Shattered Life

Part ten – Old Friends, New Wounds

Footsteps echoed off the bare walls as the two men descended down to the cellar.

"Get off will ya!"

"He's making you more twitchy everyday. Admit it, he freaks you out,"

"The only thing that freaks me out is when you wind me up so quit it,"

"Jeez don't be so uptight,"

"Look if we do this we come out nice and rich so let's just get on with it OK,"

"Whatever,"

The taller man opened the door to the cellar. He took a deep breath before stepping in.

"Lecter, food's here,"

Hannibal raised his head. Even with his hands and feet bound securely to a solid oak chair and his old mask belted securely to his head he still looked intimidating.

Trying to ignore the blazing maroon eyes Marco approached the doctor.

"Now you know the drill. I'll untie one hand and take to mask off. You try anything and Evan will shoot you,"

Hannibal did not speak but nodded his head once. While Marco began loosening the bounds Evan spoke up.

"Hey old man, know what today is?"

Evan had become particularly irksome to Hannibal. Resenting this new implication of being old he decided to deliver a reply anyway. It would be better than a smack in the face for not saying anything at any rate.

"December 18th approximately 2:00pm in the afternoon. Perhaps it is you that is old as it seems you have misplaced the calendar,"

The fact the Hannibal had said this without a watch was lost on Evan and the embarrassment of that comment was worth a slight bruise. But just before Evan's fist collided with Hannibal's jaw Marco's arm shot out to stop him.

"Don't you idiot, the boss is coming tonight and he doesn't want his prize damaged,"

Evan shook his hand free before he spat out his goodbye. "I'll enjoy seeing you suffer tonight," and with that he marched back up the stairs. After retightening the ropes Marco followed him leaving Hannibal shut once again in a space as confining as his old cell.

He mused to himself while preparing for another long wait. Anyone who would employ these two must be very stupid, or perhaps crazy. Either way they would be easy to dispose of.

The voices started up again later that evening.

"Yes sir he's down in the cellar tied nice and tight to the chair. He won't be going anywhere soon'"

"Good," This new voice was authoritative. The boss, it seemed, had come for a visit.

"You have done well but now I think it is time you left,"

"What, come on. We wanted to watch tonight's events,"

"No. You go now with $500,000 each or you walk away with nothing. Your choice,"

Hannibal could not hear the next exchange but it appeared the transaction was completed as five minutes later an engine was revved before the car crunched its way up the gravel drive away from the house. Or bungalow, castle, it could be a shed with a cellar for all he knew. Being unconscious when you're dragged into a place it very inconvenient and gives you very few details as to where you are. Or how long it will take you to reach you preferred destination.

Suddenly, the light in the cellar flicked off and the cellar door creaked open.

Leather shoes dropped on each step one by one, slowly, until a figure stood perhaps only a few metres from the doctor.

"Who am I?"

Ahh so revenge was wanted by an old enemy.

"I know you know. You proved that to me back in Baltimore huh Hannibal. You said you can smell fear, yes I think that was right, well…"

The voice crept very close to his left ear.

"…We could have a lot of fun."

Hannibal knew the intruder heard his next breath.

"Hmm, you said that to her didn't you. Don't worry once you're out of the way I'll take care of her, good care. You can't smell any fear now can you? That's right you've caused me a lot of pain over the years. And now I think its payback."

Hannibal felt the knife sink deeply into his stomach.

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As usual please keep the reviews coming I love hearing your comments.

Another chapter finally up sorry about the long wait but exams are looming and I'm not sure when the next part will come but I really hope it's soon.

xxkatyxx

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