Thank you:

M. Cullen Hightopp - I know, I couldn't think of any other way to describe a movie! XD

xBadxRomancesx - Thank you, but the amazing thing about our musicals is that if you audition, you're automatically in it! That way everyone gets a part! :)

freakyfriday13 - I haven't actually seen Saw, but I don't want to either :/

and obsessivelyfanaticgw09 - I know how you feel! And we're doing Little Shop Of Horrors!

The line Joey sings is from Bon Jovi's 'It's my life' :) Hope you enjoy chapter twenty four!

Chapter Twenty Four

"Anna?"

"Mmm?"

"Can I ask you something?"

Anna looked up from her book, an amused gleam in her eyes.

"You just have." She pointed out with a grin. I grinned back.

"Very funny."

Anna laughed. "What do you want to know?"

I paused, playing with the corner of the blanket I lay underneath. I was spending the day in bed and, to keep my company, Anna sat with me.

Not in my bed though, obviously.

"How did you…end up…here?"

Anna frowned, but not at me.

"Well…it's a rather long story."

"Anna, I have been sentenced to at least a week of lying in my bed. I shall need some entertainment." I told her. She laughed.

"Do you really want to know?"

"If you don't want to tell me –"

"No, it would be nice. None of the other maids are interested."

"Really? Well, I am so, go!"

Anna laughed.

"Very well…" Anna blushed as she began. "I was born and lived in Ireland with my twin brother, Alec. Our father wasn't a very good one, and spent most of his money on alcohol. Alec and I survived mainly on our own.

"Shortly after our seventh birthday, our father died. We were separated and I was sent into a factory in London to work. Like most other girls, I was told to clean. One day, Judge Turpin came in to inspect it and found me. He took me in and I was the new maid of the household."

Anna finished her story on a bitter note. I frowned and reached out to take her hand.

"That's awful." I said sadly. Anna sighed.

"What is even worse is that I have not seen my brother since I was eight. I do not know whether he is dead or alive."

"At least you have some recollection of your family."

Anna looked up at me, tears filling her eyes. "Oh Johanna, I am so sorry!"

I grinned sheepishly, only just realising the tears that had sprung to my eyes. Leaning forwards, we hugged each other.

"We're a messed up pair." I whispered.

"Yes, that we are." Anna agreed.

"We've got you with a missing brother and I with children popping up everywhere," I joked. "What a life!"

"How do you do that?"

"How do I do…what?"

"Just laugh and joke about everything, even when it is serious and bothering you." Anna said gently. I shrugged.

"There is nothing else I can do, really."

"That's really sad."

"It's my life."

This sentence made me grin as a familiar tune crept into my mind.

"It's my life…it's now or never…I ain't gonna live forever…"

"What?"

I shook my head. "Oh, nothing."

A knock at the door made us both jump. Her eyes wide, Anna almost leapt up from the bed and crossed the room to open the door.

"Oh, good morning, sir." She said, stumbling into a quick curtsey. I instantly knew it was Turpin.

Brilliant.

Turpin gave her a curt nod as he entered the room, not looking at me. Another man followed. He was just as old, but his hair was snow white, and his blue eyes were kind.

"Hello, you must be Johanna!" He greeted me cheerfully, a thick accent marring in with his speech. I couldn't quite place where he was from.

"Leave us." Turpin ordered Anna in a dry tone. She nodded, mumbling a quick "Yes sir," before turning to leave. I watched her go sadly.

"So how are you feeling today, Johanna?" The man asked. I quickly realised he was a doctor.

"I'm fine, thank you. How are you today?"

He chuckled. "Oh, I'm quite alright, but we're not here to talk about me, are we? No, we are here to talk about you."

I couldn't help but giggle at this.

"If you insist."

"I do, lass. It is my job! You don't feel too hot, too cold?"

I shook my head. "I'm a little warm, but only because I've under so many blankets."

The doctor smiled. As he was about to speak, Turpin interrupted.

"Tell him what you told me, Johanna," He ordered, his eyes boring into mine. "Tell him of what you saw."

I swallowed anxiously, caught under his stare. He was silently daring me to look away, to defy him. I knew he could not do anything if I did, for the doctor was there, but I feared what would happen later.

So I gave in.

"I have suffered three losses of children…each of them died during labour…" I swallowed again. "But yesterday, I believed I saw one of them out the window. A young girl."

The doctor frowned. "You saw your daughter?"

"What Johanna saw was a child she believed one of hers would resemble. It has troubled her and she is now suffering from a fever to the brain." Turpin told him, his eyes never leaving mine. I glared at him, unable to do anything else.

"Ah," The doctor paused to think. "Well, all I can suggest is that you have a nice rest. You are probably troubled from this and the memory loss," He suddenly smiled. "And I also suggest you stay away from windows."

I smiled back helplessly. What else could I do?

Turpin also smiled, his eyes finally freeing me of their hateful gaze.

"Thank you, doctor. One of the maids will show you the way out should you need it."

"Thank you, sir. It was a pleasure to meet you, Johanna."

"Likewise."

"Just do what I said, and stay away from windows!"

The doctor was still chuckling as he left.

I sighed and looked up at Turpin, who was staring at me.

"May I help you?" I asked as rudely as I dared. Turpin raised an eyebrow.

"I don't like your tone of voice, child."

I simply stared at him in what I hoped was a defying manner. He apparently didn't like this, as he launched forwards and grabbed my arms.

"Let go!" I squealed as he yanked me off the bed.

I couldn't help but curse at my foolishness. Why must I always resort to begging?

"Now you listen to me, Johanna," He hissed through his teeth. "You have no idea how powerful I am. If I was to simply let out that you were seeing delusions…" Turpin paused to smirk. "Who knows what may happen."

I glared at him. "You wouldn't dare."

"You don't know what I am capable of, child."

I narrowed my eyes at him, my lips pressed together in a hard line. An idea sprung to my mind, making me smirk.

"Oh, so if they were to cart me off to an asylum, what would that do to your excellent reputation?" I questioned boldly. "The great Judge Turpin, taking in a runaway ward that has lost her memory and is now mad."

My smirk grew as his disappeared.

"Yeah, I didn't think you would. Why make threats when they're so…" I paused to search for the word. "Empty?"

Turpin let go of my arms. My smirk growing, I was about to turn away when his hand flew out.

I fell against the wall with a bang, a sickening crack coming from my skull. I hissed in pain, clutching it.

Turpin knelt down in front of me, his smirk back.

"Do not threaten me, Johanna," He muttered. "You will not win."

My heart missed a beat as his hand suddenly cupped my cheek, his thumb running down the line of my cheekbone.

"I would hate it if this beautiful face was ruined."

My eyes widened. Even I wasn't foolish enough to not realise when he was threatening me.

Turpin let out a low chuckle, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up on end.

"You are so naïve, Johanna."

His face suddenly changed from triumphant to kind as he leant forwards and placed a father like kiss on my forehead.

"I'll send up that maid you love so much," He said quietly. "She can help you…feel better."

Still smirking, Turpin stood up and left me alone in my room.

A single tear ran down my cheek.

I had to leave, and fast.