I do not own anything related to Hannibal, either through television, or written books. Everything belongs to Thomas Harris and Bryan Fuller. I do own all the created characters. I do not own any songs, or literature mentioned. They are included to enhance the written words. Please read, review, and enjoy!
Warning: Hannibal is a gritty, provocative, seductive, murderous bloody show. My chapters contain scenes of violence, sex, drugs, language, triggers, traumas and sometimes hard to stomach scenes. I will give warnings at the beginning of chapters.
This story is rated M.
Chapter One
Song(s): How Did I Get Here (Odesza), Drowning (Banks)
(Foreshadow…)
"You were the only one in that house who made it out not half dead, or dead."
Listening to the red-headed woman's voice standing above her, Oliveah stared at the tabletop and held her breath. She had been permitted to shower at the hospital after a checkup for injuries and what she suspected was evidence gathering before dressing in pale blue scrubs with her wet hair tied up in a bun on the top of her head.
"Agent Crawford had his jugular punctured nearly bleeding to death. Will Graham was nearly gutted and is in the ER being sewn shut, and your mentor Dr. Alana Bloom is…well, they're not sure yet if she is ever going to walk or breathe on her own again."
I know.
I know all this.
I saw them all.
I saw what Hannibal did.
"Are you listening to a damn word I'm saying to you? Why the hell did Dr. Lecter not try to kill you? Are you, his accomplice?" Kade Prurnell spat as she slammed her hand down hard on the table.
She had seen and heard too much. Not just the events of the night, but too much over the last year. She had seen death, blood, bodies, and tears.
She had watched Hannibal Lecter kill with his bare hands.
She had killed with her own bare hands.
"You can choose not to talk to me now Miss. Adler, but we will investigate, and we will find out what you are hiding."
Watching Prurnell walking towards the closed door, Oliveah closed her eyes and touched her stomach as she felt the cold in her shoulders and a single water droplet ran quickly down the side of her neck.
"I'm not hiding anything Ms. Prurnell, and if you don't mind, I would like to be at the hospital for Will and Abigail when they get out of surgery…" she growled as Prurnell cut her off.
"Oh, I forgot to mention. Abigail Hobbs is dead. She bled out from having her throat slashed by your Doctor Lecter."
Swallowing hard, Oliveah said nothing as she lowered her head.
"You will be watched Miss. Adler. Doctor Lecter will be found by the FBI in a matter of hours, and you can be sure, we will be watching your every move," Prurnell lectured before slamming the door shut behind her.
…
(One year Before)
September, Café Latte'da, Baltimore, Maryland…
Sitting hunched over the unbalanced wooden table, twenty-three-year-old Oliveah Adler furrowed her brow as she roughly scratched out yet another attempt at a failed budget.
"This is fucking ridiculous," she muttered as she tossed down her pen and stared at the cooling cup of black coffee resting on the table edge. Taking a sip, she felt the back of her chair bump and with a look over her shoulder; she spied a fellow student leaning over to plug in a cord before balancing his Mac Pro on his hand as he caught her eye.
"I'm just waiting for you to leave," he spoke matter of factly as Oliveah finished the last of the cold dregs before glancing at the local artwork on the wall beside her.
By all means, have my seat; you might as well take my place at Hopkins too, she thought as she stuffed her notepad and pen into her black Jansport backpack. Slinging it over her shoulder, she roughly pushed out her chair, feeling contact with the body standing behind her. Hearing a loud grunt, she smiled to herself as she walked out of the coffee shop and down the four brick steps to the sidewalk. Turning left on Aliceanna, she pulled up the collars of her black jacket and her flannel shirt as the incoming fall weather blew a strong wind. Tucking in her ear buds, she began her walk back home and wished to hell that she could fly to a waiting cup of earl grey tea and a warmer sweater as the lyrics of Banks sang…
Take it from the girl you claim to love you're gonna get some bad karma
I'm the one who had to learn to build a heart made of armor
From the girl who made you soup and tied your shoes when you were hurting
You are not deserving, you are not deserving(Why would you stay?)
('Cause I'm drowning for you)
I can see that you wanted me cold
(Caught in the way)
('Cause I'm–)
You're so bold while you're watching me moan
…
North Clinton Street, Baltimore, MD
Twisting her house key in the lock of the dark blue door, Oliveah checked the mailbox and found it empty.
Good sign. No bills.
Tossing her keys down into the while bowl on the hutch that had been rescued and re-furnished by her roommate and his boyfriend on a drunken walk back home from the bars, Oliveah spied a brown envelope and ignored it.
"You got mail from Hopkins Olive," Andrew called out from the living room as Oliveah winced at his nickname for her. Grabbing the last apple in her wooden bowl, she slowly peeled the sticker off and bit down hard, tasting the juices that the red delicious provided with a false sense of fulfillment.
First piece of food of the day.
Returning to the foyer, Oliveah grabbed the thick envelope and went back to the living room. Standing behind the sofa her eyes fell on the television as the animated show Archer's musical introduction began to play across the screen.
"A bunch of us are going out to Zato's for pizza later on if you want to come?" Andrew spoke up as Tyler took the remote out of his hand and began fast forwarding through the annoying intro.
Feeling the loose change rolling around her fingers as she stuffed her hand in her jean pocket, she shrugged her shoulders before coming up with an excuse.
"We'll see I've got some last-minute editing to do on some research" she spoke, squeezing the coins in her pocket.
Not even close for a slice of pizza.
Tucking the envelope under her arm, Oliveah made her way up the wooden staircase and down the warped hardwood floor hallway before ducking into her bedroom, closing the door firmly behind her. Sucking in a deep breath, she tossed her backpack onto the chair at her writing desk while still holding the envelope. It felt heavy not just in weight but in her chest as she debated whether or not to open it right away. Tossing it onto her white comforter, Oliveah dug into her pockets and pulled out her change. Setting it on her desk, she stared at the coins with narrowed eyes.
"Sixty-eight cents. Jesus."
She knew her bank balance to the exact penny. She also knew the exact amount of international tuition that she needed to make up after her student loans, scholarship, and financial need bursaries were all exhausted, and it was a hell of a lot of money. Setting her hands up on her hips, she stood still in the middle of her bedroom and ignored the roar of laughter coming from the living room below.
"You've handled more god damn stress than this Oliveah, get your shit together," she scolded herself as she took in a deep breath. Sitting on the edge of the single bed, she tore open the envelope and pulled out two separately sealed white envelopes. Letting one rest in her lap, she opened the first to a single page filled with typing…
Dear Oliveah Adler,
We would like to thank you for your interest and application for the position of Teacher Assistant (TA) with the Psychology Dept at Johns Hopkins. At this time, we are no longer filling spaces for the position due to a higher-than-normal amount of sabbaticals.
Thank you for your inquiries and good luck with your studies at Johns Hopkins.
She had to read the letter through twice before it finally sank in. Feeling her pulse quicken, she took a deep breath and held it until she felt like passing out. Picking up the second envelope, she wondered if she even cared enough at this point to open it.
"No job, means no money, which means no roof over my head, no groceries, and defiantly no Johns Hopkins." Feeling sick to her stomach, she made her way across the tiny bedroom and stood to stand in front of her window. Staring down into the dirty street alley, she couldn't help all the thoughts that started running ramped in her head…
How in the hell can I finish my final year at Hopkins with no job?
Even if I got a job at a café, coming up with my second tuition installment in a few months time is going to be impossible on minimum wage. The university was at least a bit lenient that I was both working for and studying with them.
Should I just pack up and return to Canada?
But I've come so far…
And there is nothing for me left in Canada.
Licking her lips, Oliveah turned to face the second white envelope lying on her bed. Picking it up, she tore open the side and slid out the folded sheet of paper.
Dear Miss. Alder
We would like to inform you that your thesis advisor Doctor Reynolds will be replaced with an Interim Advisor in due time. Please continue to conduct your research and attend tutorials according to your schedule.
You will be advised when a replacement advisor is appointed.
Evelyn Marrily
Head - Department of Psychology
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
"Jesus Christ! I don't think I was ever meant to come here!" Oliveah shouted just as she heard fingers tapping at her door.
"What's going on?"
Raising her eyes to Andrew's face, Oliveah tossed down the second letter and rose to her feet.
"Well, for starters, I didn't get a TA position this year, too many sabbaticals so where I am going to get money from for rent and the second half of my tuition is the question of the day, and my thesis advisor is apparently being replaced. He's either cheated on his wife and had to flee Baltimore, running from creditors, or is dead somewhere in a ditch," Oliveah rambled as Andrew leaned against the edge of the doorway.
"Sounds shitty, but this is our last year and damn it you'll make it. I mean, even if you must live on a box of kraft dinner for every meal, you are determined. Hell, you moved all the way from Canada to come here without knowing anyone, no family, or having a safety net. You've got one year left and it's almost mid September already," Andrew spoke as he straightened up.
Breathing in deeply, Oliveah kicked off her black Tom shoes and gathered up the letters and envelopes on her bed.
"I'm going to apply to every coffee shop in town and every fast-food joint in the city… twice."
Scrunching up his nose, Andrew sneered as he took a step inside the doorway. "God, please don't come home smelling like McDonald fries," he teased as Oliveah smiled for the first time that day.
"Thanks for the positive words, Andrew. If I can still make enough money to feed, clothe, and house myself here, maybe I can get away with finishing Hopkins with a collection notice and a bounty on my head for my tuition."
"Or you could find yourself a rich older sugar daddy."
Watching her friend disappear from the doorway with a lingering smile on his lips, Oliveah lay back on her bed and stared up at the ceiling for a good five minutes before closing her eyes. "One year. I just need to work my ass off for one more year; then I'll have my Masters in Psychology from one of the most prestigious Universities in the world and then…" she drifted silently before rolling over onto her side.
And then…
…
11:31pm…
Shivering from the cold air, Oliveah moved to her bedroom window and shut the pane of glass. Staring out into the empty alleyway, she watched as two tabby cats chased each other into the street from around the back wheels of her car. Looking up at the moon, she felt tears stinging in the corners of her eyes as she thought more about her current situation.
"I don't want to return to Canada; there is nothing there for me anymore. All my family is dead" she whispered to the drafty window as she rested her head against the cold glass.
What fucking family did you ever have Oliveah?
"But if I can't find a job here to at least make the effort with living and tuition for Hopkins, I may not have a choice."
It was at that final thought spoken out loud that tears fell from her eyes.
"I've been through so fucking much in my life; it can't end here."
Running her fingers through her shoulder length dark brown hair, she moved to her wooden desk and tapped her fingers on the closed lid of her laptop. Her room was sparse of possessions. Material goods had never interested her, and everything in her life had its place and use. Completing her Bachelors Degree at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec Canada, she had lived in the same shithole of a building infested with insects and drug addicts for the entire three years of her program. Proud that she had not bought one piece of clothing, she had earmarked every extra cent to her high rent, relieved that her tuition had been covered by the last of her late mother's insurance money payout.
She had never wished for a fancy way of life. Nor did she desire it.
"Hard work is key, but money makes everything possible and comfortable" she muttered, grabbing her mobile phone, a clean tank top and black yoga pants. Heading into the bathroom, Oliveah closed the door and turned on the tub faucets. Sitting on the closed toilet seat, she watched as the water level slowly rose in the tub. Pulling off the elastic band on her wrist, she twisted up her hair into a pile on her head and stood to face the cracked glass mirror.
Green eyes stared back from her reflection as she flicked away a few flakes of dried mascara that had come to rest on her skin after her too long nap. Her eyes looked pale just as her stomach let out a growl.
"Patience stomach. After my bath we'll raid the cupboard."
Slipping into the warm water, she closed her eyes and felt a sudden peace falling over her body. For nearly ten years since she was fourteen, she had not been able to bring herself to run baths. The sight of her dead mother staring up at her from beneath the dark red water with lifeless eyes…
Eyes wide, but completely lifeless.
But now, as she closed her own eyes, she made sure not to slip beneath the water level. Staying just above the water had always kept her a sense of calm and control.
"I will do whatever it takes to graduate from Hopkins. Nothing and no one, will stand in my way."
…
September, 8 days later…
"You've got mail again," Tyler's voice rang out from the kitchen as Oliveah kicked off her Toms and hung up her black jacket on the wooden coat rack.
"Do I even want to open it?" she questioned herself as she ripped the side open and slid out the folded paper. Walking into the kitchen, she found her housemate and his boyfriend sharing a plate of sliced fruit.
"I have a job interview for a call centre located in a sketchy basement on Wednesday by the way, so I won't have to go and live in the alley next door." Turning around, Tyler smiled as he crossed his arms across his chest. "We wouldn't let you live in the alleyway Olive; the least we could do is let you stay in the fenced in backyard so your stuff wouldn't get stolen," he smiled as Andrew nearly choked on a piece of pineapple.
"Such good friends I have" Oliveah sneered before sticking out her tongue. Unfolding the piece of paper, her eyes scanned it thoroughly as she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good news?"
"I have a new Thesis Advisor, someone by the name of Doctor A. Bloom. I can't tell if it's a man or a woman" Oliveah spoke as she felt a bit steady now that her studies had only been off for a week and that it wasn't the school sending her another 'reminder' of tuition that was needing to be paid.
"Pray that it's not a female; successful women feel threatened by other up and coming talent" Andrew spoke, discarding a cherry pit and steam.
"I'm not after this person's job Andrew and Doctor Bloom is probably an old white guy taking over just for the enormous one-year salary as a favor to the department head on short notice" Oliveah challenged as she reached over Tyler's shoulder and stole a piece of pineapple.
"Anyways, the meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, so we'll see what happens."
…
Thank you for reading and reviewing!
I wrote this story years back and then took it down.
I am re-posting with some edits.