𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝙻𝚞𝚌𝚢 (𝚂𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚢 𝚃𝚘𝚍𝚍 𝚡 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛)

01

(TW: the word r@pe)

London was never the place for you. Cold, Dark, depressing.. But your sister? Lucy? She adored the place. It's where she wanted to raise her daughter.

Unfortunately, as far as (Y/N) knew, that never happened. He has been trapped in a job enlisted in the military for twenty years, causing him to miss out on the majority of his sister's adult life. All he had to clue him into what happened in London was the letters passed between the few.. the Joy of meeting her first lover, Benjamin, dating him for some time before taking on his last name, gaining the news of pregnancy, having the sweet girl- Joanna- and then-

Her husband was pulled from her. Torn away cause of a false charge. This killed her. Depression ravaged her, the letters speaking how she plotted suicide, the one thing stopping her being her daughter.

The final letter was one you had only read once. Once was all you needed. It was horrid. Infuriating. It told how the judge had pulled her away and taken advantage of her. She spoke how she didn't know how much more she could take- and then?

No more.

You sent letter after letter, begging her to answer you, tell you she's alive.

It never happened.

So here you finally are, standing on fleet street looking up at a barber and pie shop in the space where her home once sat.

As of now, the barber was closed, leaving the pie shop as your source of info. It seemed to be a fairly busy building, folks going in and out, beautiful pies held in hand. Your only complaint would be the slightly odd smell.

Stepping in, you glanced around, taking in the sight of bustling customers, nice cheery wallpaper, a harmonium in the corner, and a young boy rushing between tables.

The young boy looked rather ragged, but seemed to be taken care of, a rare treat to be seen for apprentices on fleet street. Eventually, his eyes caught onto you and he raced over, setting down the pitcher of ale.

“Hello sir! You can sit wherever you want sir, I'll just be a minute!”

Before the boy could run off, you put up a finger. “Actually, young man, I was wondering if you knew of a Lucy Barker around these parts?”

His brows furrowed and he thought for a second before shaking his head. “I'm sorry, sir, but the name doesn't ring a bell. You should ask my mistress. I'll go grab her”

Just as fast as he came over, he raced off, only coming back a few seconds later with a rather pretty woman at his side. “Here you go, mum!”

“Thank you Toby dear, now, attend to the customers.” She gave him a small smile before turning to you. “Now what can I do for you, dear?”

Slowly fidgeting, you sighed before looking down at the woman. Hoping for the best answer. “Do you know a Lucy Barker? She's my sister..” he paused before putting out his hand “(Y/N) (L/N).”

A look befell her face, somewhat somber, but somewhat worried. “Why don't you come to my back parlor, dear..? I ah.. think we should talk about this there.” she shook your hand. “Nettie Lovette. Call me Miss. Lovette”

With a nod, the two made their way back, eventually stopping and sitting at a table. She turned and poured a small shot of gin. “What do you need to know about her, love?”

“When I was out- ah, Navy, you see, we would exchange letters. She told me about everything.. then one day after a rather… concerning letter, they just stopped.. all I know is that the judge took advantage of her and she was contemplating suicide..”

With a sigh, Miss. Lovette leaned against the wall. “I don't know how to say this kindly, but she took some arsenic from the apothecary down the street.. that.. done her in well.”

You could feel your heart drop. Your sister was dead.. with a rough sigh, you took a shot of gin, cringing at the taste. “And Joanna..?”

“The judge had her.. locker her up someplace once she started getting defiant. I know this young lad, sailor, he's looking for her. Sometimes he comes around. You might best be off for now..” She let out a small sigh.

“Thank you m’am.. I won't forget this. Ah, and upstairs-? It's a barbers shop?” You slowly stood, making your way to the door.

“Oh yes. Mr Todd's tonsorial parlor and emporium. You don't look as if you need a shave though.”

“Thank you, I will be on my way” with a nod, you made your way out. Before you fully left though, you paused, what if you took one final look at where the Barkers once resided? It wouldn't hurt. You also doubt this Mr. Todd would be bothered. Turning, you make your way up the stairs and find yourself opening the door to the barber shop, being unlocked despite being closed. You came to face with an extremely handsome man, yet, something nagged you that he looked familiar.

“Ah. Pardon sir, but we're closed.” He said, cleaning something off his razor.

“Actually- I'm not here for a shave. You see, my sister and her husband used to live here… I was hoping to find something in remembrance..”

“Sister?” He asked, seemingly suddenly interested.

“Yes. Real kind lady she was… ah.. Lucy Barker? Ring a bell?” You lean forward, hoping perhaps to get even just a little bit more information.

Slowly, the man nodded, his eyes wandering up to meet your face, a slight sorrow in them. At this moment, he looked beyond familiar.. but where from..?

Slowly, you reach down into your bag and dig through before pulling out an envelope. You open it to pull out a small picture. That of Benjamin, Joanna, and Lucy. You walk over to Todd and show it to him.

“This was them.. last photo I have of them.. I-” You pause, an ache ripping through your heart. The man who raped your sister now had your niece. You couldn't allow this. You need to get her back. But.. you have nothing- just old photos, a few pennies, and the clothes on your back..

Before you know it, you can feel tears building in your eyes. This was wrong. Unfair. Foul.

Looking back at the picture, you realized something. Todd looked an awful lot like Benjamin.. Quickly, you wipe your tears and look at him. “Ah, sorry Mr. Todd. This is all just so hard.. Ah.. and, if I may inquire, you look an awful lot like Mr. Barker- are you relatives?”

Something in Sweeney's eyes sparked as he looked at you, it was an odd look. Different. As if he was in deep thought. “You look so much like her.. My Lucy..”

“Ah? Pardon?” suddenly, the realization came to you. This was him. This was Benjamin Barker.