Chapter
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I just ran. Ran and ran and ran without a clue as to where I was going. I could here the heavy breathing of a very angry Mr. Todd behind me. I felt my heart race out of my chest. I didn't dare look back, for If I did, I knew that I would stop for him. I knew that I would let him drag me back to the shop and sex me. I wasn't going to let him touch me. " Oh, what to do?" I thought in a panic as I raced down the busy London streets. I ignored all the disapproving looks from the strangers that passes me by. " Christen, you're only making this harder for yourself!" Mr. Todd roared as he chased me. In a blind attempt to get away from him, I turn in a corners and began to sprint. " You need to shake him off!" I thought desperately.
I began to run, but stumbled as my dress danced with my feet. " Blast this bloody thing! I could run better if I didn't have this beast hanging around my legs!" I huffed as I hiked my dress up to an immodest height. I made a huge mistake in going down this alleyway. It was full of garbage and slums. I was getting close to the border of the run down side of London. I couldn't help but cringe as I saw a slummy sitting down, begin to look me up and down, a huge grin on his face. " Hey beauty, why don't you stay?" he asked as he reached for my ankle. I gave out a little cry as I dodged him. " Sorry sir, but I'm in a rush!" i screeched as I tipped over a garbage can. " That should slow him down" I thought as I took another turn.
My whole life flashed before my eyes at what I saw: a dead end. I turned around and was about to run when I heard grunts of a man. Panic and adrenaline took seize of my mind and body. Before I even knew what I was doing, I jumped into a big piles of boxes. I forced myself to take deep, calming breaths in order to slow down my breathing. I put a hand over my mouth as I heard foot steps coming to the mouth of the ally. It was silence for what seemed like an eternity. The only thing that made the silence bearable was the deep ragged breath of Mr. Todd. I felt shivers begin to play up and down my spine as I heard the deep voice of Mr.Todd piercing the silence. " Ah love, I know your in hear. You gave me quite the chase, I thought I almost lost you for a moment. No worries now. Now, why don't you be a good lil girl and come back home now?" he spoke as he began to enter the ally.
Fear and anger and clawing at my insides like a wild beast, ready to escape. Silently, like a thief, I slipped my hand into my stockings and brought out my little letter opener. I had sharpened it over the months. It now had a lethal point on it. I just crouched there, waiting for my chance to run for it. I felt like an predator, ready to pounce. I watched him with amusement as he turned and viciously kicked some boxes on the other side of the ally. He gave a weary sigh as I just stood there, back facing me.
" You know Christen, this is getting very old. I will find you, you know that as well as I do. When I find you, I will bring you back kicking and screaming. You won't be having any mercy from me" he said in a low voice as he turned quickly and his heels and began to swiftly walk towards me. I had to get out now. It was now or never. If I waited, he would surly catch me. I waited until the count of three. " Ok, take a deep breath. You can and you WILL out run him!" I told myself as I clutched onto my knife. It wasn't as nice as Mr. Todd's friends, but I felt protected with it. " One...two...THREE!" I shouted in my mind as I gathered up my skirts and swiftly began to run.
I quickly turned back to see what Mr. Todd's reaction was. He had a mix of confusion anger at first, but soon the look of pure excitement ran across his face as he began to chase me. I turned my head back and picked up speed. I felt my breast go up and down with fear and my breath becoming ragged. I was ahead by along shot. Just then, I felt a shooting pain run up my leg as I stumbled on the uneven pavement. I quickly caught myself and began to run. I barley even got any where near the open of the ally way when I felt something snake around my waist. It was Mr. Todd. He had took the chance of me stumbling advance on me. I began pounding and beating this arm with my fist. He switched positions and grabbed my wrist and turn forced me to look at him. His chest was moving up and down in a quick beat he tried to catch his breath.
His hair was all wild and unattainably curly, as sweat plastered some strands to his face. I looked into the blackness of his eyes defiantly. As soon as he caught his breath, a smile played across his face. He was clearly mad. " Well, 'ello again my lil' turtledove" he said in a raspy voice" Couldn't stay away from me could you?" I just stared at him in disbelief and shock. Before I knew it, I brought my other hand up, ready to stab him. I gave out a angry cry as he grabbed my hand with his other free hand and stopped me. I tried to bring it down, but he was to strong. Instead, he slammed me against the wall of the ally, blocking anyone else from seeing me.
He began to squeeze my wrist hard. I gritted my teeth as I tired to keep a hold on it. It felt like he was breaking every bone in my hand! After a while I finally gave up and dropped the blade. I could already feel the bruise starting to emerged.
" There now, that's a good girl" he said with a chuckle. I shook my head to clear view from the rouge hair that was glued to my face with sweat. It had fallen out of its horse tail some time ago. He just smiled at me. " Let me go! I will never come back to you!" I screamed as I tried to fight my way free. " I nevered belonged to you! I am not your property! He laughed as he gathered both my hands in one of his strong ones, revealed his friend and brought it up to my neck. I felt myself shudder. I dared only to take shallow breaths since the blade was so close to my neck.
He smiled as he drank in my fear. He lightly brought the blade across my neck. I squeezed my eyes closed as i waited for the pain to come. It never did. I opened my eyes. I could feel and see the blade striking my neck, but i didn't see any blood. If I tried to do what he was doing right now, I would've already been dead. " He truly is a master of the art of the blade" I thought as I stood there in wonderment as my breast heaved up and down. He gave me a smile and stopped. He slowly leaned froward to my ear.
" You are wrong" he said in a husky voice. " From the beginning when you came into Mrs.Lovett's shop you where mine, from the time you where born you where mine. You belong to me. I don't take kindly to lose things that belong to me." As he said this, he began to push my body with his own. I could feel his strength exuding from him. He felt so good again my cold aching body. All I wanted to do right now was just give in, to let him claim me. The thought of him being my master made my shiver.
I was pulled out of my thoughts when I felt a sharp pain on my neck. I gave out a yelp as I tried to move, but couldn't for his body was on me and his friend at my neck. I turned my eyes and saw Mr. Todd nipping at my neck, then punishingly licking it. I felt my eyes flutter as I felt my hands slowly begin to hold onto his own. I could feel my body beginning to betray me as it slowly and lightly pressed onto his own. I was afraid that he was going to claim me right now, but at the same time I was daring him to. I tilt my neck little to give him more room. I couldn't help but smile a little as he growled into my neck.
Just then, the image of the dying customer, the body parts in the grinder, the insane Mr.Todd came rushing into my head. I felt my anger light up as a gasp escaped into my lips. " I'm letting him win! I shouldn't be doing this, I should be running to the authority's! This man is insane and a murder!" I thought as I roughly began to push at him. i winced as the blade began to cut into my neck. " Stop touching me you murder! You are wrong, I belong to no man!" I screamed as I began to dig my nails into his hand, causing it to bleed. He didn't even notice.
I felt Mr. Todd smile in my neck as he brought his face to my ear. " I know you where enjoying this" he began, " You are giving into me. Why deny me when I can give you pleasure beonyed anything that you have ever experianced? " he whispered as he gently kissed my ear. Before I could protest, he brought the blade harder to my neck to silence me.
"I can make you scream out my name in pure agony and pleasure. I can make your hips buckle and make you arch your back to get closer to me. I will make you beg for me to be you lover. Your virginity is mine" he said in a rough tone of voice as he slowly brought his face to mine. I felt my face flush as the area between my legs began to throb. I could only image being in bed with this monster. As a virgin, I never knew pleasure, and the pleasure he was offering me sounded absolutely delicious. but, something inside my pulled me back from him, not allowing me to give in. Something inside me just wanted to spit in his face, to turn him in as the crook that he was, and I was planning on sticking with that side. He brought me out of my thoughts as he roughly jerked me away from the wall.
" I WILL bring you back to the shop, even if I have to break every bone in your body to do so" he spat at me as hi face wisted into anger.
" Your barking mad! Your a bloody loon! I screamed as i tried to yank my hands away from him. His only pleased him even more. " The more you resist, the more I'm going to be rough with you" he growled as he began to drag me back to the shop.
Before we could go anywhere, a police man walked by. Quickly, Mr. Todd let go of my hands, but scooted closer to me. " Oy, good-day sir, ma'am" the police officer bellowed in a cheerful voice. " Good-day fine sir" Mr.Todd said as he plastered a fake smile on his face. The police officer's smile quickly left his face as he saw my face. " Ma'am, is every thing alright?" he asked as he walked little closer to use. " NO" "YES" Mr. Todd and i screamed out at the same time. I quickly left the Mr. Todd's side and walked over to the officer's side. Mr. Todd had a huge scowl on his face at this. Obviously he didn't like to be outwitted. " You see sir this man-" I began but was cut off by Mr. Todd. " I'm Mr. Sweeney Todd" he said as he reached out a had to take the officer's, hiding his friend behind his back. The smile returned to the jolly police's face. " Oy, I 'eard obut you. The famous barber of ol Fleet Street. They say that you can shave a man so well, they won't have to shave for months!" the he said as he began to laugh. I shuddered at Mr. Todd's thinned lipped smile. " I wouldn't say that good sir" he said. The police man laughed. " Now now, don't be modest! Your a legend!" I felt my body begin to stiffen. Something wrong was about to happen. I scooted closer to to other way of the ally. The police man notice this and trued his face from Mr.Todd to give me a puzzling look. " 'Ere now, what you-" he began but was soon drowned out by my loud scream as Mr. Todd took advantage of this and slit his throat. He dropped his club and clutched his throat in a vain attempt to stop the bleeding. It was the most horrific thins I had ever seen in my. Soon, he slumped to the ground, dead.
Mr. Todd made sure to stay far away from the blood, as not to get anymore on him, but a look of pure excitement crossed his face. He turned his attention on my and gave me a heart stopping smile. " Damn he was annoying. Good thing we are in the rough part of London. Officers are always murdered down here. People will just think a gang grabbed him" he sighed as he finished cleaning his friend with a rag from his pocket. " Now, where were we my pretty? Oh yes, me taking you home!" he said as he reached for me.
Before he could grab hold of me, I was gone, darting down the ally into a crowed place where people could see me. I heard him begin to take pursuit again. ' Another chase? Your going to tire old Sweeney out before he can have some fun with you!" he shouted as he picked up speed. I had to act fast, or else i wouldn't be a virgin for long.
I quickly began to look around and spotted a carriage. Before i knew it, I was inside the carriage yelling out at the driver. " To the edge of town, hurry!" I screamed as I turned to see Mr. Todd almost reaching me. ' Oy, that's our carriage!' a man said as he clutched onto his wife. I gave them a smile. ' I'm sorry, but I need it!" I screamed as i hit the top of the carriage, signaling that I was ready. In a lurch, the carriage began to run. I turned my head out the window to see Mr. Todd almost to my spot. Before he he could reach me and pull me out, the horses began a steady trot. I leaned back against the seat and gave out a loud sigh. Exhaustion racked my body as I felt my eyes droop, and me slipping into the unknown.
That bastard! First he had the nerve to call me a murderer, as though that justified his actions, bt then he had forced himself onto me. He had touched me in places that only I had right to. He was no better than that filthy Judge or my father. Men were all the same: They were liars and cheaters who only wanted a good fuck. I had been stupid to believe otherwise.
I plunged onward through the streets until I could go no more. I leaned against a nearby wall to catch my breath and placed a hand over my rapidly beating heart. My sides ached from all the running and my breast still hurt from when Mr. Todd had pinched me. I had the driver stopped at the edge of town. i paid him and began to run again.
I finally look up.I was slightly surprised to see that this was the very street I had grown up on. In fact, I could easily spot my house in the distance. It was nothing extraordinary: It was a small two-bedroom home with dusty windows and debris littered on the front lawn. It had fallen into an even greater state of disrepair since my absence and I was fairly certain it must have reeked of decay since I had not bothered to remove my father's body. Instead, I had simply hidden it in the closet when the Judge arrived.
Slowly, I began to make my way towards it and the unnatural silence chilled the very marrow of my bones. After what seemed to be an eternity, I stood in front of it, simply staring at it and I could not stop the flow of memories this place inspired in me: Being rocked to sleep by my then kind father…weeping at my mother's death bed… beaten by my father…nearly being raped by my father…and the ruthless murder of my father. Funny, all my bad memories seemed to revolve around my father.
After several more moments, I finally stepped inside. As I had expected, the room stunk of filth and decay though not nearly as bad as the bake house. Other than the dust which had accumulated on the furniture and walls, nothing seemed to have changed. Everything was as it had been before she had left. Like a ghost, I began to wander the empty halls, occasionally peeking into the two bedrooms which, like the rest of house, had not changed.
However, I avoided going anywhere near the broom closet, knowing full well what it was I would find there. Like the saying goes, I thought sardonically, we all have skeletons in our closet. I wondered into the family and stopped. I was bombarded with horrible memories. I gasped as I clutched the table next to me as these memories began to over power me. Still clutching the table, I slowly brought myself over to the couch. I put my head in my hands and sobbed.
Just then, I felt something wet on my hands. I looked up and gave out a small cry. My hands where drenched in blood. I was covered in blood like Mr. Todd. It was my father's. Just then I heard a animal like cry. My attention went to the sent of the room. There, I saw my father's broken body. I could see from where I sat the bones in his body sticking out. I could see it ragged clothing and the scares which they so pitifully hid. But most horrific of all, I could see the whip. The whip was drowned in blood. I tried to turn away, but an invisible force kept my eyes on his body.
Just then I felt my body become stiff with fear as I saw the corpse of my father slowly crawling towards me. I shivered for I could hear the bones crunch in his back. He had is head hung low. It looked like something that came from the underworld. The suddenly stopped right in front of me. He began to give out a low moan. I couldn't move, my body was frozen with fear. Just then I let out a blood curdling scream as my father's face looked up at me. His mouth was full of flys and his eye sockets with maggots. The skin on his face was peeling off. I felt myself begin to sob as he moved his face closer to mine. He was only an inch away from me when he suddenly stopped. I began to gag at the stench of his breath. He smelled like a 1000 corpse. Just then, my heart froze over with fear as he began to speak in a unearthly voice. " You are just like him...you murderer" he wheezed. He gave out a loud crackle as the flys flew out of his mouth and over came me.
I quickly jerked my head out of my hands as I screamed. I quickly looked around and was greeted by nothingness. Nothing had happened. It was all in my head. I was going insane. " I'm insane...like him" I gasped as I quickly moved out of that room. I ran to my room and stopped. It was so bare, like I had left it. I slowly stepped inside and began to look around. The walls where still the same, chipped elbowed paint, the floors where moldy and green. I sighed as I slowly sat down in the middly of the floor.
My mother use to always come into my room, even when I was old, and read to me. I couldn't help but weep for her. Just then the memory of her comforting me camp into my mind. I was fourteen. I was In my room, crying when my mother came in.
"What is the matter my lil' pet?" she asked as she quickly sat down on my bed and received me in her arms. She began to sooth me by stroking my hair and whispering to me reassuringly. Finally, once I had calm down enough, I told her what was wrong. " I feel so alone. Everyone hates me because I am different from them. The girls hate me because I'm not a proper lady like them, and because I'm not rich, the boys hate me because I won't let them in my dress. But the worst of all is that papa hates me! He hates me because I do not wish to marry!" I began a new wave a tears as I buried my face in my mother's bosom. She pulled me away gently and wiped my tears away. " Shhh now, no one hates you. you are diffident in your own special way lil' bird!" she whispered. Before I could say anything, she gently put a finger up to my mouth and began to sing.
( This song is called: Don't Close Your Heart: by HIM)
I know how it feels to be on your own
In this cruel world where hearts are bound to turn to stone
Where you are alone
And tired of breathing
It's all going wrong
And you just can't stand the pain any more
You're too numb to believe in
In anything
Baby just don't close your heart
Baby just don't close your heart
Baby just don't close your heart
Darling don't let me down
I know how easy it is to let go
Surrender to despair lurking at your door
To lose your soul and all your feelings
Strength all gone
And so many things left unsaid
And deeds undone
You've stopped caring
'cause it's all in vain
Baby just don't close your heart
Baby just don't close your heart
Baby just don't close your heart
Darling don't let me down
You are so alone
And tired of breathing
It's all going wrong
And you just can't stand the pain
Baby just don't close your heart
Baby just don't close your heart
Baby just don't close your heart
Darling don't let me down
Don't let me down
Don't let me down
Just don't let me down
" Listen to me, you shall one day find a boy that you love so much. You are stubborn and you will not admit to your feelings and that will be your downfall" she said as she tucked me into my bed. Once settled in, she leaned down and gave me a kiss on my lips. " Good-night" she said with a warm smile as she closed my door, leaving me alone in the dark.
I sighed as I stood up from the floor. That had been many years ago. I turned around to leave when something caught my eye. I slowly walked to the corner and picked up the item that had been abandoned. It was a small blanket. My face lit up at the sight of this. It was my blankie. I received it when I was just a babe. I brought it up to my nose and inhaled. It smelled just like her, just like cinnamon. Unconsciously, I walked out of the room and out side. I was snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of thunder. I looked up and was greeted by the sight of a angery sky. It looked like the sky was about the cry. I shrugged this off. Rain never bugged me before.
Just then, the thought of Toby came into my mind. I was doing the most wickedest thing a human could be to him right now. I felt guilty. He must be worrying sick about me. He must be wondering if I'm safe, if I'm doing fine, even if I'm alive. A twang of guilt stuck my heart as I began to walk over to my favorite place to sit. It was a rock that was in the middle of the field. I slowly sat down on top of it.
I began to wonder weather Mrs.Lovett missed me yet. I know she never really liked me, just my help. Even thought we never got along well, she still felt like family to me. That all changed though. I can never trust her again. How she made people into pies made you sick. I felt myself empty my stomach. I ate one of her pies, I ate human flesh. I shuddered once I was finished.
What really bugged me was that she always thought I was in competition with her over Mr. Todd's affection.
The thought of Mr. Todd made my blood boil. I couldn't think straight. I couldn't help but feel happy, triumphant even. I had outwitted him. I had won the war.
Something inside me tugged to go back to him. I quickly snuffed that. " I will not go back to him, my tail between my legs. I will not give him the satisfaction of giving into him!" I spat as I looked around. " Damn you Christen,you need to go back, you have no where else to go! Stop being so stubborn. He may be a murder, but you love him" a small voice nagged at me. I shook my head in a fury. " NO! I can't love him! He is a murder, he kills people! How could I love a monster like that?" I though, fighting with myself. The little voice answered my question for me. " Because, you are just like him. You and him are alike. you both have blood staining your hands." I gave out a defiant cry as I jumped up and threw the blanket on the ground. "I don't love him!" I screamed out into the air. The image of him kissing me jumped into my brain. His hot, soft lips on top of mine was overwhelming. I could still feel them on me. I could still taste him, spicy and wild. I gave out a loud groan as I remembered how he rubbed my thigh. It was so wrong, but I didn't care. It felt so good. I shook my head as I began to twirl around. " NO! You can't think of him that way!" I thought. Just then, before I could stop, I began to sing my affections for my murderer.
( this song is called: All Around me: By Flyleaf)
My hands are searching for you
My arms are outstretched towards you
I feel you on my fingertips
My tongue dances behind my lips for you
I slowly unlaced my shoes. I reached up to my hair and undid its binding. I gave my head a good shake. i smiled as I felt the soft curls curtain my face as I began to sing.
This fire rising through my being
Burning I'm not used to seeing you
I'm alive, I'm alive
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing
Barefooted, I stepped onto the rock and stretched my arms up above my head. I felt a smile creep on my face.
My hands float up above me
And you whisper you love me
And I begin to fade
Into our secret place
The music makes me sway
The angels singing say we are alone with you
I am alone and they are too with you
I moved my head from side to side as I twirled my arms. I gave out a sigh as I felt the stormy wind tug playfully at me. It tasseled with my hair and clothing. It was about to rain. Ignoring all that was around me, I continued to sing my heart.
I'm alive, I'm alive
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing
And so I cry
The light is white
And I see you
I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive
Just then, there was a crack of lighting, soon followed by the rumble of thunder. The sky, boated, realised its tears onto the world. I just stood there, becoming soaked to the bone. This was how I looked like when I first came into Mrs.Lovett's shop. My smile widen as I jumped up and down, arms outstretched to the heavens. I began to twirl around as my songs controlled me.
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing
Take my hand
I give it to you
Now you own me
All I am
You said you would never leave me
I believe you
I believe
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healed
I stopped dancing and jumped down off the rock, soaked. The rain and soaked me to my marrow. I shook my head and gave a small giggle as I gathered my things and began to walk to the house. I felt my heart froze as I stared at the horse and carriage in front of my house. Without even thinking, I darted to the front door of the house. I swung the door open and froze.
There, sitting on the sofa with the fire lit, was none other than judge Turpin. He was sipping a cup of tea. he turned his old eyes to me and smiled. " Well, looked like you got caught in the rain' he laughed as he motion for me to sit. ' Please sit." I scowled at him as I began to walk backwards. I felt myself bump into something and turned to see the beadle there, giving me a smile only a pervert would know. " No thank you, I will stand" I hissed. " Just what are you doing here, how did you know where I was at?" I asked. The judge smiled. " A little servant told me that you where headed off to Fleet Street. I must say, you gave me the slip, but that will soon be over since I am placing you under arrest for assault against a judge" he said as he motion for the beadle.
I felt cold, harsh iron cuffs placed on my wrists. I looked at the judge in anger, That stupid lil maid, knew she'd squeal" I thought in anger. " Yes, assault. don't think I haven't forgotten our little meeting in the market" the judge leered at me. I fought against the cuffs but it was in vain. He got up from his place, doused out the fire, and walked over to me. ' Now, I am willing to forget the charges, but, there is one thing, you will have to be my mistress" he said with a horrid grin. " I felt my mouth drop in a surprised O. Why was it that every man whantedmy purity? " I do deserve you, after all, you did embarrass me in front of everyone: the judged chuckled as he cupped my cheek. I moved my face out of his grasp. This only made her laugh. ' Come, beadle, bring our guest and her belongings.
It's time to leave this filth before it is condemned. I felt my heart sink. " What? You can't destroy this place, It's my home!" I screamed as I lurched forward at the judge, only to be held back by his lackey. The judge smiled over his shoulder at this. " It was your home" he said as he began to walk to his carriage. " Johanna will be pleased that she now has a new play mate" the judge laughed as his lackey dragged me out into the carriage kicking and screaming. I felt my vision blurred with tears as I took my last glimpse of my house before I was shoved into the carriage and taken away.
A/U: Ouch...hehe didn't see that coming now didn't you? Now what do you think about this next idea? the judge taked her to his house, and there Christen befriends Johanna and plans her escape. Well, that night she gets there, the judge trysto monkey around with her ( u know what im talkin about). so refuses and so he grabs her by the hair and yanks her back thJohanna's room and find he packing up. So...he sends them both to Boggs.
While that is happening, Todd and Mrs. Lovett worry about Christen. They worry and prepare for the police to come. Poor toby, he is like dying. So then Anothy comes and tells them about Christen and Johanna.