Chapter 26

The time came for the reopening of 's Meat Pies. There was hesitation that it would even open again so soon, given the circumstances…

Right before opening, Sweeney paced up in his window, as usual. He figured things would have to be as normal as possible, he pondered over everything Sandi had told him the previous evening "He's coming for us! Raymond Turpin! He wants to kill us!"

"Not while I'm around…" Sweeney grumbled to himself. Not too much longer after this, Toby ran up the stairs, knocking swiftly. "Mr. Todd, we're opening…"

He nodded, and flipped his closed sign over. Sandra peeked from her bedroom door,Sweeney noticed it. "Everything will be fine. He wouldn't dare to attack during the day." She nodded hesitantly. "We'll all need your help today Sandra."

"Right." she said, trying to sound at least a little confident.

The day was busy, as customers enjoyed all the new changes, most of them at least. People were hesitant to try the new food, as they had only one thing from here for a short time, but things went well. Sandra floated back and forth from downstairs to upstairs, as well as Toby. Johanna and Anthony helped out with the pie shop.

The day went by, and the shops were closing up. No sign of Raymond anywhere. Sandi was still fearful, she finally got the family she wanted her entire life, and she wasn't about to lose it all. All were sleeping, Sweeney upstairs had finally been able to retire, he always had issues falling asleep, Nellie sound asleep in bed. Sandra was in the parlor, a book in her hands, she tried to relax with her book and a cup of tea. It would have worked until she heard something stirring. "Toby…?" She called out, not knowing if the boy was still awake. She shut her book and crept into the kitchen, and saw Toby rummaging for a snack.

She exhaled in relief. "What the hell, Toby!"

He had a look similar to the deer in the headlights. "Don't tell! I'm hungry!" she rolled her eyes, and he scurried off. Just as she was about to head back to her book, someone had their arms around her, covering her mouth to preventing screams. She let out a muffled one, and bit the captors hand. The capture only let go for a moment to stuff a cloth in her mouth. "Damn brat." the captor said, giving away that it was a man. His voice was soft, and he dragged her out, kicking and screaming…

The next morning, The shops were opening up. Sweeney went down, which was unlike him to join Mrs. Lovett and Toby.

"Morning, Mistah T."
"Is Sandra already down here?"

Mrs. Lovett gave Toby a look. "I figured she was still upstairs." She said, with a puzzled look.

"Perhaps she went out this morning for a walk…?" Toby asked, curiously.

Sweeney shrugged. "I suppose…"
"Well, until she comes back, it'll be just us three today. Anthony and Johanna have today off."

About half the day passed, still no sign of Sandra. Sweeney and Nellie were getting a bit worried, naturally. Soon after this, Anthony came bursting in, this was pretty much his thing after all.

"Mr Todd!" He exclaimed, he had quite the bewildered look on his face.

"What is it, Anthony? Is Johanna not with you…?"
Anthony shook his head. "We were off on a walk, I turned away for a moment and then she was gone. Not a trace left behind and she mad not a sound!" the boy was frantic.

"This can't be a coincidence that both my daughters went missing…"

"Mistah T, you can't mean-"

"I do…" He hissed. "Raymond Turpin…"

Tied to a chair, Sandra struggled to get free. She still hadn't seen her captor yet, but she had an idea to whom it was. "You won't get away with this!" She yelled out, as a man sat Johanna in a chair and began to tie her to it as well.

Raymond walked into sight. "You did well, thank you for your assistance." He said to the other man, and he nodded, leaving with the pay given to him by Raymond. He gave the girls a sinister smile. "Sandra, I have gotten away with it." He said, laughing. "It's coming together so well."

"What is kidnapping us going to do for you?" Johanna asked, trying to get free.

"Funny you should ask. I'm to get revenge on your father for killing my own father...What better way to start than to lure him here with his precious daughters. Both as pretty as can be."

"We'll stop you. Our father will end your life as he did your fathers!" Sandra screamed at him. Raymond moved closer, cupping her chin. "I can overlook that he's your father. I still do like you love. We can work together to take him down, you can be my lady." Sandra spit into his face. "Never in a thousand years!" He retreated,"Fine be that way." He said, showing himself out of the room, he had things to do and things to plan.

"Jo, I'm so sorry that-"

"Our father will save us. Don't blame yourself, Sandra. I certainly couldn't."

By the next day, an envelope had been slipped under Sweeney's door. Sweeney picked up the envelope and opened it, only to be furious at the photo inside of Sandra and Johanna, both look frightened. He stormed downstairs, to find Anthony and Mrs. Lovett sitting at a booth. "If you ever want to see your daughters again, come to this address. You and you alone." He spit out angrily.

Hello all~ I have been pretty lazy, and I really wasn't sure where to go with this story though I had the ideas. So, I'm just gonna jump to where I need to be, where everything goes down between Raymond and Sweeney. It might be rushed, but it's been put off for almost a year so…I apologize if its a bit short but...I'll try to make the rest of the chapters be longer, and hopefully upload them in less time that it took for me to write this one... XD

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy, and I imagine this will be ending soon.