Chapter 2: Abandon Shop

Note: Weekly updates just like I promised. There is going to be a big change in this chapter. Describing Sweeney's physique in a way that sounds strong and solid from almost fifteen years of hard labor, while sounding like he still has the visual build that Depp had for the movie is harder than I thought it would be. Anyway let's get this party started now. I'll try to have a chapter up on either Saturday or sunday. Also the next chapter of Sweeney vs Nellie should be up next week.

It was still late, but it was fairly warm for London. Not that it really mattered to me right now. My footsteps echoed through the streets as I ran. I ducked into an alleyway and dropped to my knees panting hard. I looked around to see if he was still chasing me, but I think I lost him. After everything I did for the man, he tried to kill me.

I did his laundry, I disposed of the bodies, I waited for him and kept his razors, and he tried to kill me because of his precious Lucy. If only she would have died when she drank the arsenic. But as always his reason and his life had to ruin everything as she always did. "Lucy" I snarled under my breath. I shivered as I was only in my nightgown. It was about three years before Benjamin was arrested that I came across the barber.

He completely took my breath away. He was easily the most handsome man I had ever seen. I walked to his home later that day and introduced myself to him. He bowed to me and kissed my hand. We talked for a while, until she appeared. I had known Lucy for a few years after she moved into London.

She already had so many men attracted to her beauty. Not that many weren't attracted to me as well. She was lost and approached us for directions. As soon as they saw each other however, They were both lost for words. After she learned the information she needed, Benjamin asked her for a walk around the park in the moonlight. It was then their love story started before ours began.

Within the year they had fallen in love, and the love of my life proposed to her. I went to the wedding and saw them married. It filled me with longing watching them kiss. Ten months later their daughter was born. Then several months later the judge made his move. I looked up and realized I had walked into the view of Fogg's Asylum.

I looked over and saw a familiar shape stand in front of the asylum. Johanna might be in there. It was then I knew how to avenge Toby. I would reveal to the judge that Sweeney was Benjamin Barker. I would make it sound like I had just found out myself, and I wouldn't mention the killings and the pies to avoid implicating myself. The only problem was the time of night.

Then again Turpin and Bamford were perverts, and with me only in my short, form-fitting nightgown, I figured I could get him to listen. So I marched toward the judge's home. Sweeney would be hung, and Toby would be avenged. (back to sweeney.) I was awake all night it seemed. I decided I would keep my parlor closed today

I didn't want to risk my dexterity at the moment. I looked into the mirror and saw bruises where Lovett was punching me. Clearly I underestimate her strength. I picked up my family portrait again and stroked my knuckle across my wife's face. "My Lucy, I don't know where you are now, but I will find you and help you recover. My Johanna, my baby girl, if only there was an opportunity to rescue you from that vulture."

I looked out the window to see Anthony rushing to my home. I rolled my eyes as he banged on my door. "The door is unlocked lad, come in." The sailor rushed in panting hard. "It's Johanna sir, she is in Fogg's, it's built like a fortress." "The asylum often allows the hair of the inmates to be used to make wigs."

"I don't understand Mr Todd?" I gave the sailor a hard stare. "I am going to set you up as a wig masters apprentice to get you in." A look of recognition dawned on his face. It was then I looked outside and saw a lying traitor walking to the building with her head held high. She entered her shop slamming the door hard.

Grabbing my family portrait I marched down the stairs as the sailor followed me confused. I slammed open the door hard with my shoulder. "Morning Mr Todd" she said with a snarl. "How dare you come back here" I growled. "This is my home after all," she countered. "It was ours before I was taken away."

"You were taken away?" asked the sailor. "Well It's mine now," she said. "You and that bitch can't claim this place anymore." I ripped out one of my razors making Anthony jump. I pointed my friend at her. "You have come to your grave, my pet."

"I don't think so, Barker," she growled. "Barker?" the sailor asked. "I told Turpin all about how you escaped Australia and want to take Johanna and kill him and Bamford. They will be here any minute now." "We need to go Anthony. If you want to save Johanna we must go now."

"You are not going anywhere," Lovett said, grabbing her rolling pin. She charged us and attempted to knock me out with it. I blocked the blow with my arm and grabbed her wrist. After a brief struggle I bent her arm behind her back and she dropped the pin. I picked her up and slammed her into her table. "Out the back house now" I said to Anthony as Lovett attempted to recover.

He nodded and we rushed inside slamming the door behind us. "You have some things to tell me," Anthony said. "We have to escape first, and then I'll tell you everything." The sailor agreed. "How do we get out of here sir?" "There is a sewer grate in the bake house we can escape from." Anthony nodded as I led him to the sewer grate.

(Meanwhile back with Mrs Lovett.) I groaned in pain as I finally rose to my feet. How did a man barely taller than me have so much strength? Just then one of the officers entered my emporium. "Where is the fugitive ma'm?" "he is escaping through the sewer."

He nodded to me and rushed out the door. I smiled as I recognized him as one of the officers that dragged the barber away from his precious family all those years ago.

Note: Another chapter is done. Next chapter Sweeney and Anthony will be on the run, and he will tell Anthony everything as the flee. There may be a fight scene or two. Once they escape it will be time to make preparations to save Johanna.