• The Man in The Cage •

Chapter 9

I had not at all expected something like this to happen, or so quickly. I glared at Chilton with any emotion I could muster within my beaten up state. This fucking bastard.

"What the hell was that for?!"

"You gave Lecter something!" He accused, "you know the rules as well as I do, that no one is to give anything to that bastard!"

"I didn't give him anything!" I protested as I stood up, holding onto my aching head.

"We'll let the security cameras decide what happens to you," he grabbed my arm once again, that same spot. Surely a bruise was forming by now.

"And what will you do with her, Chilton?" Lecter mocked, "if it does appear she hasn't done anything?"

  Chilton simply ignored the man and dragged me out of the room.

"Until next time, my dear," Lecter winked. That was odd.

  Then it hit me. Sadly it happened when we left the room. Maybe it could be used as an excuse or it was an actual problem.

"Chilton! Stop, something's wrong!"

   He surprisingly stopped this time and looked me dead in the eyes. Waiting for me to explain the problem.

"What happened to the guard that was stationed near Dr. Lecter's cage?" I asked, I didn't like saying cage. Not because I couldn't say the word but using it in that context felt sick.

"Still there—" Chilton loosened the grip on my arm for a second before tightening it, "what the hell did you do?!"

"Nothing!" I snapped at him, "why the hell are you accusing me for everything?!"

Chilton ignored me and passed me to this lanky guy. If needed, getting away from this guy would be a piece of cake. Chilton started talking to some guys who looked deathly pale and scared, that didn't help my nerves.

"Lock down the whole place..." Chilton muttered.

"What—?"

"Lock down the whole place, damnit!" Chilton yelled in frustration.

I could see a monitor in the distance that focused on the room Hannibal was locked in... but he was gone. He was missing. Chilton muttered endless curses, attempting to locate the infamous man. Bars and medal sliding doors began to slowly close, the huge entrance to the entire building shut first.

I saw my opening when I laid my eyes upon a different way out of the main lobby. It lead to the other exhibits. It was halfway closed, I slammed my elbow into the lanky man's stomach and he let go of me, stunned by the sudden blow. I made a dash for it.

"Stop her!" Chilton came after me first, of course.

  I slipped under the closing, medal door, just as if I were in an Indiana Jones movie... except I had no hat. Chilton was able to get under as well as another officer. I was already making a run for it, getting a good distance before I decided to hide and catch my breath.

  I made sure no cameras were watching me, just in case someone from the main lobby would be able to tell Chilton exactly where I was. I hid inside one of the exhibits, stuffed, lifeless animals shielding me from view or from the cameras. Footsteps passed by me, belonging to two individuals. You and I both know who they belonged to.

   I waited a few more moments until their footsteps could be heard no more. I moved from my spot and slyly changed positions. I was about to creep down the hall to another exhibit before someone wrapped an arm around me, pulling me tight against their chest, restraining my arms, and clamping a hand over my mouth.