What About The Girl?
By Risty Maskell
Disclaimer: If you recognise it, I don't own it. If you don't recognise it, it's mine.
Summary: It's getting more intriguing...even to me! Read and Review like a good little reader, now, okay?
~*~*~
1995
~*~*~
Juliette stumbled along the road, blinked slowly as she got nearer to her home. She opened the door, one hand on her head and squinting in the dim light.
"Zia Katrina? Alex? Tim? Renee?" She asked, her eyes adjusting slowly.
"They're not here." Came a voice from the stairs. "They're looking for you."
Juliette stiffened as her Uncle got up and came forward into the light, a leer on his face that said everything he wanted.
~
Dr Fell watched his daughter walk out of the apartment and toward her home. He sighed, picking up and folding the blanket that had covered her while she had been sleeping. He took the now-empty tray back to the small kitchen and placed it on the sink. He came into the Living room again and saw something glint in the early morning light. It was Juliette's bracelet. Of course. He'd taken it off her wrist while she slept. He picked it up and followed her. No one would recognise him... well, no one except Katrina. He looked ahead. Juliette was walking slowly. He kept about fifty yards behind her, so it wouldn't look like he was following her. None of the early rising tourists and marketeers took notice of him.
Juliette opened the door and he saw her freeze. His gaze hardened. He kept his pace the same, but watched the door very intently. Suddenly, Juliette was pulled roughly into the room and the door slammed. Dr Fell knew it was David. He walked a little quicker to the house, going around the side to the other door he knew was there.
~
"Zio David!" Juliette said, frightened. "Don't! You're hurting me!"
"Shut up you little bitch!" David said, his eyes like fire. "You won't get away from me again!" He threw her roughly on the couch and held her down while he roughly pulled down her jeans. Juliette screamed, or at least tried to. David's hand found it's way to her mouth and covered it. "You scream, and I'll kill you!" David hissed. Juliette's eyes widened and she whimpered. Clad in only her shirt and underwear, She was frightened. David had her legs trapped by his knees, so she couldn't kick him. He grinned evilly.
Suddenly a quiet voice broke through the semi-silence that was broken only by David's eager gasps.
"You know, Signor Fordman, you really shouldn't moleste children. People talk, you know." Hannibal Lecter, renowned psychiatrist and Cannibal, lunged at the man, his hands finding their way around David's neck. David was to much in shock to do anything for a few seconds. He gurgled as Hannibal and himself fell onto the floor. Juliette sat up, wide, frightened eyes watching unblinking. She screamed.
Hannibal banged David's head against the hard wooden floor so that the man was dazed. His hand flicked, producing the Harpy from his sleeve. David managed to regain composure and landed a hard punch on Hannibal's jaw. The Harpy flicked out of Hannibal's hand and landed on the floor, to far away for either of the men to reach. Juliette sat on the couch, watching in fear as the two men fought it out physically. David landed another punch and she screamed. "Zio David! Stop! Daddy! Stop, please!"
They didn't listen and kept fighting it out. Vases fell and smashed to the floor the coffee table was upturned with a loud thump and the sounds of punching and slapping could be heard. David aimed a punch to Hannibal's face once more and Hannibal pushed his hands to Davids face, digging his nails into the soft skin around the eyes and cheeks. Blood was drawn and David screamed, forgetting all about the punch he'd aimed and hands went flying to his face. He opened eyes and yelled.
"You son of a fuckin' bitch! I'm goning to fuckin' get you for that!" He screamed and punched Hannibal low in the stomach. The Good Doctor felt the blow as the wind was knocked out of him. He struggled to breathe as David's hands encircled his neck and began to squeeze.
Suddenly, David felt his head being wrenched back by the hair. He yelled and his grip on Hanibal loosened. There was a sharp pain in his leg as Juliette plunged the Harpy into his thigh. Blood flowed freely from the main artery and he glared at her. Juliette screamed at him.
"I HATE YOU ZIO DAVID!" She screamed and her fingernails scratched down his face. He yelled and grabbed at her wrists. She dropped the Harpy and began to struggle in her Uncle's iron grip. "LET ME GO!" She screamed. "LET GO OF ME!" She struggled and kicked and screamed. David was so preoccupied with keeping her still, he didn't see Hannibal pick up the Harpy and scratch a long deep cut down his back. He threw his head back and screamed as the pain penetrated his nervous system and he jolted. Hannibal held the Harpy to David's throat and whispered to him.
"Never harm children for your own fantasies." He whispered. "It might turn out like this again." And with that, the Harpy slid across the soft skin of David Fordman's throat. Hannibal released his grip on the dead man and wiped the blade of the Harpy on David's shirt. Juliette was whimpering and huddled on the floor, her arms encircling her knees.
"Juliette." He said quietly. The girl looked up. "Juliette, it's all right. He won't be able to hurt you any more. I promise."
Juliette sobbed, her tears mingling with blood on her face. She got up and ran to him, sobbing and he caught her in his arms and hugged her tightly. His ears perked up as he heard a noise outside. Footsteps, getting closer. He flicked the Harpy back up his sleeve and looked at Juliette.
"Grab those jeans, and lets go." He said quietly. She nodded, drying her tears on the back of her hand. She realised the importance of not being found at the scene of the crime. She quickly walked into the kitchen, where Hannibal was waiting. She pulled on the jeans, spattered with blood and looked worriedly up at her father. He opened the back door and ushered her outside. She hurried into te alleyway and Hannibal shut the door behind him, with his sleeve over his hand. He took her hand and they quickly and very quietly ran the long way out. They were still close enough to hear Katrina and Alex scream when they discovered David's body in the living room.
~
Before long, police were swarming all over the neighborhood like flies. They knocked on doors, questioning anybody and everybody about the murder. Hannibal and Juliette had gone the long way around, and into another part of the town. A good thing to, for the police were banging down the door to Hannibal's apartment within minutes.
~
The TV coverage of the death was all over the 11 o'clock news that night. CNN found out about it and there were reporters half the world over, asking themselves who would kill a kind, honest man who would never hurt anybody.
~
The airport was crowded. Tourists leaving the country and business people coming from and going to meetings around the world. No one noticed a tall man with a little girl at his side as they headed for Gate 398 to India.
Getting on the plane in First Class, Dr Adonis Fell and the little girl, Carmen, sat down for the roughly 3 hour flight. Carmen fell asleep almost instantly, the day being very exhausting for her. Dr Fell looked at her and smiled slightly. She looked so pretty when she was asleep. He gently lifted her hair to check her stitches. Amazingly, they had not torn during the fight. It was very red from being pulled, but otehrwise she was fine. Dr Fell sat back, his hands folded across his lap and he watched the in-flight movie, not really taking it in.
~
The plane landed in New Dehli with a slight bump. Even the slightest jolt woke Dr Fell as they landed. He looked over at his daughter and saw her reading a magazine. She looked over at him and managed to smile, though he could see her face was etched with lines of worry, questions and doubt. He took her hand and smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry, Carmen." He said, quietly. "We'll be there soon." She just nodded and the old lady across from them smiled.
"Where are you from, dearie?" She asked. Carmen didn't speak.
"I'm sorry, ma'am." Dr Fell said with a sad smile. "My daughter is a mute. She won't talk to any body."
Carmen looked at her lap. How could he lie so easily? But she knew to keep her mouth closed.
The old lady nodded sympatheitcally. "Was she born like that?" She asked. Dr Fell shook his head.
"No. Her mother died in a car accident. Poor Carmen hasn't spoken since that day."
Well, it was partially true. Carmen looked up and stared blankly at the magazine. She flipped idly through the pages, exhaling lightly.
"Carmen? Come on. We have to get off the plane now."
The two got up and bade the old lady farewell before getting off the plane. Dr Fell led the girl toward the outside of the Airport. He hailed a cab and gave directions to a hotel.
~
Carmen sat on the single bed in her room at the hotel and looked at the night dress that her father had just bought her. She fiddled with the hem before getting up and sitting at the table. Her father looked up from the book he'd calmly been reading.
"Dad." She said. "You promised you'd tell me."
Without asking what she was talking about, he put the book down and leant on the table. "Why I do what I do? Quite simple, really. You do understand I cannot stand rude people."
"Yes, Dad." She said, blinking. "But why? I don't understand. I know you killed Zio David because he was ... attacking me... but why the other people? Just because they were rude? It seems a little ... well, suss to me."
Hannibal smiled. "I think it's about time I told you about your aunt Mischa."
"Aunt Mischa? Who is she?"
"She was my sister." As he related the tale of how his sister had been killed, her eyes went wide and she was left horrifed.
"And that's why?"
"Yes. It took me a long time to get over it."
"I won't doubt it."
"You know, you're acting rather mature for your age."
"I have you for a father, what were you expecting?" She said, picking at her index fingernail.
~
Katrina Fordman and her children were taken to one of the neighbors to stay while Forensics went over her house with a fine toothed comb. She was very worried. Juliette had still not come home, and she'd been missing since the Carnival. Her husband was dead and herself and her three children would be in therepy for a long time to come. Valerie, the neighbor they were staying with, came into the room.
"Katrina? La polizia ha un Thomas Bradley sulla stretta. Dice che desidera comunicare con Juliette, ma non è qui, è lei?"
Katrina looked up from chewing her thumbnail. "Thomas Bradley? Era guardiano del Juliette in America. Comunicherò con lui." She got up and took the phone from Valerie.
"Katrina Fordman, comunicherò con Sig. Bradley."
"Si." Said the Officer and pushed a button.
"Juliette?" Thomas' worried voice ran through the phone.
"No. This is her aunt Katrina."
"Katrina, I really need to talk to Juliette."
"She's not here, Mr Bradley. She's been missing since the Carnival the othr night." Katrina said, a lump rising in her throat.
"WHAT?!" He said. "Oh shit..."
"What is it, Mr Bradley?"
"Mrs Fordman, I think Dr Lecter might have Juliette."
Katrina almost laughed bitterly. "What are you talking about? Hannibal Lecter is behind bars."
There was a silence on the other end of the phone.
"Mr Bradley?"
"Mrs Fordman... Juliette never told you her father escaped, did she?"
It took a moment to register. Katrina gasped, putting a hand to her mouth. "No... no she didn't."
In answer, his voice yelled down the line. "FUCK!" and the reciever was slammed back into the cradle.
Katrina dropped the phone and sank to the floor, trembling. Hannibal Lecter was free... and he had his daughter.
Author's Note: I know... this chapter probably really sucks ass... Its been giving me hell. As usual, thanks to twistedmind for the carrots... sorry if it didn't turn out for the best. *gives apologetic smile* But that's what you get after your bunny continually runs out on you!
By Risty Maskell
Disclaimer: If you recognise it, I don't own it. If you don't recognise it, it's mine.
Summary: It's getting more intriguing...even to me! Read and Review like a good little reader, now, okay?
~*~*~
1995
~*~*~
Juliette stumbled along the road, blinked slowly as she got nearer to her home. She opened the door, one hand on her head and squinting in the dim light.
"Zia Katrina? Alex? Tim? Renee?" She asked, her eyes adjusting slowly.
"They're not here." Came a voice from the stairs. "They're looking for you."
Juliette stiffened as her Uncle got up and came forward into the light, a leer on his face that said everything he wanted.
~
Dr Fell watched his daughter walk out of the apartment and toward her home. He sighed, picking up and folding the blanket that had covered her while she had been sleeping. He took the now-empty tray back to the small kitchen and placed it on the sink. He came into the Living room again and saw something glint in the early morning light. It was Juliette's bracelet. Of course. He'd taken it off her wrist while she slept. He picked it up and followed her. No one would recognise him... well, no one except Katrina. He looked ahead. Juliette was walking slowly. He kept about fifty yards behind her, so it wouldn't look like he was following her. None of the early rising tourists and marketeers took notice of him.
Juliette opened the door and he saw her freeze. His gaze hardened. He kept his pace the same, but watched the door very intently. Suddenly, Juliette was pulled roughly into the room and the door slammed. Dr Fell knew it was David. He walked a little quicker to the house, going around the side to the other door he knew was there.
~
"Zio David!" Juliette said, frightened. "Don't! You're hurting me!"
"Shut up you little bitch!" David said, his eyes like fire. "You won't get away from me again!" He threw her roughly on the couch and held her down while he roughly pulled down her jeans. Juliette screamed, or at least tried to. David's hand found it's way to her mouth and covered it. "You scream, and I'll kill you!" David hissed. Juliette's eyes widened and she whimpered. Clad in only her shirt and underwear, She was frightened. David had her legs trapped by his knees, so she couldn't kick him. He grinned evilly.
Suddenly a quiet voice broke through the semi-silence that was broken only by David's eager gasps.
"You know, Signor Fordman, you really shouldn't moleste children. People talk, you know." Hannibal Lecter, renowned psychiatrist and Cannibal, lunged at the man, his hands finding their way around David's neck. David was to much in shock to do anything for a few seconds. He gurgled as Hannibal and himself fell onto the floor. Juliette sat up, wide, frightened eyes watching unblinking. She screamed.
Hannibal banged David's head against the hard wooden floor so that the man was dazed. His hand flicked, producing the Harpy from his sleeve. David managed to regain composure and landed a hard punch on Hannibal's jaw. The Harpy flicked out of Hannibal's hand and landed on the floor, to far away for either of the men to reach. Juliette sat on the couch, watching in fear as the two men fought it out physically. David landed another punch and she screamed. "Zio David! Stop! Daddy! Stop, please!"
They didn't listen and kept fighting it out. Vases fell and smashed to the floor the coffee table was upturned with a loud thump and the sounds of punching and slapping could be heard. David aimed a punch to Hannibal's face once more and Hannibal pushed his hands to Davids face, digging his nails into the soft skin around the eyes and cheeks. Blood was drawn and David screamed, forgetting all about the punch he'd aimed and hands went flying to his face. He opened eyes and yelled.
"You son of a fuckin' bitch! I'm goning to fuckin' get you for that!" He screamed and punched Hannibal low in the stomach. The Good Doctor felt the blow as the wind was knocked out of him. He struggled to breathe as David's hands encircled his neck and began to squeeze.
Suddenly, David felt his head being wrenched back by the hair. He yelled and his grip on Hanibal loosened. There was a sharp pain in his leg as Juliette plunged the Harpy into his thigh. Blood flowed freely from the main artery and he glared at her. Juliette screamed at him.
"I HATE YOU ZIO DAVID!" She screamed and her fingernails scratched down his face. He yelled and grabbed at her wrists. She dropped the Harpy and began to struggle in her Uncle's iron grip. "LET ME GO!" She screamed. "LET GO OF ME!" She struggled and kicked and screamed. David was so preoccupied with keeping her still, he didn't see Hannibal pick up the Harpy and scratch a long deep cut down his back. He threw his head back and screamed as the pain penetrated his nervous system and he jolted. Hannibal held the Harpy to David's throat and whispered to him.
"Never harm children for your own fantasies." He whispered. "It might turn out like this again." And with that, the Harpy slid across the soft skin of David Fordman's throat. Hannibal released his grip on the dead man and wiped the blade of the Harpy on David's shirt. Juliette was whimpering and huddled on the floor, her arms encircling her knees.
"Juliette." He said quietly. The girl looked up. "Juliette, it's all right. He won't be able to hurt you any more. I promise."
Juliette sobbed, her tears mingling with blood on her face. She got up and ran to him, sobbing and he caught her in his arms and hugged her tightly. His ears perked up as he heard a noise outside. Footsteps, getting closer. He flicked the Harpy back up his sleeve and looked at Juliette.
"Grab those jeans, and lets go." He said quietly. She nodded, drying her tears on the back of her hand. She realised the importance of not being found at the scene of the crime. She quickly walked into the kitchen, where Hannibal was waiting. She pulled on the jeans, spattered with blood and looked worriedly up at her father. He opened the back door and ushered her outside. She hurried into te alleyway and Hannibal shut the door behind him, with his sleeve over his hand. He took her hand and they quickly and very quietly ran the long way out. They were still close enough to hear Katrina and Alex scream when they discovered David's body in the living room.
~
Before long, police were swarming all over the neighborhood like flies. They knocked on doors, questioning anybody and everybody about the murder. Hannibal and Juliette had gone the long way around, and into another part of the town. A good thing to, for the police were banging down the door to Hannibal's apartment within minutes.
~
The TV coverage of the death was all over the 11 o'clock news that night. CNN found out about it and there were reporters half the world over, asking themselves who would kill a kind, honest man who would never hurt anybody.
~
The airport was crowded. Tourists leaving the country and business people coming from and going to meetings around the world. No one noticed a tall man with a little girl at his side as they headed for Gate 398 to India.
Getting on the plane in First Class, Dr Adonis Fell and the little girl, Carmen, sat down for the roughly 3 hour flight. Carmen fell asleep almost instantly, the day being very exhausting for her. Dr Fell looked at her and smiled slightly. She looked so pretty when she was asleep. He gently lifted her hair to check her stitches. Amazingly, they had not torn during the fight. It was very red from being pulled, but otehrwise she was fine. Dr Fell sat back, his hands folded across his lap and he watched the in-flight movie, not really taking it in.
~
The plane landed in New Dehli with a slight bump. Even the slightest jolt woke Dr Fell as they landed. He looked over at his daughter and saw her reading a magazine. She looked over at him and managed to smile, though he could see her face was etched with lines of worry, questions and doubt. He took her hand and smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry, Carmen." He said, quietly. "We'll be there soon." She just nodded and the old lady across from them smiled.
"Where are you from, dearie?" She asked. Carmen didn't speak.
"I'm sorry, ma'am." Dr Fell said with a sad smile. "My daughter is a mute. She won't talk to any body."
Carmen looked at her lap. How could he lie so easily? But she knew to keep her mouth closed.
The old lady nodded sympatheitcally. "Was she born like that?" She asked. Dr Fell shook his head.
"No. Her mother died in a car accident. Poor Carmen hasn't spoken since that day."
Well, it was partially true. Carmen looked up and stared blankly at the magazine. She flipped idly through the pages, exhaling lightly.
"Carmen? Come on. We have to get off the plane now."
The two got up and bade the old lady farewell before getting off the plane. Dr Fell led the girl toward the outside of the Airport. He hailed a cab and gave directions to a hotel.
~
Carmen sat on the single bed in her room at the hotel and looked at the night dress that her father had just bought her. She fiddled with the hem before getting up and sitting at the table. Her father looked up from the book he'd calmly been reading.
"Dad." She said. "You promised you'd tell me."
Without asking what she was talking about, he put the book down and leant on the table. "Why I do what I do? Quite simple, really. You do understand I cannot stand rude people."
"Yes, Dad." She said, blinking. "But why? I don't understand. I know you killed Zio David because he was ... attacking me... but why the other people? Just because they were rude? It seems a little ... well, suss to me."
Hannibal smiled. "I think it's about time I told you about your aunt Mischa."
"Aunt Mischa? Who is she?"
"She was my sister." As he related the tale of how his sister had been killed, her eyes went wide and she was left horrifed.
"And that's why?"
"Yes. It took me a long time to get over it."
"I won't doubt it."
"You know, you're acting rather mature for your age."
"I have you for a father, what were you expecting?" She said, picking at her index fingernail.
~
Katrina Fordman and her children were taken to one of the neighbors to stay while Forensics went over her house with a fine toothed comb. She was very worried. Juliette had still not come home, and she'd been missing since the Carnival. Her husband was dead and herself and her three children would be in therepy for a long time to come. Valerie, the neighbor they were staying with, came into the room.
"Katrina? La polizia ha un Thomas Bradley sulla stretta. Dice che desidera comunicare con Juliette, ma non è qui, è lei?"
Katrina looked up from chewing her thumbnail. "Thomas Bradley? Era guardiano del Juliette in America. Comunicherò con lui." She got up and took the phone from Valerie.
"Katrina Fordman, comunicherò con Sig. Bradley."
"Si." Said the Officer and pushed a button.
"Juliette?" Thomas' worried voice ran through the phone.
"No. This is her aunt Katrina."
"Katrina, I really need to talk to Juliette."
"She's not here, Mr Bradley. She's been missing since the Carnival the othr night." Katrina said, a lump rising in her throat.
"WHAT?!" He said. "Oh shit..."
"What is it, Mr Bradley?"
"Mrs Fordman, I think Dr Lecter might have Juliette."
Katrina almost laughed bitterly. "What are you talking about? Hannibal Lecter is behind bars."
There was a silence on the other end of the phone.
"Mr Bradley?"
"Mrs Fordman... Juliette never told you her father escaped, did she?"
It took a moment to register. Katrina gasped, putting a hand to her mouth. "No... no she didn't."
In answer, his voice yelled down the line. "FUCK!" and the reciever was slammed back into the cradle.
Katrina dropped the phone and sank to the floor, trembling. Hannibal Lecter was free... and he had his daughter.
Author's Note: I know... this chapter probably really sucks ass... Its been giving me hell. As usual, thanks to twistedmind for the carrots... sorry if it didn't turn out for the best. *gives apologetic smile* But that's what you get after your bunny continually runs out on you!