Understanding A Killer

Escape (2)

I just need him to let his guard down for one moment. This might be my only chance.

Over the last month, Eliana had visualized this exact moment for hundreds, maybe even thousands of times. Since she couldn't escape from her room, taking Hannibal on directly was the only way. And since she couldn't get out of the building on her own, the only way was to make a call and have the police find her. She set it up perfectly, down to the very last detail of every sentance and action. A subtle way to outsmart a psychiatrist like Hannibal, who wouldn't be able to ignore the signs.

Now the stage was finally set, and Hannibal reached for the phone in his pocket. He carried it around, but Eliana couldn't be sure he'd use it in this situation. Luck was on her side, but she only had a few seconds before he figured she was, indeed, faking the allergic reaction.

She hung her head low, making sure her hand was covered with hair while gripping the table cloth. This way, Hannibal couldn't see her face and he had to step closer. By the time he figured her act out, he had already made the mistake of pulling out his phone.

Eliana reacted like a wild animal in desperate need of survival, pulling the red cloth fiercely and guarding herself from the dart gun Hannibal had shot. Plates and glasses shattered on the floor, food spilling on the cracked parquet. She crouched down, keeping the cloth as a shield and grabbing a glass shard off the floor simultaneously. Hannibal shot the dart gun a few more times, but it was in vain as now Eliana probed his leg with sharp glass. He winced in pain, his whole body falling low enough for Eliana to grab his hand.

The phone fell on the floor, and Eliana pushed it further away, watching as it slided towards the door. The now empty dart gun was useless, and Hannibal only his strength to rely on. He let go of it, freeing his hand and using it to grab her wrist, twisting her arm to immobilize her. She struggled to get free, but was only slammed into the table harder. Suddenly, a crushing pain shot through his foot, as Eliana stomped on it with all her strength. The high adrenaline paired with Hannibal's pain dazed mind allowed her to turn around, headbutting him daringly. He flew back half a meter, and she used the opportunity to throw him on the floor.

With one hand holding him down, she used the other to punch him in the face. Although he struggled, she was able to repeat the action a few times. He seemed to fall into unconciousness, but managed to pick up a piece of glass, stabbing her in the thigh.

Eliana was suprised by the pain, which made her back off. She looked at the deep wound that already oozed blood as a wave of panic washed over her. I have to go quickly if I don't wanna bleed out, she thought.

Luckily, Hannibal appeared too wounded to move, so she crawled to the door, undoing the chain and picking up the phone. Hannibal's weak limbs moved as he grabbed Eliana's ankle, but she was quick to escape and close the door behind. She wrapped the chain around the door handle as Hannibal could still be heard moving inside. Hoping the chain will hold, Eliana sat down to catch her breath. She ripped her shirt and used it to wrap around her bleeding thigh, taking a look at the phone next.

No signal.

Damn it.

She pulled herself up, limping while walking towards a higher place. The rusty factory floor made a clicking noise while she walked as Hannibal's attempt to break through could still be heard.

*bang* - A gunshot suddenly echoed through the hallway.

And, of course Hannibal hid a gun somewhere. It was only a matter of time until he got free.

Eliana hurried on, hoping the signal bar would fill up. The stairs led her to the first floor, all the way to her imprisoned friend.

Eliana knew what Miriam Lass looked like, she had seen the photos, yet her eyes windened at the sight. The Miriam Lass in front of her was nothing like the photos. Instead, a frightened girl with a broken mind sat in the corner of a diry cell. Her blonde hair was messy, stained rugs used as clothes hanging from her body. Evidently, the girl hadn't been treated as nicely as her by Hannibal.

"Miriam!" - Eliana touched the door that seperated them, "Just wait. I'll get us out!"

She looked at the phone, desperately looking for signal once again.

"...Really? Can you do that?" - Miriam's fearful eyes filled with a glimmer of hope.

"I can."

Just as Eliana uttered the confident words, footsteps could be heard from below. Hannibal got free, and was walking towards them. And... he had a gun.

"Damn it!" - Eliana cried, frantically shaking the door.

"Go. You can't get me out in time. He's here." - Miriam remarked in a calm manner, her eyes darkening once again.

Eliana desperately tried searching for a solution, but had no choice in the end. "I'm so sorry." She Miriam who only gave her a sad smile.

She found a room with a thick door and managed to lock herself inside.

"ELIANA!" - Hannibal's shouting paired with a gunshot echoed in the hallway.

Finally! A signal!

"ELIANA!"

The phone started ringing as she managed to dial the police.

"If you don't come out right now, I'm going to kill your friend!"

She was so close to escaping. So close to catching the one and only Ripper, the one who terrorized her for years. Just one step away. If only she could let Miriam Lass die. Yet, the words 'I'm going to kill your friend' echoed so loudly in her dizzy mind. Another dead friend? Another girl killed because of her selfishness? No, she couldn't take that. She'd rather die then go through the guilt again.

She opened the door, stading in front of the ruthless killer, completely helpless once again.

"911 what's your emergency?" - The sound came from the phone, but she didn't respond, giving it to Hannibal instead.

"Here I am. Please don't kill her."

Hannibal hung up the phone, holding the gun in front of her face. "Back to your room. Right now."

They walked in silence, both bloody from the battle. The tension struck Eliana harder then physical pain, as now she was completely at mercy of an extremely pissed off killer. She glanced over to Miriam, who didn't look thankful, but disappointed instead. Still, Eliana didn't regret her choice.

He locked the door, finally letting his anger show. "If you try that again... I don't know what I'm gonna do. Understand?" - He pushed her against the wall.

She could feel his heavy breath, killing intent seeping through his whole body.

"Yes." - She whispered.

"All right." - He backed away, "But how exactly did you fake anaphylaxis so well?"

"I'm not allergic to any foods... Howewer, there was one specific ingredient in cosmetic products I would get rashes from. I just made you buy cosmetics until I found it. Then, I hid it in my sleeve and smeared it on my neck." - She admitted, completely defeated.

"Smart. But not as the psychological stunt you pulled. I'm truly impressed."

"Well, I paid attention in collage."

"About that wound on your leg... I'm gonna patch it up. But I have to do something about mine first." - He gestured at his own leg. "Just put some pressure on it until then."

"Fine."

"And, just so you know..." - Hannibal added one last thing, "You won't have the same freedom as before. You really betrayed my trust."

Eliana listened as he walked away, leaving her completely hopeless once again. She slided down the wall as weary legs betrayed her. She looked at her shaky hands that were covered in blood, darkness crawling at her mind.

I'm never gonna escape, am I?

Just as that thought crossed her mind, the blood on her hands gave her an idea.

Sure, I can't escape. But maybe Miriam can. Maybe we can catch him.