walked down the stairs, thinking of what just happened. Although I was scared out of my wits, I still felt a small tinge of pity. It was strange to see him so… I paused, searching for a word.
Vulnerable?
no... not vulnerable... far from that.
Human.
What could have possibly scared him so much? Who's Turpin? And WHY did he want to reopen the shop, especially since whoever had wronged him was already dead for centuries?
"Emma, come an' help me 'ere!"
Brushing my thoughts away for now, I went to see what Lovett wanted. She was in the kitchen, sweeping the floor. She smiled gently as she saw me coming.
"So… wot did ya talk 'bout?"
"Ermm…" I hesitated, knowing that Sweeney would literally kill me if I told her about his nightmare. "Mr. Todd just wanted to tell me to come here after school."
"Oh good, so yer coming?"
I sighed. "Either that or he'll find me".
She stopped sweeping, and I saw some sympathy in her eyes. I kind of liked Ms Lovett, even if she did consider baking me into a pie.
"Ms Lovett," I began nervously. "Aren't you afraid? Of him, I mean?"
"Of course I am! Who ain't?" She giggled.
"But then why-?"
"Let's just say I 'ave a debt to pay, hmmm? Now go grab a broom, Mr. T expects this dump to be ready for tomorrow."
"Tomorrow!"
She went on, pretending she didn't hear anything. "Later, we'll go to me pie shop and clean it up too. We'll need the place." She grinned slyly.
I just gaped at her.
Tomorrow the nightmare begins…
AN: hehe… what do you think? I loved writing the nightmare scene! For those who are wondering how could Sweeney do that to a twelve year old, I'd like to remind you guys that Sweeney never had the chance to learn how to act around a child, thanks to someone glares at judge turpin
As for the pet bunny, this is a dedication to my own bunny (honey) and there is another reason you'll know about later.
REVIEW PLS! (chapter 7 slightly modified, so now the story makes more sense)
