WELCOME BACK TO NO MORE A SAVAGE LIFE: CHAPTER TWO!
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HANNIBAL'S BATTLE CRY
Hannibal sat quietly across from Emilia. He would kill her very soon and was musing over the possible variations in his method and what the result of each would be. He did not have his Harpy yet. He would have it by the time he faced Nico but would not have the luxury for Emilia.
No matter. Her death will be quick and deliberate. I must be swift…silent. Predator will prevail.
Though Hannibal wanted to take his time and savor this kill he could not chance that she might call out and alert Nico. He would be unable to enjoy it.
Shame…it isn't as if I will have other opportunities…both kills are self-defense and as such are justifiable in the eyes of the law. I must take care not to be too whimsical or dramatic in my methods. I may take pleasure in their deaths but it will not do to appear too…enthusiastic.
Women are all capable of creating life and Hannibal was distinctly in awe of that gift. He thought this ability god-like in nature and had always considered himself their protector. Though it was not in his nature to kill women he would ensure the safety of his family if this particular woman were dead. He would take pleasure in killing this woman. Emilia would continue to be a danger to his child and a danger to Clarice. As such, she must be killed.
Emilia and Hannibal sat across from one another at the large table. She served him his meal, the food less than palatable but with adequate protein. He would need strength to deal with Nico. Though the element of surprise would be in his favor Hannibal was much smaller and would need to expeditiously and fully disable Nico. Hannibal needed information.
I need to learn all I can about this adversary before facing him tonight.
Hannibal spoke very softly so as not to be overheard, "Emilia, your associate claims to derive pleasure from my pain yet I see no evidence of such in our interaction. He remains stoic and quite workmanlike in his ministrations. He is in your employ, explain please."
The situation was surreal in its domesticity. Emilia tended to Hannibal as if he were her spouse, adding a piece of steak to Hannibal's plate and cutting it for him. He was allowed a plastic spoon. She spoke very pleasantly to Hannibal about his torturer, the topic treated as commonly as if one were discussing the weather, "He doesn't derive pleasure in any way that would be obvious to the observer at the time of the collection. His pleasure will begin soon. Perhaps tonight."
"What do you mean the time of the collection? Collecting what…Objects…Body parts?"
"No, thus far he has been merely collecting information. He has been testing your strengths and your weaknesses. He will assess what you find least pleasant and determine which form of coercion will be most effective to his purposes. He has already determined that cutting you and burning your flesh are well within your tolerance levels. He will find something that is not tolerable to you. That is when you will see his pleasure and not before. He is merely gathering information now. His pleasure will begin when your suffering begins. You have experienced pain but you have not yet approached true suffering."
Hannibal opened and closed the lock on his hand cuffs seven times since he finished eating his meal. "Have you been his company long?"
Emilia began to clear the dishes walking from the table to the sink and back again several times.
"Since just after you were incarcerated though not continually. He is extremely good at what he does and I do enjoy it but he is…intense in his delivery. I find that I can only tolerate his ministrations for a short time. I have been with him for years and you have already exceeded my tolerance."
"Not by choice, I assure you," Hannibal commented with a metallic edge to his voice.
Emilia had quite enjoyed their private dinner. The dishes cleared, she poured herself a glass of wine. She poured wine for Hannibal as well, though his cabernet was decanted in a bright red plastic cup.
"Be that as it may, Nico has rituals that always proceed in very specific order. That is why I was so shocked to see your burns. That level of pain is usually stepped up to quite gradually over several weeks. He must consider your tolerance of such things to be quite advanced. Though you would not perceive it as such, the fact that he disrupted his patterns to accommodate your tolerance is a tremendous compliment to you. He is conceding that you are superior to those who came before you."
"How fortunate for me to be so gifted in such a way," Hannibal commented sarcastically. "He removed strips of my skin and has collected cups of my blood. Do you have any idea what he is doing with it?"
"I have seen him drink some of the blood. As for the skin…I have no idea. He will eventually take a piece of bone. A toe or a knuckle...maybe because of your cannibalistic tendencies in your case he may want a tooth. As far as I know he does not share your affinity for human flesh though he may make an exception in your case. He may want to capture some of your... power. That is why he ingests the blood though I have also seen him bathe in it if he has collected enough. He is meticulous and quite professional don't you agree?"
Hannibal was amused by Emilia's impression of Nico. He continued to speak in order to allow him more time to practice unlocking the handcuffs with his self-fashioned key. He kept his intense eyes fixed on Emilia as he manipulated the key and continually locked and unlocked the mechanism binding him.
"Professional is not the word I'd use. He is at the very least…deliberate. When I do kill him I will be exceedingly deliberate as well. Rest assured I will take my time."
Emilia stood to retrieve another bottle of wine. She stopped a few feet away from the table, turned toward Hannibal and laughed.
"Do you actually believe you will free yourself?"
Hannibal smiled slyly. "Of that I have no doubt."
Emilia poured Hannibal another cup of wine. She was obviously quite entertained by this train of thought. "I am intrigued. When you do release yourself from your bonds…what will you do with me?"
Hannibal swirled the wine in the plastic cup to release the bouquet. "You have proven that you are a danger to my family. I will be forced to kill you as well though I will be certain to limit your pain and speed you along on your journey to whatever circle of hell will have you."
"I am not afraid of pain. I am afraid of nothingness." Emilia said with no small measure of humor. She did not believe Hannibal could ever outwit Nico.
Hannibal lowered his nose within the cup and deeply breathed, savoring the bouquet.
"You will soon pray for nothingness. You would be fortunate to be included in Dante's second circle. You will be in the company of others such as yourself…those driven by lust. You will be blown about on the tremendous winds of a most violent storm where you will find no direction or footing."
Emilia was unimpressed. "That doesn't sound like hell…it sounds like Kansas."
"It is my belief however that you will probably be relegated to the inner ring of the seventh circle. You can visit with Pier delle Vigne as he hangs disemboweled from a bleeding tree. A Minotaur will guard the entrance and as with most of the sodomites, you will wander about in a fiery hot desert with flakes of flame raining down upon you. You will pray for nothingness. It will never come."
"I am not afraid of Judgment. I am not afraid of you."
"Your fear will not affect my decision any more than my desire to remain with my wife affected yours. You have no intention of letting me go and I have no intention of remaining in your company. We shall see who has their way in this."
Emilia nodded, "Yes, Hannibal…we shall see."
Beneath the table Hannibal continually practiced unlocking the cuffs. He had gotten the process down to just a few seconds. He would have to survive one more interaction with Nico. He would move on them both tonight. Emilia would be first…he could overpower her in bed. Hannibal would wait to move on Nico until morning. Nico would come for him and he would be ready.
FRIENDS CLOSING IN
Ardelia contacted Hannibal's attorney from the original case in Baltimore. It took him quite some time but he found a long term address for an Emilia Dolente. It was attached to a note in Hannibal's meticulous copperplate informing the attorney that she was to deliver the key to the Baltimore home for his safe keeping.
At the time she maintained a suite at a local hotel. Knowing that people had the tendency to stick with places they were comfortable with especially under stressful circumstances, Lloyd and Ardelia obtained a search warrant and paid a visit to the hotel. Emilia had in fact booked a room though upon inspection it did not appear as if it were being utilized.
Luggage had been stacked in the corner unopened. Ardelia searched the cases with Lloyd for any information or evidence that might help them find Hannibal. Objects, clothing and papers were bagged, labeled and catalogued as evidence. There was female and male clothing. Ardelia wrote all of the sizes down for the male clothing as she believed from the European cut and high end fabrics were designed for Hannibal. She would check his sizes with Clarice.
Lloyd suddenly called out to Ardelia, "I've got a receipt for a home rental. A short term contract…it's local. Not far at all. Can we get a warrant?"
"Definitely. I'll call it in and as soon as we get the judge to act on the order we'll get Clarice. She'll want to come for the ride. If they have Hannibal she'll want to be there for him."
NICO'S LAST SESSION
Hannibal was careful to tuck the crudely twisted metal key in the drawstring waistband of his scrubs. He would not keep it in his mouth without knowing what Nico had in store for him. Especially since Emilia mentioned Nico might want to take a tooth. He would not need it until he was alone with Emilia. He must move on the pair separately. When the noose slipped over his head it was all he could do not to reach for the key and open the cuffs.
Nico dragged him back to the room with the metal table. Emilia followed as was the custom they had developed. She latched and secured Hannibal's cuffs to the chain. His arms were again restrained. This time a strap was secured across his forehead. Another secured around his neck and one over his waist, cinched tightly. He was fully unable to move his upper body. He could not even turn his face to the side.
Nico moved about the room in a very workmanlike manner. As he leaned across Hannibal's restrained body Hannibal picked up the scent of his own flesh mixed with a taxidermy preservative as well.
Hannibal searched the air with his nostrils and identified the location of his disembodied flesh. Nico had used the thin strips of flesh removed from Hannibal's side, now tanned and preserved, weaving them into a braid alongside his face.
"How charming, I see you have used my flesh to accessorize. I will have that back when I am free."
"You are an arrogant man and I find your confidence very amusing. It is no doubt a defense mechanism. I have enjoyed our time together Doctor Lecter. You are a most unusual man and it is a shame that you seem to find Emilia objectionable. If she has decided you will be of no use to her I may have to kill you soon. She will not wait forever for you compliance."
"Then it would seem we are at an impasse as I will never comply. I have a wife and she is perfection. Emilia cannot compare to my Clarice."
"Yes your wife is quite lovely. I would prefer her to Emilia as well if she did not appear to be so…aggressive though perhaps you enjoy a woman to take a more dominant role. I prefer a woman who knows her place."
Hannibal could see the table where Nico kept the items for the days planned activities. His blood ran cold. He would not be able to compartmentalize this pain. This day would be difficult. He attempted to remain focused on Nico to hold Panic at bay.
"Clarice knows her place. It is by my side." Hannibal stated as his eyes shifted once again to the objects his heart thumping slowly, his mind swirling with trepidation as he considered the objects designed for his torment.
Several large watering cans were placed side by side in a row to provide easy and quick access. Present also a thin muslin fabric folded neatly.
This is not going to be easy...Stay with me Clarice. I will need your love this day.
Nico moved to the table and retrieved the thin fabric. Unfolding it he draped it loosely over the older man's face. Hannibal understood what would be happening to him. He realized that in mere moments that light cotton material would be more intrusive than any restraint mask he had ever worn.
"Have you heard of the term waterboarding, Doctor Lecter? It has been in use at least since the era of Vietnam. I am told through my research into such matters that the Khmer Rouge utilized such tactics."
Nico then very passively returned to his supplies and carried two of the large watering cans back to the steel table. He placed one on the floor behind the table and hefted the remaining container preparing to proceed. Hannibal closed his eyes and balled his cuffed hands into fists. He took a very deep breath and clenched his teeth preparing for what would be an exceptionally merciless assault.
So it begins.
Nico tilted the container filled with cold water and very slowly and steadily he began to pour the water directly over Hannibal's mouth and nose, the stream intrusive as it steadily flooded his sinus passages.
Hannibal thrashed and choked on the liquid as it poured unrelentingly down the back of his throat causing spasms that engaged his gag reflex. The thin fabric covering Hannibal's face became saturated very quickly and began to sink like a thick web draping into Hannibal's nostrils and his mouth. He choked and gagged, coughing up the water that had entered each orifice. The fabric continued to sag and invade the openings as well, holding the fluid just long enough to make the timing of clearing the liquid an impossibility.
Nico leaned over and whispered in Hannibal's ear.
"Before this time what we dealt with was merely pain but now it is much more than pain. You proved yourself equal to that and I was impressed. You are more than I thought the wolf not as old as once I believed. Now it is different. No longer mere pain…now it is terror…it is suffering…it may even be your death."
Nico began to pour the water again.
Hannibal spewed up fountains of water, attempting to eject it far enough away so that it did not fall back upon him. Still, mercilessly Nico poured and continued to taunt.
"We practiced before. We were testing each other's limits. I was learning your limits and you were learning mine. I know you do not enjoy your breath being stolen. The noose told me that. The flash of anger in your eyes when I tightened the cord around your throat…only the briefest insight, a snapshot of your ferocity, that was the only time I could feel your rage. You delivered the answer to me. I discovered your limits…You will find that I have none. If you wish me to stop…you need only cry out to Emilia. You need only call for her. When she takes you…I will have no further use though I would prefer it if you remained. Your anger is delicious to me."
The water began to pour again. Hannibal tried to turn his head to no avail. He was strapped in quite securely. There would be no way to avoid the flow. No way to stem the tide pouring into his nostrils and down the back of his throat. Snorting mucus and phlegm mixing with the water he was forced to swallow what he could not expel.
"You will soon see another level of anguish…Emilia fed you, did she not? If your body continues to heave you will no doubt vomit your meal. That will be quite difficult as you cannot turn your head. You may aspirate on your food."
Hannibal's eyes took on a volcanic glow swirling around the abyss of his pupils like molten hot lava. He pulled against the leather strap restraining his head. His body attempted to twist and turn pulling against the bonds. Still he could not free himself. As Hannibal's rage escalated, so did Nico's pleasure. When Hannibal noticed this he attempted to still himself.
"Ah…the wolf is wise and wants to limit my pleasure in this…no matter. You cannot avoid your body's reaction. There is a fight or flight response that is purely instinctual. Your mind is strong…very strong but your body wishes to survive. You will have no choice but to fight. I will drink your anger and be stronger for it."
Nico began to pour the water again, this time from a full watering pitcher. The fluid surged into Hannibal's sinus passages, burning the membranes with chlorine. Though his mind wanted stillness, his instincts fought to survive. Hannibal wretched attempting to purge the fluid, his body wracked in spasm, violently reacting in an attempt to survive the onslaught of this attack.
In his mind he screamed her name.
CLAARRIICCEE!
Hannibal's battle cry crashed like cymbals and slammed within his ears. Predator was strong. Predator would survive. He would not let Reason overrule. Though Reason wanted him still, Predator raged, unconcerned with the pathetic being pouring the water. Predator gasped and with each breath denied imagined a more painful death for the fool. He would tear his arms and legs from their sockets and beat him to death with the bloody stump-like limbs. He would chew the flesh from his face and feast on his organs. Soon, Predator would feed.
Hannibal could not flee to his memory palace. He could not remove himself. He was forced to remain present in order to keep himself from drowning. The pain was excruciating as every muscle fought to protect him. His body struggled so hard against the restraints that it appeared as if his bones would shatter from the effort.
Clarice awoke screaming. She thought she heard Hannibal calling out to her. He was in pain. He was desperate. He needed her and she could not find him. Clarice sobbed uncontrollably huddled in a fetal position clutching Hannibal's pillow as if holding comforting her husband himself, she was gasping for air, hyperventilating. Barney crashed into the room. Normally he would respect the sanctity of Hannibal and Clarice's bedroom but her anguish was too raw.
"I'm here Clarice…It's okay…you aren't alone." Barney consoled as he gently rubbed her back.
Suddenly the phone rang. Barney picked it up listened and as a smile crossed his face, hung up the phone.
"Clarice…Ardelia thinks they know where Hannibal's being held. We can meet them there I have the address.
Clarice scrambled to her feet.
"Are you fucking kidding me Barney?"
"It's only about a thirty minute ride from here."
Clarice reached for the keys to the mustang Hannibal purchased for her.
"I'll drive. We'll get there in fifteen."
That's my girl!
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Until the next chapter my friends!
LH