Haven't written in awhile...whoops.

Mrs. Lovett sits nervously in the center of the dark room. She's never done anything like this before. A young stranger sits across from her, fidgeting as well. Johanna has never done anything like this before.

"Eleanor?" the girl of only nineteen whispers. Mrs. Lovett stands slowly, deliberately, and motions for Johanna to do the same.

"Yes?" she asks, a bit harsher. She is impatient.

"You gave me your word you'd never tell a soul." The youth frustrate Eleanor. She finds their incessant questions tiring.

"Yes, doll, I did," the woman states with a voice full of hidden emotion. Johanna nods.

"I'm just not so sure about this Elle. I'd be hung if anyone knew."

"I'd be hung if anyone knew."

"Yes, but it's not the same thing," the girl explains; she is torn.

"How are we different Johanna, you and I? We share a secret, a terrible dark secret that we couldn't live with without each other." They stare at each other's eyes. Johanna's ice blue irises become clouded with tears. She can't make up her mind.

"You can't know how I feel. You don't feel the chains that bind me. I used to think you were an angel, trying only to help me. You're the devil," Johanna growls at Mrs. Lovett. Eleanor sighs softly and walks to the window. She listens to the night birds calling to each other.

"Johanna, I do want to help you, but I am human. I want something from this too, or I wouldn't be risking a hanging for you," Mrs. Lovett whispers harshly. She wants to get on with what she came to the wretched place for. Johanna isn't so eager.

"You should leave; I've changed my mind," she hisses. Eleanor strides over to the smaller, younger, weaker girl. She softly lays her hand on the girls chin with her fingers sprawled over Johanna's cheeks. She bends closer so her lips are just barely grazing the girl's ear. Her voice drops to almost inaudible.

"What was that? Leave? I don't think so Johanna, after all, you invited me here doll," she whispers. Johanna shivers as Goosebumps form on her arms and legs.

"Anthony will leave me."

"Anthony's just a boy. With you're face you could get hundreds of the suckers. You'll never find another girl like me who'll play along with your delusions."

"But I don't like women Elle. I just thought I did once."

"You're waist deep Johanna, it's too late and I'm not letting go." Mrs. Lovett's tongue flicks out of her mouth and hits Johanna's ear. The girl's knee's waver. She can't resist anymore.

"You're right, sorry Eleanor. Hand me the Gin?" the girl replies, her tears brimming over. Nellie smiles and hands her a bottle and kisses the girl on the mouth.

"That's what I thought you said. Now off with your dress," she cackles wickedly. Johanna forgets her sorrow, she forgets Anthony, and she forgets her parents. For the night, she remembers nothing but Mrs. Lovett and the way she moves in the dark.

Oh yeah, I forgot to warn you...little bit of girl/girl hooey...whoops.