Without You, There is No Point in Surviving

Chapter 3 The Chase

Mrs. Lovett stomped through the sewer's puddles with such determination, it was unlike anything Mr. Todd has ever seen. She wore a simple black dress, unlike her others. And nervously tugged on the sleeves, having them pulled over her knuckles as if she could escape reality within the cloth. She didn't fancy this dress much, it was too plain and cheap, the first one she received when she widowed. It was a gift from Mrs. Mooney, of all people, sharing her condolences, no wonder she never cared for the dress. But it was light weight and allowed her movements to be quick and for that, she was thankful.

She focused on the stone of the walls, Mr. Todd's heavy steps behind her back, the rats screeching and scurrying, anything to keep this night's events from her mind. She looked around at every stone, every rat, wondering how in the hell this was all real. Her footsteps felt light, as if she was floating, as if she were in a dream, no, a nightmare. Tonight, was not one of her pleasant dreams, if it were, Toby would be at her side, they would be stepping on ocean water not bloody stinking sewage water.

"This way," she said as she almost missed the next turn and collided into the wall. She knew the exist of the sewers well. She used to escape out of them when Albert would be on his drunken frenzy and she didn't have the patience nor care to deal with him. She counted the stones or thought out their next move, anything to keep her mind busy. Anything to keep from picturing the blood spraying out of Toby's neck. She came up to the ladder and grate above, just as she recalled.

When she touched the rung of the ladder, she noticed for the first time all night just how badly her hands were shaking. She paused for a bit, out of breath. "Sometime tonight, Mrs. Lovett." She could've slapped him if she dared to.

She remembered her father's words, be strong, and climbed out of the bloody sewers, Mr. Todd on her heels.

5:00 am.

Thank god the streets were empty. They lurked through the city, the sun had not yet risen and they were good on time.

"What exactly is your plan now?" She caught up the courage to ask him after several paces.

"To find a boat or train." He grumbled.

"Well I figured that, but which way. . .?"

"The morning train we'll leave soon, we'll head towards the station."

"With what tickets?" Nellie asked.

"Figure something out, pet." He snarled that last word in annoyance. She sighed, thinking of how death would be so much easier to handle than all of this. Have to stay strong, have to stay strong, she assured herself.

They walked for about an hour or so to the part of London where the train station would be. People had ventured out of their homes by now, beginning to start their days. The ever growing crowd on the streets made them both insufferably nervous, and Nellie's anxiety was all ready hanging by a thread. They kept their heads down, refusing the make eye contact with anyone.

They were moving so fast, Mrs. Lovett almost tripped over the cobblestones as Sweeney roughly dragged her arm, pulling her into an alleyway.

"What is –" he placed his hand over her mouth to silence her. To her terror, she spotted the law, batons in hand, walking through the streets. Maybe it was just a coincidence, maybe they were looking for someone else. They were both certain that the officers were headed towards her shop. They waited a few more minutes, making sure the coast was clear, before leaving their hiding spot.

6:40 am.

"Tis a row dow diddle dow day tis a row dow diddle dow dee." Sung a drunkard in uniform, perched upon a crate, a half-naked whore sitting on his lap. "Mrs. Lovett," he called as they passed.