Shattered Life

Part four – Hannibal's Journey

Cold.

Need…

…Air.

Hannibal's head broke the surface and he gulped down his first breath of fresh air in the last three minutes. He was still conscious of the immense danger he was sinking into as well as the cold water lapping insistently around his middle.

Hannibal had surfaced several hundred metres from the restaurant. How could an evening that had begun so well have turned into the nightmare from hell? He would have to keep moving to avoid entanglement with the law. However if confrontation did occur well, knives can cut through flesh quicker than bullets can be fired.

After getting enough oxygen into his lungs to continue his journey Hannibal ducked under the water again swimming silently through the canals that now appeared black in the moonlight. His thoughts, always five steps ahead, drifted to where he could go. Their hotel was out of the question, it was most likely swarming with police breaking treasured possessions and, of course, looking for and skeletons lurking in closets. He would not be able to go back there ever. Everything they owned would be presently bagged up and stored in a dark underground lab never to see the light of day again. But they were only possessions and there were things in the world that were much more precious to him.

But where else could he go and how could he get back to America to meet Clarice when airport walls would be plastered with posters of his face. His thoughts drifting back to swimming he suddenly realised how cold he was getting and his clothes would need replacing as soon as he got out.

Surfacing again Hannibal climbed out of the water and crept silently behind the nearest building. He had been stuck in sticky situations like this only a couple of times. Being caught in the first place, escaping prison to begin a free life. But now the stakes were higher than merely escaping with his own life, he had to return to Clarice and his child.

Clarice. How was she he wondered? How long would she be in Venice before the authorities flew her back to her native soil? Clarice was strong, a warrior, she would survive. But what had she said. A life without him was a life not even worth living. Clarice would not do something stupid would she?

Hannibal had to get out of this city now and then out of the country. By car, plane, boat, by any means necessary. 28 days. Would he make it in time?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Next chapter up soon.

Reviews much appreciated.

xxkatyxx

Disclaimer: The plot is mine but the characters belong to Thomas Harris.