Shattered Life

Part fourteen – Bad timing

31st December.

Clarice's eyes slowly dragged themselves open as the first morning rays of light shone through the downstairs windows. Struggling to get up she cursed herself as she nearly fell off the small sofa. Her feet seemed to be on automatic pilot taking her to the bathroom and back. Clarice glanced at the calendar hanging in the kitchen knowing already that today was the final day. Of what only time would tell.

Sitting back down on the sofa Clarice started replaying the memories she had of the last year. The last month. She listened to all the things Hannibal had said to her. He said he would never leave her. If that was true he would come for her before midnight.

That was what he had told her. Stay safe until the New Year. But he might not even be alive Clarice thought. And a life without Hannibal would be empty. Clarice had already lived that life. A child brought up in a broken family, never knowing true happiness. She did not want her baby to have the same misfortunes she did. Glancing at the clock the numbers 09:00 buzzed back at her, 15 hours. Hannibal?

"I have to go to her Barney she needs me,"

"Doctor Lecter you can barely stand upright how can you drive clear across the state to West Virginia?"

"I promised I would not leave her and I don't intend to now. You know Clarice, Barney. She is so stubborn she won't accept a life she doesn't want to live. Who knows what she could do then."

"Doctor your side is just about being held together as you lie there, the more you move the greater the risk of your stitches giving out. I can't let you go and bleed to death in the midst of a journey that will take about 6 hours. Can't you phone her?"

"The house has no phone. Don't you see I have to go now!"

Barney looked at the man lying in his spare bed. His face still showing more shades of purple and blue than anyone else he had ever seen.

"Alright look. I'll go and get the car ready and drive you Ok. I need some more painkillers as well. It's 12:00 now I'll be back by 1:00pm. Try and get some more rest."

With that Barney disappeared out the door. Hannibal waited 5 minutes before sitting up. He winced as he pulled back the covers and stood up. Edging his way slowly to Barney's wardrobe it suddenly occurred to him that nothing was likely to fit him. it took another 5 minutes of rooting around until Hannibal dragged out a faded pair of jeans that were only a couple of sizes too big, a black leather belt and an old blue checked shirt that fit but had a few buttons missing.

Getting dressed slowly Hannibal tried not to stretch out his side too much as every time he did so he felt the wound in his side being pulled apart so painfully it was like being stabbed all over again.

Barney true to his word arrived back at 1pm. He set the extra medicine down on the table before venturing up the stairs.

"Ready to go doctor, I've got every…"

Barney glanced around the empty bedroom. Shit, where did he…

"Aghhh!"

Barney slumped to the floor.

"Sorry Barney but this is my journey to make,"

Hannibal set the lamp back down on the bedroom table and quickly examined the small bump on Barney's head. Noting he was still breathing comfortably he left him and headed downstairs.

Grabbing the medicine on the table Hannibal let himself out and clambered into Barney's new 4 by 4. He tried not to think about his side which had started to ache again and he did not notice the red which was now staining the front of the borrowed shirt. Hannibal's mind was fixed on his wife.

At 6pm Clarice noticed the sky had already darkened. Soon people would begin the parties. Fireworks, singing and dancing. Bringing in the New Year the way they wanted.

Clarice stared up into the darkness. She felt black inside and as each second dragged by another hope inside her of seeing her husband seemed to die.

Hannibal glanced at the clock in the car as the hour changed from a 6 to a 7. He was so nearly there yet his body was begging him to rest. He fought to keep his eyes open and decided to stop to get another bottle of water from the back seat.

Pulling off the road he twisted round but his fatigue had caused his brain to forget the wound in his side. Hannibal cried out in agony and clutched his stomach as soon as he moved. Pulling his hands away his eyes looked on the blood covering them but dizziness was thrown over him and he collapsed across the front passenger seat.

In the manner of a lifeless ghost Clarice stood up at 11pm. Opening the back door the coldness washed over her but she didn't feel it.

She walked from the house and up the gentle hill behind it. Sitting herself down Clarice gazed up at the stars. The fireworks had started and music could be heard in the distance. She glanced at her watch then at the gun she had brought out with her.

One hour and I choose to spend it out here. In the freedom he must have died fighting for.

"Hey mister are you Ok? Wakey, wakey it's New Year."

Hannibal groaned and tried to sit up, almost blacking out again from the pain which seemed to have engulfed his whole body. He turned his head to the driver's window to be faced by a few late night party goers.

"Hey you're not meant to drink yourself to death before 12 you know, but whatever you want you know, have a good one. Night mister."

Hannibal grasped the steering wheel to help keep himself upright as he watched the small group of youths stumble off into the darkness. Remembering what had happened he turned on the engine and watched the clock glowing on the dashboard. 23:45. No!

Slamming his foot on the accelerator the car roared to life down the thin road. Even with the headlights on only a small path of light was cut through the darkness but Hannibal pressed on as time ran down against him.

"Hold on Clarice," he muttered as he screeched around the final corner as the clock read 23:56.

Tearing down the road Hannibal finally was able to make out the roof of the house in the darkness.

He slammed on the brakes and flung open the car door. Running through the darkness he pounded his fists against the door. Hearing nothing Hannibal smashed the pane of glass and unlocked the door.

The shards of glass crunched under his feet and appeared to flicker like the shards of a shattered mirror.

The clock began to chime welcoming the New Year and Hannibal ran into the kitchen and out into the garden.

The chimes signalling midnight echoed into the garden as Hannibal saw her.

"CLARICE DON'T"

Bang.

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Sorry for the long wait (exams do take up time sadly) I hope it was worth waiting for.

Only one chapter left to come.

Reviews much appreciated, the more the merrier I get.

xxkatyxx

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