"Do you remember that day?"

"You mean the day of the incident?"

"Yes, that day."

"The day the rain turned into snow?"

"Yes, that day."

"Well, no…I don't remember much…just that the rain turned into snow."

Shenmue.

HER BURNING HEART

The Story of Lilia Derevko by JetNoir

Note: This has been a while in the coming, as I have had writer's block of the most severe kind you can imagine! Anyway, I have been in contact with Penelope S. Cartwright, who gave me the idea to write it…and I have a new direction! So…this is the last chapter set in St. Petersburg, and Russia for that matter! Okay-dokey, here we go…

CHAPTER FIVE – Beyond the Iron Curtain

31st October 1986

St Petersburg

Lilia Derevko sighed gently, and focused her body into a single position. She raised her right leg out ninety degrees, and twisted gently into a graceful pirouette. She leaped into the centre of the room, and without stumbling kept moving back to the side of the room, on the opposite side. She ended up, crouching in a corner, each move, a work of beauty.

"What is the meaning of this?" snared Constantine Derevko, waving a sheet of paper under her nose, and pointing at Lilia's feet; "A double insult?"

"If you're referring too my dancing?"

"OF COURSE I'M REFERRING TO YOUR DANCING!" Constantine roared, "I'M HARDLY TALKING ABOUT YOUR SPARKLING PERSONALITY!"

Lilia rose slowly, eyes blazing;

"If you're referring to my not using your 'Blood Money', I haven't. I have never been to another dance lesson…this I do myself!"

"And this!" said Constantine, "This letter! It's mad! America?"

"America," snarled Lilia, "I will cross the crack of the world…and split the Iron Curtain. Mother's cousin, Winona, has found a place for me at an American school! You never believed in the Russian education, the Russian State! The Communist Bloc is falling! Russia is declining; the West is the new future! Mother can see that, I can see that!"

Darling Anna,

I would be delighted to accept Lilia into my home in America. I feel that we here can help her realise her potential.

"And what choice is it of yours?" said Lilia, "Who put you in charge?"

I know Constantine has taken little or no interest in Lilia's education…which is such a shame. I know that she has tremendous potential. She has been given a place at our local school.

"I am in charge of this house! And while you're in it, you will follow what I say!" roared Constantine, taking a small flask out of his pocket, drinking deeply from it.

There is one last thing. How much English does Lilia know. The School doesn't mind, although it will come in useful.

Constantine raised his large hands and struck Lilia heavily on her forehead. Slightly stunned, she fell to the floor, and vainly raised her hands to try and protect herself from his furious, alcohol fuelled blows.

"You've spat in my face every day of your miserable existence!" roared Constantine, "You ungrateful, miserable, little bitch!"

Lilia was screaming now, blood pouring from her nose. She may have killed a man, once, in self-defence, and her father, murderer of an old man, in the name of the Mafia.

What you must understand is Constantine has murder in his eyes. Death was a constant companion, and in that terrible moment he resolved to kill his daughter.

In this world, it seems that cause and effect, have terrible consequence. For in that instant, in that moment, as Constantine resolved to kill his daughter; Anna resolved to kill her husband.

I look forward to your reply, dear cousin, and I hope Constantine is well.

Yours, as always,

Winona.

The gun in her hands emitted a throaty roar, a small, silver (American) .38, as the bullet was expelled violently with a small lick of flame.

Constantine died instantly.

Some believed it was too good for him.

--

Baltimore State Forensic Hospital; early morning (in America)

"Dr Lecter? Your post. I apologise for it being late, the delivery was not on time." The man's voice was horse and high, an unusual combination.

"Thankyou Barney," said Dr Hannibal Lecter, "and you know I don't blame you. It always happens. It's inevitable."

"If you'll excuse me Dr Lecter."

"Of course."

The tall orderly started walking away, as Lecter turned to the first piece of mail; he stood up suddenly, and went swiftly to his cell's glass:

"BARNEY! BARNEY!"

The orderly hurried back; "Yes, Dr Lecter."

"This mail. It hasn't been opened. I do not wish to lose my privileges in some game of Chilton's."

"I know it's unopened," said Barney quietly, "and believe me…this is no game."

Dear Doctor Hannibal Lecter,

You knew me, many years ago, from your practise, before you were arrested. I know you as a decent man. Apparently insane, but a decent man nevertheless. You helped me, when no one else would.

You once asked me if there was any one you thought you might be in a position to help. In return for your help, I am delivering you her name, as I promised.

I plead with you not to harm her. She is a sweet child, and, in the truest sense of the word, a genius.

Her name is Lilia Derevko.

She is Russian, and my cousin's daughter. I am bringing her over to learn in America.

Thankyou, again,

Winona Davis, nee Derevko

Hannibal Lecter brought the letter to his nose, and gently inhaled the contents. He remembered Winona very well, and her faint (un-manufactured) perfume.

"Lilia Derevko," said Dr Hannibal Lecter, softly, "I'll be watching out for you."

--

St. Petersburg; the morning after the shooting

As soon as she had fired the gun, a weeping Anna Derevko had called the Russian State Police. They had come almost immediately, and taken her statement.

Unusually for the Police, they were sympathetic to Anna's plight. Surely the fact that Constantine Derevko was a known (one-time) murderer, and thief for the Mafia – though the Police had no proof, and the KGB couldn't care less – had nothing to do with it.

Lilia was released from St Petersburg hospital less than two days later, to her Mother's welcoming arms.

It was generally agreed by the Police that Anna Derevko shot and killed her husband in defence of her husband. No charge was brought.

The Police Investigative Team that had been trying to arrest Constantine for years; attended his funeral. They were not sad he was dead.

It's funny if you think about it; all of the Derevko family have killed once. I wonder what Freud would have made of that.

--

St Petersburg Airport; a fortnight after Constantine Derevko's funeral

"Don't worry darling," said Anna Derevko quietly, "everything is going to be fine. You're going to go to America. You can become a Biologist, and realise your dreams!"

"I'll miss you," wept Lilia, tears streaming down her face, "I'll miss you so much!"

"Never forget," said Anna, kissing her daughter on the cheek, "that I'll always love you. No matter what. Now go! Go! Or you'll miss your flight!"

Lilia ran, never looking back. The attendants helped her to her seat, but Lilia never stopped crying.

Anna was also crying, her heart broken into a thousand pieces. But she knew that this was the right thing to do.

As Lilia left the Iron Curtain, Anna sunk down into a seat, and knew that this was it. This really was it.

Saying goodbye really is the hardest thing to do.

--

Note: Well, I really want to thank Penelope S Cartwright, because I really had no idea where to go, after America. So, the next chapter is going to be a recap of the next six years. Lilia will no longer be a child, and of course Hannibal Lecter will have escaped from his incarceration. Will they meet? What is Winona's endgame? When will Lilia kill again? Keep reading!

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