Hannibal in a Cage

Friends Are Great

The next day, River came up as usual with the tray. Hannibal wasn’t going to acknowledge her presence, but today, she spoke to Hannibal.

“I’m having some friends over today,” she said. “And I want you on your best behaviour.” Hannibal’s ears perked up. “You’re letting me out of this repulsive cage?” he asked excitedly. River shook her head. “No, but I’m going to be showing you to them, and, if they can see you, they might want to shake your hand, and I don’t want you biting theirs off, ok?”

Hannibal was furious. Now he was to be treated as some sort of spectacle you might find in a circus? This had to be the rudest thing ever done to Hannibal. He kept quiet though, a plan forming in his twisted mind.

He gave a nod, and ate the sandwich that was put down in front of him. River beamed at him. She went back down the ladder. A few minutes later she came back up with a bean bag, then started to sort out boxes, creating a space on the floor. She went back down again, then came up with more beanbags. She did this a few more times until she had five beanbags in a circle on the floor, and a table with a plate of cookies in the centre.

“Why, might I ask, are you doing that?” asked Hannibal. “I’m going to have my friends up here,” she replied. “Because it’s the quietest place in the house.”

Just then, the doorbell rang down stairs, and River ran down to get it. He heard the friendly chatter amongst them, before they clattered up the stairs and into the attic. “Can you see him?” asked River to her friends.

“What are you talking about?” a boy with blonde hair said. A look of disappointment came to River’s face.

“You honestly can’t see him?” River said, her voice cracking. The others shook their heads. The blonde one, however, called out “See! I told you she was crazy! Why are you even still friends with her? She’s a loony!” With this, he began laughing, and soon, all of them were laughing and pointing at River. She backed away down, heading for the stairs, tears in her eyes. Her foot slipped as the trapdoor was still open, and her arms flailed wildly, trying to regain her balance. She got it back, but ran down the ladder, tears now streaming down her face.

Even though he didn’t like the girl, he felt as though he had to protect her. And anyway, he owed her a favour, so why not repay it now, while he was still hungry. He stood up in the cage, and slid through the bars. The blonde boy now had his back facing Hannibal, so even if he could, he wouldn’t see him.

Hannibal grasped the boy’s throat firmly, revelling in the familiar experience. The other teenagers started panicking, unsure why the blonde boy was choking. Just before the boy passed out, Hannibal turned him around so they were face-to-face. He could see the fear and sudden realization in the boy’s eyes. “You're real,” he mouthed, before he went limp, his pupils dilating.Hannibal dropped the limped body, and looked up. All eyes were on him now, fear in all of them.

“Can you see me now?” Hannibal growled. The children nodded, paralyzed. “Good,” he said. “Then you can watch me kill you.” He pounced upon his prey.