"They say, here's the truth, and I say, is that all there is? And they say, kind of. Pretty much. As far as we know…"

Goliath, by Neil Gaiman

HER BURNING HEART

The Story of Lilia Derevko by JetNoir

CHAPTER TWO: 1st May 1982

St. Petersburg

The Teacher was talking, but Lilia wasn't listening. Her mind was on more interesting possibilities.

She wasn't a fan of poetry…give her a good novel any day. Don't get her wrong, poetry had its place, but she'd rather have something longer. Then she laughed when she thought of Dante Alighieri. Short? Hardly.

That laugh wasn't the best idea (or more realistically, reaction) she'd ever have.

"Miss Derevko? Is there something that you want to share with the rest of the class?"

The usual cliché. Typical. A safe response that you could expect. Probably what was written in the handbook. If there was one, that is…

Lilia put her nice face on, and smiled brightly.

"I beg your pardon?" she asked politely. The Teacher just glared.

"That laugh, Miss Derevko. I am talking about the important history of our beloved Rodina…and all you can do is laugh!"

"Important?" asked Lilia, smile slowly slipping, "Important? More like tragic! We are stuck in this dingy room, on a beautiful day." She gestured wildly towards the window, as she stood up, "and we are here listening to the past…when we should be building towards the future! We are locked in a silent war with the Americans, and yet…what do we ordinary people care? All that's necessary is that we live in a world that can be made better! Why should this war that is cold affect us?"

"You've got a smart mouth, Miss Derevko. In a few years time, you are the sort of person that would easily be arrested. Is that what you want?"

Lilia smiled.

Tokyo

To get off topic slightly…

The world history might have being taught to students in St. Petersburg…and around the world, but the world also has another history. A secret one.

And so, today, begun The Organisation. Only a few would know about it, and even less knew its name. Its history; its secret history would start to blend with that of reality.

Yet that would come later.

Much, much, later.

St. Petersburg

Okay, we're back.

Lilia is now standing, and moving slowly forward.

"What I want? To be arrested? I would have to respond to that in the negative. You would call for my arrest? There's a phone in the office. Call the police. Or perhaps they might be more interested in you? In your…ahem…extra-curricular activities with the Headmaster?"

"You…you little bitch!" yelled the Teacher, "how dare you accuse me of something like this!" Lilia just smiled. And continued.

"What about your involvement with the drug trade? Trafficking humans? You're not going to tell anyone about my anti-revolutionary thoughts, because I'm not going to tell anyone about your criminal activities." Turning towards her classmates she frowned:

"And you are going to forget everything I've ever said. Remember…secrets equal power. The knowledge will always be more powerful."

The teacher frowned heavily, and went and sat down behind her desk, slumping heavily, and defeated.

Lilia was changing. Not many seven year olds successfully blackmail anyone.

-

At least her classmates never talked about it to anyone…but then again they never had a chance.

Lilia's class teacher resigned the next day.

Lilia never told anyone quite how she found out the incriminating behaviour. That was another secret. Her mind was working overdrive as she realised that this…and other information…could be rapidly turned to her advantage.

Life was looking up.

Note: I suppose these opening 'episodes' (!) are to sort of demonstrate how vulnerable, yet powerful Lilia is – even as a seven year old – and this is probably the defining feature of her as a person. Rodina, for those of you who don't know, is Russian for 'motherland', and is the only word I actually know! Hope you enjoyed it, next chapters of Hole In The Head, and DayNight will be coming shortly, and as always, 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 without my express written permission. Thankyou!

JetNoir