A/N: Hi there guys sorry that it took me a little longer then expected. I hit a little snag in my brain that halted all of my creative thinking. But thanks to those of you who reviewed and the stories that I've been reading I am now back on track sort of! Anyway, this chapter has something special in it that truly inspired me to write. I'll explain at the end! Thank you to Pearl's Beauty (You have really helped me out so thank you), linalove, Depp's-Still-Doll, LunaCangiante, and anne90 for reviewing. Thanks for the favorates and alerts! Cookies to you all!
Diclaimer: I own nothing and I am not getting any money from this story so don't hate me for having some fun here!
Please R&R and enjoy!
His voice was so assertive and strong but at the same time so soft and smooth that I was hypnotized. I relaxed my clenched jaw a bit and moaned ever so slightly. With my next inhale I took in the strangers sent. I hate to admit this but even though I didn't know who it was I was hooked anyone who has that voice and this sent was no longer up for grabs. This puppy was all mine.
It's been a week since I first awoke in this little dark room on wheels and I was just about to strangle myself out of boredom. There was nothing to do and I rarely got to go outside, I was only allowed to go outside for a bathroom break but every time I was out side I couldn't tell where we were, the surrounding areas were either forest or farm land. In other words we were in the middle of nowhere.
We were making good time wherever we were going. I could hear the sounds of a few towns that we pasted through. I wasn't allowed outside, even the man inside the carriage never left when we were in a town. The driver would get supplies and whatever else we needed, and then we were off again. Once we were miles outside of the town we would stop and the supplies would be given to us. We would get food and water, nothing out of the ordinary only some bread, and some dried meat.
From what I saw of the stranger he was very handsome. He had wild midnight black hair, except for a streak of white in the front. His skin was paler then mine, which was saying something. It was like death had touched this man but couldn't hold on. The pale tissue was stretched over his cheekbones so much that it looked like it would tear if a sewing needle pricked it. Yet his body was well toned. Well what I could see of it anyway. His vest reveled a strong upper body and I could see the muscles move under the material of his pants. It looked to me like the man had been sent to Hell to work for Lucifer in one of the mines that awaited sinned souls, then was spit back up for whatever reason. His eyes where as black as his hair and just as dead and held just as much pain as a person that had been just taken by the plague. There was so much I wanted to know about this man. Who was he and why was I with him? What secrets were held in his past that should never be reveled?
"Juliana," that husky voice stated pulling me out of my long string of thoughts.
I looked up to see the door opening and this mystery man stand, hunch as to not hit his head and leave the carriage. I had to blink to adjust my eyes to the new light. He stood there like the gentleman he is keeping the door open for me with an extended hand. He has beautiful hands. My mother would have called them piano hands. They were long and elegant with almost bone like fingers.
I took his hand and stepped out of the "cage" I had been in for almost a week to find myself looking at a boat, no not a boat. I correct myself a ship, a three massed square topsail schooner to be exact. I am no stranger to ships or how they worked in fact I could become part of the crew right now if I wanted to. You see my father is a sea merchant and he would take me on adventures that seemed like they would never end, and I never wanted them to. I smiled seeing that we were about to leave port and that I would soon be out at sea. I giggled to myself like the little girl I once was. The ship was one of my father's her name is the Tole Mour, she has always been my favorite ship, and so I felt right at home. I ran to the helm assuming that father would be there. Obviously he was responsible for sending this stranger to get me and bring me here. As I reached the helm's men my smile faded. I wasn't my father. It was one of his first mates Anthony.
Anthony turned when he heard my footsteps knowing that I wasn't part of the crew due to my heeled boots. He smiled kindly at me, his eyes gave his true emotions away, he was sad but why?
"'Ello, Miss Juliana. What an occasion to see you aboard after all these years." Anthony said in a soothing voice. He continued, "What gives me the pleasure of seeing you upon this vessel?"
I laughed. This seemed to catch him off guard but I didn't think much of it. "Please Anthony we've been friends since we were kids! So don't you dare call me Miss!" I teased. "Where is my father or is he all ready in London?" I asked as my curiosity got the better of me.
Anthony's brow furrowed and his nose crinkled into a face that told me I must be crazy, he looked down and sighed, he took a deep breath. When he looked at me his eyes told me something was wrong, but before he could say any thing he got distracted from something behind me. I turned to see the stranger had gotten the bags with the help of the carriage driver and were now on deck waiting for instructions as to where they should put what I was presuming to be my things.
Anthony gestured for me to fallow him. I did as I was told. Seeing my old friend was so nice especially after ten years of being apart. They would have to talk over what has happened over that long amount of time. We went below deck with the stranger and driver fallowing us. Anthony led us to my private quarters. It was the room that I had spent so much time in after my mother had died. It smelt and looked the same apart from the larger bed against the wall. I flopped onto the queen size bed and started laughing as I sunk into it. The three men came in and dropped all of my baggage at the foot of the bed.
The driver bowed his way out of room bidding his far well and happy travels. The stranger started talking to Anthony in a hushed voice. From what I could hear it sounded like they needed to speak in private immediately. Anthony nodded to him in understanding, then turned to me.
"Mis," he corrected himself, "Juliana, I need to speak with," he turned to face the stranger.
"Todd, Sweeney Todd." Mr. Todd said answering the unspoken question.
Anthony continued, "Mr. Todd for a moment, we will leave you to get settled in and I will send someone to retrieve you for diner. I'm sure the crew will be very happy to have one of Mr. Lovett's daughters aboard once again. You have about three hours to get ready." With that both men left me to get ready as they promised.
But me being me I wouldn't stay and get ready I would fallow them to the captain's quarters, (because that is the most private place on board) and see what need to be said in my absence.
I arrived at the door undetected. The conversation had already started, "What is so private that not even Juliana can hear?" asked Anthony.
"It is of most importance that Juliana doesn't know what I am about to tell you." Relied Todd.
"Why?" said Anthony obviously confused.
"She won't be able to handle it." Todd confessed, "You know of Mr. Lovett's death do you not?" he asked. Anthony must have nodded because Todd continued, "You must understand that she doesn't remember anything of her father and family's death. I think that her mind is protecting her from what she saw that night. I was once a friend of hers before I went on my," he paused, "travels and she doesn't remember me at all."
I could hear Anthony pacing about the room. "Why doesn't she remember you?"
His voice was quiet. I had to strain my ear to hear what he said next. " I found her at the scene. She is unknowingly protection herself from depression. She must have blocked anything from her mind that may remind her of everyone's death." He paused in thought; "I'll tell you what happened so you can understand. I had just gotten into town, finally arriving in France after my fifteen years of travel. I wanted to see an old friend, so I looked her up. When I went to her house to found her lying on the floor drenched in blood holding on to her father. I picked her up to see if she too had been killed, luckily she hadn't, she started crying and fell under."
Anthony sounded astonished, and curious "What did you do next?"
"I took her to a near by inn to get her cleaned up, I got yelled at by the owner for dragging blood into her clean lobby. Once she saw Juliana, she started asking me questions right and left. I didn't understand her so I just fallowed her up the stairs to the washroom and put Juliana in the tub. I was then showed out. I went back to Juliana's house and started packing her things, and I called a cab. When Juliana was clean and travel ready I took her and we started the journey here in the hopes that I could get her away from the horrid memories that where sure to haunt her mind."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I wanted to run but I couldn't just yet. I had to hear the rest of the story.
Todd continued, "The first night we started traveling was the night she woke up. I kept her inside the carriage when we were in any town so that we wouldn't draw any attention to her. I only let her out when there wasn't anyone around. That was how we traveled until we got here and you know the rest of the story." Finally he was finished.
I felt odd, I wasn't sad in any way. I started walking back to my cabin, in deep thought. I didn't care that the two men weren't done talking I had heard enough of this to last me a lifetime. Sure I wanted to know more but my head was swirling as it was. I tried to remember the scenes that Mr. Todd had described but no matter what I tried I just hitting a mental brick wall. I shrugged it off and continued walking.
I finally made it to my room. I started unpacking, and planning my next move.
A/N: Okay so the special thing for me in this chapter is the Tole Mour. It is a real ship, and I had the honour of sailing on it for a week. It is one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen and been apart of. If you want to see it the way I do please feel free to ask I will get you a link that is wonderful!
Again Please review it would mean alot to me, and the more I get the more I am guilted into writing. So you will get a chapter sooner! Thanks again and see you next time!