Shattered Life

Part thirteen – Departures and arrivals

Clarice kept walking. She didn't look up, didn't look back until she was well clear of the hospital. Finally slowing up she glanced around. No-one was following her.

She took a left into a nearby park and sat down on an old wooden bench. Sheltered from the open space Clarice felt safer. Now she had to work out her next move.

The place would soon be crawling with officers. They would check motels, train stations, airports and any stolen cars would send them running. Clarice wasn't even 100 sure of where she was right now. Obviously still in Washington somewhere so the safe house couldn't be too far away.

Whilst debating if she should lie low for a while or keep moving straight away Clarice glanced down at her attire. Travelling across the state of Virginia in a nurse's uniform certainly was not the best plan. And money. Plunging her hands into the pockets she drew out what felt like a couple of pieces of screwed up paper.

"5 bucks," Clarice murmured. "Terrific, all I have in the world is 5 fucking dollars,"

She felt so lost. Holding her head in her hands Clarice let the tears finally escape.

The distant wail of the siren snapped her head up. Already?

Jumping up Clarice started walking across to the other side of the park. The walk turned to a jog ending in a run. Out of the park, she didn't stop until she had progressed another five blocks further away from the hospital.

Pausing to catch her breath Clarice leant against the side of the building. She needed money, clothes, food, everything. Where would she find everything?

Home.

Clarice started moving again. Ardelia wouldn't have sold the duplex she thought. A full stock of supplies would be there. Using the $5 to buy a baseball cap some guy was flogging Clarice tried to work out which way her old home would be. She was unwilling to ask anyone in case the old line "ain't I seen you on the news," popped into the conversation.

Finally locating a familiar street sign Clarice stumbled her way up the last hill. Dusk had fallen when she approached the house she had spent a good part of her life living in.

Crouching low Clarice crept to the door. She did not see Ardelia's car parked anywhere but still it was no use revealing her presence to any nosey neighbours. Now there was only one final barrier. The front door.

Neither of the two women had ever been the type to leave a key out front under a flower pot. Clarice didn't want to smash any glass. Too much noise and a very obvious sign for Ardelia when she returned.

Changing tactics Clarice headed round the back. Looking up she saw the windows to Ardelia's and her old bedroom were all shut. Likewise the kitchen windows gave no apparent entrance.

"Desperate times I suppose and I'm damned if I do damned if I don't anyway," Clarice said. She picked up a small rock and edged close to the kitchen window. Glancing round to check no-one was out and about Clarice silently waited.

It took a few minutes before she heard a car backfire not too far away, it was then that she hit the glass. Freezing immediately after Clarice thought the sound was loud enough to wake the dead but out in the night nothing stirred. She reached in and opened the window. Although it was still intact a lot of glass appeared to have fallen from the round hole.

Clarice clambered in and picked up the large pieces of glass. Depositing them in the bin she closed the window and pulled across the curtain. No clear damage. Ardelia won't notice until tomorrow and I'll be gone by then.

Clarice ascended the stairs and opened the door to her old bedroom. The bed was made, no clothes on the floor. Ardelia must have tidied up a bit. Opening the wardrobe Clarice was happy to find her old travelling bag. Setting it on the bed she shoved in some trousers and shirts.

Returning to the kitchen she grabbed a packet of unopened biscuits from the back of Ardelia's cupboards and began munching away. Snacks were added into the bag before Clarice headed into her room mates bedroom.

The money was still there in the bottom of Ardelia's desk. Clarice counted 800 dollars but only took 300 for her journey. She considered leaving a note but determined it would be better not to.

Sleep now, she thought as she trudged back to her own bedroom.

Suddenly the landing light flicked on and Clarice heard the front door slam.

"Shit," tiptoeing back into her room Clarice shut the door as softly as she could. The travelling bag was shoved back into the wardrobe and Clarice stood in as well.

Ardelia was walking up the stairs. The footsteps were coming closer and closer until they stopped outside the bedroom door. Clarice held her breath.

Then they turned and ambled back. Clarice exhaled when she heard Ardelia's own door close. Sinking into a sitting position Clarice was overcome by a cloud of sleep.

Her eyes fluttered open again only six and a half hours later. Remembering where she was Clarice lethargically lifted her head finding it stiff from being propped up by the back of the wardrobe.

She pushed open the door and carefully removed her travelling bag. Silently she tugged on a pair of jeans and a jumper over the now rumpled nurse's uniform. Her watch said 6:00am and light was just beginning to shine through the windows.

While Ardelia was still asleep Clarice exited via the back door. Now all she needed was a car. Shouting to the left attracted her attention.

"Honey you forgot your paperwork,"

The man jumped out of his car and ran past Clarice into the house next to hers. She smiled as she saw they keys still dangling in the ignition.

Sometimes opportunities just appear to you. Clarice smiled as she sped off to the safe house.

Everything was white here. And so bright. The pain had gone but he could feel an occasional pressure although he could not control it. Time seemed vast yet he had no idea how many days had been counted up.

Sometimes he almost felt awake and that was when he heard the voice. The words ran into each other, continuing even when he phased out again but they were always there:

"Shouldn't be long now you know. John that's me doctor friend I was telling you about, he said you should wake up any day. I'm sure you'll be glad you were not awake earlier. It must have bin the worst you've looked in your entire life. But now, well. At least your noseresembles a nose and your sides healin' up. Those stitches are finally holding. I'm sure if you'd av' bin doin' them the first set would av bin so precise.

I'm still wonderin' how you came to be in the clutches of that poor bastard. Losin' someone can cause your guard to drop a bit you know Doctor. You were lucky as well I don't av the greatest respect for my job. Police guard huh, they might as well call me the big black guy who we phone up to keep an eye on thugs as we're overstaffed. I takes what I can get now. You know what? I was gonna nick me somethin' nice from that old house. As soon as I heard them coppers talking about it, I knew that house was deserted and if it's burnin' well I call that free for all. Findin you there gave me a right ol' fright. But shoving' you in a car before the rest of the coppers turn up. I deserve a nice reward for that. Blood aint easy to wash out and its covered me upholstery now.

When you wake up I'm sure you'll find her. The man with the plan I'm sure. Well, you musta taught her some tricks of the trade. Look. I brought up a newspaper for you to see. It's over a week old now, I'll read it to you OK. "Escaped ex agent threatens citizens of Washington". A bit over the top I think but then I'm not the Tattler trying to make a profit.

For a long time I missed our discussions down in the dungeons you know. Out of all the nut jobs I 'ad to look after down there, well. It was nice to talk with a professional who isn't a slime ball. Hey wat'cha do with Chilton anyway. Buried somewhere where no-one will find him. When this is over I'm sure no-one will ever see you again. By the way thanks for that Christmas card you sent a couple years ago. Very nice to know I was in your thoughts, however briefly. After all I'm sure you have much more interesting things to consider now'a'days, huh?"

While Hannibal lay unconscious healing in a bed Clarice was playing the waiting game of a different sort. Sitting alone in the safe house she had little to do but watch the clock. A search of the house had provided her with enough food to feed an army but precious little else. Except a gun. And as the days passed by it started to appear even more tempting.
Barney walked in to see his patient who was still resting in his spare bedroom.

"How you doin' today Doctor? The black eye's less purple today and I'd say your nose is lookin' better as well. I'm guessin' you'll wake up to celebrate the new year with me."

"…new year?"

"Doctor Lecter. That was an even quicker recovery than I thought. Are you in pain anywhere? It's great to finally hear your voice after staring at what looks like a dead person for so long."

"Barney, what is the date?"

"30th of December, Doctor"

Clarice!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(This was meant to be a shorter chapter but that doesn't seem to have happened!)

Only two chapters left everybody and if you want to read the next bit ASAP please tell me. I love reading all your comments.

Reviews much appreciated.

xxkatyxx

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