• The Man in The Cage •

Chapter 19

Lecter hauled me to my feet before forcefully putting the life jacket on me.

"What is this for?"

"You'll see."

•••

And see I did. Lecter somehow was able to drag me out onto the balcony. I saw that we were extremely close to the coast of Italy, but before I could speak I was pushed over the railing and fell quite a ways before my body hit the cold water if the ocean. My scream was cut short and I swam to the top, my life jacket aiding me.

I couldn't see much and fear coursed through me like a tidal wave. Was this his way of getting rid of me? But no, it was just a change of plans.

"Found her!" A gruff voice called out.

Someone grabbed the back of my life jacket and pulled me over into a smaller boat used for sea fishing. It appeared newer and white with no marks. Recently bought?

"We got ya, girlie," the gruff voice pulled me to my feet.

All the boat's lights were turned off so it would be incognito. I was shivering from the cold and soaked, the wind making matters worse. I couldn't see my surroundings as my breath quickened, scared.

A towel was wrapped around me from behind, lips brushing from my neck to my ear.

"Change of plans, darling," Hannibal drawled.

I clutched the towel in my shaky hands, feeling too frozen to protest or tell Hannibal how outrageous and crazy this was. He guided me to inside the boat, a hand placed firmly on my back. It was a little warmer in here, I huddled in the corner on the small booth-table-area.

"Care for something to drink?" He gestured to the kitchen.

  I nodded. He made something with his bakc turned and brought it over to me, setting it before me on a sea themed coaster. I was about to drink it when I composed my thoughts and set it down. Hannibal saw my hesitation, standing before me with his usual neutral expression.

"Whatever I say will be pushed to the side by you," He spoke, "But if it means anything, I do not intend on drugging you."

  My eyes wavered from him to the drink before I picked it up and drank it. Just plain old tea. I was a little sad that it wasn't hot chocolate. Hannibal was satisfied enough to leave the me be and go speak to the crew. Goodness knows how he knew them all.

Did they know who he was?

  Hannibal returned in due time and insisted on checking my ankles, worried that the fall from the balcony to the water would've completely botched the healing process. But he was happy to find that instead the scars were fine and healing up rather nicely.

"You'll be able to walk, just with a slight limp," He informed me.

"Will it ever return to normal?" I tried not to glare at him.

"Yes," He answered, "In due time."

•••

"Sorry, captain," one of the crew said as they gathered in the kitchen area with Hannibal and I, "Mario went overboard."

Overboard?

I cast a suspicious glance towards Hannibal who merely shook his head in sorrows. A façade. We had reached the shore in a few hours, getting there way before the ship did. Peter and Rosa still on it and scared shitless. The crew had given me an older cane they had for one of their previous crew mates who stopped boating years ago, I was to use it until I could walk perfectly fine.

We docked at the nearest port, walking off the boat during sunset. Hannibal close to my side as we walked, making sure that I wouldn't stumble due to the limp and me getting used to using a cane for the first time.

  I was lended a trench coat. Lecter wore a black tench coat and matching fedora. As we walked down the dock I had some questions I needed answers to.

"Hannibal?"

"Yes, my dear?"

"Did you kill the man?" I asked, "The... the one on the other ship before you took me."

"No."

"The one who went overboard?"

"Has this been worrying you?"

"You're not answering my question," I frowned.

"I can assure you I did not kill that oaf of a man... Boris was it?"

My face paled, "Yes."

The rest of the walk contained mostly Hannibal teaching me Italian. I was slowly getting there. I had considered running while we made our way to the apartment but I knew that Hannibal would be quick enough to apprehend me. And my limp would slow me down.

Once at the apartment doors, Hannibal took out a key to get inside. He gestured for me to step inside first before entering himself, locking the door behind him. The soft tapping of my cane echoing in the complex.

"You may take a look around if you would like," He watched my reaction, "I trust you're not foolish enough to try anything funny."

I nodded in agreement before slowly walking into the hall and into the next room. The very large apartment had an old, Victorian feel to it. I quite liked it. I believe I had explored every inch of the house before coming upon a dusty window.

A cloth was on the floor and so after I set my cane to the side I limped over to grab it and wiped down the window to take a look outside. The window actually led to a small balcony, flowers hanging from its bars. The balcony would let me be able to see the streets once they would become busy during the day.

I didn't realize how long I was staring at the mirror before Hannibal was behind me, gazing out the window as well.

"My my, we just got here and you've already formed an escape plan," he teased.

"No, it's no—"

"I'm only messing with you, Y/N," He chuckled.

"Ah, ok," I returned my gaze to the outside world.

"I would suggest you find your room to sleep in," he stood by the door of the bedroom.

"I can choose?" I turned around to face him.

"Yes."

"Any room?"

"Any bedroom."

A pause.

"This one will do," I decided.

"Lovely, now I suggest you sleep now," Hannibal held the doorknob to close the door, "It is nearly two AM, I will let you wake up tomorrow on your own accord."

"Alright."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight," My voice dry as I focused on the bedroom.

Now time to do some more planning.