A/N: *Steps onto the page shyly* Hi guys... Lmfao. It's been a while. This is uber short, and I was just seeing if I could still actually do this. I'm still not sure. I lost the plot a long time ago, and I don't know if I'm committed enough to think up another one. If I do, it'll probably be lame. I have a feeling I will finish this eventually, but it's gonna take some convincing.

"James…I need to rest…" Jess whimpered.

She was pressed up against his chest, slumped over the front of the horse. Her insides ached, her legs were sore and she was completely worn out. Her arm throbbed and her head was killing her.

She'd never felt this crappy before, and it was scaring her.

"Shhh." He hushed gently, steering with one hand, rubbing her back with the other. "We're almost there."

"Almost where?" she moaned.

James ignored her and continued to rub her back, guiding the horses into a small clearing. He slid off and helped her down, making her lean against the horse as he went to the brook. He submerged a cloth, getting it completely drenched before returning to her and pressing it to her arm, where the gash had started to fester.

She hissed and pulled her arm away, but he firmly brought it back. She was way too sore and tired to argue, and stood through the pain.

^.^

"This is ridiculous…" Sweeney muttered, kicking the wall behind him.

Mrs. Lovett sighed. Her arms were getting sore and there didn't seem to be anyone coming in anytime soon.

Sweeny had been yanking his arms ever since they were alone, trying to loosen the bolts. His wrists were red, raw and bleeding, and he was glad it was dark so that Mrs. Lovett couldn't see and make a fuss.

Besides, it was working.

He could feel the bolts moving after every pull. It would only take a couple more before he was free.

One.

Two…

As he was about to make the final pull, the door slammed open and he stilled his arms, cursing internally. It was one of the henchmen, and he came in with a nasty glare, bowels of food in his arms. He got close to them, and Sweeney took the chance, pulling with all his might until his arms jerked away from the wall, split from the chains.

He lunged, pulling his hidden razor from his pocket and ramming into the man's throat. He barely knew what hit him before he gurgled to an unpleasant death.

"Oh god…" Mrs. Lovett hissed, looking away as Sweeney started hacking at Mrs. Lovett's chains. They broke away easier, and they hurried up the stairs to their freedom.

A/N: Also, is anyone else actually reading this still?