Splintered Dreams Chapter 8

By: Sweeneytodgirl58

Thanks to all the reviewers. I really appreciate those who take time to read this story. I hope you enjoy this chapter. (I do not own anything.)

Early in the morning, Sweeney Todd aroused. His mind was fuzzy. Therefore, causing him to not notice the room, and bed he was in . As he was moving up to ease his muscles, he felt a small pressure on his arm. Mr. Todd glanced down in alarm, but quickly relaxed as he saw the sleeping frame that laid beside him. Events from the day before quickly flashed in his mind, and he remembered his householder's broken state. He still could not believe he had missed her erratic proviso. Mr. Todd removed a scarlet lock of hair that had advanced toward Eleanor's lovely, face. She had a look of amity; no sign of torment could be detected. As he caressed her cheek, he couldn't help but wonder at Eleanor's dream. She had said that fire was devouring her; causing her extreme agony. Then, coal eyes looked at her with full hatred. Sweeney frowned. What on Earth could that dream had meant? Was it a warning of hell? But, what about the eyes? If it was indeed hell, why would dark eyes be revolted of her? He knew she was no saint, but the one whom should be receiving those cursed dreams should be indeed him, not his accomplice.

Mr. Todd shook his head. No matter what the dream meant, it had not plagued Eleanor last night. With a last kiss to her forehead, Mr. Todd rose from Mrs. Lovett's bed. He had a feeling that his landlady would not wake up anytime sooner. Mostly due to all that lack of sleep.

As Mr. Todd exited the bedroom, he headed to his barber shop. He interchanged his clothes from yesterday, and mixed some lather for his soon to come customers. Sweeney heard the door open,and gazed up from his task to glance at his company. Toby stood before him. The small child gave him a warm smile and said, "Mornin', Mr. Todd." Sweeney gave him a nod and returned to preparing the things that he would need later that day. Toby helped re-arranging things, and once they were done with their routine, their first customer walked in.

The client gave the young child and the barber a crooked smile, with very crooked teeth indeed. On top of his head lay a top hat that covered most of his greasy, gray hair. The plump man twirled a finely black-coated cane; his beady, black eyes never leaving the obsidian ones of the barber. At the sight of the man before him, Sweeney felt the urge to slice the throat of the obese man. For the man that stood infront of him, was non other than Beadle Bamford.

"Good morning, Mr. Todd.", the Beadle said in a forced voice.

Sweeney feigned a smile and replied politely, "Good day." In his mind, Sweeney pictured very creative ways to end the Beadle's life. The Beadle walked toward Mr. Todd and ran a stubby finger across the bureau.

The plump man inspected the dust on his pointer finger and said, "You really should clean your shop, Mr. Todd. Wouldn't want your customers to inhale so much grime, would you?" Sweeney gritted his teeth and remarked in a strained voice, "To what honor do I owe your visit, Mr. Bamford." The Beadle rubbed his finger on his cloak, and took out a humble box containing a small piece of cloth that accommodated salt. After snorting a great amount, he returned the box back into his pocket and replied,

"Well, Mr. Todd, Lord Judge Turpin wishes for a shave. He understands that you convey with the lad Anthony. He also comprehends that you are the best barber in town, and he wishes to be shaved only by the best. As long as you cease your friendship with that sailor, he is willing to be your customer again, and come this evening for a shave." Mr. Todd's heart stopped. The judge was willing to come back for a shave. Sweeney could finally have his revenge and avenge his beautiful wife. Sweeney Todd gave the Beadle a calm smile.

"Tell the judge, that the sailor and I shall never speak a word to each other."

Beadle Bamford grinned; showing off his rotting, yellow teeth. "Excellent.", as the Beadle was walking away, he stopped and turned once more. "Ah, Mr. Todd. I will inform you that I too will be coming over later this evening. I would very much appreciate a good shave." Sweeney continued to smile. "I will be waiting, Mr. Bamford." The Beadle nodded and took his leave. As the door closed, Toby shivered. He, like many others, did not enjoy the Beadle's company. "I feel very sorry for ya', Mista' T. You 'aving to shave that man is complete torture. I can 'ardly stand to look at him." Sweeney walked toward his bureau, and grasped the picture of his wife and child. Mr. Todd than said in a chilling voice. "I don't mind at all."

As evening grew closer, Mr. Todd grew more anxious. Finally, after all the waiting, the moment that he had been waiting for was finally going to arrive. How many times had he wished for the judge to come? How many times had he wished to run his faithful 'friend' across the wretched judge's throat? He could almost taste the blood that was going to be spilled from the detestable judge's throat. Sweeney knew that this time was going to be different. No sailor was going to come barging into his shop, ruining the precious moment. He would make sure of that. Mr. Todd stared out the window of his shop, while sharpening one of his razors. Usually, he would have made the boy do that, but not today. He had sent Toby with Mrs. Lovett. Sweeney knew that she would remain asleep for probably the whole day, but of course he couldn't have the child in the same room where he was going to slaughter his enemies. As Mr. Todd glared at the streets below him, he tightened his grasp on his razor. Why couldn't the judge come already? Patience was not one of Sweeney Todd's allies. He continued to sharpen his 'friend', and once he was done with that razor, he picked up another one. Every second seemed to last an eternity.

After what seemed like a century for Mr. Todd, the sky finally darkened. Sweeney smiled. While he was in Australia, Sweeney had learned how to tell time by simply looking at the sky. Another useful thing he had aquired at Devil's Island. And right now, he knew the time had come. As he double-checked his station, Sweeney thought of many ways to torment the judge and the Beadle. In all of his illusions, the end was really quite pleasing. Blood covered every inch of his shop. As Sweeney imagined another deadly chimera, the bell that was placed ontop of his barber shop door, rang. Judge Turpin.

Mr. Todd took a deep breath and turned to face his newfound customer. The judge stood at the entrance of his shop. His posture held no suspicion. Perfect.

Sweeney beamed at the judge(He had to force the corners of his mouth to point upward.) "Good Evening, My lord."

The judge simply nodded and took his seat on the barber chair. Sweeney's right eye twitched. He was soo close to complete his task. Mr. Todd walked toward the door and locked it quietly. He pulled the curtains down than went back to his 'customer.'

"A shave is all you request, my lord?"

The judge looked at Mr. Todd. "For now, yes. Now, can you please proceed. There are many things that I must do, and there isn't going to be someone else to do them for me." Sweeney sneered. He didn't enjoy it when he was pressured. As he grasped the lather, he said, "Of course, my lord. But, your honor, if I may ask. What kind of things must you do?" Turpin leaned back on the chair and untied his scarf. "Well, Mr. Todd. Today I shall ask my ward to marry me." As the barber heard this, he almost dropped the bowl that contained the spume. Marriage? Johanna and the dispicable Turpin? Mr. Todd felt his stomach churn as he pictured the Judge as his son-in-law.

"God forbid.", Sweeney whispered, clearly horrified.

"What?"

"Nothing, sir. Nothing."

Sweeney then began lathering the face of the man that he loathed. As he ran the petite brush across the judge's face, he kept picturing his hellish days in Australia. The blaring sun on his back. The beatings. Mr. Todd gritted his teeth, and walked back toward his dresser and grasped his friend. He walked back to Turpin and placed the blade under the judge's chin. "My Lord, before I begin, may I ask you one more thing?" Judge Turpin gave an exhasperated sigh and replied "What?!"

"Do you think you'll end up in heaven, or in hell?" The judge glanced up at Mr. Todd with a confused look upon his face. "Because Benjamin Barker believes your going straight to hell.", with that said, Sweeney pierced the blade into the judge's throat. Sweeney stabbed repeatedly, enjoying the feel of blood squirt onto his person.

Fifteen years he had waited for this moment, and now the moment had arrived. Turpin's mouth opened and closed, making him resemble a fish gasping for air. As Sweeney took out the razor out of the old man's throat, he watched as his nemesis drowned in his own blood. Sweeney than sliced the man's throat and stepped on the iron petal. The body fell with a delightful crunch.

"One more remains", Mr. Todd said to himself. And as if hearing this, the Beadle knocked on the door. Mr. Todd unlocked the door and stepped aside, waiting for the man to enter. The Beadle entered and eyed the revolting, bloody mess. "What on Earth...", at that precise moment, Mr. Todd sliced the throat of the man.

Sweeney slammed the door to his shop, and once again locked it. Blood covered him head to toe; making him resemble a blood-thirsty demon. His dark, onyx eyes never left the man that laid on the floor nearing death. Mr. Todd enjoyed the sight before him. As life left the Beadle's body, Sweeney lifted the body to the chair(Wich was indeed difficult, but managed anyway.) and stomped on the petal. As the body fell, Sweeney saw the beadle's head bash against the floor. Causing his brain to burst out of his head. The trap door closed and it was all over. Sweeney sighed. "Rest in peace, my Lucy.", he whispered. The deed was done. His revenge was complete. As Sweeney eyed the mess, he sighed again. The only thing that was left to do now, was to clean.

Mr. Todd entered Eleanor's room quietly. As he inspected the room, he saw Toby laying next to Mrs. Lovett. He was snoring slightly. Quietly, Mr. Todd made his way toward the boy and shook his shoulder gently. Toby stirred, and finally opened his eyes. The youngster yawned and eyed the man before him.

"Why don't you go to sleep in your room? You'll be more comfortable there.", Sweeney suggested. Too tired to argue, Toby reluctantly made his way to his room. As the door to Mrs. Lovett's bedroom closed, Sweeney took a seat on a chair next to Mrs Lovett. As he sat there, he heard a stirring noise. Mr. Todd looked up and found his landlady staring up at him. She looked around and glanced at him, curiously. As she did this, the events from last night collided into her head. Eleanor's eyes resembled saucers as she remembered what she had done last night.

"O' Mr. Todd, I am soo sorry. I didn't mean to...", Sweeney raised a hand to hush his landlady.

"There is no need to apologize, Eleanor."

"But, Mr. T, I shouldn't have done that!"

"You were frightened. I understand."

Eleanor blushed furiously. "I..I threw myself at ya'. Didn't I?".

Sweeney smirked. "Sure did."

"I'm sorry.", Eleanor said, while looking at her covers. Sweeney got up from the chair, and sat at the edge of the bed. He placed his index finger below Eleanor's chin, and raised her face to look at him.

"No need to apologize, pet. I told you already, I understand."

Mrs. Lovett blushed once more, than glanced up at the man that she loved. As she gazed at his handsome face, she detected a spot of blood on his cheek. Eleanor raised a thin eyebrow, and wiped the droplet of blood from Sweeney's face. Eleanor was about to question about the drop of blood, but Sweeney answered. Already knowing what she was going to ask.

"The're gone.", he stated simply. Eleanor gazed at Sweeney, surprised. She didn't need to ask whom, exactly. She glanced at the floor and asked, "'Ow do ya' feel?"

Sweeney gazed at Eleanor and replied, "I feel as if one-thousand pounds have been lifted off of my person. I feel, relieved." Eleanor gazed at the man before her. From her range, he did seem more at ease. She knew he would not forget the hellish days of his life, but atleast he could now rest with a more relaxed mind. Mr. Todd glanced at Eleanor. Worry written across his face.

"And you, how do you feel?", he asked; concerned. Mrs. Lovett looked up at him and smiled. "I feel alright. A bit sore, but I think I'll manage."

"Are you hungry. You haven't eaten all day."

"No, I'm alright. Still alittle bit tired though."

"Than you should continue to sleep", Mr. Todd said as he was moving up. Eleanor quickly reached for his hand. Sweeney stared at his landlady, shocked. "Don't leave.", Mrs. Lovett said quietly. Sweeney nodded and made his way back to Eleanor. He laid down next to her and realized that he was tired as well. As Eleanor made herself comfortable, she accidentally rolled onto his side of the bed. She was about to move, but Sweeney caught her just in time. His left arm laced around her waist. Mrs. Lovett was shocked, but she didn't complain.

The last thing she remembered was hearing Sweeney hum her a lullaby, which she had heard a very very, long time ago.

Please bear with me. I just wanted to update, and if this chapter suck. I'm sorry. :( RR please.