Living Deceptions

Please read and review. That's all really. Go with the story!

!!! Bloody Disclaimer!!!! (I hate this) I do NOT own any of the characters you recognise in this story. I have no affiliations with Thomas Harris, or anyone involved in the production of the Hannibal Lecter Trilogy. I am not making any money, so don't sue me, cos I ain't steal. Merely borrowing and moving them around.

Chapter 1.

"Girl, whats the matter with you? Why won't you even try it?"

"Ardelia, it ain't my kinda thing, you know. I, just don't want to…"

"Clarice, you gotta get out of the house. It's been nearly 2 month now. It pathetic, you leave the house what, once a week?" This was true, ever since the incident at Muskrat Farm, Clarice Starling, ex special FBI, didn't leave the house more than twice a week. And when she did, it was only to the local store for food. And she took her gun with her.

"What would I wear? I have no clothes, not for… going out!" Clarice asked, trying for a reason for her not to go out.

"You don't even have to get dressed up. You're the same size as me, you can borrow some of my stuff!"

"Nah. Nah, I don't wanna go. I'm just gonna stop in….."

"Again? Like you did last week? What was the really interesting programme you watched…… Judge Judy?!? Clarice…" Ardelia looked at her best friend, and saw a mere shadow of her former self. There just wasn't anything there anymore, no life or energy. Her eyes alone told the story of her pain and suffering. "….Clarice, I'm worried about

you. You need to get out. Stop been so foolish! What are you afraid of?"

"I'm not afraid of anything Ardelia." There was a tone in Clarice's voice that Ardelia rarely heard, anger, maybe frustration. It was this that took Ardelia aback. "I don't wanna go out Ardelia. I don't enjoy it in any way, shape or form. I wasn't made for socialising and been happy…."

"You haven't even tried Clarice. How do you know, if you tried it, got dressed up….."

"Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken. Dressing me up like some kind of a doll will not make me into the person you want me to be." Where did that come from Ardelia thought

"Clarice, I don't want you to be anyone else. I just want you to be happy and safe."

"Yeah, well thanks. I am happy, and fairly safe with a .45 in my hand, so just drop it ok?" There was a sort of finishing tone in her voice, which made it very clear that the conversation was over. Both sat in an uncomfortable, cold silence that frosted over the conversation for a short time, both taking in what had and had not been said. It was Clarice who broke the ice.

"I'm sorry Ardelia, I shouldn't have…."

"Clarice, it's ok. If you don't want to go out, fine. But your missing out of a hell of a time." Ardelia stood, making her way to the door. Passing Clarice's chair, she stopped, took out a pen and paper and wrote something down, folded it and placed it on the chair arm. "Nobody wants you to change. We all like you the way you are. The sooner you realise that…" She pushed the paper towards her a little "….. the better. See you later girl." And that was the last time she saw Ardelia alive.