Sweeney Todd's Story

Jack hadn't really noticed the boy next to Caligula--too focused on Caligula himself--until the boy spoke up.
Jack stared at him, suddenly feeling his stomach drop away. He didn't recognize this boy. That's impossible! I know pretty much everybody worth knowing in history. There's no way I wouldn't know a clone by their looks or at least from rumors of them going by the library. But I don't know this kid. No. This is not happening. Surely I know him, don't I? I just don't remember his name, that's all. Yeah, that has to be it.

Now, the sad thing about spending most of his time in the library and knowing books better than people meant that Jack hardly ever heard about current events until about six months after the fact, or until they were put into hard backs. Sure, he should have heard the rumor about clones coming to school, but, recently, his thesis had been the only thing he had been able to focus on. He hadn't heard or paid attention to anything else. So the idea of this boy being a non-clone didn't even occur to him. No, he felt more embarrassed--no, humiliated was the right word--about not being able to think of who this boy might be.

It was the boy's last comment though that brought him up short, making Jack momentarily forget that he didn't know who the boy was.

...Now, I am a little bit crazy, I'll grant you that, but I think this school has... time-travel.

Jack laughed at the idea. Time travel? That was absurd. Beside him, Gaius spluttered something about Claudius being crazy and not even considering that idea.

Time Travel?

Jack repeated, shaking his head with a grin.

Didn't they ever tell you that you were cloned?

Then he suddenly remembered that he didn't know who the boy's original was, and added casually, hoping the boy wouldn't be offended by his ignorance.

By the way, who was your original again?

Sweeney saw Ami help him in dismissing the fighting as he heard their guess about the school, he was very relieved that they thought it was time travel. “We call Mr. Enistien that…as I said he has no relation to the real one, his real name is professor William.” He explained, “It is a pet name, you could say.” He explained as he walked on over to Marge, “Yes…they are the new students.” He told her with a slight nod.

Sweeney listened to her talk of food, seeing how she seemed to brighten up as she did so, when she stopped. “what seasoning are you experimenting with?” he asked with a tilt of his head, he may not understand cooking…but he loved how Marge talked about it. “And I am sure it will be great Marge.” He told her warmly. He laughed at her comment, “And I will invite him to my chair at the salon.” He teased.

He could not help but let out a crooked grin at her Doc Brown comment, “Indeed time travelers we are…from the infamous to the famous and everything in between!” he commented, “But in all seriousness…we are just regular school kids…who just happen to go here.” He explained, hoping to dispel the situation. “Now then if you two will please follow us.” He said with a slight bow almost walking away as he heard Lewis comment, “Oh no…” he thought as his face paled, well so much for keeping it a secret. He rubbed the back of his head as he looked perplexed. This…would not end well.

Sam whipped around when he heard Marge's sarcastic comment. 'You've figured us out, love. Our principal is actually Doc Brown, see,' Sam's brows furrowed. This seemed no time for joking. Something seriously wrong was going on, and he was going to get to the bottom of it.

'But in all seriousness…we are just regular school kids…who just happen to go here.' Todd explained, 'Now then if you two will please follow us-'

'Time Travel?' Jack repeated, shaking his head with a grin. 'Didn't they ever tell you that you were cloned? By the way, who was your original again?'

Sam's eyes widened. "C-cloned?" he asked, his voice faint. "Original? What?"

Gaius watched as this all transpired, his heart's pace accelerating faster and faster. And then Jack just had to open his big mouth. "JAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!" he screeched. Sam whipped his head around at the screech. The kid who was apparently... the clone of Caligula was very upset. "I mean, um..." Gaius laughed nervously, trying to recover. "Good joke, Jack..." he giggled uncontrollably - it was something he did when he was nervous. "Very funny..."

Sam looked around him at all the faces. Caligula seemed to be going insane on the spot, and Sweeney seemed nervous. Maybe it's true. "No... this has to be a dream." He closed his eyes tight, and then opened them again. But it was all still there. "Stay away!" he hissed. The idea of clones was just revolting for some reason. Dead people brought back to life with science? That was just too creepy. He let go of Hollis's arm, backing up. "Especially you!" He said, pointing to Sweeney, Margery, and Gaius. "You're all insane! Get away from me!"

'You're all insane! Get away from me!'

Gaius was terrified. So this kid knew. He knew about their originals, and he didn't like it. It was freaking Gaius out. He didn't know if he could take it... He felt a migraine coming on. Pre-ictal migraines, the doctors called them. And he knew from long experience that they came right before a seizure. The light suddenly became too bright for his eyes, and he squinted. The sound of Sam's shouting was pounding in his ears. "Be quiet, please..." He muttered. He covered his ears with both hands. But then, not wanting anyone to see his weakness, he forced himself through strength of will to open his eyes and force his hands down to his sides. The pain was excruciating. "I... have to go..." Gaius mumbled faintly, but to him it sounded louder than a trumpet blare. "I'll be... late to class." It didn't make sense in context, but he was quickly becoming delirious. He felt his legs grow weak, and a jittery feeling crept into his bones. NO! This can't happen, not now! None of his friends knew that he had started having seizures - at least that's what he thought - and he had hidden it successfully from the doctors at school. He just couldn't let this happen to him now. He turned, took a step - and fell. His knees just gave out from under him, and that terrible feeling of losing all control grabbed hold of his brain. His hands curled up uncontrollably, and then his whole body convulsed, shaking and contorting as if some unseen hand was ringing him out like a wet doll. He heard screaming, so much screaming. The thought occurred to him that it was his own screaming. His eyes were wide open, but his sight was gone. He struggled to regain consciousness, but it was like he was underwater, swimming up, up, up... and never reaching the top. He was drowning! He couldn't breathe! Would it never end?

To all the outside observers, it appeared that Gaius was convulsing, sometimes excruciatingly slowly, sometimes disturbingly quickly. Every now and then a cry escaped his lips. He slammed his head into the ground when he fell, and didn't seem to have any control over his movements. There was nothing he could do.

C-cloned? Original? What?

the boy stammered, eyes widening, horrified. Now that's an odd reaction. Jack had never heard of anyone responding like that when they had discovered they were a clone of someone else--no, most people were usually able to figure out that they were something out of the ordinary, realizing that they weren't normal at some point or another in their life here. Then it struck Jack, that perhaps the reason he didn't know who the boy was, why the boy didn't know anything about clones or what an original was, was because he wasn't a clone at all but a real human. He felt a slight surge of pleasure from the realization that there wasn't a single clone he didn't know. Of course you didn't forget, Jack. How stupid of you to think that you had.

Suddenly, from beside him, Caligula screeched his name, enraged. Jack scowled at him. Why was Caligula mad? What was the big deal? In a school comprised almost completely of clones, there's no way everyone could have kept that a secret. The kid would have figured it out eventaully.

Suddenly the boy seemed to explode, having some sort of panic attack.

Stay away!

he rambled on maddeningly.

Especially you! You're all insane! Get away from me!

Jack frowned at him reproachfully. This kid's a big baby, freaking out like this. It's really not a big deal. Hell, he's not even a clone himself. He has no right to freak out like this, and say harsh things about the rest of us. And insane were they? Hardly.

Someone has obviously never read Orthodoxy.

Jack observed, folding his arms over his chest.

Suddenly, Caligula collapsed on the ground next to him. Jack turned and stared, watching his enemy twitch and convulse on the ground, moaning and crying every now and again. Good lord in heaven, he's having a seizure! Again, he felt a brief splash of irony, recalling how the original Caligula had had something of that nature as well. But then the irony disappeared as a girl he didn't recognize rushed to Caligula's side--perhaps another non-clone? putting her jacket underneath his head.

Someone-someone call a doctor,

she cried to the lot of them.

Doctor? Now, Jack knew perfectly well that a doctor was the last thing Caligula would want to see--if anything the boy had been avoiding them purposefully, trying to keep his state a secret from them. Of course this is what happens when you don't tell anybody, you ass. To get the doctor would be something that would make Caligula want to murder Jack. However, what choice did Caligula have at this point? Now Jack may have not liked Caligula, but that hardly meant that he wanted him to endure this pain. No, the doctor was the best thing for him, whether he liked it or not. It's your own fault for not telling anyone. Oh, you'll just have to suck it up and get over it.

I'll do it!

he said to the girl. Then he turned to Caligula's twitching form and snapped.

You owe me big time! So don't you dare die on us or anything, or else I'll dig up your grave and make you pay me back some other way.

And, with that, he turned on his heels and ran off to fetch the doctor.

Sweeney flinched as he heard his words, but when Sam had the nerve to insult Marge…well he took a step forward. “Now mate….say all you want about me, I deserve it. But Marge here is the nicest girl you will meet here and I will not let you talk down to her, do you understand?” he firmly stated.

He blinked as he turned to see Gaius collapse. His yellow eyes widen as he ran over. “No one move him!” he called out, “Marge, go into my salon, I have a few blankets there. Amie gently lift up his head use your jacket as a pillow for him, careful not to move his spine.” He commented as he saw Lewis run off. “Hollis do you have any water? He may need it when he wakes up…” he muttered. He had been learning the basics of First Aid from Nightingale, he didn’t think he’d need to use it so soon though!

“Gaius…why didn’t you say anything…” he muttered, a worried look on his face for the younger clone.

Sam kept backing up, but stopped when Sweeney stepped forward. The kid started berating Sam for insulting Margery. Sam opened his mouth to respond, but the words died on his lips when Caligula started mumbling, started walking away, and then fell to the ground in a violent fit. That caused him to stop and stare. He had heard the emperor Caligula was epileptic, and this looked like a full-out seizure. "Oh, my gosh..." Sam's eyes widened. "Did I cause that?" He watched as everyone leapt to help the kid on the ground, but Sam didn't do anything. What could he do? He didn't know anything substantial about siezures. How could he do anything but hurt? And... he didn't really want to touch any of them.

Gaius twisted around on the ground, praying that someone would think to put something under his head so he didn't get a concussion. Someone tried to pin him to the ground, and he nigh panicked. NO! his instincts screamed. His arms felt like they were going to break with every jolt. His seizure became more violent as she held him down. He felt like his legs were melting. Let me go! But then whoever it was who had pinned him down jumped away and someone put something padded under his head. He heard two high voices shouting and Sweeney barking orders, but they sounded like they were from far, far away. He only made out one word: '... doctor!' "No, stop!" he tried to scream, but no sound came from his mouth. They couldn't call a doctor! Then it would all be over! His dream, destroyed! There was a moment of tense waiting, until he heard Jack's voice going on about dying and graves. Of course the bastard probably thought - hoped, even - that Gaius was dying. And Gaius guessed that Jack just couldn't wait to tell the doctors about Gaius's seizures, which Gaius had tried to hard to keep hidden. He heard hard footsteps, probably Jack's, run past his head and off some direction. He heard someone mumbling, and the sound echoed around in his head, making his headache, which was still present and growing worse, stronger. He felt a hand touch his head and heard Ami say his name. And then he heard that dreaded word again: '...doctor... soon.' Gaius resigned himself to ruin. This couldn't be happening, but it was. He still couldn't breathe, and his face was slowly turning a dark shade of red. His eyes rolled back in his head, and his face twitched over and over in twisted mockeries of a smile. His back arched and he stayed like that for maybe seven, long, terrifying seconds, and then he collapsed, the seizure over. He lay deathly still, not breathing, not moving, his unseeing eyes staring up at Ami. Then he gasped, gulping in air, finally able to breathe. He looked around frantically, but still could not see. He couldn't tell who was around him, only that Ami's hand was probably the one on his forehead, and Jack had probably run off to fetch the doctors. He pushed her hand away, breathing heavily and sitting up. So he could move, that was good. His legs felt like jelly, and he wasn't sure he could stand. At least his headache was gone. Why can't I see? he thought worriedly. He had never lost his sight before. But he didn't want his friends to know - though it was inevitable that they would figure it out eventually. But maybe he could keep it a secret until his sight came back. So he closed his eyes and hung his head. He was tired anyway. "Tell me -" he panted, stopping mid-sentence in pain. He grimaced, tasting blood. He must have bitten his tongue pretty hard, because it was very difficult to talk without stinging pain. "Tell me... you didn't call the doctor..."

Jack ran back up to the group, who had been most active in his absence, doctor on his heels. The group was clustered around Caligula, who, to Jack's dim relief, was at least sitting up and moving again. Everyone was watching Caligula worriedly, as if afraid that he might have another seizure again. Ami was obviously the most worried, her eyes rimmed with red and glistening with unshed tears. And then there was Caligula himself, who looked, for all the world, a bit angry and annoyed. However, , despite that anger, something was still off about him, though. His face was still quite red, and his eyes seemed glazed a bit--or maybe I'm just seeing things, Jack thought, noting that he wasn't looking at the other boy head on. It could have been just a trick of the light maybe. Probably not....

I know it's hard for you Gaius but please... just let the doctor look you over,

Ami said, sniffling.

Was Caligula not wanting to see the doctor after a seizure like that? How absurd. You can't tackle a seizure like that on your own, idiot. Caligula didn't look too terribly bad on the outside, but there was no way of knowing how everything was functioning on the inside. No, you need a doctor, you bloody idiot. Then another thought occured to Jack. Did he have an attack because of what I said? The notion unsettled him. His panic and nerves could have triggered it. But, then again, what if they hadn't? What if he had still had had the seizure on his way to class, or alone in his bedroom, where no one could have helped him or called the doctor? Jack almost shuddered at the thought of having to go through that kind of traumatic experience all alone. This was probably the best place for you to have it, Jack reasoned. Or else you probably never would've seen the doctor about it.

As Doctor Pasteur bent down to examine Caligula, Jack noticed Abe standing off to the side, talking to Margery. What...? How'd he get here so fast?

Abe,

Jack gapped at him.

Shouldn't you still be in the hospital? Ah...no matter. Now that you're here and we have a few minutes to wait for the verdict on Caligula, how did you hurt your arm?

'Gaius don't be foolish, you need a doctor.' Ami said beside him. She sounded like she was crying. That's odd. Why is she upset? he wondered. 'Gaius, you can't go on avoiding this any longer. If you just brush this off again you're either gonna end up with some serious damage or... worse.' Gaius, amazed at the concern she was showing for him, opened his eyes and looked in her general direction. "Why are you crying?" he asked, laughing breathlessly and staring blankly over Ami's left shoulder, "I'm the one who'th jutht had an epileptic fit!" He stopped talking from pain, and spat out some blood. Then he turned to everyone else - or, hopefully at everyone else. "Guyth, you've got to get me out of here before the doctor arrivth." He tried frantically to stand up, but ended up scrabbling around on the ground uselessly. He huffed in frustration. "Guyth!" he yelled. "You have to help me!!" But then he heard some people walk up next to him, and he stopped struggling.

'What have I missed?' He heard Abe's voice.

Great. More people. Gaius thought. He liked attention, but not this kind of attention. The kind where people were taking care of him. "'What have I mithed!'" Gaius muttered. "What a ridiculouth quethtion." He heard someone kneel down in front of him. It was probably the doctor. Gaius panicked. He was about to tell the doctor it had all been a joke, or some pathetic lie like that, when Jack spoke up. 'Abe, shouldn't you still be in the hospital? Ah...no matter. Now that you're here and we have a few minutes to wait for the verdict on Caligula, how did you hurt your arm?'

"Jack..." Gaius said warningly. It was like he was trying to annoy Gaius.

The doctor spoke up, and Gaius recognized him by his voice as Dr. Pasteur. "Caligula, you need to lie down."

Gaius clenched his fists. "Thtop calling me that! How would you feel if everyone called you 'footie-pajamath,' and then hithtory only remembered you by that name?" he huffed at the doctor. He felt a strong hand on his shoulder, gently forcing him to lie down. At first he resisted, but then he just gave up. He was so exhausted.

Dr. Pasteur stopped, though. 'Gaius?' he said, 'Can you see me?'

"Yeth." Gaius lied.

There was a moment of silence from the doctor, then he said, 'Okay, touch my finger and then touch your nose twice.' Damn. But Gaius was not to be defeated. He tried, unsuccessfully, to guess where the doctor's finger was, and poked Dr. Pasteur in the eye. Dr. Pasteur softly yelped in pain, and then began putting Gaius in seizure recovery position: on his side, with his left arm to the side, his right hand on his cheek, His right knee bent, and his head tilted upwards. He felt like an idiot. 'Gaius, you shouldn't lie to me. It only makes things worse.' Gaius stuck his tongue out at the young doctor in a juvenile manner. It hurt to do so, and he grimaced. His tongue was bitten almost half-way through. Gaius heard Pasteur gasp through his teeth. 'That'll need stitches.' Gaius groaned. Then Pasteur stood up. 'Alright, kids, I need you guys to go to class, okay? Gaius will be alright, I promise. If you need a note, go to the office.' Gaius closed his eyes and sighed. This would be a long day.

Jack laughed.

Well, that should teach him to steal from you! I always admire that about you, Abe, doing what's right, no matter the cost. But still...

Jack frowned.

You probably shouldn't put yourself in harms way if you can avoid it. I mean, I wouldn't consider three dollars worth a couple of months of a broken arm....

He knew Abe's intentions were usually clear and good, but it didn't stop Jack from worrying about him. He turned away from Abe and Margery, looking back at the doctor and Gaius. He felt himself cringe when Caligula stuck out his tongue for the doctor to examine. It was almost completely bitten half-way through and surrounded by a ton of blood. Jack gagged. Now, Caligula, why on earth would you want to blow off the doctor when things like that happened to you? Doctor Pasteur made a comment about how Caligula's tongue would need stitches, and Caligula groaned. What else is he going to do? That thing is nearly cut in half! Another thought occured to Jack. If Caligula didn't get it stitched up, could he bleed out? Was it even possible to bleed out from the tongue? Jack made a mental note to read up on the subject....

Then Doctor Pasteur stood up, turning to the rest of them, and said,

Alright, kids, I need you guys to go to class, okay? Gaius will be alright, I promise. If you need a note, go to the office.

That seemd to jump start Jack. Ah, right, my thesis. Jack turned on his heels and began to head away from the others, back to the sanctuary of his library and to his thesis.

No, thank you, Dr. Pasteur,

he called to the doctor over his shoulder.

You know me. I'll just argue my way out. Thanks again for coming to look at Caligula. I don't know what we would do without you.

he turned back to Abe this time, grinning.

See ya, Abe. Drop by the library some time! But until then, stay away from those baseball bats, hmmm?

Sweeney watched as the doctors started coming looking at Gaius as he heard him, “Of course we called the doctor you twit…We are worried about you…” he murmured. He looked at Sam and Marge hearing the comments, “now you two…please no bickering…I don’t think that will solve anything.” He commented as he took a step back to allow Louis to get through. He blinked as he saw Abe, “Hello Abe…what happened to your arm?” he asked. He crossed his arms as he heard Gaius, wincing at the sight of blood from the tongue. “Bloody…” he whispered, “Louis take good care of him.” He muttered, Louis only nodded, “Of course I will, who do you think I am? Now as I said, go to class…first Chopin, then Abe, now Gaius…you guys keep me and Florence busy…” he muttered as he put Gaius gently on a rolling bed to take him back to the infirmary. Dr. Pasteur looked at Jack, “You would all be most likely writhing in pain and no one to help.” He commented with a smile before leading Gaius away.

Sweeney looked at everyone, “Well we are going to be late if we do not hurry to class…Hollis and Sam you still need to see the headmaster yes? So I can lead you as I said before? I suppose proper introductions are in order…I am Sweeney Todd, though you probably already guessed that, call me Sweeney or Todd.” He said flashing them a smile, “but a warning…do not insult Marge I am a kind guy, but…I have my limits…” he explained, “…and triggers…” he whispered.

Sweeney smiled at Hollis, “Of course it is perfectly fine.” He remarked, “Just be mindful of Richard Blunt…he has blond hair tallish and you can usually see him with a portly black haired boy…Ottoman.” He explained as he looked at Sam and Marge. “Samuel are you going with them…or are you coming with-“ he didn’t get to finish as he saw a familiar blond haired boy, for once no portly sidekick. He stood by Marges’ side as if to protect her. “Sweeney! You are late for class, you as well Lovett.” The boy scornfully told them. Sweeney frowned, “Blunt…” he muttered, “Gaius had a seizure and I was about to show these two to their classes.” He stated with a smile. “And you need a fair cut…why don’t you come to my salon later.” He said his voice almost having a cold threat to it.