Shattered Life

Part twelve – Times Running Out

Hannibal opened his one eye that was not blackened, albeit groggily he looked around noticing his situation had not improved.

The wound in his side had appeared to have stopped bleeding and judging by the amount of the cellar floor that was now red this was definitely a good thing. On the rest of his body was painted a colourful picture of bruises, cuts and gashes. Although none looked as bad as the initial stab wound the drip in his arm seemed to be the thing that had kept him alive the past few days. The pain, although he didn't show it, was what had dragged him back out of his memory palace to gaze into the eyes of his captor.

Will Graham sat opposite him, a strange smile plastered across his own weathered face.

"Hurts doesn't it? You see Hannibal," he said standing up and approaching him.

"This is the physical pain you caused me all those years ago. What do they say? An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. A family for a family. Well that's what it gonna happen to you. You know what Hannibal because of you I lost everything. You think it's fun in that sick mind of yours to manipulate people, to watch them suffer. You set the Tooth Fairy on me and laughed at the consequences. Well payback is due."

Although he was trying to focus on the words Hannibal's eyes had begun to feel heavy. His arms were now chained to the wall and he struggled to keep his head upright.

Graham seemed to notice this slight drop in attention. Without a pause he smacked Hannibal across the jaw.

"Hey! Death is not your escape route Hannibal. You haven't even begun to suffer yet. Sure you've had the physical pain but I think it's time to get emotional. You're good at that right. Psychiatrist. Emotions. Well what emotions do you have right now? Love? Do you love Starling, Hannibal? I loved my family and that got me nowhere. You know why? They left. Sorry Will I can't do this anymore. Sorry Will but you can't let the past go. I've had enough of bloody sorry. You are the one who should be apologising. I was going to bring her here you know. Kill her in front of you maybe. But then a little birdy told me something real interesting."

Will stepped up very close to Hannibal.

"Do you know where she is hmm? Washington DC General Hospital,"

"No!"

"Yes Hannibal. And from what I heard she won't be going anywhere soon. I think I'll let that play on your mind for a while."

Graham retreated keeping his eyes locked on Hannibal's until he turned to ascend the stairs, shutting the door at the top behind him.

Clarice, was he lying? Hannibal looked desperately around the cellar. Apart from being filthy and covered in dust there were no weapons or means of escape. The chains holding his arms had been looped and padlocked through irons rings in the wall. Good preparation. Not since Mischa had he felt so helpless, so alone.

It didn't seem long until Graham was once again pacing down the steps. But something was different this time.

"We seem to have less time than I originally planned my friend. No matter/ Plots can change…"

Graham took out a knife, the blade already covered with dried blood, before continuing.

"…but the ending is definite."

Slowly the knife was drawn along Hannibal's arm leaving a long angry red crescent.

Stepping back Will picked up an unmarked bottle from behind a chair.

"Do you know what this is Hannibal?" he said while sloshing the liquid back and forth in the bottle.

"Shall I give you a clue maybe," he unscrewed the lid, "Smell,"

The acrid scent burned his nostrils.

"Before you die you will beg for my mercy Hannibal. And I'll be standing behind that bolted door listening. Just listening."

Graham poured a trail of petrol around the cellar and up the steps. He then took out a lighter.

"Hmmm. Somehow it doesn't seem right for you to be chained up to die. Perhaps I'll let you go. It'll be more fun to hear you stumble around before you collapse anyway."

Approaching Hannibal again Will noticed he seemed to be looking more alert.

"Oh no, no being naught now,"

Hannibal felt the handle of the knife connect with the back of his skull and he slumped forward. Quickly undoing the chains Graham watched Hannibal fall to the floor. Unable to stop himself he gave him a solid kick in the ribs sending him sprawling onto his front. Gasping for breath Hannibal raised himself onto one hand before Will knocked him again, this time colliding with his wrist so once again he ended up lying flat on the ground.

"What's the matter Doctor? Run out of strength to get me back now. Not so tough anymore are you?"

Flicking the lighter until it showed a flame Hannibal watched Will toss it into the corner. Immediately fire leapt up engulfing the chair Hannibal had previously been tied to. A gorge of amber flames now separated the two men.

"And so died Hannibal Lecter – murderer, cannibal and enemy to anyone alive on this planet. Think it will say that on your tombstone."

Graham dodged the flames and approached the stairs.

"I'd rather it say that than William Graham, a foolish sycophant who burned alone in the fires of hell,"

The voice ended and Graham felt the weight knock into his side. Hannibal fought to remain upright as his nemesis crashed to the ground.

Rising quickly Will slashed air with his knife. Lunging into the black smoke he saw Hannibal staggering to the stairs. Reaching out he grabbed his torn shirt and pulled him back.

Anger can only hold off strength for so long and Hannibal's entire body was aching as he felt Will's hands surround his neck and squeeze.

Tighter.

And tighter.

Flailing an elbow back wildly Hannibal couldn't breath.

"We die together Hannibal,"

No. Never.

"Aghhh!" Hannibal kicked backward, hard, pushing out Graham's knee. Immediately the grip around his neck retreated and Will collapsed downward. Hannibal whirled round and grabbed his neck.

"You will die today but I'm afraid you'll be on your own. After all I still have something to live for,"

"She is already dead Hannibal,"

"No!"

The heat of the fire prickled near Hannibal's skin so Hannibal let go of Graham's paling face. Crouching low he made a break for freedom before it was too late.

The knife sunk into his already injured side tearing the skin around the old wound even further Hannibal tumbled forward as Will fell back down to feed the fire. A satisfied smile played across his face.

His vision clouding Hannibal staggered forward. The one hand clamped to his side seemed to do little to stem the blood pouring onto the floor.

Reaching out his hand he continued forward.

Must get out.

Why she won't be there

Cool air greeted Hannibal as the back door swung open. Freedom.

But it took only three steps until he crumpled and fell. Graham's message haunting his mind.

We Die Together.

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Wow writing is so exciting. Not too many more chapters to go now. Please keep the reviews coming they really inspire me to get writing that bit quicker.

Reviews much appreciated.

xxkatyxx

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