Dead Shattered Hearts {Sweeney Todd Fanfiction}

Fictitious Sweeney Todd

He returned to the bakery; slamming the door behind him. He trudged back to the booth he was seated in before and lied his head on the table.
Lovett took notice of Todd. She noticed him talking to a stranger outside the building. What'd they talk about?
She paced over to his booth and took a seat across from him.
"What's wrong?" She started; folding her hands together on top of the table.
"Nothin," he mumbled.
"Bull shit," she scoffed. "You went out the shop to talk to someone, who was it?"
Todd sighed. He knew there was no point in lying to her. She puts her nose in anyone's business, especially his.
"Uh... a parole officer They assigned me," he answered and lifted his head.
He looked out the window to see if the strange man was still looking, but he was absent from his past spot.
"Makin sure I don't cause anymore trouble, that's all," he explained.
"Well that's stupid," she complained. "I know you won't cause anymore trouble," she assured.
"If only that officer would take your word for it," he smiled.
As there was a brief pause, the air then consisted of something foul.
The two raised their heads and looked towards the oven. Their eyes widened and they jumped from their seats.
Todd raced to the oven the fastest and quickly whipped open the door.
The aroma then increased and formed into one thick cloud of a burnt awful stench. Todd snatched a an oven mitt and yanked the pan of burnt sugar cookies out.
He slammed the pan on the stove and frowned. The cookies looked beyond edible. They made a fast sizzling sound and they were black as coal.
"Shit," Todd commented and set the oven mitt aside. "They're kinda burnt."
"Oh really?" She retorted in a laugh.
"Throw me out?"
"Well are you gonna eat em?" She smirked.
Todd shook his head and sadly disposed the batch of coal black cookies into the wastebasket.
"And I worked so hard on em," he joked. He then resumed back to his booth where his unfinished gin glass resided.
Lovett followed as she viewed over her bakery. There were only a few people; not as many as she'd hope for.
They again sat across from one another; both thinking of a conversation they could stir up.
"Ya know," she started. "The day's still young and business is a bit slow at this hour." She then paused and looked out the window. "You wanna go get some drinks?"
Todd arched his brow. He knew Lovett was never one to go wild for alcohol.
"There's a bar just a few shops down," she explained.
Todd smiled at her statement and jumped from his seat. "Then what are we waiting for?"
"Let me close the shop up and let the remaining customers leave on their own first," she instructed and flipped the sign that was attached to the door to closed.
Then they waited for the last customer to exit. Todd raced to the door and opened it for Lovett. She couldn't help but blush at his generous actions.
All of this seemed too good to be true. Todd finally recognized her and was gentle. It was like a dream.
The two then walked their way to the bar. As they did so, Todd kept shifting his eyes around his surroundings. Looking for that shady figure that watched him from a distance. Majority of his focus was fixed upon finding this "parole officer."
The man seemed like a fraud. There was something too sketchy about him.
Lovett noticed his distracted look and so tugged on his arm.
"What are you looking for?" She questioned while trying the follow where his eyes aimed at.
He knew he couldn't just answer nothing. Lovett would only demand the answer even more.
"Just looking for that nosy officer," he muttered and moved his attention to Lovett. "Here's the bar," he stated; changing the topic.
They then entered a small bar. Inside looked of the interior of a coffin which of course stench of alcohol. Todd led the way through the bar and seated themselves at booth in a corner of the room. Todd scanned the room; he could get use to this place.
The lights were dim and the aroma was pleasing to the nose. Surprisingly, it was quiet. The only sounds that were consisted in the air were the clanking of dishes and soft conversations. Todd loved it all.
The waiter soon came by and asked for drinks.
Todd didn't hesitate to request for a simple glass of gin.
Lovett requested a glass of porter, something Todd was astonished by.
The waiter left to fetch the drinks; leaving the two once again alone.
"Since when did you enjoy dark liquor," he smirked and played with the few condiments that resided on the table.
"I dunno. Always had a taste for it I suppose," she laughed. "And quit messing with those, you're acting like a child." She then snatched the objects out of Todd's hands and placed them back in their original place.
Within a few minutes, the waiter returned and set the drinks down along with some flier.
"The manager's making me pass these fliers out," the waiter groaned whilst rolling his eyes. "It's just some random party someone's throwing. But yea, there's your drinks."
And with that, the waiter left.
Lovett quickly snatched the flier. It was pale pink slip of paper with words dancing across it.
Her eyes moved among the paper; reading every word and smile forming on her lips.
"Whats it say?" Todd questioned while twirling his straw around in his drink.
"Mr T, it's some sort of party the Authorities are throwing," she replied; still reading the paper. "I guess they want to bring some life here," she joked.
"Ha ha real funny," he replied sarcastically.
"I suppose they just want the people 'ere to 'ave some fun. Oh we should go, Mr T," she pleaded.
"Sounds sketchy," he commented.
"Oh everything's sketchy to you," she retorted. "There's a buffet, dances... drinks," she explained; knowing Todd would tag along with that last word.
He paused. He knew he was already in too much trouble with the Authorities, but a good night with Lovett. The drinks were just a plus, but it was really Lovett that was pulling him into the idea.
"...But that involves dressing all fancy and shit," he replied; trying to make a valid excuse.
"Oh that's no reason to not go. I have plenty of money from the bakery," she simply said and took a sip from her beverage.
"...Well I can't dance anyways," he added.
"Oh that's bull," she laughed. "You and I did it several times back home."
Todd didn't want to think of the past, whether they were the good memories or the bad memories.
"...If the Authorities are throwing the party, they won't let me go."
"Stop makin excuses, I know that's what you're doing. Do you not wanna go?"
"I do wanna go," he mumbled with the straw between his teeth.
"Then what are the excuses for?"
Todd sighed. As much he appreciated the woman in front of him, he wasn't sure if going to this party was the best idea. He still had that fear in the back of his mind of losing the last person he loved. He couldn't help but think of possible situations that could happen at the party. He feared since the Authorities already had a tight eye on him and that one man intentionally wanting Todd to screw up, they'd ship his ass to the mental facility the second he walked through the doors.
"Nothin," he answered. "I'll go. Make an ass of myself... but I'll go." He then grinned and took a hold of the flier.
She grinned too; knowing this was a promised commitment.
Lovett began rambling on her ideas of the perfect outfit. How the two could have matching colors. His bow tie matching her dress. How she could wear her hair and makeup and how for once in his life, Todd could brush his hair.
Todd only caught every other word that she spoke. His mind was more lost in the thought of screwing his last chance up. His tendencies and urges could randomly break out and next thing he knew the cuffs were back on his wrists.
He could already feel the tight restraints tied on his wrists and ankles. He could feel them baring down on his skin. Then with his mind on past tortures, the electroshock machine came into thought. It's electrifying sensation surging through his body and sending him excruciating pain. Blisters forming on his temples and his body becoming numb. His eyes widened in fear as if his body was actually tangled up to the machine and Margery was operating it. Him being forced to stare into her eyes; forced to take the agonizing pain and the only sound able to escape his mouth were muffled screams.
Lovett's voice was now drowned out completely and the only sound he could hear were his own screams, but the screams were in his head. He could see himself screaming and watching Lovett suddenly enter the room, only to leave with a mixed expression of anger and disappointment; disappointed that Todd couldn't put aside his violent urges.
"Mr. T?"
A disembodied voice spoke. The voice was long and echoed throughout his mind.
"Mr. T?" The voice repeated a bit louder. "Sweeney?"
He then suddenly jumped in his seat and looked around his surroundings. He was back in the dim bar with Lovett and two drinks sitting in front of him. He inhaled greatly and exhaled loudly.
"You alright? Ya kinda zoned out there," she added. "Maybe ya had enough to drink."
"Yea, maybe," he muttered; his eyes still staring out blankly. He blinked several times; trying to bring himself back to reality.
"Did you hear anything I said?" She questioned; looking into his eyes with a concerned look. He was like black out, unaware of what was happening.
He nodded; eyes still staring blankly.
"C'mon, love, lets get ya to your room." She then left money for the two drinks with a generous tip and helped Todd out of the booth. With his good arm wrapped over her shoulder, they walked out of the bar and through the second level.
"Mr. T say somethin', you're scaring me," she whined.
Todd had no intentions to scare her, he'd hate to do such a thing.
"I'm fine, Eleanor," he spoke; not realizing he called her by her first name.
She didn't seem to mind and kept on walking.
"Perhaps you need some rest," she suggested. "What were you zoned out on anyways?"
"I dunno," he lied, but his answer seemed believable.
They then made it to the stairs and began walking down them.
"You can get some rest, I'll tend to the bakery, then later we can 'ave dinner," she instructed; though Todd zoned out again.
They finally made it to his room.
It wasn't until he stepped into the small room when he realized he hadn't been there for a while. Everything looked untouched and abandoned.
He then picked up his speed and Lovett stopped at the doorway and leaned against it.
"You'll be alright?" She asked; watching him light candles on the vanity.
"Yea," he assured and finished lighting the candles. After the job, he walked towards Lovett with a smile and leaned against the wall.
"You worry too much," he joked.
"I know," she sighed.
Then it was like their bodies became magnets and they were attracted to each other. They both leaned into each other and their lips crashed upon the other. Instead of being the zoned out, unknowing Todd, he was fully aware of what he was doing.
Her hands reached up and caressed his face. Unlike her, Todd kept his unbroken arm down to his side; with the small concern of getting too close and losing her.
The kiss between the two suddenly broke apart. Todd was first to pull away.
"Alright, dearie," she sighed whilst backing up into the hall. "You get some rest. I'll be back soon."
Todd only nodded and watched her slip down the hall and out of sight. He let out a sigh and quietly shut the door. He then slammed his back against the door and slid down it; grasping his head and tangling his hair.
"Stop while you're at it," he hissed to himself. "Stop before it's too late. You know very well the Authorities will soon take you away from her. It's best to keep distance from her, so when you are pulled away, there's no emotion. No feelings. Nothing."
Then the memories of being pulled away from Lucy came crashing down. The sentiment and horror that haunted him for all the years. He didn't want that to repeat itself. His sanity couldn't afford the trauma from it happening again.
"You need to stay away from her," he lamented. "For her own good and for yours. The more I think about it, she'd be better off without you."
After his speech to himself, he crawled over to his bed and buried himself in the sheets and covers.
"You can't go to that party. Not if you still want to be able to see her. It's better to see her from time to time than to never see her again."
He then sealed his lips, but his lament kept rambling through his head.
He couldn't help but fear he may get pissed off by something little then cause something he'd regret. He feared the littlest outburst would finally piss the Authorities off and ship his ass back to the mental facility.
And there he knew the place would rot his mind and devastate Lovett.
Suddenly, the covers were then ripped off his body. Todd quickly sat up to see who invaded his room; expected it to be Lovett.
But there standing at the side of Todd's bed stood... another Sweeney Todd.
Todd arched his brow and watched the figure standing in front of him.
"You better not go to that party," the figure spoke; Todd's exact voice. "You know yourself, and you know you'll end up doing something wrong and finding yourself out of her reach."
"I know," Todd replied whilst throwing the covers back over himself.
"I don't think you do," the figure argued; crossing his arms across his body and tapping his foot. "You still want to be around her. You still want to go to that party and pretend nothing can stop you. You want to think the Authorities won't snatch you up. What about your parole officer? You know he wants you to find trouble."
"Would you shut up?" Todd growled and turned his body to face the wall instead of the clone of himself.
"Not until you agree to keep a distance from Eleanor. You know she doesn't deserve to be hurt. And she will when seeing you being taken away." The other Todd then gripped Todd's ankles and pulled him out of the bed. The real Todd then collapsed to the floor and looked around the room.
The other Todd was gone.
"It was just a dream," he muttered to himself. He shook his head and crawled back into the bed where he fell asleep.
He ignored the previous dream for he believed it was just another valid reason for the Authorities to lock him away.
~
She skipped around her bakery; serving the people as happy as she could be.
The only thing that bummed her was the lack of Thomas. She missed his voice and smart comments about the customers. She missed him constantly scarfing down the freshly made cookies before the customers could. His own special charisma was missed.
Time began to fly and soon her bakery slowly became vacant. The dinner rush was dying down. ((no pun intended))
Her dress was covered in flour and so were the floors and counters.
She quickly cleaned the shop up and began to cook a very special meal. She was planning for this dinner to be perfect. Her world was just coming together all too beautifully.
She set up the table in the middle of the bakery with a red tablecloth and a pink candle. She used her finest plates and silverware and lined it up all perfectly.
She filled both the glasses with a fine red wine she picked up just for this occasion.
She completed the dinner with portions of pork on the plates and a side salad.
"He'll love it," she smiled to herself.
And to fully complete the dinner, she needed one thing, him.
Promptly closing up the shop, she went out and to grab Todd. She was quick on her feet; too excited for a simple little dinner.
Upon arriving to his door, she hesitated. She looked up at the plaque at that read Benjamin Xavier Barker. She remembered looking up at that name several times before entering his room. She remembered the one time he attempted to cover the plaque with his own flimsy sign that read Sweeney Todd.
She took a deep breath and hoped for the best. Every time she entered his room, something was out of place.
Her hand grasped the door handle. She twisted it and the door pushed in.
The room was dim like it was before. Her eyes shifted from the candlelit vanity to the mangled bed.
The bed was vacant.
"Not again," she sighed in a frustrated voice; fearing Todd was out in trouble.
But the lavatory then swung open and out came a man.
He wore the usual black pants. His torso dressed in a gray button up shirt with a black bow tie tied around his collar. For the first time in a long time, his hair was brushed and almost calm looking. Black suspenders were strapped around him and formed an X on his back.
His hand that wasn't stuck in the sling was stuff in his pocket. A grin was plastered on his face and his eyes were glued to the baker.
"Was I not suppose to dress up?" He asked while advancing towards her.
"No, no, you look charming," she smiled back. "I probably look like a slob."
"Not at all," he quickly replied. "Lovely as always," he smiled and kept rocking back and forth on his feet.
She blushed and kept examining how well he cleaned up. "Oh but now I feel obligated to clean up. Could you wait?"
"Of course."
She then smiled and placed a quick kiss upon his cheek before dashing out of his room and into hers.
He stood awkwardly in his room. His eyes just stuck on Lovett's door.
As his eyes were focused on her door, his ears and mind were focused on something different.
He heard his voice, but he didn't even open his mouth. He heard his voice as if it was another body standing right beside him.
"Tell her you can't go to dinner," the voice instructed. "You can't afford to get any closer to her. The second you pour your heart out to her, They'll take you away and she'll be gone."
"That's not true," he replied to his own voice. His eyes still looking at her door; refusing to see where the voice was coming from. His voice quivered; he believed the other voice was true, but he refused to believe it.
"Stop denying the truth," the voice shouted. "It happened with Lucy, Johanna, and that child Thomas. What makes you think it won't happen again?!"
"Would you shut up," Todd scowled; his voice slowly raising, but he tried to hold back his anger.
"Answer my question!" The voice demanded. "What makes you think it won't happen again? Look at me!"
Then it felt as if cold hands snatched Todd and turned him towards the voice's body.
There, another Sweeney Todd stood. He was dressed the same as the real one was. It was then Todd realized when this happened earlier, it wasn't a dream. He's fully awake.
"You don't exist," Todd whispered; making direct eye contact with himself.
"I'm standing in front of you, aren't I?" The other Todd hissed. 
Todd then turned away; trying to ignore the illusion, but he couldn't block out his voice.
"You can't go to that dinner. She'll only end up leaving," the voice spoke in a softer tone; still intimidating.
"Shut the hell up!" The real Todd screamed at the top of his lungs. He turned quick on his heel to swing at the other Todd, but he had vanished into thin air.
Lovett's door then swung open and out came a newly dressed Eleanor Lovett. She was beyond beautiful. She was perfect.
"Who are you screaming at?" She asked concerned; looking down the hall to see if anyone else was nearby.
Todd then looked around his room confused. Where did this man go?
He swallowed hard and furrowed his brow.
"At myself," he answered softly and very confused.
Lovett arched her brow and stepped in closer into the room.
"C'mon, love, you've probably been in this room a bit too long," she joked and took hold of his hand.
Todd then looked down to his hand in hers and smiled. His eyes then ran down her body; admiringly.
She looked like an angel, that's if angel wore black. The skirt ended just after her knees followed by thin black leggings. The top was lined with white stitching and fitted her body perfectly. Her auburn curls fell to her shoulders; covering the straps of the dress.
Just looking her made him forget of the strange episode that just occurred.
The entire trip to the bakehouse, Todd couldn't remove his eyes off of her.
The voice that constantly hassled him had died down to a muffled whisper. It was like there was tape fastened to the voice's lips.
"Eleanor..." He choked out; lost for words. "You look... just... stunning." He wanted to use a more superior word, but he was speechless. All his vocabulary was just thrown out the window.
Her words were also gone. She only blushed and squeezed his hand.
They arrived at the empty bakery. Through the window, Todd could see the prepared table and how elegant it looked.
"Ya know you didn't have to go through that much trouble," he started while holding the door open for her.
"It was no trouble, now c'mon," she cheered and pulled him inside.
He followed in and helped sit Lovett. Then he sat himself and just gazed at the baker.
But that voice crept back inside him, and his eyes quickly lowered down to his meal.
"Are you excited for that party tomorrow?" She asked while beginning at her side salad. Todd did the same.
"Still a bit skeptical of it," he admitted while stabbing the lettuce with his fork.
"There's nothin to be skeptical about, dear," she assured. "We can even go with someone whose a regular at my shop. She's a sweet little thing and I convinced her today she should come with us. I hope you don't mind that."
Todd wasn't one for too much company let alone a people-person, but he knew this would all please Lovett.
"I don't mind," he replied. He tapped his fork against the bowl a bit nervously. The voice in the back of his head was growing louder. He needed to shut it up or find some distraction to ignore it.
"Red wine, huh?" He stated awkwardly while moving the glass around in his hand; the liquid swirling around within it.
"Yea," she said; taking notice of Todd seeming distracted. "You ok? You seem a bit... on the edge?"
He flashed her a fake smile and nodded his head. "Oh I'm fine, perfectly fine, perfectly perfect," he rambled.
She rolled her eyes and laughed.
There was a moment's silence of just poking at the food and taking small bites, until Todd knew he needed to get his mind off of possibly losing her.
He brought up him helping around the bakery and his ideas of decorations.
That topic kept his mind occupied for the time being.
The two then shared laughs and silly conversations. They joked around about their life before the way it was now. They shared sadistic laughs about the people they bludgeoned and how they've seen them around this world.
It was their sick sense of humor that kept the night interesting.
After a good hour of talking over random topics, Lovett opened a new bottle gin. She poured them both a glass.
She raised her glass and placed her  cheek upon her other hand. "To hope that we'll be together."
"Forever," he quickly added and clanked his glass with hers. They both took a swig of gin and laughed.
He was moving on with her, and it was all perfect. The past was put in it's proper place: the past. It's dead and gone, the way it should be.
As he and the baker relaxed on gin, Todd's eyes slowly shifted out the window. Most of the shops were closed beside bars and restaurants. Very people walked the pathways; most looking to be drunken fools who spent too much time in the bars. Past the drunks and regular people, Todd spied the man he saw earlier.
The man was again just leaning against a wall in an alley; his eyes focused on Todd. The parole officer began jotting down notes in a notepad; his eyes not even watching his hand write.
Suddenly a figure appeared next to the parole officer. It was Todd himself with crossed arms and eyes glaring. He had the expression of disappointment and rage.
The real Todd blinked his eyes several times and noticed the man that stood beside the parole officer vanished.
Trick of the brain, he thought.
He shook his head and focused his attention back to Lovett.
"What were you looking at?" She asked, looking where his eyes once trailed off. She saw the man Todd saw and frowned. "Is that your parole officer?"
"Yea," Todd muttered and took a big gulp from his gin; hoping the hard liquor would distract him.
"He just watches ya?"
"So far."
"Well that's pathetic. It's not like you're gonna do anything," she laughed and looked away from the officer.
Todd only wished he take her word for it. He wished he could believe her assurance that he won't screw up and find himself locked away from her.
"So I was thinkin tomorrow we could go shopping for that party. You think that'd be nice?" She asked; purposely changing the topic.
He nodded his head as he moved his glass around in circles; the liquid inside swirling around.
"Your bow tie can match my dress and shoes, it'll be perfect," she cheered; growing more and more excited by the minute.
"You're really prepped up for this little party, aren't you?" He smirked; enjoying her enthusiasm.
"Well duh, it'll be wonderful, won't it? Considering neither have gone to some sort of gathering together," she smiled; hinting she finally considered themselves as a couple.
Their dinner soon ended and they walked together back to their rooms. His hand in hers and hers in his.
Todd had a sense the officer was following them, but he didn't dare to turn back and see if he was right. The officer was just a reminder of him having to be torn from Lovett. The officer was just a reminder of him screwing shit up, and he didn't want that reminder.
The two walked contently together until they reached their doors. There they'd be separated.
"I suppose I'll see you in the morning," she started and placed her hands on his shoulders.
"I believe I have a bloody session in the morning, so after that we can go shopping," he smiled and took her hand.
"Sounds perfect," she simpered. "You want me to come with you to your session?"
"...uh, if you'd like," he replied uncertain. "They're not that all interesting," he added, even though it was a clear lie to him and Lovett.
"I'll go," she pledged. She then didn't hesitate to place her ruby lips upon his pale lips.
Todd didn't pull away but instead leaned in more. Of course he had to lean down and she had to stand on the tip of her toes to reach each other. He was a good eight inches towering over her.
When the time felt right, they both pulled away and smiled awkwardly. They wished each other a good night and sweet dreams and vanished into their own rooms.
The second Todd stepped into his room and closed his door, keeping it unlocked in case Lovett came in, a man stood in the center of the room.
It was again a trick of his brain.
Another Sweeney Todd stood in the center of the room with firm crossed arms.
The real Todd quickly ignored it as he went straight to change out of his attire.
"You ignored me," the fictitious Todd sneered.
"And I still am," the real Todd scoffed while undoing his bow tie in the mirror. He could see the other Todd in the reflection of the mirror, but he paid barley any attention to it.
"I warned you not to go to that dinner. And what do you do? You go. Even worse you place your filthy lips upon her and nearly swallow her," the man ridiculed. "Imagine the trauma you'll be in when They take you away. That's what you're ignoring, dammit!"
"The only thing I'm ignoring is you," Todd spoke while slipping into a night shirt.
"You're forgetting what happened when you were taken away from Lucy. The trauma you were in, how distraught you were. You want that to happen again?! I'm doing you a favor by telling you to stop before it's too late!" The feigned Todd spat. "Stay away from her. And it's not only for your good, it's also for hers."
"Is all you do is ramble?" Todd questioned while heading to the
bed. "Because it's getting annoying."
He expected some smart ass response, but in return he got silence.
The other Todd was gone and left the room quiet. The real one couldn't help but stare up at the blank ceiling and ponder on what it said. It fathomed how those words it spoke could possibly be right. He quickly pushed the conversation out of mind and thought of Eleanor Lovett.
How beautiful she looked. No, how elegant she looked. No, how ravishing she looked. She was just beyond words and Todd couldn't imagine being torn away from her. She only thought how stubborn he was for never realizing her charm before.
There he fell into slumber for the first time peacefully. The image of just Lovett always by his side through thick and thin melted his heart.
Across the hall, Lovett lied in her bed; staring up at the ceiling with one thing on her mind: the party.
She could just imagine the two dancing together. Her head resting on his chest and her hands locked in his, that's if he was out of his sling by then. They'd be moving slowly; moving along with the rhythm of the music. They wouldn't being speaking for their moves would be enough words to scream at the top of the world. How the passion between them would ignite. There would be no boundary between them as they pressed against each other and their lips crashing to create never ending love.
Her mind fell at rest with these content notions. She could only hope the day would come soon and begin with his hand in hers.
~
"Wake up!" A disembodied voice snapped. It was gruff and angry.
Todd shifted in his bed; shoving a pillow over his face.
"I know you heard me, wake up!" The voice barked again.
Todd pulled the pillow off his face along with the covers off his body. He sat up in the bed and glared at the man.
"Since when are you now so frequent? Just leave me alone," Todd scowled while climbing out of bed. He took notice in the sliver of light underneath his door heeding it was around morning.
"Just thought I'd be a nice guy and wake you for your session," the other Todd scoffed. He folded his arms across his body and leaned against the wall whilst watching Sweeney Todd dress for the day. "And a little suggestion... don't bring her along."
The voice was dark and ominous; almost threatening.
"And why not?" Todd asked while buckling his belt and tucking his shirt in.
"Because you know spending more time around her will only break you," the figure glowered. "Just go to your session without her, she's not even awake."
"And if I do, will that shut you up?"
"For the time being, yes," the fake Todd beamed.
Todd gave him a fake smile back and finished dressing. Once he finished, he started for the door and entered the hall. His eyes quickly found her door, but then he looked to the floor.
"He's right," he softly admitted. "I can go without her... it won't hurt nobody."
He assured himself things will be alright. Perhaps his conversation with himself was right.
After several times convincing himself the other Sweeney Todd was right, he set off to Vincent's office.
His left hand kept fiddling around with his sleeve as he listened to the clicks of his boots. His used the clicking as a tempo and began whistling to the beat.
He kept his mind distracted from leaving Lovett or the recent perplexing conversations with this other Sweeney Todd he kept seeing.
He kept his mind to the cheery tune he whistled; being sure to not skip a beat.
After the hall through the wall, through the recently deceased room, Todd came upon Vincent's office.
And there leaning on the wall next to the door stood the other Todd.
The real one quickly ignored the other one and advanced towards the door.
"While you're in there," the imaginary Todd started in a calm, yet dark tone. "Don't mention you've been seeing me or talking to me. They'll only be sure to lock you up real good in that funny farm."
Todd didn't reply to the figure, he carried on his way and entered the room where the usual session began.
"Mrs Lovett didn't tag along?" Vincent asked while prepping up his tools. He dug out the familiar pocket watch; preparing to hypnotize Todd like he usual does.
"I dunno... She was already sleeping, didn't wanna bother her," he answered and got comfortable in the sofa.
"Well, shall we begin?"
Todd nodded and within two minutes he was out like a light. His left hand hung off the bed with his red resting on his chest.
The questions hadn't even begun and Todd's own mind was fighting itself.
His facial expressions showed that he wasn't relaxed.
"Mr Todd, can you hear me?" Vincent started; his glasses resting on the tip of his nose while his old man eyes studied Todd.
His mind was more focused on the voice in his head. Vincent's voice sounded like a muffled bland tone.
"Mr Todd?" Vincent snapped.
It took a few seconds, but Todd soon responded.
"We've been making progress with your hypnotherapy, wouldn't you  agree?"
"I suppose so," Todd muttered.
"How are things between you and Mrs Lovett? You seem to be around her more often."
Todd's thoughts then switched over to her. How he felt guilty for leaving he behind.
"They're alright," he answered. "She's all giddy over this party you people are throwing. She wants to go with me pretty badly. It's all she talks about." He could just imagine the two entering those doors looking like the odd one out.
"Well that'd be lovely," Vincent commented; scribbling notes. "You've been staying out of trouble?"
"I suppose so... I hope so. For her sake that is..." He rambled; careful to not mention him talking to this mirage of a Todd.
"And why for her sake?"
"I don't want her seeing me in that nut house," he sighed. "She already believes I'll be good and stay outta trouble, and I don't wanna disappoint her."
"Why do you think you will?"
"Cause I'm not perfect. Ever since I got 'ere, I've been behind bars. And if I find myself in trouble one more time, I'm screwed. I dunno what's worse... being locked in that facility and seeing the look on her face, or thrown in The Lost Souls Room and forever outta her reach." After his speech he took a deep breath and a long sigh followed.
Vincent stayed quiet for moment. He was busy scribbling down almost every word that slipped out of Todd's mouth. He pitied the man, but there was nothing he could do to stop what the Authorities had in plan.
"In all fairness, I think it's wrong of Them putting you away in that place. I fear it'll only do you worse," Vincent admitted; waiting for Todd's reaction, but he had no reaction. He held the same expression he had before; a frustrated look.
"Is there anything you need to admit? Everything here is confidential, except if it's something the Authorities need to be notified of," Vincent explained.
His head kept telling him don't speak of the bizarre encounters with a ghost-like Sweeney Todd, but felt obligated to tell Vincent.
"I can't tell you," he muttered; it was very soft, but Vincent caught it.
"And why not? Will your wife disagree?" He asked; knowing Todd was a bit nervous to admit things in fear of betraying Lucy.
"I doubt she even cares for me now," he hissed. "But I don't blame her."
"So why can't you tell me?"
Todd swallowed harshly and tightened his fist into a ball. It was if his mind was divided into two teams. One team screaming at him to not tell Vincent of the possible mental breakdown and the other team was ready to succumb.
"He'll yell at me like he always does. Then I'll be taken away from her like I was from Lucy. He even mentioned to not bring him up," Todd explained; lost in his conscious and unaware of the strange news he was delivering.
Vincent wore a puzzled expression and quickly jotted down a few words.
"Who's he?" Vincent asked curiously.
"I dunno how to explain it," Todd mumbled. "The other me? I suppose you could call it. I see him more frequently and his voice is getting more dark and loud."
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Another long chapter that exceeded 6000.
If your confused of the psychological events occurring with Sweeney Todd, it's sorta like the novella/ movie Secret Window where the main character sees himself as if he's another real person. He carries on a full conversation with him, but in reality he's not really there.
I pulled this idea to add in the story from that movie and from the movie Psycho.
Understand a little? I hope so.
The topic will be more in depth in the next chapter
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