The Eyes of a Lamb

Normal

Hannibal sat up in bed, hearing the ringing of the phone, wondering curiously who would be calling him so early in the morning. Until he realized that it was indeed very early, and that someone would only be calling if someone was in trouble. The fact that Clarice came to his mind first surprised him as his hand reached out and took the phone steadily in his hand.

"Hello?" Hannibal said calmly into the receiver.

"Forgive me for calling so early doctor" Jack Crawford said "But there's been a situation."

Hannibal heard Crawford's voice, but the only thing that got through was the fact that Clarice had come within inches of harm. He would never wish that on her, and immediately felt the need to go and retrieve her from Will Graham, despite his friendship. Will was a entertaining companion, but the territorial desire to have Clarice in his own home sent Hannibal almost over the edge to end his friend.

"Doctor I think Clarice would do good with having another session with you" Crawford said finally that got Hannibal's attention.

"Yes I think so" Hannibal said "Whenever she is readily available I will be waiting for her."

"I'll phone Will and let him know then" Crawford said "Last I heard Clarice finally fell asleep around six this morning."

"That's good" Hannibal gritted out though on the phone it sounded genuine that he was happy. He hadn't felt this amount of rage in some time as he hung up the phone. It interested him that his body functioned without his control whenever the subject of Clarice Starling came up, his hormones and body going against everything his mind tried to hold back. He felt like a adolescent again, waving and pulling like the waves of the sea, always crashing against each other. It was almost maddening.

But knowing Clarice would be at his office soon, Hannibal decided to get up and get ready for her arrival.

It was around eight in the morning when Clarice arrived at Hannibal's office, her hair pulled back in a ponytail as her eyes probably sported heavy dark circles. She had slept, but barely as Will had told her most of her dreamless sleep consisted of her shaking and jerking around. Her body was exhausted, and her mind empty as Will promised to find a lead to where Jame was going so that Clarice would not have to endure any more right now.

Hannibal opened the door and took one look at Clarice, his eyes alarmed at her presence and the way her body sloped down, almost defeated.

"Please" Clarice said holding up her hand "Don't comment on my appearance. You know as well as anybody this is not my normal state."

"That is why it alarms me" Hannibal said opening the door "Please come in, I've made you breakfast."

"You didn't have to" Clarice said shaking her head.

"It's the least I can do" Hannibal said taking her jacket as Clarice walked slowly over to the windows, her arms tucked up in her chest as she stared blankly out from the glass.

"Clarice?" Hannibal said watching her.

"He's going to pick his next victim" Clarice said "And I don't know if I'm going to be able to stop it this time. I'm so tired Hannibal...so tired from waking up screaming every night. I don't know how much more I can take..."

"I understand your need to stop what is happening" Hannibal said "I only wish to help you see clearly on what you need to do next."

"How can I see clearly when all I think about is the darkness" Clarice said "The only light I had has gone out."

"Then you must simply wait" Hannibal said drawing close to her "Wait like you waited in the pit. The light will soon fall, and you will be able to climb out, and when you climb, you will climb with the girls safely in your grasp."