h a n n i b a l
LESSONS
a fanfic by JetNoir
Note: Due to the differing chronologies between the novels and films; I have opted to use the films time-frame, as it makes it far simpler considering this is a follow on from the film version of Hannibal. Also, certain events happen later in the films (especially Red Dragon), which is extremely useful too! (Mischa though is a usage of dramatic license only being used in the original novels). This also contains violent scenes (but if you've made it this far, I don't think you would be unduly upset!).
CHAPTER SEVEN
Darkness.
"Tell me, Clarice, would you ever say to me...'stop. If you loved me, you'd stop'?"
So cold. A single breath taken. A single breath expelled. All she could do to keep going. It hurt in that dark place; hurt Clarice Starling in ways she never thought were ever imaginable.
"Not in a thousand years."
Defiant as always, to the last. Memory's, so cruel. The car swerving. Lilia screaming.
Lilia…
Oh, Jesus, what could have happened? Clarice simply did not know, it had all happened so quickly, in a rushed and frantic blur.
"Not in a thousand years." The growl. The lunge. "That's my girl." The kiss.
Darkness.
That was almost becoming her mantra.
--
24 Hours Later
BUT FIRST, THE NEWS (excerpt from BBC WORLD SERVICE)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is becoming increasing concerned regarding the whereabouts of two of its top agents, who recently have gone missing. Special Agent Clarice Staring, and Doctor Lilia Derevko were last seen leaving the house of Derevko to attend a meeting with FBI Director Tunberry, but vanished on route. Starling attained the status of minor celebrity after the infamous slaying of serial killer Jame 'Buffalo Bill' Gumb, and the rescue of Catherine Martin, the daughter of the then Senator Ruth Martin, after interviewing the notorious serial-killer Hannibal 'the Cannibal' Lecter, whom it was rumoured was crucial to the grisly investigation, before he himself escaped from federal custody. Recently, she again hit the spotlight after the fallout of a botched raid on Evelda Drumgoe, and her encounters with insane millionaire Mason Verger, and escaped from the incarceration of Dr Hannibal Lecter, in which Paul Krendler, of the Justice Department, was savagely murdered.
Recently Starling has been running the elite team assigned to bring the serial-murderer known as 'Revenant' to justice, in which Dr Derevko was assisting. Derevko is herself, a veteran of the Bureau, specialising in forensic science, and psychological profiling, making her a crucial member.
It is requested that if the public learn of the whereabouts of either Special Agent Starling of Dr Derevko, they inform FBI Headquarters on the following free-phone number immediately.
--
DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE, FBI WASHINGTON
Matt Ito and Elias Irons sat facing each other, both worried, both unsure. The disappearance of two experienced officers was almost unheard of in the Bureau's history.
"Its Revenant, isn't it," said Irons, breaking the uneasy silence that had pervaded the room's already uncomfortable atmosphere. Matt nodded:
"It could be. We don't know for certain. We don't know anything for certain. Maybe…they eloped!" Elias grinned wanly at that.
"Fat chance. So…what do we do?"
"I'm not sure," replied Matt, "unless I'm gravely mistaken, this is pretty much unprecedented." He paused, then: "We have to find them. It's as simple as that. If it is Revenant…they could both be dead by now…they might still be alive…we just have to make sure we don't run out of time.
--
BALTIMORE - 1979
The doorbell rang, a soft chime that matched the elegant townhouse perfectly. The small, sleek figure walked slowly towards the door.
"Special Agent Starling. Right on time." Clarice Starling – wearing a beautiful black dress: a gift from the owner of this house – smiled and followed her host into the hall. She allowed her bag to be taken and hung up.
"Thankyou so much for inviting me," Clarice said, and now it was the host's turn to smile.
"My pleasure Special Agent Starling," said Dr Hannibal Lecter, "please go through…but you must excuse me. The lamb is almost done."
--
PRESENT DAY
Snapping out of his daydream, Hannibal Lecter focused more clearly on his task in hand. The darkness in this dank place was chilling, perhaps claustrophobic for a weaker mind, but Lecter's own mind found the darkness soothing, even comforting – although Lecter recognized the dangers of living in darkness for too long. He had become too accustomed to it in his dark cell; he found that he must always strive to seek the light…
The daydream was extremely odd, and although with his significant history of psychology and psychiatry, Lecter had no idea what it could mean. Admittedly that time in Baltimore was one where he had been free…but Clarice was the wrong age. At the time she would only have been a very young woman, this was an older, wiser Clarice.
The only one person in the world he had ever considered protecting.
The only one that could come close to Mischa.
--
DARKNESS
"Fascinating, isn't it."
Clarice Starling jerked upright, and then fell backwards into the straps holding her on the floor. She shuddered as the figure walked forward, and with a single match, lit a large fire on the floor.
Steady waves of heat washed over her, and her eyes blinked blearily as the cave was awash with light, a sudden juxtaposition with the previous absolute darkness.
After blinking, she saw a figure in the corner, the one that had just spoken to her moments earlier. It was a small figure, one that walked slowly towards Clarice's trapped body.
"Revenant?" asked Clarice. The figure slowly nodded in confirmation.
"What have you done with Lilia?" Clarice's voice moved to a growl.
The figure kept coming, until it was standing right over Clarice, and then gently sat on her, straddling Clarice's stomach. Slowly, the arms moved up, and pulled off the hood.
After she saw Revenant's face Clarice Starling moaned pitifully, as only true lambs could, at the realisation that the women she considered her friend was in reality, a serial murderer.
--
"How could we have been such fools?" sighed Matt Ito quietly. It was later in the day, and as he sat and read a letter, firmly entrenched in his hands, Elias Irons came over, his face concerned;
"What is it Matt? What's going on?" The letter was thrust at him;
"Read," said Matt bitterly, "read our failure." Elias picked up the piece of paper, and started to glance at the words…
For the attention of Matthew Ito and Elias Irons,
I first apologise for the lateness of this communiqué. When I heard about Agent Starling's disappearance, I began to work, and I believe I have done all that is necessary. However, I will not do this for free. I give you all the information you need on faith, and what I want in return is the reason you Mr Ito, choose a solitary existence, and why you Mr Irons, seek comfort in the arms of all those women. An advert in the periodicals on the third Monday of any month. Anonymously, as you will no doubt choose, so under the name of Mr Lionel Amb, and Mr Stuart Heep. A little humiliation should strengthen your souls.
Now, to Clarice…I believe that who you are looking for is a person with a background with law enforcement. Also, due to the inability to find a DNA strand, then perhaps someone with a very good knowledge of biology and forensics, who is in a position to taint and corrupt the evidence.
Perhaps a good Doctor-friend?
Come now gentlemen, I cannot make it any clearer than that.
As to the location of the two foes/friends, perhaps somewhere with a view, high up, where a person may feel comfort or even familiarity. Somewhere where she would know you would never look, where she had been before.
I do not want Starling dead – especially not like this. The world would lose much of its interest.
And do not forget your answers, for if silence if your only defence…I know where you both life. And everyone has to sleep sometime…hmmm?
Fly.
Hannibal Lecter.
--
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE FBI, WASHINGTON D.C.
"Commander's office please."
"Who is speaking?"
"Director Tunberry of the FBI. This is urgent."
"Yes sir…putting you through."
"Director Tunberry?"
"Commander, I have an urgent situation. We believe we have located one of our officers who has been deemed missing. We need D. C. P. D. coverage urgently. We have reason to know the serial murderer called Revenant has kidnapped Clarice Starling. Revenant is in fact Dr Lilia Derevko of the FBI. We think she has been taken to the same cave in the Appalachian Mountains where Angela Gray was killed."
"Yes sir. On our way."
"Thankyou. The FBI will be there immediately."
--
Miles away, sirens were wailing as police rapidly converged to the cave Lilia Derevko was holding Clarice Starling. Neither knew that fact, they were both to far away to here. Starling was wrapped up in a cloak of silent terror, and disbelief. Surely she would have known. Surely this was impossible. Her bound wrists and feet were agonisingly sore, the cold ground like a tomb, slowly enclosing in on her.
Light was blocked from the entrance as Lilia walked back in. She walked over silently and knelt beside Clarice. She had been crying slightly, and her voice was softer than usual as she spoke.
"I'm sorry Clarice, I truly am. I know this must be hard for you…but look at it this way. Why would you want to go on living in this horrible world? It's cruel and cold, and it is never ever going to change." Clarice interrupted her;
"It's cruel and evil, this world we live in, because of people like you." Lilia smiled slightly.
"No Clarice, that simply isn't true. If I were a monster, I'd make you suffer…but I will make this quick, and painless. And after I have consumed your soul, you will continue to exist, through me, in a state of pure bliss. You will be safe Clarice. You will be free." She gently rolled Clarice onto her back, and with the other hand, slid a razor-sharp knife from the holster on her back. Clarice mumbled something unintelligible, and started to wriggle desperately from side to side. Derevko held Clarice's head firmly, to prevent it from moving.
"Hush darling," Lilia said, "it will all be over soon."
The knife rose, aimed at the base of her skull.
The knife fell.
The knife stopped, half an inch from Clarice's head.
"Let go of my arm," said Dr Lilia Derevko.
"No," said Dr Hannibal Lecter.
--
The sirens could be heard however by Matt and Elias, as they ran through the halls of FBI Washington, to get to the roof. Awaiting them was a helicopter, they had commandeered a few moments earlier.
"D. C. P. D., and the local Sheriff's office are mobilizing towards the mountains," said Director Tunberry, who was running to catch up, "please be careful." He stopped, puffing and panting, unable to keep up with the insane pace Ito and Irons were keeping.
On the roof, they ducked to prevent the strong wind caused by the rotor to knock them both over. They slid past the open door, closed it, and put on their respective headphones.
And were away.
--
In the confusion, Clarice was able to turn herself over, and back against a wall. The two Doctors faced each other, polite expressions forced on their faces, and each with a knife in one hand.
"Do you want her?" asked Lilia, slowly edging away.
"Yes…" said Lecter, a sly smile creeping into his features, "but perhaps she is not the one I am here for. I've helped you already, the two men trailing you from…The Organisation. Tell me, are you still lost Lilia." Lilia's eyes blazed as she lunged forward, which was easily parried by Lecter, with a dull metallic clang.
Clarice was instantly struck by the similarities in the combatants, both with tremendous wiry strength, small, and powerful. The sickening fact that remained unchangeable was that she was the prize in this sick gladiatorial contest. For whoever won…she would lose.
Lilia struck high, then low, Lecter calmly sweeping his blade in a simple defence, then shifting to attack, he twisted deftly under Lilia's guard, striking at her arm – the one not carrying the knife – living a long bloody slash in it's wake. Lilia, in turn, ducked and weaved; using only the knife for protection, but Lecter aimed a heavy kick at her stomach, which spent her sprawling to the ground. Seeing her guard was down, Lecter leaped towards her and brought his knife down heavily, and by bringing her knife clumsily upwards, Lilia was barely able to prevent her face being split in two.
Kicking Lecter off her, she rolled to her feet, and ducked downwards, Lecter's sweep aimed at her head missing her, and she slashed Lecter's belly. Lecter choked with pain, but it was only a flesh wound. The knives connected sending a violent cacophony through to Starlings ears. Again, and again, they circled, duelling and drawing blood.
Lilia dropped down again, but Lecter anticipated, and countered, aiming at Lilia's hand, and hitting – ironically, chopping her little finger off. Lilia screeched with pain, her eyes wild with fury and launched a desperate counterattack, but to no avail. Lecter reached out, grabbing Lilia's fingerless wrist, forcing her to drop the knife, which she did. As it fell to the floor, Lilia twisted away from Lecter, and grabbed for the knife with her other hand…and gasped as Lecter plunged his own knife deep into her unprotected stomach. Dark blood spurted out of the wound, and twisting, Lecter withdrew the knife. Lilia was crying with the pain now, and with the pain of losing. Lecter slowly walked behind her, cradling the back of her head on the front of his shoulder.
"Goodbye…Dr Lilia Derevko," he intoned solemnly, as he raised the knife, kissing it to her throat.
"Clarice…" Lilia murmured, tears flowing freely from her beautiful eyes.
Lecter drew the knife swiftly against her throat, opening it, red blood gushing out, her face growing paler, and paler, so by the time she fell to the floor, she was dead.
--
Clarice Starling cringed as Lecter gently cut the bonds, but Lecter shushed her.
"I know that you would kill me, if you had the chance, Clarice…but let me help." He drew from a bag he had left in the entrance to the cave, a syringe, filled with a colourless liquid."
"W…wh…w…hat is that?" murmured Clarice, shivering.
"A combination of tranquilliser and painkiller," Lecter said, "when I'm a safe distance away, I will call for an ambulance."
As the needle slid in, Clarice looked into the eyes of Lecter and asked:
"How did you find me?"
"I followed you," said Lecter simply.
"In your letter…'what I hold so dear'…what is it?"
"My freedom."
"How did you know about…about Lilia?"
"Shush," said Lecter, "no more questions.
And as she slid into a deep, unconscious state, the face of Hannibal Lecter was the last thing she remembered.
"Sleep…my lamb."
--
The helicopter was drawn in, as it arrived shortly afterward, to the large fire Lecter had carefully constructed. Next to it, lay the sleeping Starling, so when the 'copter landed, Matt and Elias ran out frantically. By the time they had checked the area, weapons drawn, and finding the bloodless body of Lilia Derevko, the ambulance, not to mention the police had finally arrived. Too late to safe Starling, if the aforementioned Dr Derevko had still been alive, but that was only another possibility, that might have occurred, or, might not have again.
But the thing that remains the most important stays true. She was safe.
--
From a distance, Hannibal Lecter watched the helicopter leaving the cliffs, and shouldering his pack, he turned away from the cold mountain, and began to walk, far away, to where the police would never find him.
Was this a wise decision that he had made? Or something that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Strangely, in his heart, Lecter knew that – for the time being – he had done the right thing.
One more stop left, as he fingered an object in his pocket.
--
The Hospital, some days later.
Clarice Starling had refused all visitors, except for a brief talk to Matt Ito, to assure him, that she would be fine.
But she was not, and knew that it would be a long time for the scars to heal.
She felt betrayed, and she didn't know why. Was it because her trusted co-workers had arrived so late? Because her friend had died with her name on her lips? Or because her friend had deceived her? One of the very few people she ever let get close since Ardelia Mapp…and yet nothing was what they had first appeared.
Bitterness flooded her body, and bile rose in her throat. Death and betrayal…that was all this entire job seemed to have ever brought her.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a nurse who came in silently, respecting Clarice's need for silence and solitude. She had brought a letter, which, after sitting up, she opened. She recognised the distinctive handwriting instantly. Bizarrely the only one who hadn't forsaken her.
--
Dear Clarice,
Once again, I'm leaving America…but I couldn't leave without sending a last letter. Do you feel betrayed by your friend's Clarice? More specifically Lilia? From what I learned, hiding in that cave, it seemed that she loved you…in one way or the other. I don't know whether it was meant to be homosexual, maternal, friendship, or simply a disturbed mind trying to seek comfort. A disturbed mind…I suppose that you would believe I was an authority on that.
The question that has been raised however, is at once both fascinating…and disturbing. I'm talking about trust Clarice. Trust. Will you ever be able to trust another living soul, as you once trusted your friends? Will you lye awake at night, and cry, because your now damaged nature will ever prevent you from finding friendships…hmmm?
I have always found solitude to be especially useful. I know that I am different to other people, and how they view me. Yet I view myself as perfectly normal, and everyone else to be the people who are different.
You have always been an unusual person, Clarice, and it leads me to wonder if this has been your lesson.
If that is so…then I hope the lesson has been learned.
fini
Note: This has been an insanely difficult chapter to write, and has taken far longer than I anticipated. It feels completely different from the rest of the story, but I suppose that was my intention! I am planning two follow-ups, and I wonder whether Lilia's story – or rather her memory – is yet too finish. Hope you enjoyed it, and please review!
Disclaimer: Hannibal is copyright to Thomas Harris; and the story 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