Fleet Street's Nemesis // Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Toby - Eight

When Toby got back, it was about 8pm, Mrs. Lovett was almost asleep with her book on her chest and her feet put up, good she deserved it. Me, on the other hand, Did not get any sleep, for I was too excited and my eyes would shoot open every time I heard Mr. Todd move upstairs.
Toby came in through the entry of the living room and Nellie's eyes opened to peer at him. She sat up a little bit.
"Where have you been lad?" She asks as I turn around and look at him, he looked okay.
"Mr. Todd sent me on an errand... Seems like the good lord sent you for me."
"Ah love, I feel quite the same way."
I nod to myself, noticing that he was mainly talking to Mrs. Lovett, this was understandable, because she did take him in way before I came, and she was like his mother.
"Listen to me please, you know there's nothing I wouldn't do for you," He was over at her side. "Say, If there was someone around, someone bad, only you didn't know it."
My eyes traveled upwards to look at their roof that Mr. Todd lived above, it was clear that Toby was talking about him.
"What is this, what are you talking about?" Nellie asks and holds Toby's hand as he kneels by her chair.
Toby looks at her for a bit with his doey eyes and starts to sing,

'Nothing's gonna harm you
Not while I'm around
Nothing's gonna harm you
No, sir, not while I'm around'

"What do you mean someone bad?"

'Demons are prowling everywhere
Nowadays
I'll send them howling
I don't care
I got ways
No one's gonna hurt you
No one's gonna dare
Others can desert you
Not to worry, whistle I'll be there
Demons'll charm you with a smile
For a while
But in time
Nothing can harm you
Not while I'm around'

"Thats nice, dear. Now what's all this foolishness?" Mrs. Lovett gets up and puts her book down, I try to turn myself invisible, for I didn't want to be wrapped up in this convo. "What are you talking about?"
"Little things I been thinking about Mr. Todd."

'Not to worry
Not to worry
I may not be smart
But I ain't dumb
I can do it
Put me to it
Show me something I can overcome
Not to worry, Mum
Being close and being clever
Ain't like being true
I don't need to
I would never
Hide a thing from you
Like some'

Oh, it was so clear that he was talking about Mr. Todd, and it was so sweet that he wanted to protect Nellie.
"Now toby, dear. Hope we've had enough of all this foolish chatter, here, how about I give you a nice, shiny, new penny. And you go and get us some toffee's?
"That's signor Pirelli's purse!"
My eyes widen a fraction, Oh no...
"No it's not, just something Mr. T gave me for my birthday.
That proves it, we gotta go ma'am, we gotta find the beadle and get the law here!"
Oh no!
She quickly shushed Toby when they reached the doorway, "Shush Toby, hush now, You just sit here," She sat him next to men and I looked away, "Nice and quite, next to us, that's right." She sat down and pulled him in to her side. "How could you think such things of Mr. Todd? He's been so good to us."
I kept my gaze away and pursed my lips, how could I let this happen? He suspects everything, this is bad...I finally looked at Mrs. Lovett and she had tears in her eyes, she assumed the worst and thought that they would have to get rid of Toby. Now I noticed my eyes teared up too, my little brother Toby, he'll have to have somethin happen to him, no doubt Mr. Todd will want to kill him.

'Nothing's gonna harm you
Not while I'm around
Nothing's gonna harm you, Toby
Not while I'm around
Demons'll charm you with a smile
For a while
But in time
Nothing's gonna harm you
Not while I'm around'

Me and Mrs. Lovett made eye contact as I wiped my eye, I gave a little nod as her message was clear. "Funny we've been having this conversation, Toby. Cause I was just thinkin, You know how you've always wanted to come in the bake house with me to help make the pies?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Well, It'll be my little present. Now, come on." They stood up and Toby gave me the same look as he did Mrs. Lovett. I smile but I can't help to be a little confused. I stand up quickly and go the opposite direction the two went in.
"Have fun, Toby." I mutter and stalk into my room my eyes giving out and tear flowing from them. My little Toby, is as good as dead. I choked on air and looked at myself in the mirror.  The sight truly disturbed me, my face was red and my nose too, my hair was way messier than usual and I seemed to have gotten thinner, how? Has all this running about and talk of madness caught up to me? I laugh a little and wipe my face with my sleeve, being careful to not get too much makeup on it. I bit my lip and inhaled deeply before running up to Mr. Todd.
"Mr. Todd." I breathed out and looked for anyone other than him. He was pacing and his jacket was off and thrown somewhere, he kept his gaze on the large window.
"When will he get here?" He asked and I sighed while walking over to him.
"I don't know..." I say and stand by his chair.
I sigh and leaned against the chair, I watch Mr. Todd pace back and forth, his eyes never leaving the window. It was truly fascinating, how he could get lost like that, just staring at the moon and buildings, but also watching for the man we aspire to get revenge on. It must have been hours that I kept watching him, but I was also thinking about Micheal, and when he'll get what he deserves. That little rat who I once dared to love turned out to be worse and twisted than I thought. And to think that a year or two ago, I wanted to start a family with him and live in Ireland, permanently. It disgusted me, how naive I was back then, but I'm quite glad I was, or I would have never met these people.