Storyteller's Notes: Thank you very much for your reviews. I really appreciate your opinions however critical -sigh- they are. I am sorry if I have upset some readers' sensitivity. However, this is a dark tale as "Hannibal" is a dark book.
As I said I couldn't resist expanding the events within the book to what I thought would be the most likely action for Mason Verger - the ultimate revenge by all available means.
Crucially, I thought, this was the only chance for Mason Verger to derive the complete and lasting pleasure given the fact that he doesn't get much chance to indulge his wickedness – his meddling with children, though, very damaging for the kids, but is still very shallow in comparison when you actually have someone in your direct power and play with them at your will.
Hence, I just tried to imagine if this scenario (of Starling herself being kidnapped) did happen how it would develop realistically considering the utter indifference of Mason and his henchmen to the human suffering as a taboo within the accepted moral code of the civilised society. That and their desire for the gratification of their needs – whether it is money or revenge or both or anything else they might want. For such people, to have an attractive woman in their full possession would be the opportunity they couldn't miss. IMHO. So, be warn – it is a dark tale…
Though, I do hope you'll enjoy the story and appreciate the realism as I envisioned it.
CE
Disclaimer: as in the first part as it is continuation of the story...
story continues…
Clarice Starling is dreaming. Her dream is disturbing and unpleasant. Darkness encases her, she cannot see, she cannot move. She feels movement and agitation around her. Voices, heavy breathing. Ghastly smells and shadows are squashing her, pinning her down, grabbing at her shoulders, thighs and breasts. Her body rhythmically pulsates, first, slowly, then, faster and wilder, controlled by the clinging darkness. She feels the throbbing pain swelling below between her legs, into the abdomen.
When Krendler walked into the darkened chamber Mason Verger was almost ready for his trip down to the barn. While Cordell was finishing the preparations, Mason watched the elevated monitor.
When Krendler saw what Mason was watching, his jaw dropped and stayed there until he had a need to swallow. He saw the naked body of Clarice Starling spread out on the table while the men around were busy indulging themselves in the ways that froze Krendler's chest and left him wanting for air.
He unzipped his running suit and realised that the sweat soaking now his Princeton T-shirt did not come from overheating. He found himself licking his lips and feeling a pressing need against his jogging pants. Son of a bitch was right about licking lips and dropping pants. Fuck, it is going too far, I can't get involved. Krendler repeated the last sentence aloud, his envy fighting his self-preservation.
"You are involved, Krendler, in all of it,.." Mason said without taking his eye of the monitor. "Begin to think, Krendler. Everything else aside, you're being filmed standing here and enjoying the view of agent Starling being raped." Krendler glanced at the camera behind him, Mason went on, "Now, are you going to miss your chance to fuck her? To show the bitch her place?.. By the midnight she'll be pig's dinner..."
"She is quiet. Is she –"
"This is the video, and, yes, she is still unconscious. "Mason's matter of fact responses, measured by his respirator, seemed to Krendler unnaturally calm in his own unease.
"She should be waking up soon from her dart induced beauty sleep." Mason giggled.
On the monitor Krendler watched again as Mogli pushed the pistol between Starling's legs. Krendler took a deep breath and bared his teeth at the sight of blood on the barrel when Mogli finally rested the pistol on Starling's chest.
"Whose gun is it?"
"Agent Starling's, I believe." Mason pressed buttons on a remote control and a close up of Dr Lecter, filled the screen, his arms spread on a singletree, the IV bottles attached to the back of his hands.
"Nice." Krendler moved his lips without a sound. It was difficult to know what exactly he referred to.
"We are ready to go, Mr Verger." Cordell said taking charge of Mason's wheelchair.
"So, Paul, what is to be? Let the boys there have all the fun?" Mason said. "Are you coming?"
"Yeah, I am coming," Krendler said and let the anticipation of the triumph over that cunt Starling to overwhelm him. "I want a copy of the video, Mason."
Clarice Starling, still dazed and slow, opens her eyes and shuts them again, flooded with the bright harsh light above. She listens to her body. Her limbs are stiff with cramps. The blazing pain is rising from the abdomen. She tries to shift her arms and legs from the uncomfortable position and realizes that she is being restrained. She turns her head to side, opens her eyes, and slowly looks down at herself. Registers that she is naked on the table, steel cold against her back, legs drawn up and spread out, ankles cuffed to the wrists. Rolling her head she observes an old barn showring surrounded by tiers of seats on three sides. She can see someone moving around and waits for her vision to clear as she tries to remember.
I just set off to the Verger Estate when something happened to the car... I was shot with the dart and passed out... I saw boots that smelled of... of pigs...
The dancing doubles in her sight settled into the singularities and Starling recognised a motionless figure at the front of a forklift with the arms stretched out and legs bound.
"Dr Lecter," she whispered.
She quickly assessed him. He had a burn ring on his shirt, one eye was shut swollen, his other eye winked to her. He seemed to be in a reasonable state.
"Well, hello, Clarice," he said. "Just like the old times then, but, I am afraid, this time we are both rather preoccupied for proper pleasantries."
As awareness washed over her, Starling felt a sick tightening in her chest and stomach. A shockwave of dread and fear jolted through, right down to her toes, raising every hair on her body. Cold sticky sweat wrapping around her like a cloak. She jerked her hands and knees together, a futile attempt to cover up. Pathetic, Starling bit her lip, regretting this spontaneous display of weakness.
Starling looked right into the Doctor's good eye, infinite night behind.
You are a warrior, Clarice. Right. Balls.
She clenched her teeth, closed her eyes, took a deep slow breath, and another one, until the overwhelming trembling inside her was subdued and she was composed again.
Damn the warrior... She did not want to think of what was coming.
Fuck it. Breathe in, Starling, breathe... Don't give them the satisfaction. Oh, God...
Starling was again aware of the pulsating pain, burning between her legs, inside her gut. Examined the symptoms with an indifference of a crime scene investigator and filed rape in her mind report. Gang-rape, by the look of it, she added, noting oily eyes of the men.
She glanced at Dr Lecter, realised that whatever happened to her in the barn had happened under his watchful eye. And felt her skin go up in flames, exposing her raw self writhing in pain at the freak amusement show. Goddamnit, she needed to shut down her senses and emotions, close her mind, if she is to keep her dignity and fight.
Calm sadness that Dr Lecter saw veiling over Starling's face now sprawled from the thought of waste.
And betrayal, when she turned to look at someone approaching from the other side.
to be continued…
As ever I'd appreciate your reviews.
CE