11
"Mr. Todd, sir?"
Sweeney grunted in response.
"Wot do you.. Wot do you think 'appened to mum?"
The genuine fear and worry in the child's voice made the barber look up. Why was he asking, did you expect some optimistic answer?
No doubt he does, Mrs. Lovett wouldn't hesitate to tell him all is well.
Of course, Mrs. Lovett wasn't there, and that was exactly their problem. Whatever fate befell her, Sweeney didn't think it was a particularly kind one.
"I don't know wots happened to her. Even if she somehow is alive, we're going to need to think of ourselves for a moment."
Toby seemed more surprised by the fact he received a response over what was said.
Mrs. Lovett had kept her gaze up at the oddly blue and cloud free sky. A sort-of half sleep state came upon her because of the exhaustion and fright she felt, but her eyes remained open even when her brain seemed to shut off. If she had taken the time to try and notice and map her surroundings, she would have been less surprised when the horde beneath her stopped moving.
She also, most likely, wouldn't have screamed bloody murder when she was dropped to the ground.
Clutching the rolling pin like a safety blanket, Mrs. Lovett eyed the drooling creatures nervously. They were simply standing about, staring off at nothing. She slowly turned, worried and intrigued by where they had brought her.
Her aching, trembling body went stiff with shock.
"This is what they brought?" A voice droned. The man sighed. "Come bring her down to see."
Mrs. Lovett's wide eyes showed all the emotion a dropped jaw could not.
"We can't stay 'ere, can we?"
"No." Sweeney snapped, he was quickly becoming irritated with Toby's constant questions.
"You said we 'ave to think of ourselves before we go fer mum Mr. T. 'Ow is pacin' helpin'?"
"It is much more helpful then your constant talk." He spat angrily, coming to a sudden stop next to the boy.
Toby squeezed his eyes shut, preparing for another remark, or attempt on his life. None came. "Mr. T…?" He opened his eyes slowly.
"The chute." The barber muttered.
"Wot-"
"Shut-up boy." Sweeney marched over to his chair, and stomped on its pedal. He grinned at the dark hole the trapdoor opened into.
Toby stared at the titled chair and dark tunnel.
"You didn't think I conducted business without help, did you?" He sneered at Toby's horrified look. It seemed Mrs. Lovett was quite the charmer, and the boy had remained ignorant of her role in the whole affair. The fact the boy had finally shut up made Sweeney smile, but a strange bitter taste entered his mouth when he thought about how Toby would now see Mrs. Lovett.
A/N Sweeney feeling.. regret? Mrs. Lovett reaching.. someplace? Whatever is going to happen next...? xD