Work Text:
Johanna watched as Anthony left the shop and headed for the streets. She stifled a sob of worry and decided to hide in a dark corner (This corner was not touched by the light, and therefore was almost complete black). This barber shop, despite looking so cold and dreadful, felt recognizable. Johanna felt as though she had been here before, sometime long ago.
She traced the room with her eyes, noticing the open box containing silver razors, the dim and orange light hanging above, and the odd pile of fluff resting in front of her.
That pile was, in fact, a rat. More disturbing, however, was the long snake that seemed to emerge from the shadows and wrap around the rodent. Both stared at Johanna with dark eyes before running off from the sound of approaching footsteps.
Johanna threw herself into the corner and placed a hand over her mouth, stifling back another sob. Why must the world be so twisted? Would she die here? She watched as a tall man with a strong build and disheveled hair came in, out of breath.
He looked around frantically for a moment, before running a hand through his hair and fixing it up in the mirror. He fixed up his suspenders and wiped off any dust on his white shirt.
Johanna pressed her hand even harder against her mouth. It took her everything to not scream and cry and go look for Anthony. Instead of doing all of that, though, she made herself as small as possible and hoped that this man would not find her.
Unfortunately, that’s not how things played out.
-
Sweeney hustled into the room, his chest heaving with panic. Turpin was coming- this was his last chance to get revenge on that bastard. He fixed his appearance and made himself look more neat before reaching for his razors. He hovered his fingers over the spotless blade, feeling the anger boil inside of him. He would kill that vulture for everything he had done to him and his family- his perfect, wonderful family.
While stuck in the memories of what could have been, Sweeney noticed something flicker in the corner. He grasped the handle of his razor and slowly inched near the dark area. He did his best to sound menacing and dangerous, but his words came out choked and too fast.
“Come out, you fiend,” he growled, his voice low and rude. He waited a few moments, about to throw the person into the light, but was startled when the person threw themselves out into the open and onto him.
“Oh, please, sir!” They sobbed. Sweeney took this sudden movement as a threat, and threw them off.
“Please,” they choked, terrified and keeping themselves to the other end of the room.
“What are you doing here? Get out!” Sweeney hissed, noticing the sailors outfit they had on. For a moment his brain stopped to analyze the situation- Anthony must have brought Johanna here by now, and of course she would have been disguised. In a choked voice, he mumbled: “Johanna?”
The sailor smiled through her tears and nodded. “Yes, sir, yes! You must be Mr. Todd, Anthony has talked so much of you! He says you are intelligent and skillful.” She cried, coming closer to Sweeney now that he knew she was someone to protect.
Sweeney looked at her with awestruck eyes. She was perfect in every way- her long, blonde hair, her pale face, and her teary hazel eyes. For a moment he felt lightheaded, and he slowly lowered his blade to the table.
Out of sheer impulse, Sweeney came up and wrapped his arms tightly around her. Sobs threatened to rise, but he instead hugged her tighter. He felt the poor girl shuffle uncomfortable, and he held it a moment longer before backing up and keeping his arms at her shoulders.
“Mr. Todd.? Are you alright, sir?” She said with worry, looking up at his tear stained face. Sweeney let out a sound that was both a cry and a laugh, and nodded.
“Yes, yes I apologize,” he said in his deep voice. “I am just.. so happy you’re alright.” He cleared his throat and reluctantly took his hands off her shoulders. “Now..you must hide. It isn’t safe here.” He said, almost instantly snapping back to his previous cautious and serious tone. “Come, my dear.” He walked to the other side of the room and unlocked a large crate. Johanna followed and watched as he took a pair of scissors and poked holes on the sides.
“I know it is not ideal, but it is crucial that you stay in there and you stay quiet. Just until Anthony returns. Do you understand, my dear?” He asked, looking at her with alert eyes. Johanna hesitated for a moment before nodding.
“Yes, yes I understand. But how will I know when I am safe?” She asked, panic rising in her voice.
“When I leave the room, and when you heard Anthony come up. But you mustn’t leave that crate until then. Not even make a sound! It is too dangerous. Now please, hurry.” He motioned to the box and watched as she hopped in and curled up. He closed the lid but did not lock it.
“Can you breathe, Johanna?” He asked, his breath almost catching in his throat while saying her name. Johanna! His innocent daughter, finally near him. But she did not know him at all- only as Mr. Todd. At least Anthony had given him a good reputation.
“Yes, I can.” She responded, her voice muffled. Sweeney mumbled, “Good,” before leaving her there and preparing for Turpin.
Johanna never saw Mr. Todd after that night- she remembered she heard yells and cries, followed by angry curses and the sound of footsteps running off. The entire time, she stayed curled up in the crate, unable to keep herself from crying. Finally, after what seemed like hours, she heard Anthony’s hushed voice and rushed out to reunite with him. Neither of them knew what had happened to Mr. Todd, and they never would.