Chapter three
Dr. Lecter stood over Clarice. She was so at peace, a peace he knew was new, the lambs had been silence and he found himself wondering what knowledge, which epiphany had silenced them.
The room was gently lit with candles, Dr. Lecter didn't want to see his little bird in the cruel light of a light bulb, he enjoyed seeing how the flames played over her soft features.
He leaned in over her and took a deep breath; her scent was like a flower on a spring morning. He traced his finger along her face coming to rest on her lower lip. How he would have loved to touch her lips with his own, but now was not the time, it was time for her healing.
He returned to seat in the corner observing her as he had so many times before, time did not exist, not with a sight so pleasing to the eye, his Clarice, her clam breathing was like heavenly music. To be in her presence was heaven it self.
Clarice was conscious, but she did not want to open her eyes, she did not want to open her eyes to find herself in a world without him, it hurt too much, it hurt more then the physical pain in her head and the rest of her muscles. She slowly remembered what had happen, how the bullets had thrown her backward, for at last to collapse on the ground beneath her, she remembered the liberating feeling as she had acknowledge her feelings for Dr. Lecter, how her heart felt light, the burden that had weighed her down for so long had lifted and left her almost flying. But he was gone now; she wanted to call out for him, hoping that, as if by magic he would appear to take her away from the masters she so willingly had served, the masters that would sacrifice her, given the chance and the need for a scapegoat. Dr. Lecter had been right, they were undeserving, she now saw how blinded she had been. A smile spread through her inside as she mused on whether she should have taken the good word of a cannibal, known madman or that of an organization who only served their own good.
Clarice was aware of the silence there was around her and found it strange, all logical thought told her, that she should be in a hospital, but her surroundings told her a different story.
There was a sublet light force in the room, so gentle that it could not be a light bulb, it even flickered, Clarice eased one eye open and was surprised by the sight presented to her, she opened the other, pleased when the light didn't bother her. She was on a four poster bed in a room filled with candles, and a pleasing sent was in the air.
She hoped as she had never scares hope before, all this could only mean one thing, that he had heard her, that he came to take her away, that miracles do happen. She could not see anyone in the room, could not hear any, only the sound of her own ragged breathing that penetrated the silence. "Dr. Lecter?" it came out vague, as a wish, a hope she had never before uttered out aloud, never before acknowledge to her self. There was a short silence, her breath caught in her throat, as she waited and hoped.
"Good evening Clarice" she started breathing again, his words fulfilling a dream long since taken form, back in the days when the dungeon was the scene of their talks and the beginning of a passion. All the words she wanted to speak eluded her, suddenly there was nothing to say, he was here, now..... That was all she wanted and needed, at least for now. A mysterious smile spread across her lips as she closed her eyes, sure that the voice she had heard was not in her dreams, not conjured in her fantasy, that it would be there when she woke again.
Dr. Lecter remained in the shadows, a smile was on his lips as well, her voice, so without fear, searching for him, reaching out and letting him taste a piece of Heaven. Yes he had heard her, her desperate call for him and now he would never let her go again. Their time was now. Dr. Lecter retreated into his memory palace, where every letter he had written to her, every contact, every touch he had ever made with Clarice was a vivid as had it been merely hours ago.
Clarice dreamed of Dr. Lecter, it was inevitable, his close proximity would allow nothing less nor would she herself. She dreamed of how his fingers made slow caresses on her jaw line, her lower lip trembled of the promise of his kiss but there were none. She dreamed she felt deprived. Deprived feelings and experiences where no longer just centered about not feeling his kiss, but of the years that had vanished with out a trace. Clarice wanted to cry, she dreamed of her tears running hot down her cheeks, when somewhere distant, she heard her name called, it as well sounded as a caress, like a promise of things to come. But it was so far away, the voice, hypnotic, calm almost demanding. "Wake Clarice..... Wake and feel......" the voice died out. Clarice wanted to wake but she was too tired, that voice, it was his, she wanted to hear more of it, she wanted his voice to caress her, she wanted to loose herself in it revel in it. But his voice was lost in the fog of sleep, in the wake of dreams, all her dreams would be of him, his voice, his lips, hands and those captivating eyes, that would hold her heart forever capture. To Clarice it did not matter, her life was him, her every breath was only to be longer in his presence, every heartbeat was for his heart alone, her soul called out for his, she could not live without him. The epiphany should have scared her, but in her dreams it was, as if coming home after a long journey to discover her own true meaning. Her destiny.
And so she dreamed of things to come, of him and their future she knew they would have.
Dr. Lecter sat in his chair with a glass of Chãteau Pétrus, its red color played with the light from the candles. Dr. Lecter's thoughts returned to Dante. Dante and his Beatrice, yes how much they truly had in common, but he would posses his Clarice, and she would forever posses him. His rich voice filled the room with the words of Dante and his own heart.
"Of those long hours wherein the stars, above,
Wake and keep watch, the fourth was almost nought
When love was shown me with such terrors fraught
As may not carelessly be spoken of.
He seem'd like one who is full of joy, and had
My heart within his hand, and on his arm
My lady, with a mantle round her, slept;
Whom (having waken'd her) anon he made
To eat that heart; she ate, as fearing harm.
Then he went out; and as he went, he wept."
Clarice wakened to his spoken words; the meaning did not elude her. Her eyes remained closed. The silence stretched out, the only sound in the room was Clarice's breathing. The minutes ticked away, and finally Clarice opened her eyes, she looked over the room, but they did not find Dr. Lecter, though she could not see him, she somehow knew he was in the corner covered by the shadows. She sat up in the bed, suppressing a groan as pain shot through her body, instead she clenched her teeth, and pulled the blanket with her. And for the first time, she noticed, she was dressed in a white silk negligee. He had once again dressed her as he saw fit and she wondered just how many times he had seen her nakedness, a warmth feeling spread throughout her body, her mind fought for control, so as not to let the blush surface for him to see and know her thoughts.
"Dr. Lecter?" her voice was soft as she sent her question out into the room searching for him. "mmmh and so sleeping beauty awakens. I trust you slept well?.....Clarice" the voice did not betray Dr. Lecter's location in the room, instead it filled out the volume, as if it would take passion of every fiber in the room.
The only logical question that clouded her mind jumped from her throat as if it would clear her mind. "How did I get here?" There was silence for a minute. "I should think that was obvious Clarice" he drew out every syllable of her name, as he had always done. For a second Clarice was back in the dungeon with Dr. Lecter mocking her cheap shoes. Clarice remained silent and leaned back against the pillows and closed her eyes. She drew a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to clear her mind and concentrate on what was ahead of her, the decisions that had to be made, though they were already made in her heart. She contemplated getting out of bed, but the reminder of the pain earlier was more then enough to convince her to stay where she was.
"Dr. Lecter...." Silence. "Dr. Lecter, please come out into the light." Her voice bore more strength. There was slight movement from the shadowy corner and then his massive form stepped ever so slightly into the light. Clarice's breath was caught in her throat as her eyes moved up his body to lock with his maroon gaze. Both heard when she started breathing again.
"Are you feeling better?" his voice somehow broke through her haze of thoughts. His voice gently demanded an answer. Clarice contemplated her answer, should she bite back at his earlier mockery or be honest. The ladder seemed best, taken into consideration Dr. Lecter's taste for honesty. "I feel like I've been run over. How long have I been out?"
"Is time of any importance Clarice?" he remained where he was, holding her eyes captured. "should it be?" Clarice returned back, she never knew how much she had missed their mind-games. "no more then you would wish it to be" "I don't wish it to exist, but it does none the less." Her voice was filled with anguish, pain and sorrow for the years that had passed between them."
Suddenly tired from all her emotional stress, she started to lie down when a terrible pain ripped through her and a half scream left her lungs, tears threatened to fall, but she somehow managed to keep them at bay. Dr. Lecter was at her side with one fluid motion, he might as well have flown and she would not have known the difference, he gently eased her down unto the mattress, and pulled the blanket over her. His were eyes filled with concern.
He conjured a syringe. "This will help you sleep" he did not allow her an answer before giving her the medicine. "Sleep my dear." Clarice mumbled her last coherent thought. "Stay...." And everything went black, though she felt his weight in the bed as he settled in next to her. His eyes was as always, ever watchful.
Dr. Lecter stood over Clarice. She was so at peace, a peace he knew was new, the lambs had been silence and he found himself wondering what knowledge, which epiphany had silenced them.
The room was gently lit with candles, Dr. Lecter didn't want to see his little bird in the cruel light of a light bulb, he enjoyed seeing how the flames played over her soft features.
He leaned in over her and took a deep breath; her scent was like a flower on a spring morning. He traced his finger along her face coming to rest on her lower lip. How he would have loved to touch her lips with his own, but now was not the time, it was time for her healing.
He returned to seat in the corner observing her as he had so many times before, time did not exist, not with a sight so pleasing to the eye, his Clarice, her clam breathing was like heavenly music. To be in her presence was heaven it self.
Clarice was conscious, but she did not want to open her eyes, she did not want to open her eyes to find herself in a world without him, it hurt too much, it hurt more then the physical pain in her head and the rest of her muscles. She slowly remembered what had happen, how the bullets had thrown her backward, for at last to collapse on the ground beneath her, she remembered the liberating feeling as she had acknowledge her feelings for Dr. Lecter, how her heart felt light, the burden that had weighed her down for so long had lifted and left her almost flying. But he was gone now; she wanted to call out for him, hoping that, as if by magic he would appear to take her away from the masters she so willingly had served, the masters that would sacrifice her, given the chance and the need for a scapegoat. Dr. Lecter had been right, they were undeserving, she now saw how blinded she had been. A smile spread through her inside as she mused on whether she should have taken the good word of a cannibal, known madman or that of an organization who only served their own good.
Clarice was aware of the silence there was around her and found it strange, all logical thought told her, that she should be in a hospital, but her surroundings told her a different story.
There was a sublet light force in the room, so gentle that it could not be a light bulb, it even flickered, Clarice eased one eye open and was surprised by the sight presented to her, she opened the other, pleased when the light didn't bother her. She was on a four poster bed in a room filled with candles, and a pleasing sent was in the air.
She hoped as she had never scares hope before, all this could only mean one thing, that he had heard her, that he came to take her away, that miracles do happen. She could not see anyone in the room, could not hear any, only the sound of her own ragged breathing that penetrated the silence. "Dr. Lecter?" it came out vague, as a wish, a hope she had never before uttered out aloud, never before acknowledge to her self. There was a short silence, her breath caught in her throat, as she waited and hoped.
"Good evening Clarice" she started breathing again, his words fulfilling a dream long since taken form, back in the days when the dungeon was the scene of their talks and the beginning of a passion. All the words she wanted to speak eluded her, suddenly there was nothing to say, he was here, now..... That was all she wanted and needed, at least for now. A mysterious smile spread across her lips as she closed her eyes, sure that the voice she had heard was not in her dreams, not conjured in her fantasy, that it would be there when she woke again.
Dr. Lecter remained in the shadows, a smile was on his lips as well, her voice, so without fear, searching for him, reaching out and letting him taste a piece of Heaven. Yes he had heard her, her desperate call for him and now he would never let her go again. Their time was now. Dr. Lecter retreated into his memory palace, where every letter he had written to her, every contact, every touch he had ever made with Clarice was a vivid as had it been merely hours ago.
Clarice dreamed of Dr. Lecter, it was inevitable, his close proximity would allow nothing less nor would she herself. She dreamed of how his fingers made slow caresses on her jaw line, her lower lip trembled of the promise of his kiss but there were none. She dreamed she felt deprived. Deprived feelings and experiences where no longer just centered about not feeling his kiss, but of the years that had vanished with out a trace. Clarice wanted to cry, she dreamed of her tears running hot down her cheeks, when somewhere distant, she heard her name called, it as well sounded as a caress, like a promise of things to come. But it was so far away, the voice, hypnotic, calm almost demanding. "Wake Clarice..... Wake and feel......" the voice died out. Clarice wanted to wake but she was too tired, that voice, it was his, she wanted to hear more of it, she wanted his voice to caress her, she wanted to loose herself in it revel in it. But his voice was lost in the fog of sleep, in the wake of dreams, all her dreams would be of him, his voice, his lips, hands and those captivating eyes, that would hold her heart forever capture. To Clarice it did not matter, her life was him, her every breath was only to be longer in his presence, every heartbeat was for his heart alone, her soul called out for his, she could not live without him. The epiphany should have scared her, but in her dreams it was, as if coming home after a long journey to discover her own true meaning. Her destiny.
And so she dreamed of things to come, of him and their future she knew they would have.
Dr. Lecter sat in his chair with a glass of Chãteau Pétrus, its red color played with the light from the candles. Dr. Lecter's thoughts returned to Dante. Dante and his Beatrice, yes how much they truly had in common, but he would posses his Clarice, and she would forever posses him. His rich voice filled the room with the words of Dante and his own heart.
"Of those long hours wherein the stars, above,
Wake and keep watch, the fourth was almost nought
When love was shown me with such terrors fraught
As may not carelessly be spoken of.
He seem'd like one who is full of joy, and had
My heart within his hand, and on his arm
My lady, with a mantle round her, slept;
Whom (having waken'd her) anon he made
To eat that heart; she ate, as fearing harm.
Then he went out; and as he went, he wept."
Clarice wakened to his spoken words; the meaning did not elude her. Her eyes remained closed. The silence stretched out, the only sound in the room was Clarice's breathing. The minutes ticked away, and finally Clarice opened her eyes, she looked over the room, but they did not find Dr. Lecter, though she could not see him, she somehow knew he was in the corner covered by the shadows. She sat up in the bed, suppressing a groan as pain shot through her body, instead she clenched her teeth, and pulled the blanket with her. And for the first time, she noticed, she was dressed in a white silk negligee. He had once again dressed her as he saw fit and she wondered just how many times he had seen her nakedness, a warmth feeling spread throughout her body, her mind fought for control, so as not to let the blush surface for him to see and know her thoughts.
"Dr. Lecter?" her voice was soft as she sent her question out into the room searching for him. "mmmh and so sleeping beauty awakens. I trust you slept well?.....Clarice" the voice did not betray Dr. Lecter's location in the room, instead it filled out the volume, as if it would take passion of every fiber in the room.
The only logical question that clouded her mind jumped from her throat as if it would clear her mind. "How did I get here?" There was silence for a minute. "I should think that was obvious Clarice" he drew out every syllable of her name, as he had always done. For a second Clarice was back in the dungeon with Dr. Lecter mocking her cheap shoes. Clarice remained silent and leaned back against the pillows and closed her eyes. She drew a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to clear her mind and concentrate on what was ahead of her, the decisions that had to be made, though they were already made in her heart. She contemplated getting out of bed, but the reminder of the pain earlier was more then enough to convince her to stay where she was.
"Dr. Lecter...." Silence. "Dr. Lecter, please come out into the light." Her voice bore more strength. There was slight movement from the shadowy corner and then his massive form stepped ever so slightly into the light. Clarice's breath was caught in her throat as her eyes moved up his body to lock with his maroon gaze. Both heard when she started breathing again.
"Are you feeling better?" his voice somehow broke through her haze of thoughts. His voice gently demanded an answer. Clarice contemplated her answer, should she bite back at his earlier mockery or be honest. The ladder seemed best, taken into consideration Dr. Lecter's taste for honesty. "I feel like I've been run over. How long have I been out?"
"Is time of any importance Clarice?" he remained where he was, holding her eyes captured. "should it be?" Clarice returned back, she never knew how much she had missed their mind-games. "no more then you would wish it to be" "I don't wish it to exist, but it does none the less." Her voice was filled with anguish, pain and sorrow for the years that had passed between them."
Suddenly tired from all her emotional stress, she started to lie down when a terrible pain ripped through her and a half scream left her lungs, tears threatened to fall, but she somehow managed to keep them at bay. Dr. Lecter was at her side with one fluid motion, he might as well have flown and she would not have known the difference, he gently eased her down unto the mattress, and pulled the blanket over her. His were eyes filled with concern.
He conjured a syringe. "This will help you sleep" he did not allow her an answer before giving her the medicine. "Sleep my dear." Clarice mumbled her last coherent thought. "Stay...." And everything went black, though she felt his weight in the bed as he settled in next to her. His eyes was as always, ever watchful.