Three years later and Dr Lecter was still living in his home in Florence. His life was as pleasant as it always had been and nothing much had changed.

Alisha visited often, but only when Dr Lecter was at work or sleeping. She made her presence known with fresh cut flowers, wine and other small gestures of peace. She had kept her promise and never caused him any harm and after a few months he became used to the fact that she was around. Sometimes he found that knowing she was near was almost comforting.

Once or twice he thought he had woken up and seen her standing at the foot of his bed, but he had always been tired and groggy and he was never sure if he had been dreaming or not.

Although his life was the same, Dr Lecter wasn't. Something was not right inside him and the feeling grew with each passing day. He wasn't sure what it was and his only choice was to wait and see what happened.

Months passed and the feeling continued to grow, until he wasn't able to focus on his work or his life. He became depressed and stayed at home for long periods of time, just staring at the wall.

It wasn't until almost a year later that he realised what it was.

Loneliness.

He wondered why it had taken him so long to realise and he looked back on the past eight years of his life

He had always been preoccupied with work and his home as well as the beauty of Florence itself. He had never stopped and thought about himself, about what was going on inside him. Quite ironic actually, since he was a psychiatrist. Dr Lecter almost laughed at the thought.

None of this, however, helped him understand why he didn't feel. complete.

Then he remembered what Alisha had said to him, so many years ago;

"Contrary to popular belief, not every person on this earth has 'another half' or soulmate as many choose to call it. There are, however, a few people who are meant to be together. They are like two halves of the same person and when they meet, it's almost as if they have become complete. They can exist without their 'other half' but they will spend their whole lives feeling as if something is missing."

For the first time in his new life, he regretted the choice he had made eight years ago.

He put his head in his hands and tried to clear his head. Why had he been so selfish? If he had said 'yes', he would have forgone those eight years in the asylum, met his 'soulmate' and by now he would be free.

He sighed and rubbed his eyes.

All he wanted right now was someone to share his life with. Someone to appreciate him, someone he could appreciate in turn. He was tired of being alone and he felt miserable.

He closed his eyes and lay back in his chair. After a while drowsiness overcame him and he fell asleep.

He dreamt he was being lifted into the air and carried far away. Away from his troubles and worries, away from his life, away from everywhere. To somewhere that none of these things mattered. Somewhere that he could be free.

Slowly he opened his eyes, the room around him was moving. No, he was moving. He was being carried; by strong, confident arms, into his bedroom.

Alisha lay him gently on the bed, she knew he had woken up, but she hoped that he would fall asleep and think he had dreamt it. She should not have moved him, but he didn't look comfortable in his chair and the way his life was going right now, he would need all the comfort he could get.

She had turned and started walking towards the door, when Dr Lecter grabbed her arm and held her back.

"Please." He looked up at her, his maroon eyes bore into hers; they had never portrayed such sadness.

Alisha smiled and sat down on the bed.

"What's wrong with me?" He felt he needed reassurance, even though he already knew the answer.

Alisha sighed, "I should have never come to you, I should have realised it would end like this. Nothing good ever comes from tempting fate."

"No, it wasn't your fault, it was mine entirely. I made the decision, you warned me, but I was selfish."

She smiled sadly and lay down on the bed next to him. "We all make mistakes."

"Couldn't I find her now? Couldn't I go to Washington and find her? Then it would all turn out right."

Tears glistened in Alisha's eyes as she slowly shook her head. "No."

"Why not?"

"You'll see tomorrow." She put her head close to his and kissed his forehead. "Don't worry, you will get better after a while, the feeling will pass. I promise."

She got up and walked to the door. Before she left the room she turned around and looked at Dr Lecter. "I am very sorry. Good night."

She walked out of the room.