'At the End of the Game'
Part Two: Judge Me, Judge You.
Clarice watched her father hunched over the sink, in his hands he held two oranges and a small sharp knife.
" Daddy, why you gotta use that knife? Its too sharp, you might cut yourself."
Her father looked toward his small daughter. A warm smile complimented his thick southern accent.
" Yes Clarice, I might cut myself, but you want your orange peeled right baby?"
A frown creased on her forehead.
" But it hurts to get cut Daddy"
" I know angel, but the oranges wont never get peeled if I don't use the knife. Besides, its better to enjoy what you want, even at the risk of hurting. Pain goes away Clarice."
And then he was splashing water on her, it was cold...............this had never happened before... he was supposed to haul her over his arm and tickle her until she begged for mercy....
Pain tugged at her left shoulder and the dizziness returned as Clarice regained consciousness and opened her eyes.
"Daddy...." She mumbled as her vision cleared and she saw the blackened lake, much like the one she'd seen from the window of Krendler's home...
'Oh God...Krendler... dead.... Dr Lecter. Panic tingled over her body with the recollection of the prior activities, which had taken place in the evening.
Now she found herself in the steely embrace of the good doctor, her own body too weak to compete for sovereignty, she shifted slightly under his right arm, his hand rested gently on her hip.
'His left hand.......oh god' She squinted down to look at her own hand, her right still as pale as before, unmarked, as his own. Her hand trailed his over her stomach.
" Unfortunately your persistent stubbornness has left me no other choice, Clarice."
His voice reached every nerve in her body, the fine hairs on her neck stood to attention with familiar eagerness.
Not yet able to form a sentence, Clarice raised her head to meet the gaze of the man next to her. Sirens rang in the ear, reminding her earlier decision, they were louder now, than before, she estimated 3 minutes maximum until they reached their destination.
His eyes were waiting for her attention, black dilated pupils surrounded by a pool of pale blue. For a second she saw an anxious man, an innocent lamb screaming for her help. She shivered and tried to focus.
" Dr. Lecter, don't do this" Her quavering tone betrayed her cold eyes. An image of the slain Evelda Drumgo appeared in the back of Clarice's conscious thought.
" I believe I have already informed you as to who's move has gotten us in this, rather uncomfortable, predicament. I'm certain you still have the key on you Clarice."
A smirk began to form over his features, though his body remained tense and on the move. He was pulling at a rope anchor, bringing in a small boat to shore.
" You know that I cannot do that"
She was trying to stall his activities, at the same provoke discussion. There was no one in the world she would rather talk with, although she would never admit such a vulnerability, this was her favourite pass-time. Usually she talked to him in her head, she didn't want to pass up such a wonderfully presented opportunity, as disturbing as it seemed.
" Well then, I suggest you hold on my dear"
He roughly pulled her towards him as the boat touched shore, he lifted her off her feet and hauled her into the boat, shortly after jumping in himself. The sequence of events happened too quickly for Clarice to voice or display her protests.
Dr. Lecter tied the rope in a knot and adverted his attentions to the flashing red and blue lights reflecting off distant trees, and then back to his hesitant and considerably groggy companion.
" You know I'd rather throw myself onto my harpy than be re-incarcerated."
His expression was intense and drilled into her. His eyes could cause more pain to her than the harpy he referenced to, which was ever presently tucked into his sleeve and cufflink.
"I've already promised no one will hurt you. I'd personally see to it"
She tried to sound earnest and confident, but the lines on her forehead showed her growing worry and uneasiness. As did the reflection he found in her eyes. He would remember her face like that forever.
" Need I remind you Ex Special Agent Starling, that your persuasive mannerisms to protect the victim has hardly appealed to your dear friend 'the bureau'? Honestly Clarice, your ignorance grows tiresome. "
" Then how would you like me to handle this situation, Dr Lecter. What to you expect from me?" Her voice was strained and the sarcasm was provocatively unintentional.
" I've learnt to expect nothing from you Clarice, but I would like you to present me with the key" He abruptly raised their hands, noting Clarice's wince.
" You will give me the key, Clarice, or you and I shall share the same fate."
His voice was a low rumble competing with the loud crunch of gravel. Several police sedans pulled up near the clearing in front of Krendler's house.
Clarice glanced over her shoulder at the arrival of her 'dear friends', she wouldn't back away from the game now, definitely not now, she was already in too deep to return to the security of denial.
" No,"
In any other situation, with any other person, Hannibal Lecter may have maddened at such blatant refusals, and lack of courteous explanation. But she was Clarice Starling, and this was their foolish little game.
After a moment to consider his next few actions, Dr. Lecter glanced at Clarice briefly before heading to the side of the boat, facing the far side of the bank. His swift movement dragged Clarice's light form with him.
" Don't say I failed to grant you a choice" His final words to her as he clamped a hand over her mouth, to silence the confused reply he knew was coming.
In a half a second, both bodies made a soundless entry into the blackened water.
The officers crowding the house failed to recognise the rippling pattern and minute air bubbles on the lake, the only evidence of lively whereabouts.
***************** End of Part Two ************************
I look forward to your reviews, clearly I'm still in the process of completing this piece, and I would be more than happy to read your opinions and suggestions.
I'm a sucker for suspense, and I absolutely dread being left in the dark, I thought it only fair you should suffer the same irritation. ;) - LadyofTruths
Part Two: Judge Me, Judge You.
Clarice watched her father hunched over the sink, in his hands he held two oranges and a small sharp knife.
" Daddy, why you gotta use that knife? Its too sharp, you might cut yourself."
Her father looked toward his small daughter. A warm smile complimented his thick southern accent.
" Yes Clarice, I might cut myself, but you want your orange peeled right baby?"
A frown creased on her forehead.
" But it hurts to get cut Daddy"
" I know angel, but the oranges wont never get peeled if I don't use the knife. Besides, its better to enjoy what you want, even at the risk of hurting. Pain goes away Clarice."
And then he was splashing water on her, it was cold...............this had never happened before... he was supposed to haul her over his arm and tickle her until she begged for mercy....
Pain tugged at her left shoulder and the dizziness returned as Clarice regained consciousness and opened her eyes.
"Daddy...." She mumbled as her vision cleared and she saw the blackened lake, much like the one she'd seen from the window of Krendler's home...
'Oh God...Krendler... dead.... Dr Lecter. Panic tingled over her body with the recollection of the prior activities, which had taken place in the evening.
Now she found herself in the steely embrace of the good doctor, her own body too weak to compete for sovereignty, she shifted slightly under his right arm, his hand rested gently on her hip.
'His left hand.......oh god' She squinted down to look at her own hand, her right still as pale as before, unmarked, as his own. Her hand trailed his over her stomach.
" Unfortunately your persistent stubbornness has left me no other choice, Clarice."
His voice reached every nerve in her body, the fine hairs on her neck stood to attention with familiar eagerness.
Not yet able to form a sentence, Clarice raised her head to meet the gaze of the man next to her. Sirens rang in the ear, reminding her earlier decision, they were louder now, than before, she estimated 3 minutes maximum until they reached their destination.
His eyes were waiting for her attention, black dilated pupils surrounded by a pool of pale blue. For a second she saw an anxious man, an innocent lamb screaming for her help. She shivered and tried to focus.
" Dr. Lecter, don't do this" Her quavering tone betrayed her cold eyes. An image of the slain Evelda Drumgo appeared in the back of Clarice's conscious thought.
" I believe I have already informed you as to who's move has gotten us in this, rather uncomfortable, predicament. I'm certain you still have the key on you Clarice."
A smirk began to form over his features, though his body remained tense and on the move. He was pulling at a rope anchor, bringing in a small boat to shore.
" You know that I cannot do that"
She was trying to stall his activities, at the same provoke discussion. There was no one in the world she would rather talk with, although she would never admit such a vulnerability, this was her favourite pass-time. Usually she talked to him in her head, she didn't want to pass up such a wonderfully presented opportunity, as disturbing as it seemed.
" Well then, I suggest you hold on my dear"
He roughly pulled her towards him as the boat touched shore, he lifted her off her feet and hauled her into the boat, shortly after jumping in himself. The sequence of events happened too quickly for Clarice to voice or display her protests.
Dr. Lecter tied the rope in a knot and adverted his attentions to the flashing red and blue lights reflecting off distant trees, and then back to his hesitant and considerably groggy companion.
" You know I'd rather throw myself onto my harpy than be re-incarcerated."
His expression was intense and drilled into her. His eyes could cause more pain to her than the harpy he referenced to, which was ever presently tucked into his sleeve and cufflink.
"I've already promised no one will hurt you. I'd personally see to it"
She tried to sound earnest and confident, but the lines on her forehead showed her growing worry and uneasiness. As did the reflection he found in her eyes. He would remember her face like that forever.
" Need I remind you Ex Special Agent Starling, that your persuasive mannerisms to protect the victim has hardly appealed to your dear friend 'the bureau'? Honestly Clarice, your ignorance grows tiresome. "
" Then how would you like me to handle this situation, Dr Lecter. What to you expect from me?" Her voice was strained and the sarcasm was provocatively unintentional.
" I've learnt to expect nothing from you Clarice, but I would like you to present me with the key" He abruptly raised their hands, noting Clarice's wince.
" You will give me the key, Clarice, or you and I shall share the same fate."
His voice was a low rumble competing with the loud crunch of gravel. Several police sedans pulled up near the clearing in front of Krendler's house.
Clarice glanced over her shoulder at the arrival of her 'dear friends', she wouldn't back away from the game now, definitely not now, she was already in too deep to return to the security of denial.
" No,"
In any other situation, with any other person, Hannibal Lecter may have maddened at such blatant refusals, and lack of courteous explanation. But she was Clarice Starling, and this was their foolish little game.
After a moment to consider his next few actions, Dr. Lecter glanced at Clarice briefly before heading to the side of the boat, facing the far side of the bank. His swift movement dragged Clarice's light form with him.
" Don't say I failed to grant you a choice" His final words to her as he clamped a hand over her mouth, to silence the confused reply he knew was coming.
In a half a second, both bodies made a soundless entry into the blackened water.
The officers crowding the house failed to recognise the rippling pattern and minute air bubbles on the lake, the only evidence of lively whereabouts.
***************** End of Part Two ************************
I look forward to your reviews, clearly I'm still in the process of completing this piece, and I would be more than happy to read your opinions and suggestions.
I'm a sucker for suspense, and I absolutely dread being left in the dark, I thought it only fair you should suffer the same irritation. ;) - LadyofTruths