9

"Get yer 'ands off me ye grimy bastards!" Nellie frantically swung her rolling pin against all arms she could reach, but fear and panic began to overwhelm her as the hands gripping the back of her dress started to pull.

Sweeney dashed forward, stabbing wildly with his razors, splattering himself with blood once more. "Move, move!" He snapped, hoping that somehow the baker would be able to break free of the monsters' grip.

Splinters joined the glass and blood as the thin frames between the window panes were broken. Toby was frozen at the sight, knowing his chair would be no good in such a situation. He suddenly rushed forward though, as the baker screamed again when her feet were lifted off the ground.

Focusing his attention on attacking all he could reach for the window, Sweeney nearly forced himself to ignore Mrs. Lovett's screeches. They couldn't risk opening the door as an attempt to push them back, if it was at all possible with so many swarmed behind it. He couldn't risk touching her, even as an attempt to bring her back. All that would show was a weakness, a desire for her to stay, the possibility of caring for her well being and maybe even a bit of compassion.

Sweeney's internal dilemma was nothing like the desperate grip Toby had on his mum's arm, hoping to be able to pull her back.

There were a great deal more cracking noises and glass shattering as Nellie was finally pulled through the window like a great rag doll, rolling pin still clutched in her hand.

"Mr. T!" She screeched, kicking snarling and whacking at the hands that passed her above the crowd. "Mr. T!"

The barber and the boy stood in numb shock as the horde slowly drifted away from the door, carrying the baker with them.

"No." Sweeney growled, wrenching open the feeble and damaged door. "No!" He attempted to run down the stairs after her, but a surprisingly strong hand held onto the back of his coat.

"Sir, stop!" Toby pleaded. "Mr. T, look!" The boy begged.

Though most of the creatures had descended down the stairs with their prize, a great many were still wondering around the pie shop's courtyard, and they turned their hungry eyes onto the barber shop as the moving group passed by.

"We need to get back into the shop sir!"

Sweeney ignored Toby, eyes fixed on the hissing spitting form of the red-haired woman. "Nellie!" He howled.


A/N I'm a shameless shipper xD. But other than that, I'm proud to say this entire chapter can be summarized as 'Mrs. Lovett gets pulled through a window'.