• The Man in The Cage •

Chapter 1

"Today class, you won't only have the chance to be close to a master criminal," our professor lectured us, the bus shaking a bit making her grab onto the rail, "you will also get to ask him questions!"

I was studying criminology at college, so far it was my favorite subject. I had a strange fascination with criminology. It was way better than science or English which I could never major in. This was my last year of collage, just two more weeks to go.

"This will be awesome!" I heard one of my fellow students whisper in glee.

We were all excited yet nervous, some scared, to meet such a person. When we were told it would be at a museum everybody shared an odd look. Why not some heavily guarded jail or something? A museum... none of us were expecting that.

"Hey, Y/N," my friend nudged me, "do you have any questions in mind to ask him?"

I turned to my friend, Sawyer, and shrugged. This was an odd, spontaneous trip so no one really had time to prepare.

"I don't want to ask him any simple questions he has probably been asked every single day," I then started asking questions in a weird voice, kind of mocking, "'so, sir, what made you want to eat people?' Or 'when did this all start?' That kind of simple stuff."

"I agree," he looked down at his notepad of questions, "though, I'm ashamed to say that some of my questions are rather simple. I don't want to overstep my boundaries or make that cannibal angry."

"That cannibal?" I smirked, "he has a name, you know?"

"I don't think he's human enough to even deserve a name," he shuddered.

"Each to their own," I shrugged.

"Now if everybody was listening," my professor made eye contact with me, teasing my absent self, "you will all need a buddy. We don't want anyone getting lost... or eaten."

I nodded to her, acknowledging the request. Sawyer and I didn't even need to ask eachother, we planned on this happening and teamed up before we even got onto the silver bus.

—

      Once arriving at the museum, we all took a minute to admire the oldish feel of it, almost nostalgic. Reminding us of the good ol' days when our parents would bring us here, whether we liked it or not.

"Remember to stay with your buddy!" Our professor stood up, "and listen well to Mr. Chilton! He will be guiding us on the tour."

     Chilton. I heard about him but didn't really pay attention because he didn't sound interesting or exciting. Everyone began to empty the bus, once in awhile someone would thank the bus driver. It's a lot of work hauling us wackos around.

"Thanks, miss Grace!"

"No problem, kiddos!" She smiled before closing the bus doors and leaving to go find a parking spot.

  Upon entering the museum the first thing that caught my eye was all the security, making the museum appear less than what it was. The way the officers eyed everybody definitely gave us nervous vibes.

   A smug looking man with a sharp suit walked to our group. I could tell I wasn't going to like him. Several people in our group were already deducing him. We had some of our own Sherlock's in our group. It was rather amusing. Chilton eyed the group, his eyes fell on not me, but on a girl in our group, Stephanie. She eyed him with disgust while he did with lust.

   I took hold of her hand and stared down Chilton. Trying to silently communicate with him to back off, she wasn't interested. He rolled his eyes and continued talking to our professor, Emily. Once she was done, Emily motioned for us to follow him and we did... reluctantly.

"Since the only exhibit you all will be seeing is it," Chilton's voice was laced with boredom, "then I will just take you all straight to the freak."

   Did this man have a grudge against Hannibal of some sort? Besides the fact that he was a cannibal? Perhaps so, if I'm lucky I could find out. I hadn't even known Chilton for more than a few minutes and I already had a grudge against him.

—

  The room was strange, yet beautiful. Guards were stationed in every corner, some close to the massive cage that was on display in the center of the room.

And there he was...

The cannibal himself in all his glory.