Chapter 2: The Family Business

"Tobias…so changed!" Toby slipped through the door silently while Anthony spoke. "He was always such a happy child…"

Each officer died silently, and Toby worked his way up to the officer speaking with Anthony and Johanna.

Johanna screamed as a pale hand appeared over the officer's shoulder and slit his throat. Blood poured over Toby's arm. The officer sank to the ground, revealing the small, bloody child.

Anthony wrapped his arms around Johanna, trying to protect her. "T-Tobias…" he breathed.

"Sorry, Mr. Hope, sir, but I've much work to do." He took a step towards the sailor.

"Please!" screamed Johanna. "Please, please don't hurt him!" Toby looked into her eyes. "I beg of you, sir, please don't hurt him."

Slowly, Toby extended his arm, pointing the razor at them. They shrunk back against the wall.

"Go now, both of you! Next time, I'm afraid I can't let you go. Go now, and tell no one what you've seen."

"No one will ever know!" said Johanna with tears streaming down her face.

Toby looked at Anthony. "No one…" Anthony whispered, eyes wide.

Toby lowered the razor, and the couple ran.

The next day, Mrs. Lovett's meat pie shop had more pies than ever. Toby ran through the crowd, serving up fresh pies with ale.

"Toby!"

He ran to a dark-haired woman who often spoke with Mrs. Lovett. "Where is Nellie, dear?"

Toby smiled his same, cheerful smile. "Oh, good news, mum! She's gone and eloped with Mr. Todd! They're livin' by the sea, now."

"Why dear, that's wonderful! But what's to become of you, lad?"

"I'm running the pie shop now! The barber shop, too. I'm old enough to take care of me self now."

"Why, so you are! Well congratulations, boy."

"Thank you, mum!"

No one asked about young Toby's hair, though everyone stared. Toby acted perfectly normal and happy as ever, but something seemed odd and foreboding about him. He just wasn't the same.

"Thank you ladies and gents! That's today's lot, come again tomorrow!" He still had two whole trays of pies, but he had to close up early so he could work the barbershop.

A man poked his head in the small shop's door. "Is this Mr. Todd's barber shop?"

"That it is, sir! No one in the chair, 'ave a seat!"

"Is Mr. Todd here?"

"I'm 'im, sir! Name's Tobias Todd."

"Glad to meet you, sir! I've heard so much about you, I'd only assumed you were older." The man sat down.

"People tell me that all the time, sir! But don't worry, you're in good 'ands!"

The man slumped down in the chair as blood poured over him. Toby spun the chair back and fourth thoughtfully. "Now what am I to do with you?" He looked around. How did Mr. Todd get these bodies downstairs? Toby began to pace. He stopped and stomped his foot. The floor was hollow.

"Another secret…" He inspected the chair and found a small lever. He pulled it and the chair spun and dumped the body through a small, secret chute.

Toby watched as it reset it's self. "hehe…hehehe…HA HA, YES!" He laughed madly. "I'm alive at last! And, ha ha, I'm full of joy!"

He fiercely thrust the razor upwards, holding the bloody blade high and letting the light catch it. Blood trickled from the blade over his pale wrist. He laughed and laughed as the music that nobody hears blasted triumphantly through his heart and soul.

Attend the tale of Tobias Todd

His skin was pale and his eye was odd.

He brought the killings to an end

But picked up the razor and business again.

He trod the path that Sweeney trod,

Did Tobias Todd.

The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.