Habits

Dangerous Secrets

"Good, now remember apply pressure but not to much," Sweeney instructed watching Toby's hand closely.

Toby smiled brightly as he barely scraped the razor against the customers beard.  The past month had been kind to him, despite the first stressful week of being watched by Nellie he could finally shave.  Not all that well but enough for Nellie to back off.  Sweeney had made up with Nellie, of course Toby wasn't quite sure how. 

"Careful, try a little less pressure once you get down to the neck."

Listening intently to Sweeney's instructions Toby found the shave over quite quickly.  He finally hadn't had the razor yanked from his hand, or been corrected.  It was all him.  The customer stood and thanked both Toby and Sweeney before handing Toby what he owed.

Just as the door closed Sweeney spoke up, "You keep practicing, you did great today. By next week I may be able to take more customers if your willing to start working."

"Do ya really mean it sir?" Toby asked excitedly.

"I do." Sweeney responded. "But just a warning son. Some of the men that come in can talk about so pretty awful stuff."

Toby nodded, "I know, remember I worked in a barber shop before. With Pirelli." He shivered even thinking about the Italian.

He still had faded scars on his fingers and arms from the man.  Toby flinched as he felt a hand grip his shoulder only to turn around and meet the gaze of Sweeney.

"I figure its time to see it dinners prepared. You go on flown and I'll meet you in a minute."

"Alright sir, you'll need my help tomorrow as well won't ya?"

"As always," Sweeney opened the door to the shop allowing Toby to exit with ease.

Sweeney shut the door and turned to a small closet that sat in the corner of the room.  He'd kept Toby far away from it, though the boy had no idea why.  As he slowly approached the don't he heard the muffled cries echoing throughout the room.  Sweeney grabbed the knob and pulled open the door.  The figure on the floor of the closet was bound and gagged and froze as light entered the small space.

"Stand up," Sweeney snapped looking down on the figure that stood slowly.

He was short. Young, but not a child.  Sweeney pulled out a pistol that he'd his in his trousers and held it to the mans head while removing the gag from his mouth.

"Sir, I promise, I've done nothing wrong!" He whimpered.

Sweeney scoffed, "I could never believe that. Now how many of you are there?"

"Please, let me go!"

"I asked you a question! Now answer with the truth or your death with me more painful than it has to be!"

"My mom, my two sisters and my younger brother!" The boy sobbed, his last moments alive were to be spent giving up his family's life.

"Good, then it won't take me long hunting them down and ending their lives." Sweeney growled placing his finger on the trigger.

"Don't hurt me..."

Sweeney pulled the trigger, ignoring the quiet pleading.  Blood flowed freely from the wound and Sweeney closed the door feeling content. Now for the others...

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Nellie's smile widened as Sweeney entered the house with a proud grin on his face.  Toby had told her everything and she knew Sweeney was proud of him.  As she walked up to him he gave her a soft kiss on the cheek and smiled sweetly at her.