'At the End of the Game'
Part Five: Establishing Ground
The van pulled up fifteen minutes later outside of a decent sized cottage, overridden with vines and scrub. For the time existing in-between, neither Clarice nor Dr. Lecter expressed words to the other.
When the car was stationary, he parked and opened Clarice's door. There she sat, as far from him as possible, looking out of the window and into the surrounding lush vegetation. He mused at the stubbornly childish image she offered.
" In case current events have gone unnoticed on your part, Clarice, I'll remind you that we've reached our destination." His voice filled the silence, competing only with the crickets and cicadas.
She refused to look at him whence came her reply.
" Thank you for the update." She always contributed politeness to cynicism.
" My dear, I can not imagine this vehicle providing a decent nights sleep." He was provoking her now, enough to initiate the cold glare, which he had recently become accustomed to.
" Why don't you give me the keys to the cuffs and the van, and I'll be on my way. By the time I reach the closest town, you would have covered a fair distance, should you chose to take the car I presume is in the shed."
Her head tiled towards the small shack, which sat at the right side of the house. She was pleased with the strength her voice and tone offered.
" How very observant of you Agent Starling. Honestly though, do you really expect such courtesy, when you failed to grant me that same request a few hours ago?" His eyes narrowed as he watched her vigor dissolve.
" I will however rid you of the uncomfortable position you must be in." He swiftly moved inside the van, sliding across the backseat to produce a small silver key.
The familiar sound of snapping handcuffs allowed Clarice to register her position. As soon as her hand was free she moved to strike.
Her upper body pounced on his and they fought equally for balance for a few seconds before he overpowered her and pushed her back onto the seat. His body atop of hers, growls of fury and delight came from them both as he took her small hands in his and placed the cuffs around both.
" Perhaps we could stay in here after all" He beamed as he reduced the space between their bodies.
Clarice fought on, wriggling beneath him, only to further his amusement.
" Get off of me Dr. Lecter." She barked through grated teeth.
" Only if you promise to be a good girl and come inside." His lips were so close to hers, she could almost taste them.
There was silence, as she seemed to consider.
" Fine." She looked away from him and waited for him to move.
Irritation was boiling inside of her, she despised when he spoke to her with degradation. Yet she despised herself even more for the prickles of excitement and pleasure that their little interludes sparked within her.
She was a captive of her own subconscious; a prisoner of her own suppressed desire.
When his body left hers, she felt a familiar hollowness tug at her whole.
He guided her from behind as they exited the car and made their way to the wooden door.
She knew she had the chance to bolt, hell possibly even outrun him, yet she was too tired to give it a second thought.
Clarice was spent, Lecter noted as his gaze dropped to the grazing feet in front of him. Her lack of strength in the van had even surprised him, she needed rest. He would force her into admittance if it were necessary. Somehow, though, he imagined that it would not take much effort on his behalf to get Clarice into a bed tonight.
His hearth fluttered with excitement as he processed the last sentence in his head. Few men in the world had ever, or would ever be able to reflect on such a thought.
When they reached the roomy veranda, Lecter took the lead and felt his way under the eve of a large window. A few moments he had a key in his hand and was in the process of unlocking the door. Clarice stood back and processed all that she could, at the same time scanning the area for a future point of escape. Spending more than one cosy night with Dr Hannibal Lecter was far beyond sane comprehension for the dutiful Agent Starling.
Tomorrow she would gain the upper hand; the price she was willing to pay for such power was still under scrutiny...by the both of them.
*******************************************
My apologies for the length of time it has taken for this chapter to come together. I hope you find it worthy of the wait. Chapter 6 is coming...well soon*ish*.
Part Five: Establishing Ground
The van pulled up fifteen minutes later outside of a decent sized cottage, overridden with vines and scrub. For the time existing in-between, neither Clarice nor Dr. Lecter expressed words to the other.
When the car was stationary, he parked and opened Clarice's door. There she sat, as far from him as possible, looking out of the window and into the surrounding lush vegetation. He mused at the stubbornly childish image she offered.
" In case current events have gone unnoticed on your part, Clarice, I'll remind you that we've reached our destination." His voice filled the silence, competing only with the crickets and cicadas.
She refused to look at him whence came her reply.
" Thank you for the update." She always contributed politeness to cynicism.
" My dear, I can not imagine this vehicle providing a decent nights sleep." He was provoking her now, enough to initiate the cold glare, which he had recently become accustomed to.
" Why don't you give me the keys to the cuffs and the van, and I'll be on my way. By the time I reach the closest town, you would have covered a fair distance, should you chose to take the car I presume is in the shed."
Her head tiled towards the small shack, which sat at the right side of the house. She was pleased with the strength her voice and tone offered.
" How very observant of you Agent Starling. Honestly though, do you really expect such courtesy, when you failed to grant me that same request a few hours ago?" His eyes narrowed as he watched her vigor dissolve.
" I will however rid you of the uncomfortable position you must be in." He swiftly moved inside the van, sliding across the backseat to produce a small silver key.
The familiar sound of snapping handcuffs allowed Clarice to register her position. As soon as her hand was free she moved to strike.
Her upper body pounced on his and they fought equally for balance for a few seconds before he overpowered her and pushed her back onto the seat. His body atop of hers, growls of fury and delight came from them both as he took her small hands in his and placed the cuffs around both.
" Perhaps we could stay in here after all" He beamed as he reduced the space between their bodies.
Clarice fought on, wriggling beneath him, only to further his amusement.
" Get off of me Dr. Lecter." She barked through grated teeth.
" Only if you promise to be a good girl and come inside." His lips were so close to hers, she could almost taste them.
There was silence, as she seemed to consider.
" Fine." She looked away from him and waited for him to move.
Irritation was boiling inside of her, she despised when he spoke to her with degradation. Yet she despised herself even more for the prickles of excitement and pleasure that their little interludes sparked within her.
She was a captive of her own subconscious; a prisoner of her own suppressed desire.
When his body left hers, she felt a familiar hollowness tug at her whole.
He guided her from behind as they exited the car and made their way to the wooden door.
She knew she had the chance to bolt, hell possibly even outrun him, yet she was too tired to give it a second thought.
Clarice was spent, Lecter noted as his gaze dropped to the grazing feet in front of him. Her lack of strength in the van had even surprised him, she needed rest. He would force her into admittance if it were necessary. Somehow, though, he imagined that it would not take much effort on his behalf to get Clarice into a bed tonight.
His hearth fluttered with excitement as he processed the last sentence in his head. Few men in the world had ever, or would ever be able to reflect on such a thought.
When they reached the roomy veranda, Lecter took the lead and felt his way under the eve of a large window. A few moments he had a key in his hand and was in the process of unlocking the door. Clarice stood back and processed all that she could, at the same time scanning the area for a future point of escape. Spending more than one cosy night with Dr Hannibal Lecter was far beyond sane comprehension for the dutiful Agent Starling.
Tomorrow she would gain the upper hand; the price she was willing to pay for such power was still under scrutiny...by the both of them.
*******************************************
My apologies for the length of time it has taken for this chapter to come together. I hope you find it worthy of the wait. Chapter 6 is coming...well soon*ish*.