Shattered Life

Part six – Through Darkness and Through Light

Clarice remembered very little about the journey in the ambulance. They were trying to talk to her, ask her something but the words confused themselves and tied themselves in knots so that she couldn't answer. What were they saying? Clarice tried to speak but nothing would come out. All that existed was pain.

There were people running all around her. Shouts, instructions, tensions mounting. Sounds all around her. Clarice heard the doors slam behind her but lying on her stretcher all she could see was the ceiling. A blank white canvas. Why white, wouldn't blood show so easily and be harder to clean? To scrub off.

Thoughts kept playing in the back of her mind. What was wrong with her? Was it the baby? Was Clarice going to lose her child as punishment for a life with Hannibal?

She hated medication of any sort but felt the fine needle sink deeply into her skin. The white background and fuzzy shapes were disappearing and she felt sleepy. So sleepy.

Outside the ward doctors were talking with agents. Sharpe was there looking like he would rather be dead. But a woman stood at his side as well.

Sharpe was demanding answers whereas the woman was standing quietly listening. You could tell she hated Sharpe's type but would not express her views out loud.

"I'm fed up with waiting doctor; tell me what is wrong with her."

"Are you family?"

"No but this woman is under arrest. She should not be left alone and I will want to take her out of this place as soon as possible."

"Well I'm sorry but Miss Starling will not be able to leave for at least five to seven days. Although she is stable at the moment she had a massive internal haemorrhage. We have stopped the bleeding but she is going to need a lot of rest. It is likely the stress from her recent ordeal combined with her …"

"God this is not happening," and with that Sharpe stormed off leaving the other woman to talk with the doctor.

"As I was saying her body is being pushed to its limits and must have time to recover or Miss Starling's pregnancy could be endangered."

"Pregnancy?"

"Yes didn't you know? I'd say she's just over three months pregnant. I'll go and tell your other agent, Sharpe was that his name, later when he has cooled off."

"No that's Ok I'll do it. I'm sure it will come as a shock. May I go in and see her?"

"Well; for a little while. Miss Starling should be coming round from the anaesthetic soon though and we don't want her panicked."

"Yes of course," and the woman gently pushed open the door.

Clarice was lost. Everything was dark. Was this what death was like? She didn't want this. She wanted Hannibal. 28 days. 1st January. Safe house. Hannibal. Clarice had to get there but she couldn't move.

Suddenly there was a bright light. Hannibal? Clarice tried to reach out but her arm wouldn't lift, it stayed locked to her side. She heard his voice.

"Clarice, you have to wake up Clarice."

No. She had to get to him.

"Hannibal," the words were so quiet she hardly recognised them as her own. But they caused the woman sitting next to her to look up.

"Wake up Clarice."

No everything was dissolving around her.

"Hannibal!"

"…wake up Clarice."

Clarice's eyes flickered open to a bright white light. A blurry shadow stepped into view.

"Clarice can you hear me?"

She recognised that voice. The picture became clearer, details sharpening.

It was…

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All will be revealed in the next chapter.

Reviews much appreciated.

xxkatyxx

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