Return of the Lambs

Lithuania

Clarice Starling remained awake in the dark.

He was laid on his back, completely vulnerable.

She did not trust Hannibal Lecter, knew he could turn from a gentleman to savage in mere seconds.

And yet, lying there, he looked almost human.

"I hope you weren't planning on killing me, Clarice."

She looked down at him and realised he was smiling, those maroon eyes reflecting the light of dawn strangely.

"If I was planning on killing you, doctor, you'd already be dead."

He smiled widely.

"I plan to sleep with one eye open, regardless."

"And me? Would I already be dead?"

He touched her hair gently, winding a strand around his finger,

"So many times I've left you alive, and still you don't trust me, Clarice. I told you, no woman has ever laid beside me."

Slowly, he stretched and sat up.

"Well, due to the unfortunate and rather untimely demise of Agent Garrett, I have decided we will go to Lithuania today." He held up a hand when she went to protest, "You needn't worry, your belongings are packed and more are waiting for you once we arrive. The train leaves in three hours."

"They know I'm in Prague and once they find Garrett...Doctor, you know I can't go with you."

"Hmm," he touched her cheek, "well, you've already resigned from the job. I sent in the appropriate documentation and Agent Garrett, well, I took care of him after you went to sleep. You can come with me...or I won't have a choice, and I don't want to do that, Clarice. The world is more interesting with you in it."

He gathered up his clothes and walked into the bathroom, half closing the door behind him.

"Oh, and Clarice?"

She paused.

"I already removed the knife from under the bed. One can never be too careful."

She had already showered later in the evening, so she dressed and went to the mirror to check her appearance.

She turned on her phone and found a message from her friend.

Glad you're enjoying it, enjoy the rest of Europe.

Scrolling up, Starling realised that Dr Lecter had been messaging as her, saying she was enjoying Europe and would be extending her trip for a while.

Dr Lecter emerged from the bathroom and put his arms around her, both of them staring at each other in the mirror. He never blinked once as he plucked the phone from her hand.

"Graži mergina." He murmured, bending to kiss her neck, running his teeth along her skin, "Mano ėriena."

She frowned.

"I don't understand."

"It means beautiful girl." He replied, leaving out his second endearment.

"You never spoke Lithuanian before," Clarice said hoarsely, "why now?"

"When I was a boy, I learnt German, English, French and Lithuanian. Later, I grew to know Japanese and Italian. I have many languages, but I only use my own in my mind and with those I am comfortable with. Besides," He turned to smile at her, "how many people in America would I know who could speak it?"

He looked at his watch.

"Well, we'd best go to the station, perhaps we'll get a bite to eat along the way. Something...ordinary."

---

They were sat in the first-class carriage, his sleek head bent over the morning newspaper.

"Ah! Our dear friend has been found. What a relief."

Starling looked at him coldly.

"You need to get more fun out of life, Clarice."

She continued looking out of the window, watching Prague move further away.

"I have an American passport," she said slowly, "won't that affect travelling across borders?"

He held up two passports.

Czech ones.

"How did you-" She stopped, this was Hannibal Lecter.

They had been careful to remain apart at the station, because they knew she, at least, was being watched.

"Why are we taking a train journey when surely a plane must be faster?"

"Because your face could be in every airport in Europe, as mine is."

He smiled at a woman who provided them with tea and poured a cup for Starling.

"There is no direct train between Prague and Vilnius. We'll need to transfer twice in Poland and once in Lithuania."

"They'll know where you're heading. They call you the Old Lithuanian."

"Dr Chilton did, you mean." He replied evenly, looking out of the window again, "Our dear friend, a shame that he vanished so suddenly."

"Whatever happened to him? Was he the old friend you were having for dinner?"

Lecter smiled faintly over his newspaper.

"Hmm, indeed he was. It was rather satisfying, to see that fear in his eyes. I took my time, Clarice, oh I spent hours with dear Dr Chilton...I'll perhaps spare you the details. You had a dream about him."

"Did I talk in my sleep...were you following me the whole time?"

"Oh Clarice, I was with you from the moment you landed. You did indeed. You kept murmuring 'dragon', 'Chilton' and 'Lecter'. What did you see? Enthrall me."

"Chilton was a monster with wings coming from his back. We were in your old cell and he was dragging the carcass of a lamb. You were wearing your mask and I unlocked it and you fought with him...I was glowing with light at the end."

"So interesting, that mind of yours." Lecter chuckled, "I am surprised I was not the creature with wings, the demon."

"Do you dream much, Doctor?"

Lecter smiled.

"Why not rest awhile, Clarice?"