DISCLAIMER:
Of course, all characters in this fic belong to Thomas Harris, unless I have died and gone to heaven. However, the plot is entirely mine. (Be gentle, this is my first fic)
I sat alone on a bench in the middle of Central Park. It was a warm summers morning, and I was reading Dante's Inferno. My life as an FBI Agent had ended the previous year. Complications with my 'feelings' for Hannibal Lecter ruined my so-called career. Apart from the anger, I didn't really feel much towards them firing me. I didn't really feel anything anymore.
I had been sitting in the park, with my usual cup of coffee from the nearest café, for about half an hour. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened. People came, and went, either on their way to work, or just going for a walk. What I didn't notice was the man sitting on the bench opposite me, about twenty yards away. Considering I was an ex FBI Agent, I should have known that he was watching me. But I didn't, and neither did I know who it was.
I glanced up every now and again, noticing people walking through the park, either holding briefcases, or walking their dogs. It took me about ten minutes to notice the man opposite me, who was gazing at me from above his newspaper. He was wearing dark sunglasses, so I could not see his eyes, and was unaware of him staring at me. He continued to look at me, as he turned the page of the newspaper.
I then glanced down at my book and after finishing the page I was on; I folded the corner over, before closing it, and placing it into my bag. I sipped my nearly cold coffee, and scrunched my nose up at the taste. I was never a big fan of hot coffee, let alone cold, but it woke me up in a morning, and was, evidently, the only thing that could.
I then looked in front of me, and noticed that the man that was sitting there was gone, and all that remained on the bench, was the newspaper he was reading. I picked up my empty cup of coffee, and walked to the bin opposite the bench I was sitting on. I then returned for my bag, and gazed at the bench that the man had previously been sitting on.
My overly curious mind pulled me towards the bench opposite me. I picked up the newspaper, before glancing around. I opened the paper, noticing one of the pages was folded down. In beautiful handwriting, which was awfully familiar, something was written.
Well Clarice, your curiosity prevails you once again my dear. I didn't want to disturb you, as you seemed quite contempt with reading your book. I must say, it was rather nice to see you again Clarice, I have missed you. Perhaps we'll meet again, until then.
H
I folded up the paper, and placed it into my bag. Hannibal Lecter had been watching me, and I just watched him back. I glanced around, looking for him, but couldn't find him. I walked around the park for about ten minutes, but could not find him. I don't even know why I wanted to find him; after all, it wasn't my job to anymore. Defeated, I walked through the park, and back to my apartment across the street.
I walked up the three flights of stairs to my apartment. I fished through my bag for my keys, but could not find them.
"Shit." I whispered to myself.
It was then I noticed my apartment door was open slightly. My FBI instinct kicked in, and I pinned myself to the wall beside my door, before pushing it open gently. I peered around the doorframe, finding no one. I walked into the apartment, my senses on high alert. I looked to my left, noticing that in the kitchen, there was nothing out of place. Then I looked ahead of me, seeing that there was also nothing out of place in the joint on living room.
I walked through the fairly large apartments living area, and to the first of the two doors on the other side. I grasped the door handle, before pulling it down silently, and pushing the door open slowly. Again, nothing seemed out of place in my bedroom, or in the en-suite bathroom. I exited the room, before tackling the spare bedroom next to it. I followed the same procedure, taking just as much caution, if not more, but again, nothing.
I then walked to the last door in my apartment, which was the bathroom. It then dawned on me, that the person or people that had been in my apartment had probably gone by now anyway. With a little less caution, I opened the bathroom door. I sighed when I found no one in there, and nothing missing. I then went into my bedroom to check if anything was gone. Nothing had been taken. I was confused as to why someone would break into my apartment, and take nothing.
I walked into the kitchen, taking out a cool beer from the fridge, and walking through the living area, and to the balcony doors at the far end of my apartment. I pulled the cream silk curtain back, revealing my balcony. I opened the door, and sat down on one of the two chairs, which overlooked Central Park. I opened my beer with my teeth, before placing my cell onto the small table in between the two chairs. I placed the bottle top next to it, before gulping from the bottle.
Within a minute, my cell rang. I glared at it, irritated that it was now disrupting my peace. I left it ringing, closing my eyes, and trying to relax. After about eight, awfully loud rings, it stopped. I smiled slightly, and sank into the chair, listening to the birds chirping away. The sun was beaming warmly on my face, and I was finally able to relax. Suddenly, my cell started to ring again. I lifted myself up angrily, before picking up my cell and answering it.
"What?" I growled.
"My my Clarice, you seem irritated."
Jesus Christ.
"Doctor Lecter?"
"Clever girl." I could almost hear him smirk. "How have you been?"
"Did you break into my apartment?" I hissed.
"Yes, I did. Apologies, but I needed to find out your cell number, and that seemed like the only way. I knew you would have written it down somewhere."
"How did you manage to get my keys from my bag?" I said, still extremely irritated.
"So many questions Clarice." He paused. "When you put your coffee into the bin, which you didn't seem pleased with I might add, you left your bag behind. You were gone just long enough for me to take the keys from your bag, without arousing suspicion."
"You've been in my apartment." I stated, a little calmer now.
"Yes, I have. I left your keys on the coffee table in the living room." I took a gulp from my beer as he spoke.
"Thank you."
"Does that import really quench your thirst Clarice?"
I shot up, looking around. All I saw was Central Park. He could still be there.
"Where are you Doctor?"
"You know I wont tell you Clarice. Anyhow, it has been nice talking to you my dear. See you around."
Then the line went dead. I sat there, searching the dots that were people, walking around the park. I couldn't see him. I downed the rest of my beer, and picked up my cell before returning to the kitchen. I threw the bottle away, and walked into the living room, slumping into the sofa. How the hell does he know where I live? Then it dawned on me. He's been watching you. Jesus Christ, you idiot!
My head lolled back onto the sofa, and I stared up at the white ceiling. I felt like screaming. Finally, I was beginning to feel emotion, and I didn't like it. After about three minutes of looking at the ceiling, I sat up. I didn't know what to do with myself. Hannibal Lecter knows where you live. It didn't really concern me as much as it should have. I knew he wouldn't hurt me; physically anyway.
Within half an hour, I was walking the streets of New York. I wasn't sure where I was going considering in the year I had been living there, I never actually explored. I walked quickly, in time with the bustling streets and impatient people. It was nothing compared to Arlington. I sometimes wished I was back there, but this was my home now.
I found another café, about fifteen minutes away from my apartment. I walked inside, and sat down at a booth in the corner, facing away from the door. A short middle-aged woman walked over to me, wearing an apron, and holding a notepad.
"What can I get you?" She smiled.
"Do you have any English tea?" I smiled weakly, knowing that I couldn't stomach another coffee.
"Yeah we do. Would you like some honey in that?" She said, writing it down.
"Please." I paused. "Oh, and can I have it to take away please?"
"Okie dokie."
My head shot up to look at her. I laughed nervously. 'Okie dokie', you're going nuts Starling. I shook my head gently, before getting Dante's Inferno out of my bag. I began to read it, as the woman returned with my drink.
"Thank you." I said, not really paying attention.
The woman walked away, leaving me in peace. There weren't many other people in the café, so it was relatively quiet. I sipped my tea, before placing my book back into my bag. I then left a five-dollar bill on the table, before picking up my drink, and leaving the café.
Again, I didn't know where I was going, I only knew I was going in the opposite direction of my apartment. I walked a little slower, so I could sip my tea without spilling it. Soon, I started to feel tired. I hadn't been sleeping very well, and it was taking its toll on me. I saw a bench down the street and headed for it. When I reached it, I fell onto it, dropping my tea onto the floor.
I looked around, and nobody had seemed to notice, which I was thankful for. I adjusted my position, so I was sitting comfortably. The heat was also getting to me, and I then began to sway. What the fuck? I then fell sideways on the bench, before blacking out.
Within ten seconds, Hannibal Lecter was by my side. He glanced around, noticing that no one was paying any attention, before picking me up. My head was resting on his shoulder as he walked through the busy streets of New York.
We arrived at my apartment shortly after. He used my keys to let himself in, before placing me on my bed. He gazed at my sleeping form for a few moments, before sitting beside me. He stroked my hair gently, before leaning down to kiss my forehead.
I was unconscious for hours, and when I woke, he was gone. Even if he didn't leave me a letter, I would have known it would have been him who brought me back to my apartment. He left the letter on the island in my kitchen. I sat down, and opened it slowly.
Clarice,
Do not think bad of me little Starling, but I saw you pass out, and didn't really want to leave you in a place that you don't really know. As you probably know, I have been watching you for sometime now Clarice, and I have missed you my dear.
I always think about that night at Chesapeake Bay, and wonder what might have happened if I cut your thumb off, instead of mine. Oh what could have been Clarice, if you hadn't denied me what I have always wanted. But why should I tell you what I've always wanted? After what happened to us that night, my desires remain, somewhat, unknown.
How is Paul doing with his pre frontal lobe missing? I must admit, it did make rather a nice snack for my plane journey. I apologise for our short dinner, but you did invite some unwanted guests, which gave me no choice but to abandon our date.
Tell me, did you have fun in that little game, of modelling my fate? I expected more running from you Clarice, but I cannot blame you for the inconvenience that Mason Verger imposed on us. I think the boars rather enjoyed their meal, don't you? I do not regret not feeding him to the dogs, although you did get shot because of it, and for that, I am sorry Clarice.
I am not sure whether you will hear from me ever again my dear, and you need not worry about running any longer. You made me come halfway around the world, and I thank you immensely for it. I hope the lambs have stopped screaming my dear, but something tells me they haven't.
Yours,
Hannibal Lecter, M.D.
P.S. Thank you for the parting gift that you were so kind to leave me in our last encounter. In the form of a kiss so to speak. I did love the taste of you Clarice. Maybe one day, we'll get to play our game once more, but until then my dear.
Ta ta
H
I unconsciously raised my hand and placed it onto my shoulder. There was still a thin scar there, and the events of that night would always be with me. I folded the letter up, and placed it into my pocket. I needed to find away to get his attention, but how?
I sat there for a while, thinking of a way to get to talk to him, but I didn't know how. Instead, I retired to the sofa, with a bottle of red and good old Goldberg Variations playing on the vinyl.
(Two Weeks Later)
I hadn't heard from Doctor Lecter since I had woken up to his letter. I knew he would still be watching me, and for some unknown reason, I had to speak to him, but only he had the power to enable me to do that.
Again, I found myself sitting in Central Park. This time, it was three in the morning. I couldn't sleep, the lambs were screaming, and so I found myself sitting at the bench I had been sitting on two weeks before, with Doctor Lecter gazing at me from his newspaper. But now, there was no Doctor Lecter, no other people walking their dogs, or rushing to get to work; silence. I was the only person in the whole of Central Park, and I felt so alone. I knew nobody in New York, I had lost touch with Ardelia and Jack; I had no one.
Tears began to sting my eyes. I placed my head in my hands, and wept for the first time since the night at Chesapeake Bay. The thought of it made me cry harder. I had rejected him, morals being the only thing other than my job that stood in my way. Now, only morals could stop my feelings for him, and even then, my feelings were too strong. My heart over powered my body, and my love for him was growing ever stronger.
I cried for what seemed like an age, when a gentle hand was placed onto my shoulder. I opened my eyes, greeted by expensive looking smart black shoes. I raised my head slightly, my eyes taking in the person that stood before me. My eyes fell upon one of their hands. It had a tiny white line around the base of the thumb. I then skipped the rest of the body, lifting my head, to see his face.
His adoring eyes gazed down at me, his hand still on my shoulder, rubbing it softly. My breathing hitched at the sight of him, and my eyes began to fill with tears. One slipped down my cheek, and on cue, he sat next to me. He held his hand up, and wiped the stray tear from my cheek.
"Shh, its alright. I'm here." He said softly.
That only made me cry harder. Taking him by surprise, I wrapped my arms around his neck, and cried into his chest. He stroked my hair, and kissed my head gently. We sat there for a few minutes, and my crying died down a little. The only evidence of my crying was a tear stained face, and small hiccups of breath escaping my mouth.
He pulled away from me slowly, and took my face in his hands. He wiped my cheeks with his thumbs, gazing into my eyes.
"You are so beautiful Clarice." He murmured.
I smiled weakly at him. "Why are you here Doctor?"
"I've missed you dearly Clarice. I couldn't stay away any longer."
"Do they know where you are?"
"The FBI? No, I am currently hidden from their line of sight." He smiled.
"Good." I whispered.
"You surprise me Clarice. I would have thought you'd want me incarcerated again." He cocked his head slightly.
I shook my head slowly. "I never want you sent back there, ever."
"That's my girl." He smiled.
He then leaned in slowly, placing his lips softly onto mine.