THE FOUNTAIN, part two

By JetNoir

1934, southern california

three months after the death of Justin Crowe

It is the middle of nowhere.

The hut lies far south of the Mojave Desert, but the inhabitants would never know that. It is swelteringly hot, and noise is coming from all around. A sandstorm is raging, and lightning is everywhere; the small particles of sand and grit rubbing against each other in millions of places.

Sand seeps between the window-frame, underneath the door, and swirls by the feet of the four men sitting around a small table.

"Where is The Fountain?"

"How should we know? Crowe disappeared, with his son, Justin, over a hundred and fifty years ago. Our ancestors tried to find him…we've tried to find him. Intelligence has placed him Southern California all this time. We've combed every inch."

"So intelligence has wasted a hundred years of our time?"

"No. He is here, he hasn't left. We have to accept that he could be dead."

"Well, then that's it. We'll never find The Fountain."

"Are we resigned to that fact."

There were four bitter yeses.

"So," said the last man, "we are herby dissolved."

--

present day

Ardelia kept the gun raised.

"Are you alone?" she asked.

"Doctor Lecter is not with me."

"That's not a full answer."

"Yes, I'm alone. And unarmed for that matter."

"Put your hands on your head."

"Excuse me?" said Clarice.

"You heard me, Starling. Slowly, put your hands on your head."

"Why are you doing this, Ardelia? I'm happy. Or at least I was until you arrested me. What are you doing here?"

"Looking for the past. You are a missing person, Clarice, a material witness in a brutal murder. And can I remind you, that anything you say to me, as a federal officer, is acceptable in court."

"So, what? You want to take me back to the FBI?"

"Precisely."

"What if I were to accept," said Clarice, "on one condition."

"That would depend on what that condition was."

"I came here looking for the past as well. There is meant to be a relic north of the border, in southern California. Help me to find it…and I'll come with you?"

"You want to take me on a treasure hunt?" asked Ardelia, incredulous, "Fine. If that's what it'll take, girl, fine. Where are we going."

"Come with me…and find out."

--

southern california

three days later

"Why the hell am I doing this? Just remind me."

"Because I asked you to," replied Clarice, "Now please stop whining."

"Whining? I ain't whining. I'm just sick of the dust. It gets stuck in-"

"Keep digging. This is where the book said it would be."

So the spades kept shovelling the dust and dirt into a large pile, going deeper and deeper. It had been over seventy years since anyone had last set foot here.

As the hours grew on, the sky began to darken. Clouds gathered on the horizon, and thunder softly rumbled in the distance. A wind began to blow, and the soft topsoil began to fly around the two figures who just kept on digging.

Clarice still wasn't exactly sure that they had come to the right place, but she had faith in herself, and the book.

They had arrived as the sun rose over the horizon, mountains overshadowing the dusty plains. It's still as cold as Hel, but Clarice doesn't care. It feels good to be back with Ardelia, even though she is about to destroy Clarice's life.

So as the sun rises, they eat a leisurely breakfast of pastries, make sure their lunch hamper is packed securely, and begin to dig.

The light had almost gone from the sky when Clarice saw the thick hemp-cloth, still mostly buried.

"Here you are," she murmured.

"What's that?" asked Ardelia.

"I believe, that I have found it. The fountain."

"Fountain?" Ardelia replied, "Looks a bit small to be a fountain. So what is it?"

Clarice carefully unrolled the cloth, and it slowly became smaller and smaller. What had once been a sort of square, became spherical.

It was a blue gemstone. A sapphire. Admittedly large, and beautiful to look at, but still…

"That's it?" said Clarice, "This is the fountain? Yea, Gods."

"You thought this would be the Ark of the Covenant or some such. You always did like Indiana Jones."

"Yeah," said Clarice, "but who can resist Harrison Ford?"

"Certainly not you, girl."

There was a terrible, uncomfortable silence, as the last beams of the sun dipped into darkness. Ardelia's foresight, however, had told her to switch on the car headlights, about a half-hour earlier.

So in this artificial light, Clarice and Ardelia stood next to the hole.

"Clarice," said Ardelia, "look. I've got to take you with me."

Clarice's face fell. She may have needed some space…but she didn't want her life with Hannibal to end. If taken to the FBI, she could never go back.

"What happens if I don't want to go?"

"You have to come back with me. One way or the other."

"Or what?" said Clarice, "You'll shoot me?"

Ardelia sighed, and shrugged: "If needs must." Wary of her former-friend, she reached to her holster, to take out her gun.

"Don't bother," said Clarice. Ardelia's hand hit thin air. Clarice had got the gun.

"Clarice…don't do anything stupid."

"Like what? Shooting you? I love you, Ardelia. You were my sister. But when it comes down to it, I love Hannibal more."

"What?"

"I love him, Ardelia. I was just as responsible for Krendler's murder. He tasted quite nice actually."

Ardelia just didn't know how to respond.

"So," continued Clarice, "Ardelia. I know that you'll keep coming after me. I'm so sorry, girl."

Her hand quivering, she raised the gun, and pointed it at Ardelia's head. Closing her eyes, so she wouldn't see the awful deed, she pulled the trigger.

A single gunshot blazed into the night, and with her eyes still closed, Clarice heard Ardelia fall into the hole they had just dug.

Tears running down her face, and with her eyes still closed, Clarice threw the gun into the grave, and turned towards the car. She heard dust already beginning to cover Ardelia's body. Opening her eyes, to the night and stars around her, she got into the car, wiped the tears from her face, and drove away.

Special Agent Mapp's body was never found.

fini

Note: I must admit to having tremendous fun writing this. It's nice to write something so different for a change. Now, this is the end of the story, but I'm thinking about writing a one-shot sequel, as this ending is rather sudden. So, please let me know, one way or the other. Finally, I'd like to thank doctor katy, eskimofantastic, forensicgirl20, Nocturne, A. A. Aaron, Mara-Lethe, and notmycupoftea, for your lovely reviews of part one. As always, I hope you enjoyed it, and please review.

Disclaimer: Hannibal is copyright to Thomas Harris; and the story, plus original characters to me. This story has been written on the understanding that you may read it and print it out; but you may not pass it off as your own, hire it out, or sell it for money. You also may not put it on your own or any other web page (that includes links) without my express written permission. Thankyou!

JetNoir