fandomworldofdreams

[fandomworldofdreams]

The Secret Under the Bed

Summary: Your father got involved deep in the crime world. Owing more than he could keep up with. Soon you and your family are on the run. But debts demand to be paid. (Child!reader)

Warnings: violence, child endangerment, murder, manipulation, trauma

I had a dream, needed to write it. Some odd ass universe where these four fictional characters somehow work together and get along. And of all things, adopt a child. It is more of a fem!reader. So please enjoy this odd twisted found family dynamic!

Your mom always smelled like jasmine and baked goods.

Something about it always made you feel safe, loved.

Flour on her cheeks, always smiling. It meant warmth and comfort.

All of it distracted from the fact you'd moved three states in just the past year, ten towns. Distracted from how much you tried to pretend you didn't hear your parents arguing, things breaking. Your dad's sharp, cutting tone. Your mother's broken pleas. Sometimes your dad wouldn't come home for hours - usually at the crack of dawn, liquor still clinging to his breath.

You were only seven, obsessed with books and building your own fantasy world to escape to whenever the situation called for it. Which was often.

You had no way of knowing that your father had got himself in deep with me the crime world referred to as the four horsemen.

Intelligent, sadistic, cold criminals. Men who by some twisted form of fate had found one another. After unsuccessfully trying to kill each other they decided they found some level of comradery with one another, their shared darkness and vision.

Your father had racked up one too many missed payments to them.

The latest move was to a home in West Virginia, surrounded by woods.

You loved it, plenty of trees to climb and bugs to catalogue. You'd spend hours wandering, waving a stick around like it was a wand.

But your dad looked over his shoulder twice as much, often muttering to himself.

It was a Wednesday night when everything in your life changed. The scent of rain hung in the air, breeze rustling the leaves.

You had a rain coat on. Soaked to the core, your mother had just wiggled it off of you.

You hadn't heard the car pull into the driveway.

You'd only heard the three polite raps that echoed through the house.

Your parents never got company, you furrowed your eyebrows.

You'd only been aware of your mother kneeling before you, tucking your stuffed rabbit under your arm with a gentle smile. She brushed some hair out of your face.

"I need you to do something for me, Y/N. Go into Mommy and Daddy's room and crawl under the bed, okay? Stay hidden. You don't come out no matter what you hear. I mean it. Do you understand?"

You'd felt the fear then, how her voice tried not to shake. She squeezed your arms, glancing at the door like it was a death sentence.

"Do you understand?"

All you could do was nod. She pressed a kiss to your temple and you ran, following orders like you always had.

Under the bed was dark, sounds muffled. But some things were unmistakable.

You clutched your rabbit tight to your chest, cheek pressed against the rug, body curled inward.

The screaming started not long after.

Crashing, loud high pitched noises and begging that was your parents.

You began to shake. Uncontrollably.

In the other room your parents were bound to chairs, four masters of torture doing the unthinkable. The scent of blood filled the air - along with some bodily fluids. They tore through both mind and body with the precision of artists who were all too familiar with their medium.

In the bedroom tears pooled onto the carpet and you covered your mouth with your hand to keep any sounds from escaping.

It lasted two hours.

Your limbs ached from being in one position so long, you were sweating profusely, and trying your best not to hyperventilate. Especially as the screaming grew more ragged, hoarse.

Your mother died first. Crane's toxin had taken root in her psyche, showcasing her fears of a dead daughter she dared not call out the name of in fear of them finding out and an unfaithful husband. her mind far gone before her body gave out. They had burned her skin with a cigar and then a quick slit of the throat. Efficient, she was not the one who wronged them, she was merely collateral, her life and his.

Your father lasted an hour longer. Eyes gauged, ribs split open. He had not been granted any mercy. He had felt every thread of pain. Each individual eye muscle had been severed. His body was surprisingly resilient.

You didn't hear anything anymore.

It was quiet, eerily so. The deafening kind where any small noise sent a jolt of panic through you.

Then footsteps. Slow, evenly paced. The door to the room creaked open.

Your heart jumped out of your chest and you tried your best to hold your breath as shoes came into view.

Expensive shoes. Shiny, not like the sneakers you were used to.

"Crane. Lecter," the man said, flatly. His voice a gravel "Now."

Soon three more pairs of shoes joined. You were frozen in fear.

Then, a face appeared. He'd crouched down and pulled the sheet aside to get a full view of you. His gaze was calculating, eyes sizing you up.

Hannibal Lecter knelt calmly. He didn’t speak right away. He simply looked at you, deliberately shifting his facial expression and eyes. Allowing the moment to stretch on long enough to let you see something gentler in his face, something paternal and concerned. A softness he wore like a mask when needed. It made your brows furrow.

"Are you okay, my dear? You must be so frightened."

Suddenly another face, this man dropped to his stomach, resting his chin on the back of his hands to look at you. He allowed an unnerving smile to grace his face, eyes glued to you like he was observing a play. "Did the monsters come after mummy and daddy?"

You visibly flinched, pressing yourself further back.

“No no no, sweetheart. Not us. We’re not the monsters. We found you. We scared him off, little one. Though he may come back. Who knows, monsters can be ever unpredictable," Jim Moriarty tried to hide the glee in his tone.

"We were camping nearby when we heard the screams. We came running. It seems we were too late though. We were unsure if anyone had survived, luckily you did," Hannibal affirmed.

Moriarty cooed, “Did they tell you to hide, little darling? Did your mummy say to be very, very quiet?”

A nod. Barely. A twitch.

"You did very well," Hannibal said softly.

"Where's my mommy and daddy?" Your voice was hoarse, tears still streaming down your cheeks.

"They are dead." This man had a scarred face, one eye had a black sclera and orange mishaped iris. "We were unable to save them." Silco studied the way your lower lip trembled, the pain in your eyes evident. Too young to be experiencing such pain. "A regrettable truth. However, they did succeed in keeping you safe."

The final man leaned down, staring at you over his glasses. Bright blue eyes met

y/e/c ones. He was calculating your level of fear.

"What's his name?" That made you pause, looking at him confused. He motioned to the rabbit you were clinging to and you swallowed a lump in your throat.

"Jasper," you murmured.

Jonathan Crane shared a glance with the others. They had adapted the lie quickly. "At least you were not alone while the carnage occurred. Perhaps Jasper would be more comfortable out here. You are safe now."

You were too young and terrified to catch the lie.

It was Hannibal who offered a hand out under the bed. "Come, child. We will protect you."

It was a long time before you moved. Slowly placing your small hand in his as he guided you out from under the bed.

"What's your name?" Silco asked.

"Y/N"

"Y/N," Hannibal whispered, testing the name. "I'm Hannibal, this is Jim, Silco, and Jonathan. Jim is going to help you pack a bag. We can't leave you here in case the man who harmed your parents comes back."

Your eyes widened, the words striking fear into you. You clutched at Hannibal's hand like it was a lifeline.

"He might come back?" You whispered.

"It is a possibility," Jonathan said, adjusting his glasses. "Whoever came for your parents was rather depraved. That kind of mind is unpredictable and you are an easy target."

You didn't understand, not fully, but you nodded your head either way.

"Come along, little one. Let's gather what you need," Jim said cheerfully, guiding you to the closet.

Jonathan, Hannibal, and Silco made their way back to the living room, standing over the bodies.

"Since when are we in the business of collecting strays?" Jonathan asked, tone cold.

"Since one has fallen into our hands," Hannibal answered.

Silco lit a cigar, letting the smoke curl to the ceiling. "They had tried to keep the child safe. To protect her from their sins . . . Their mistake. So we allow her to believe the illusion that we are the ones saving her?"

"it's not an illusion," Hannibal said. "We are saving her. She would likely starve here. Or worse, end up in the foster care system."

Footsteps sounded down the hallway. Jim and you making your way. He carried a suitcase of things he'd picked for you.

You turned the corner just as he sang, "I wouldn't do that."

You'd looked, immediately. Your eyes met the bloody and unmoving form of your parents.

Your legs moved fast, racing to what was left of them. Hannibal had been the one to scoop you up. Holding you close as you cried and tried to wiggle free.

Jim was leaning against the frame, hands in pockets. Jonathan was studying your reaction. Silco's eyes softened slightly.

"Mommy told me to hide. I hid, I was good. Mommy! Wake up!" Tears pooled from your eyes, clutching Hannibals coat tightly.

"You were good. Now you will come with us and be a part of a new family. Your parents were unable to foresee their fates," Hannibal said, softly.

"They were weak," Silco said. "We are not."

You sniffled, burying your head in Hannibals chest.

"You won't leave me? Promise?"

"We will not leave you," he affirmed.

That day changed everything. You were about to be raised by four of the most feared men in the country. Their child, their prodigy, theirs. They were all you had left.

You would become a weapon.

All while never knowing they were the ones who had taken your parents from you.

[fandomworldofdreams]

Hospital For Souls

"I am just a worthless liar. I am just an imbecile. I will only complicate you. Trust in me and fall as well. I will find a center in you. I will chew it up and leave. I will work to elevate you. Just enough to bring you down"

- TOOL

Previous: Prologue- CHP18

Warnings: Choking, degradation, mentions of rape

Chapter XIX: Sober

The sun's rays shone through the space between leaves, casting a crescent shadow over Valeria’s face. From her spot lying down on the grass, she stared up at the tree, its leaves swaying with the breeze.

“What do you think that one looks like?” Lucian asked, pointing toward the sky.

She squinted against the harsh brightness of the blue and white, gazing at the cloud. “A teapot.”

“That shit looks like Godzilla,” he snorted. She cast him a disapproving glance. He shrugged, craning his neck against the tree's rough bark, gazing at her under his nose. “So what’s with the office look?” He indicated her choice of gray work pants and a black turtleneck. She pursed her lips.

“What’s with the new piercing?” He moved his shaggy brown hair to cover the silver stud in his ear. “I take it Dad hasn’t noticed?”

“Psh, I don’t think he’d look twice if I dyed my hair purple and styled it into a mohawk.” Valeria laughed at that, leaning up so her elbows supported her weight.

“I’m trying out different aesthetics. College is supposed to be about developing the type of adult you want to be. I have devised a system so that I acquire a new style of fashion each semester. This one is more academic. You know, plaid skirts, ties, vests, pocket watches. I’m thinking goth next semester, I do love black lipstick.”

“I think people are intimidated by you enough without the whole alternative look, Eria.” She rolled her eyes at him. “Besides, we can’t both have the same style. They’ll think cause you’re older I copied you. I have a reputation to uphold.”

“I’m sure your punk friends won’t let it be tarnished too much.” There was a slight bite in her tone that made Lucian glance away from her, She bit her tongue, following his gaze to a mom and son playing fetch with their dog.

“It’s not like I had much choice,” he muttered.

“Once you graduate it’ll be different. You can move in with me. Pursue some of your passions and perhaps become a biochemist or an artist. Just keep yourself together til then and come to me whenever you feel yourself slipping.”

“Shit, I’ll have to deal with your snoring again,” Valeria dug her nails into the dirt, ripping the grass out and tossing it his way. He held his arms up to shield him between laughs.

They stayed there talking for hours, lost in the countless topics. Conversation was never lacking between them. The day was nice and Valeria had brought sandwiches for them. It wasn’t until the sun began to set that they decided it was time to grudgingly get back to life.

“Do you resent me for leaving you with Dad?” she asked in the car, keeping her eyes glued to the road. He shifted uncomfortably, angling his body away from her.

“Resent wouldn’t be the word I’d use.”

“Then what is?”

“I dunno, Valeria. I don’t hate you, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt, y’know. I got left behind.” She worked hard to keep her mask neutral, not to show that his words had hit hard. But her grip on the steering wheel tightened.

She slowed to a stop in front of her father's house, putting the car in park.

“Lucian, I-”

“I don’t wanna talk about it, okay?” he got out of the car, bending down to gaze at her. His face looked so young. “It’s just not the same without you around here, but I’ll get over it, okay? I love you, see you next week.”

The door closed before she could say anything. Watching him enter the house she had loathed for many years only added to her guilt, which already weighed heavy in her stomach.

She tried to see him as often as college and work would allow.

Reaching for the gear shift she paused. There was that nagging feeling in her chest, telling her she needed to go talk some more to him. Maybe he could stay the night with her?

Taking her keys out of the ignition she made her way to the front door, opening it.

“Lucian!” She called out, seeing the upstairs hallway light was on. “Why don’t you come and spend the night with me?”

There was no answer.

“I had to leave to secure a place for us. You can get away from him whenever you want.”

Silence.

Valeria sighed jogging up the steps to where Lucian’s door was cracked open.

“Lucian, I’m sor-” The words got caught in her throat, an inhale of air that was not dared released. Her next step was a loud squelch that soaked her socks.

Dr. Lecter stood over her brother in a plastic body suit over his clothing. The suit and walls were a painting of blood strokes and splatters but it was nothing compared to the bed Lucian laid on. The blood dripped off the sides, soaking the sheets and pooling on the floor in one dark crimson puddle. A scalpel was firmly held in Dr. Lecter’s hand.

“Apologies Valeria, you were not supposed to come in.” Her brother's chest and stomach were cleanly split down the center. The skin was pulled back to reveal muscle, organs, bones, and tissue, but to her, it looked like ground-up meat. It was one of the most grotesque things she’d ever seen.

She looked at her brother's face, noticing his eyes were wide, staring straight at her. She realized he was awake.

“Lucian?!”

“He’s alive, just listen for his heart.” She did as instructed.

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

His heart was far too clear to hear without his skin to muffle the noise. She dared to step closer and see the heart jolting in his chest, veins pulsing.

She couldn’t hold it in anymore, bile rose in her throat and forced its way out. She fell to the ground as the acidic taste stained her mouth and her nose, clogging her airways.

She heaved gasping for air, the potent stench of vomit and blood causing her to hurl again. She wiped her mouth with the back of her sleeve, standing to her feet, careful not to slip on the blood.

“I hope you don’t plan to do that every time,” Dr. Crane said from behind her. “After all there are plenty more murders to follow. Plenty more bodies to witness in their glory.”

She saw his mask out of the corner of her eye. That fucking mask that glowed with malice and stretched beyond the darkness.

“Murder?” the question echoed in her head. “Please please don't kill him. I'm begging you.”

“Begging?” Dr. Lecter hummed, sliding the scalpel into Lucian’s chest region with the precision of a surgeon. “That word must feel incredibly uncomfortable on your tongue. Almost foreign, I assume.”

She swallowed a lump in her throat. “Does he feel anything?”

“Very much so.” There was that same calculated expression, the glance in her direction picking apart every reaction she made.

“Please, let him go,” She placed a hand over her mouth to cut off the sob threatening to rip free. Her body was shaking.

Crane’s body pressed against her from behind, his arm snaking around her waist to pull her flush to him.

“Don’t worry,” he said, voice austere breath brushing against her hair. “You’re next.”

A haze set over the image before her. Dr. Lecter’s hand pulled out of her brother's chest, but it was not empty.

No, her brother's heart was beating rapidly inside it, blood drops dripping down his forearm, coating his hand like a second glove.

She was looking up at a blinding light now, squinting to see through it. Two figures cast shadows over her making it look like halos around their frames.

She was frozen, unable to move, the only body part that would comply with her demands was her eyes. Even her breathing was ragged and forced. Her limbs struggled against the immobility with no result.

There was an agonizing pain below her neck down to her waist. The pain burned deep into her nervous system. She couldn’t feel if she was sweating or not.

“Perhaps you should remove her kidney,” the voice pierced the ringing in her head.

She finally dared to look down. It was just like Lucian, she had been opened up. Her organs were laid bare for them to see. She could hear how her heartbeat quickened—a deafening thudding in her ears. She saw her ribs, bones snapped like a grotesque sculpture.

She became hyperaware of every vein, organ, and bone in her body, one system that radiated in tandem whenever Dr. Lecter cut into a singular point.

Her breathing was shaky and uneven, growing more sporadic by the moment.

Dr. Crane’s face leaned down into her line of sight, blocking the bright light, a cold grin spreading across his lips.

“Are you paying attention, Valeria?”

Valeria blinked a couple of times, turning her gaze back to Crane who sat behind his desk, hands folded in his lap, gazing at her intensely. She was in his office.

“What?”

“I asked if you were paying attention. Clearly, I got my answer.”

Two days since the assault. One day til her friends would go free.

“How have you been sleeping?” He asked, gazing at her from above his glasses.

“As well as can be expected,” she responded.

“Any nightmares?”

She didn’t have the energy to lie anymore. “All I have are nightmares.” There was no reprieve from her suffering and their control, even in slumber.

“What about?”

“You have a PhD with a specialization in fears, phobias, and anxiety disorders, I’m sure you can figure it out.”

A slow, deliberate smirk spread across his face. “I’d much rather hear it from you. My imagination is vast. Although I’d be more than appeased to write in your notes that you have recurring dreams of being fucked by me if that is what you want.”

The words sent her system into panic, making her flinch. He knew what her triggers were and he played them like a violin, him the composer to her anguish.

“I have nightmares about everything, death, pain, suffering, it doesn’t end. Last night in particular you and Dr. Lecter carved out my heart.” He tilted his head, eyes flickering in amusement. She glanced to the floor, unable to keep eye contact with him for long.

Not without feeling him inside her all over again.

“Was your brother there?” She froze at the question, gaze still cast down.

“Yes,” her voice was barely a whisper.

Why lie? Why bring herself more pain?

“I have something for you.” He said suddenly, sliding his briefcase onto the desk with a loud thud. Her body immediately tensed at hearing those words, her mind spiraling, her hands shaking in her lap.

He was deliberately slow, drawing out the anticipation as he pulled a small picture from the case and offered it to her upside down like offering food to an animal easily startled.

Valeria hesitated, almost looking at him for a reassurance he didn’t offer. She gripped the edge of the photo, turning it over to see Lucian’s smiling face, younger than he had been when he died.

His eyes were still full of light.

Her breath hitched. She tore her gaze away from it, looking at Crane with a twisted feeling in her gut, confusion, sadness, and mistrust. She sensed this was a test, a game, and she didn’t know how to proceed. She didn’t want to play.

“You’ve been doing well. You haven’t stepped out of line yet. I figured a small token would remind you what all hangs in the balance.” She swallowed, the sound apparent in the quiet of the room. She dared to look again at the photo and he watched as her gaze softened, showing vulnerability.

“Do you still remember him vividly?” His tone had taken on a new edge, one that seemed almost curious, with less of a cruelty to it. She ran her finger over the photo, a tremble in her fingers betraying her composure.

“Only in my dreams,” she whispered, voice distant.

“Grief is an intense teacher,” he said simply. “No one talks about what it’s like when the deceased familiar smell leaves their items. The scent that marked them fades into nothing but a distant memory. First, you stop being able to hear their voice and certain ways they looked with different emotions. Their face becomes a haze. I imagine you never cleaned his stuff, and yet, he faded, just like everything will.” Crane gazed at her with a smug look, standing from his seat and leaning on his desk so he was only a few inches away from her. Her body tensed.

He reached out a hand to gently guide her chin up to meet his eyes with a curled finger, she flinched as if he had struck her.

“Grief is such a fickle concept, don’t you think? Why form such attachments when you know they’ll eventually be taken and the pain will be unbearable?” his tone was sickly sweet now, like a predator luring its prey into a trap. She clutched the photo tighter, gazing at it.

“I doubt you could understand the depth of grief, Dr. Crane, aside from clinically.”

He chuckled, crossing his arms across his chest, looking down at her. “I understand the fragility of the human will and mind. It’s an intricate process, so easy to shatter, but tedious to rebuild.”

With a shaky breath, she met his gaze. “Dr. Lecter asked me long ago who I saw in you that made me hate you so much. Who I compared you to in my mind. I didn’t know at the time. But I think I do now. I see myself. I see someone molded by the world's cruelty so they became the cruelty to ensure they never got hurt. The only difference is you got so lost in the act it no longer is an act, it became a part of you. You became the monsters you loathed.”

The chuckle that came from him made her tense, he placed his pointer finger against his lip, his head tilting. She felt like a specimen under scrutiny, something observed under a scope. An experiment he was watching unfold. The grin that spread across his face immediately made her sick.

“You think you see me, pet?”

His tone had grown darker. The name was like nails against a chalkboard. He leaned forward now, slowly, one hand on the arm of her chair, body caging her in.

His other hand reached forward, trailing a playful finger down her jaw, across her lips. She didn't know when she began shaking, but once she started, she couldn’t stop. Her initial reaction was to jerk away from his touch, but he was unfazed, immediately continuing his hands path. His long fingers wrapped around her neck, thumb pressed to her pulse point as if timing the moment her heart began to speed at the contact. Her breathing grew shallow, her body immediately recognizing him.

Then he began to tighten his grip, his thumb shifting down to press against the front of her throat. She choked back a cough and he pushed her back further into the chair. Her fingers instinctively reached up to curl around his wrist, fingernails digging desperately into his skin.

“You could never possibly hope to understand me. So try not to indulge such silly ideas, sweet girl.”

The air deflated from her lungs as his grip continued to close, her mouth open in a futile attempt to intake oxygen. She could feel the blood vessels in her eyes straining.

Her body involuntarily jerked and he gripped harder, yanking her up and shoving her onto his desk. Her legs now on either side of his hips, her back pressed painfully against the wood.

His hips dug into hers and she could feel his bulge through his pants. She gagged, body desperately jerking and fighting..

No, not again. Not again.

“P-pl-please,” she barely got the word out, her voice nothing more than a whisper.

Crane’s smile widened, satisfaction filling his eyes as he continued his relentless hold. The hand that wasn’t choking her slid up her shin, gripping her thigh to yank her closer to the edge of the desk. Pressed even closer to him. Her fingernails dug deeper into his wrist, small beads of blood dripping down onto her uniform. He barely noticed and it somehow made it all worse. He could bleed, but he was far from human.

He leaned closer, his voice dripping with mockery. “What’s that? I didn’t hear you. Say it again. Beg me to stop.”

Black spots were dancing in her vision, her lungs were on fire, her throat felt like it would crush under his hold. He loosened the pressure, just enough for her to take one greedy lungful of air before his cruel grip returned. She didn’t speak, couldn’t again.

He leaned down, his lips close to her ear, she could feel his breath against her skin. “Beg, like the desperate little thing you’ve become.”

“P-please,” tears were streaming down her cheeks now. “S-stop. No . . . no . . . mo . . . re”

“This,” his grip tightened, squeezing until she could feel her chest heave for air, desperate and frantic, “this is the reality, sweetheart. You don’t get to choose anymore.” his fingers dipping into her waistband, skin to skin.

She jerked again, eyes rolling back.

“Does this remind you of the other night?” he whispered, his voice now like honey, sickly sweet.

It did. HIs weight was suffocating, the smell of him overwhelming. She was unraveling all over again. He was violating her in an endless cycle that had her body clenching up trying to protect itself.

“You’ve been asking for this since the day you arrived here. I enjoy seeing you scream and fight for something that is beyond your grasp, when you crumble from realizing there is no hope and you are powerless, it’s quite intoxicating. In all honesty, I think you like the attention.”

She tried to shake her head. She could see dark spots dancing across her vision. Her body beginning to give in, to go slack. He released her and her body dropped fully onto the desk, painfully.

She was coughing violently, gasping for air like she'd never before, her lungs and throat burned.

He was still pressed to her, his arm reached over to pluck the picture of her brother she still desperately gripped in her hand.

She sobbed then, a raw gutteral cry that made her stomach and chest ache.

“Understand something. In a day and half you will no longer have anyone or anything. It'll be best if you learn to behave now, lose that bite. Or I'll entertain the idea of putting a collar on you.”

“Fuck you!” she screamed, her voice hoarse, cracking on the last syllable.

He slapped her, hard enough to send the message. Then his forefinger and thumb gripped her chin, forcing her gaze to meet his.

“Now, be good. Or I’ll inject your femoral artery with my own compound. You’ll lose motor function in thirty seconds. Bladder control in ten. And then I’ll ask if the fear you feel is the same as what you felt when you found your useless excuse of a brother, or if it's closer to what you felt slitting your wrists open.” She couldn't stop the immediate sinking feeling of fear. He'd do it and she knew he would.

He held the photo up in her face before crumpling it in his palm.

He was off of her as if nothing had happened, easing back into his chair.

“Kneel.”

Bile rose in her throat. She leaned frozen for a few seconds, fighting against the desire to throw something at him.

"Don't make me tell you again."

She eased herself off the desk, knees shaking, head spinning. Slowly she dropped to her knees. Her body caught between compliance and fear.

His tapped his pointer finger against his knee once, a twitch of his mouth like he was trying not to smile.

“Crawl.” her stomach dropped at how degrading it all felt. Her cheeks burned in embarrassment. She slid her palms to the floor, eyes cast down and crawled towards him. The floor cold on her hands, hard on her knees. Every shift made her want to curl up and disappear.

He hummed in approval. “You sought control through self-inflicted pain. Soon enough you'll learn to crave the pain inflicted by me. You'll beg, not for it to end. But for it to continue.” he reached down, cupping her chin.

“You’ll be an obedient wanton thing by the time I’m done with you.”

She choked back another sob and he smirked, thumb brushing against her cheek to catch a stray tear.

“Now, sit up on your knees. We aren't done yet.”

[fandomworldofdreams]

Please oh please will you write more The Prophecy/Gabriel x reader fics. There's only one in existence and it's yours. My little goth, goblin brain is so obsessed with Christopher Walken's unhinged depiction of the angel. Perhaps something rough, angsty, scary, kinky, or whatever you decide. I just need more 😭

Thank you so much for the requests for more Gabriel content! I love writing for him. This is sorta a second part to my previous x reader. I hope you enjoy it 😊

It had been two years since that night you met Gabriel. You lived to tell the tale, which surprised you even after Lucifer ripped out Gabriel's heart and saved the day.

What a plot twist.

That was the first night you heard God's voice. It was not your time to go.

So you took up being a prophet.

Not the most high-end, but it saves the day here and there.

You started having nightmares about hell and heaven. Something was coming, and you had no clue what.

That was until he showed up again.

The moon was still out when you slowly opened your eyes, taking in the darkness of the room. Rain rattled against the window. The moons ray and flashes of thunder allowed a small bit of light. Enough light for you to make out a figure crouched on top your dresser.

"Hi!" He exclaimed enthusiastically. "Long time, no see Y/N. Nice hair."

You reached for the side lamp, filling the room with light, glancing at your messy hair in the mirror and scowling.

"How did you get out of hell?" You asked. He shrugged.

"Luci wasn't a fan of my company. That's alright though, I have your company now and we are back in business. You're gonna help me take on Heaven and God."

"Leave, Gabriel," you said with power in your tone.

He leaned back a moment before chuckling.

"Come on! It'll be like old times. Except this time instead of tearing apart a kid we're ripping a Nephilim out of a womans womb."

You cast your gaze downward and he rose, hopping off the dresser. He walked towards you, towering over your frame.

"You already know." He looked into your eyes and you slightly nodded.

"So tell me, prophet, who is she and where do I find her?"

"No."

"No?"

You slid from under the covers, stepping closer to him.

"No. You have nothing to threaten me with. Kill me, I'll happily accept death. Or don't, I'm still digging this future seeing shit. I will not help you again. You got your ass handed to you last time, when will you learn?"

His face darkened.

He closed in on you, you backed up hitting the wall.

"Oh, doll, I have infinite things to threaten you with. The torture I could put you through that caused countless men to whimper and beg before me. You're no different."

"Obviously I am or you wouldn't have scouted me out instead of just finding a different monkey," you countered. "I'm not close to death anymore, you're going off your normal script."

He grabbed you by the collar and tossed you over the bed, you hit the wall with a thud, falling in pain.

"You all think you're so special," he boomed. "Just because you're his favourite."

"Spare me the sibling jealousy," you hissed, pulling yourself up. "Not interested in the sob story of a spoiled angel." You grabbed the side table lamp and threw it right at him, he blocked it with his arm and continued walking towards you.

You fell onto the bed and want to jump off but he slammed you back against it, looming over you, forcing your wrists next to your head.

His knees straddled your waist as he pushed you down, looking at you with eyes that could kill.

"What makes you so special?" He growled, anger shining in his gaze.

"I suppose a soul would be the answer. But other than that, absolutely nothing. He does speak to you, Gabriel. You just don't listen." You said through gritted teeth.

"I sang the first hymn and the stars were born," he mumbled to himself, releasing you. You scooted away from him as he went to sit in the armchair in the corner of your room.

You hated to admit it, but you had begun to pity him during your previous time together. Everyone made angels out to be pure beings, but they were warriors, soaked in centuries worth of blood and violence. Sworn to protect lesser beings.

He raised his hand to you, motioning you to him. You hesitated, slipping off the bed and taking cautious steps towards him.

"Come here." He patted his knee. You could feel your heart rate quicken as you obeyed, putting your full weight on his right knee. A blush adorned your cheeks and you had trouble keeping eye contact.

Something flickered in his gaze. "How about a deal, darling? Your kind finds those entertaining from my understanding."

"What kind of deal?" You asked, uncertainty laced your voice.

"If I can make you say you'll help me, then that's it. You belong to me. No more of this back and forth uselessness that does nothing but waste my time."

"You mean force me to say it? With your angel mojo?"

He chuckled. "No, I have something else in mind. Just lay on the bed."

You stood and walked back to the bed, sitting on the edge. The way he stood, stepping towards you like a predator sizing up its prey sent goosebumps down your spine.

"You'd have thought after all this time you'd learn to listen properly." He pressed his hand flat against your chest, pushing you onto your back, your legs dangling off the bed.

You let out a surprised sound, looking up at him with wide eyes.

"The more I know about humans, the less I understand. They beg for their lives, or beg to die." His hand trailed from your collarbone down the front of your nightdress. "Driven by greed, hubris, anger."

"is that not what you're driven by?" Your voice shook slightly as his hand halted under your naval.

"Hardly, I'm sentimental. I want things back the way they were before your kind came into the picture."

His fingers kept exploring, gently tracing down your thighs. "When I was in Hell I had a lot of time to think. Think about how to improve. But the strangest thing happened, I kept thinking of you."

"Me?! I was just a pawn in your scheme, why think twice?" He looked like he wanted to know the same thing.

His hand finally reached the hem of your nightdress, slipping under to feel your flesh. Your chest rose and fell rapidly as he pushed the material up.

"Gabriel, what are you doing? Why?"

Your words seemed to amuse him.

"From now til kingdom come the only thing you can count on in your existence is never understanding why."

There his fingers were, running along your clothed clit. Your body jolted at the friction. This was not about to happen.

"You're lonely, Y/N. You were lonely when we met and nothing has changed. If anything, being a prophet has made you more lonely. You're probably one of the most pathetic humans I've met."

You couldn't hold back the laugh that burst out. "You calling me pathetic? I needed a good laugh. Who's the angel that went to hell? Who's the one trying so hard to get attention from 'daddy'?"

His hand wrapped around your throat before you could say more. You couldn't suppress the light moan as his hand squeezed. He tilted his head in curiosity.

"You say you hate humans, yet every time you show up here, you find your way to one."

"You say you hate me, yet your arousal is telling me differently. I could smell it from a mile away."

"Fuck you," you hissed.

"Watch your profanity," he scolded.

Within seconds your clothes were ripped off. The hand gripping your neck moved to pin your wrists above your head.

"You could have just went to find someone else," you breathed.

He shrugged. "I could have. But how could I deny myself my favorite pet? Besides, I can't drive." His finger pushed down on your bud, moving in circular motions. "I didn't feel like going through the tears of another monkey. You know how I hate the crying."

"None of this is making me want to help you."

This time you suppressed the moan that threatened to escape. He slipped his pointer finger into you and you felt all inhibitions flying out the window.

You looked down to see his bulge. "I- thought -angels couldn't-ah!" He slipped another finger in, curling it causing your back to arch.

"I am a divine being, Y/N. You can't begin to comprehend in that silly head of yours what I am and what I can do."

He knew lust was a motivator to humans, it could bring the stubborn ones to their knees. There was little to nothing he enjoyed more than putting humans in their place.

He'd rebelled, been to hell, now he was going to take advantage of a human. Perhaps he had lost his way. But he wanted to know. He needed to know. Above all else he felt a need to claim you.

Besides, you were the only human who hadn't annoyed him with crying.

He reached for his belt buckle, sliding it off and tying it around your wrists. You watched with intrigued eyes as he pulled himself free. You tried not to grow nervous at the size of him.

"Gabriel, we can't do this."

He lined his tip up with your entrance, sliding it along your slit to collect your arousal. He watched in amusement as you closed your eyes, scrunching your face as if bracing.

But he needed you to agree to help him.

So he pushed himself in agonizingly slow. You cried out at the feeling. He was only halfway inside you when he stopped, just looking down at you.

He admired the flush of your cheeks.

Then he let loose.

He slammed hard and deep into you, filling you up completely. The noise you released was half scream half moan because you felt him in your cervix.

"Aren't-aren't you trying to k-kill a woman f-for doing something like this?"

"As long as you don't end up with an abomination, we'll be fine." His words bred fear into your blood.

He was moving in and out of you. There was something awe inspiring about seeing a divine being losing his composure, if only in the way his expressions betrayed his composure. Someone always so composed now with messy hair and a needy expression.

He wasn't wrong, you had been lonely. So when you felt that familiar feeling build up in your stomach that only you had been able to bring about you were all but begging.

"Fuck! Gabriel, don't stop!"

As if your words triggered something, he stopped all together, fully buried inside of you, gazing at you with those calculated and cruel eyes. You whined at the throbbing in your core.

"Say you'll help me, Y/N."

Something about hearing your name in the moment had you roll your hips and arch your back to try and get some relief.

"You are wicked, Gabriel," you gasped.

He laughed, pulling out and slamming hard into you once again. He leaned forward to whisper in your ear.

"Say you'll help me, beg me. Beg me to allow you release."

Tears brimmed your eyes, all you wanted was release. Perhaps it was the arousal or perhaps you had secretly missed him.

"I'll help you Gabriel. So please fuck me."

He hummed, looking down at you with that same face that made you want to smack him. He gripped your knees, moving them further up against your chest.

"Repeat that last part, I'm eons old, my hearing must be leaving me."

"For the love of everything, please fuck me Gabriel!"

A self-satisfied grin spread across his face and he once again let loose.

The room was filled with skin slapping against skin and both your moans.

"Fuck!" You yelled as you dug your nails into his back, feeling your orgasm creeping in.

"Who do you belong to, doll?" His voice was strained.

You looked deep into his eyes and saw the same loneliness that had plagued you for years.

"You," you whispered. He moved his hand and gripped your throat tightly.

"Who?" He growled.

"You, Gabriel!"

You saw stars, a feeling of pure euphoria washed over you as you came.

He followed, not pulling out and you only hoped it wouldn't result in him having to rip a nephilim out of you.

You were breathing heavily as he put himself away.

"You have an hour, then we hit the road, doll face."

#Spotify

[fandomworldofdreams]

Hospital For Souls

"Pay no mind what other voices say. They don't care about you.

Like I do. Safe from pain and truth and choice and other poison devils. See they don't give a fuck about you. Like I do

Just stay with me. Safe and ignorant"

-A Perfect Circle

Previous: Prologue - CHP17

Warnings: drugging

Chapter XVIII: Pet

Valeria felt like a broken record on constant repeat. The same woeful story, hardened shell, and decaying body. She wondered what they saw in her. All she saw in herself was a nuisance, a hopeless cause. She supposed her bitterness and anger amused them, at the very least.

She was growing weary of resisting them any longer. They wanted to break her and damn it was working.

She couldn't get clean enough, no matter how many times she's washed herself. She'd scrubbed til her skin was raw. She felt disgusting.

The rec room was like viewing a reality show. Valeria was a spectator to the characters who all awaited the same foreseeable fate. She was no exception.

There was something truly sickening and dehumanizing about being physically violated. She'd thought the mental abuse had been the peak of suffering, she was ignorantly wrong. Believing the body was nothing more than a shell for a soul, it was a home for it. Once that had been desecrated. Any sense of safety was gone.

Valeria’s mind was vacant of any meaningful thoughts besides death.

Perhaps that was how she was meant to feel forever, that was her punishment.

She had no memory after the assault, how her clothes got back on, how or when she returned to her cell, and most importantly, what kind of information she had disclosed to them in her moments of mindless obedience.

She wished deep down that Dr. Lecter had extended the kindness of wiping her mind of the rape all together. But she knew it was a reminder, that there were no lines or limits to what they were capable of, the things they could and would do just for the amusement of it all.

She saw the table where Sebastian and Jane sat, deep in conversation, unaware of her presence.

Unaware of the knowledge Valeria may have ruined their only chances of escaping this place.

The way Dr. Crane looked while raping her could not leave her mind. The image was burned into her memory, his face continuously flashed before her eyes, sending her into a panicked dissociative state.

She couldn't muster the will to move towards them, her feet were cemented to the floor. She hated the thought of having to look them in the eyes after betraying them. The guilt she felt was suffocating. A lump in her throat that threatened to choke her or make her vomit.

A hand rested on her lower back, she immediately flinched. Her whole body tightened and relaxed. A feeling of warmth spread through her body, one that seemed to stir from her subconscious. The unknown sense of peace made her mind begin to spiral and panic. She found herself leaning into Dr. Lecter. Even if he was the last person in this world she wanted comfort from, she craved any type. She knew she could technically go to Teddy, Sebastian, or Jane for comfort, but what risk would that bring to them?

"Why haven't you sat down, dear?" His hand rubbed small circles, idly tapping his fingers in a soft rhythm that sent chills up her spine.

She shook her head, "can't" was all she could push out. The room was spinning, the feeling of tranquility was gone, overcome by an immediate sense of danger.

"You remember our discussion? "

She didn't respond, bile got caught in her throat. He pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear and leaned closer. "Their fates rest on you. You are enduring, I'm sure you will do fine."

"This is cruel," she whispered.

"Cruel?" His lip twitched upward. "Human emotions are a gift from our animal ancestors. Cruelty is a gift humanity has given itself."

"Do you have the receipt?"

He chuckled, removing his hand from her back.

His aura was gone, she could've whined from the lack of contact and yet sighed at the relief. Her feet moved automatically, her mind far away.

When she took her seat at the table all eyes turned to her.

"Holy shit-" Seb breathed, his face falling. "You look horrible."

She imagined she did, her body was constantly in survival mode and it was beginning to take a heavy toll.

"Flattery will do you both no good," she teased, smiling as best she could, but it didn't stretch too far.

"Are you okay?" Jane's tone was soft, and Valeria almost sneered at how genuine it sounded.

She didn't deserve their concern. She nodded, absent-mindedly. “As okay as can be expected.”

"Look, we don't wanna give you too much info in case Lecter decides to scramble that brain again," Seb said, glancing both ways and leaning closer. "It happens tomorrow."

These words did not bring her solace like she had hoped when hearing those words. She didn't even feel dread, just a sense of urgency.

Her leg began bouncing up and down under the table, she intertwined her fingers on the table.

"Okay."

They looked at her confused. "Valeria . . . We're gonna be free."

"I heard you, Freedom." she said. Free, the word sounded sour on her tongue. She wondered if true freedom was even achievable. One was never truly free, perhaps there was room for free will. But there would always be bills to pay, past decisions to haunt you, and people to engage with. No, she would never truly be free.

Sebastian reached across the table to grasp her hand. She winced, but he didn't pull back. Instead, his gaze softened.

"What happened to you?" Her mouth grew dry and her body started shaking.

"I think I just need some more rest. I haven’t been sleeping well.."

She watched the way their faces fell at her words, seeing through the lie. “You know you can talk to us, we're here for you,” Jane said. “How have their sessions been? Have they gotten worse?” “They’ve been fine, nothing out of the usual.” The lie almost sounded fully convincing. Then, she watched as both their bodies stiffened, faces going hard. She sensed the shift in the energy.

Someone was behind her, a hand now placed on her shoulder.

This presence did not bring an alluring warmth, but a chilling cold that had her stomach spinning. Instead of reacting, her body froze completely. Hoping he wouldn’t acknowledge her.

"Good evening," Dr. Crane's voice was lighter than usual, almost upbeat.

Her body felt far away from her mind.

His fingers dug painfully into her shoulder. At the silent command she quickly pulled away from Sebastian's hand, placing her palms in her lap.

Submission.

"Crane," Seb replied, an edge to his tone. "To what do we owe the honor?"

"I'm just making rounds around the room, checking on everyone."

They were making it increasingly hard to act normal. Perhaps that was their goal, see how far she was willing to go. How well she could keep a secret.

"I had no idea you were so magnanimous," Valeria replied. She could feel Crane's gaze burn a hole in her head. She couldn't bring herself to meet it.

"I have my moments."

"What a pleasant surprise," she retorted, bitterly.

"I must admit, I am also here to see Ms. Lockwood and Mr. Cedar. I need to have a moment with them in my office."

Both of their faces turned to shock. Valeria felt her jaw tighten painfully, What game was he playing now?

"If you both would," he gestured behind him as two guards appeared to lead them out.

She looked back as they left, worry evident on their faces.

Crane, who was still standing beside her, moved his hand from her shoulder to brush against her throat.

She stopped breathing. He didn't say a word though, merely gazed at her reaction with satisfaction before following after her friends.

She watched the back of his head as he walked off after them, releasing a long shuddering breath..

She scanned the room for Teddy, but he was nowhere to be seen.

So, she was left alone with her thoughts and anxiety. Was he going to tell them he knew everything, revealing her betrayal? Each minute passed by agonizingly slowly. Before rec time was up though, Seb and Jane returned, looking flustered.

"What happened?" Valeria's voice was breathy. She was practically falling out of her seat with anticipation.

"They're releasing us," Jane said quietly.

Her ears started ringing. “What?”

“Crane says Dr. Lecter has put in a request for release, That he finds us both fit to return to society. Dr. Crane told us he agreed and has written us off as sane. We're supposed to be released in two days.”

Those fuckers.

“That’s great,” she said and she meant it..

“We’re still going through with the plan,” Sebastian said.

“They’ll come looking for you. You two have the chance to leave with all your freedom in fact,” Valeria's tone was calm. “You would both be stupid to continue with the plan.”

“We’re not leaving you,” Jane declared.

“Yes, you are.” she rose from her seat, taking a long look at them. “If you come for me tomorrow, I will not go. I will make a scene and then we'll all be stuck in this shit hole til we're killed. Don't come for me, leave me alone. I belong here and I understand that now. You two don’t. Besides, maybe you could fight this place from the outside, you’d have a much better chance of winning.”

“Yeah . . ,” Jane trailed off. “Maybe.”

It was a truly despicable feeling, the kind of feeling of worthlessness that led her to lash out and push people even further away. Her predisposed idea of abandonment she forced on everyone.

The knowledge that she was a piece of shit and deserved nothing good, she was a fucking disease that infected those she loved.

Even now, she had no idea why she had asked a guard to escort her to Dr. Lecter’s office.

She was a rabbit stepping back into a trap, simply existing and becoming prey.

He did not look surprised when she entered. He almost seemed to gaze at her approvingly.

“Why tell me to act normal and find out their plan if you just intended to discharge them?” She got straight to the point.

He leaned back in his office chair, his actions and expression reminded her of Crane, causing her to feel sick.

“I informed you, I intended to rebuild you. That means not having outside influence from others.”

“You’re going to release them?” She tried to keep her voice from cracking. “This isn't some trick or plan to kill them?”

He sucked in his lips, running his tongue along them. “No trick. They will be released. Unless they decide to go through with the escape plan, in that case, they will never see the light of outside again.”

“Put me back in solitary,” she pleaded.

He tilted his head. “Why, dove?”

“They won't escape without me. If I go away that ruins their plan and then they can be free.”

“I won't do that.”

“Why not?”

He pushed back so the chair was away from the desk and waved her over with a simple incline of his finger. Hesitantly, she approached him, legs slightly shaking. He patted his thigh.

She looked from the intimidation of it back to him, swallowing hard and sitting down so some of her weight was on the one knee. He lifted her and slid his other knee under her so her whole weight was on his lap and her face was pressed against his shoulder.

One hand gripped her waist, balancing her or trapping her, she wasn't sure. The other rested on her thigh.

His scent was different today, more bitter in comparison to his usual musk. The severity made her eyes water. Or maybe it was like seeing someone in a new light. The things that brought her comfort disappeared, overshadowed by harsh reality. The rose glasses were off and she was left standing as the fool.

“Decisions and choices must be made for this to play out appropriately,” he hummed. “I’m curious to see what will happen. I need to see choices they will make and what you'll do.”

“What I'll do?” she felt the vibrations from his voice against her cheek.

“Which course you’ll choose.”

“If I choose them will you kill me?” Hopeful, she was hopeful.

“No, not you.” a simple response. Yet it held so much threat within it. “Does that sadden you?”

“I don’t know..”

“Were you afraid when faced with death by your own hands?” She contemplated his question.

“I remember seeing all the blood. I think it was overwhelming, the fact I could make out the inside of my arm, I'd never seen so much blood. My heart was beating so loud it was driving me crazy. But I couldn't cover my ears, I couldn't even move. I remember sweat dripping down my forehead and then there was a ringing in my ears. I still hear that ringing sometimes, especially when Crane gives me that drug.”

“But what did you feel? Were you afraid?” His fingers had started dragging along her leg, though she was protected by fabric it did nothing to calm her as he moved higher up.

“Not towards the end,” she confessed. “It was almost peaceful, fulfilling oddly. Like I'd finally proved that I wasn't a fuck up.”

“In the beginning?”

“Terrified. All I could see in my mind was Lucian's dead body. The way his skin was purple, his pupils were so small. There was vomit all over him. I didn't want to die that violently. I wanted a quiet ending.”

“The same violent ending your mother faced?”

She paused, looking up at his eyes. “Yes.”

He reached up to stroke her cheek. “Death is a magnificent thing. Love and death are the great hinges on which all human sympathies turn.”

“Are you scared of death?”

“I've always found the idea of death comforting. The thought that my life could end at any moment frees me to fully appreciate the beauty and art and horror of everything this world has to offer.”

“I wish I could react as positively to the thought,” she whispered. “Instead it's a goal that clouds my mind everyday.”

“Perhaps that is what makes you different. Upon taking his own life, Socrates offered a rooster to the God of healing, Asclepius, to pay his debt. To Socrates, death was not a defeat, but a cure.”

“A cure for the disease of life . . .” Everything was beginning to click together in her head. “You believe because I faced death that I am more evolved than most?”

“Almost, you are still bound by your past blunders. Still too afraid to take the leap. I plan to change that.”

He was imitating God. Or, at least a God.

“You play with people's lives often, don't you?” He smiled, helping her stand to her feet, mirroring her.

“When the fox hears the rabbit screaming, he comes running, but not to help.”

He crossed the room towards the record player, moving the headshell to rest on the platter.

The vinyl came to life, spinning. Orchestral music filled the space, a mixture of strings.

“What are you doing?” her voice was a lifeless lull as she gazed at Dr. Lecter, who swayed to the record player.

“I'm dancing.” He held out his hand to her. She just looked at it.

“I don’t feel like dancing,” she said. Her words did not matter, he took one hand in his and brought it to clasp his shoulder, intertwining their other hands. She should have never opened up about how sentimental she was to dancing, they found a way of ruining it.

He started swaying, moving her body with the hand that gripped her waist,

“Dr. Crane once mentioned he administered his drug to someone who found it enlightening. That was you, wasn't it?”

“Yes. I saw things that opened up my eyes to my limitations. Do you not find the experience thrilling?”

“Not in the slightest, I live with these fears on a daily basis, why would I wish to experience them full fold?”

“Who’s the monster lurking in the shadows?”

Her heart thudded in her throat. “What do you mean?”

“Whenever you are under the effects of Dr. Crane's drug you see a figure lurking in the shadows. A monstrous form, if I'm correct.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. Afraid the mere mention of it would summon it.

“I don't know. I speculate it’s my manifestation of fear.”

“Better to fear something seen than something only in your mind,” he hummed.

Her heart was racing in her chest, his hand around her waist made her want to push away from him or burn the clothes he touched.

“You and him aren’t in my mind,” she whispered, staring at the wall. She felt lightheaded.

“You fear us?”

“More than anything. I am a victim of your torment.”

“It is easy to create a victim. You lock a person up in the dark and they begin to suffer. And you feed that suffering methodically, precisely to make it last. And then there is trauma and it opens those cracks. Through those cracks seep darkness, everyone has a different reaction to that though. Many people lose their way or become ruined in darkness, those who were born in it thrive best in its familiarity. The light is what truly destroys them, making them indifferent to their true nature.“

“Are you implying I am one of the lost?”

Darkness. She had never truly considered it a fear, it was more of a dislike. Perhaps that was why she clung to Emily, the sun to her pitch black world.

“You are the ladder. Since the moment you have stepped in here, you have shown a particular interest in the dark.” No, she had shown stubbornness and arrogance. “Even when faced with possible death you held a knife to the two of us, refusing to go down without a fight. Rather to go out on your own terms.”

It was getting hotter in the room and the familiar feeling of panic hit her.

“You drugged me again.” It was a statement, one that lacked any distress.

“What gave it away?”

“When don’t you.” He chuckled, pulling away from her to twirl her under his arm. The action made her head spin.

“It’s not a potent concoction, so do not fret.”

“When?” Not that it mattered anymore.

“Think.” She licked her lips, glancing around the room. She hadn’t eaten or drank anything. Nor did he spray her with anything.

“Your scent is different, you sprayed yourself with it.”

He must also feel the effects and not be bothered by it. Could she ever achieve that?

“You aren’t scared. Teach me.” That smile was back on his face, the one full of intrigue and mischief.

“Focus without reacting. You cannot hide from your fears, they are apart of you.”

She sighed, allowing him to lead her into a faster-paced waltz. The room before her was no longer his office but a large ballroom. The one from her college with a large chandelier in the center.

Gone were her asylum clothes, replaced by a gown that had slits at the thighs, allowing her legs to peek through the fabric. The bodice was adjourned with green jewels. The pieces of fabric for sleeves drooped off her shoulders and the front of the dress plummeted down her front.

She was immediately uncomfortable, feeling too exposed. She turned to Dr. Lecter, but he was gone. She gazed at the faces around her, spinning frantically.

The notes from the orchestra filling the room with its sweet and calming sound. “Are you looking for me?” Dr. Lecter’s voice was in her ear.

She couldn’t talk, instead, she nodded.

“Are we alone?” He asked, unaware to what scene her mind had created. She shook her head.

“No, there’s so many people. They’re watching us. You said this wasn’t potent.”

He hummed, sliding a hand up her hip to cup her waist, his other hand trailed down the length of her arm, raising it to the side as he led her forward.

“What are you doing?”

"Where are we?" He ignored her question.

"The ballroom at my old college."

"We're at a party i presume?"

"Yes."

“Are they real, Valeria?”

They felt real, it all felt real. Even the way the fabric of the dress rubbed against her skin painfully.

“No?”

“Then why allow it to change what we’re doing?“

He spun her around to face him. She gasped, backing away. He was in an impeccable suit, but his eyes were pitch black, and antlers protruded from his skull. He tilted his head.

She was afraid, but she allowed him to take her hands once again and sweep her to the dance floor. A burning spotlight was on them as she struggled to not focus on his appearance or on the growing crowd.

She allowed the music to consume her, invade her. She let the movements flow through her body effortlessly, allowing him to lead her further. She leaned her body from him, reaching her hand towards the crowd, an extension of him. He kept a strong grip on her hand.

As she gazed at the monstrous figures in the crowd she returned to him, relaxing enough to lean into him as he dipped her.

The high notes of the strings turned dark, no longer a light quick beat but a deep sorrowful one.

“When you allow yourself to surrender you are acknowledging your power and lack of simultaneously,” his voice sounded like nails against a chalkboard. “When walking away from experiencing death our limits are broadened. A sense of invincibility and raw mortality send our nervous system into shock. It is a feeling beyond any other.”

Time held no meaning here, neither did wrong or right. It was all about survival, adrenal, a never ending high.

Dr. Lecter never missed a beat, following evenly with the tempo. His hands brushed against her skin, following the pattern of her body like a lover would. Each touch sent electric shocks through her body.

He raised his arm to spin her. One spin turned into two, then three. By the sixth she was too dizzy to balance.

But he was gone.

She was left alone under the spotlight, staring into the darkness that had consumed the crowd.

She fell to her knees, that feeling of bliss quickly dispelled.

She understood with some sickening clarity. She was afraid to be alone. Yet she clung to loneliness like a lifejacket, keeping her afloat in a storm of her own making.

She couldn't keep herself up anymore, falling further into the floor.

The spotlight disappeared.

The dance ended.

She wheezed, jolting up in bed. Her heart thudded in her ears, sweat trickling down her body, making her clothes cling to her.

She was shaking so hard she slid down to the cool floor to try and stabilize herself.

She had hoped for some peace finally. To wallow in silence, but like everything else in this hell hole, that didn't work out.

Her cell shut and Teddy took a seat on the bed.

“I may want to give you space and respect you. But you don't react to that, so I'm not leaving until you tell me what the hell's going on.”

“Sebastian and Jane are being released in two days,” the words tasted bitter on her tongue and she hated herself for feeling resentment.

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Valeria, take a moment and really think of that. Do you genuinely believe they plan to release them? Let them free to possibly tell people what's going on here?”

“It’s a suicidal person's word against theirs,” she said.

“Okay, let me rephrase,” he said softer. “Do you truly believe after the trouble they have caused the vengeful Dr. Crane, that they will truly be free? That Dr. Lecter doesn't believe when they leave they will fight to get you out of here.”

She broke then, a damn being blasted open. All the tears came pouring out and she buried her head in her arms, shaking uncontrollably.

“Hey, it's okay,” he said, placing his hand on her shoulder. She flinched away, cowering.

“Don’t touch me!”

She hated the fear in her voice, the weakness she showed him. How pathetic she felt.

She hated the way his gaze softened, like he could see right through her. Loathed the hint of pity that passed across his face.

She tried desperately to regain control, fix her slip up, but she was so tired.

"Even if it's a small chance,” she whispered. “We wait for their release. Two days. I can wait that long. You want to get me out, wait until they've been released. Assure me you'll be there to make sure they are released.”

“Too much can happen in two days,” he said. She acknowledged the concern.

“It’s the only plan I’ll agree to.” He nodded.

“Okay, two days. Then we're getting a damn burger and sleeping for a week.”

[fandomworldofdreams]

Hospital For Souls

"Baby, I wanna touch you. I wanna breathe into your well. See, I gotta hunt you. I gotta bring you to my hell. Baby, I wanna fuck you. I wanna feel you in my bones. Honey, I wanna break you. I wanna throw you to the hounds. Yeah, I gotta hurt you. I gotta hear it from your mouth. I wanna taste you. I wanna skin you with my tongue. I'm gonna kill you. I'm gonna lay you in the ground."

-Meg Myers

Previous: Prologue, CHP1, CHP2, CHP3, CHP4, CHP5, CHP6, CHP7, CHP8, CHP9, CHP10, CHP11, CHP12, CHP13, CHP14, CHP15, CHP16

Warnings: RAPE, water boarding, drugging, physical violence, and some gore

Chapter XVII: Desire

Valeria had no idea where she was. All she knew was the floor she awoke on was cold and hard as fuck.

Opening her eyes groggily, she was met with an endless void. A vast display of darkness that seemed to have no end.

She tried her best to remember how she ended up here, but her head was still fuzzy. Everything in her mind blurred together causing a wave of nausea. Sitting up, she winced against the pain that shot through her head. A loud pounding and sharp pain that threatened to shatter her skull. Her neck ached from laying on the floor.

She had a feeling she wasn’t alone in this unknown place. She could sense another presence in the area. It was that feeling of being watched, the chill up her spine that set her nerves on edge. Her gut twisted in knots.

With shaky legs, she pushed off the ground to stand, a dizzy spell washing over her. Her ears strained to hear anything, but all that she could make out was a soft ringing.

Stretching out her hands in front of her, she took a step to each side, hands reaching for a surface. All she found was more empty space.

Tapping her foot out in front of her, she hoped eventually to find a wall and light switch.

A thud to her left had her whirling around, her whole body facing the noise, almost losing balance.

Don't be a cliche horror movie character, she told herself.

There was another sound. This time to her right and much louder. She jumped, her heart pounding faster.

“Who’s there?” she shouted, voice only slightly shaking.

Fuck, well that failed.

Something touched her arm.

A small caress, like a feather against her skin that had her hairs sticking up.

She yelped, turning to kick the spot and hopefully the offender. Her foot whooshed through the air and she lost her footing, falling to the ground. She scurried back, her tailbone vibrating from the impact.

She was terrified. She turned over on her hands and knees when she heard a faint click ring in the air.

She froze in fear. Her mind spirals with different theories.

The belt, the sound of it hitting her skin. Her back stung in pain at the memory. She couldn't do it again, her body would break if she did. Her mind would shatter this time.

Maybe it was a gun, someone finally coming to offer her a way out. Finally giving her mercy.

But it was neither. The hum of a string instrument reverberated off the walls, closing in on her.

The music increased in volume, then a voice that sounded misleadingly pleasant began a tune.

On the farm, ev'ry Friday

On the farm, it's rabbit pie day

So ev'ry Friday that ever comes along

I get up early and sing this little song.

“This is exactly what would happen in a horror movie,” she wheezed. Once again pushing herself up to stand, she crossed her arms. Gripping onto herself like there was a protection blanket.

Overstimulating her ears, the music was louder than ever.

Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run

Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run

Bang, bang, bang, bang goes the farmer's gun

Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run, run

Panic sank in, filling her body with a sense of urgency and fear. Her breathing became short and rapid.

“Come out you fucking coward!” she screamed into the darkness.

Footsteps, loud heavy footsteps hurrying towards her. Somehow overpowering the music.

She resisted the urge to try and fight the person, instead she began running.

Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run

Don't give the farmer his fun, fun, fun

He'll get by without his rabbit pie

So run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run

It wasn't that many steps before she ran right into a wall, smacking her head and barely managing to lean against it instead of crashing backwards.

The footsteps were on her and she couldn't help the scream that she released.

Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run

Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run

Bang, bang, bang, bang goes the farmer's gun

Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run, run

Whoever it was was behind her.

She felt breath against her neck and a warmth. She spun around to face the unseen force in the darkness.

She attempted to even her breathing, trying not to panic too much.

“W-who are you?”

Click

A faint glowing light illuminated from the lighter's fire. She dared glance up.

The mask was burlap, resembling a scarecrow.

But the eyes . . .

The deep chuckle was all she needed to hear for realization to strike her.

Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run

Don't give the farmer his fun, fun, fun

He'll get by without his rabbit pie

So run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run

“Dr. Crane, please don't do this.”

The song reached its end, when she was sure no song was coming after she felt a small part of her dread dissipate.

“Are you afraid of the dark?” His voice was gravelly. He leaned closer, the flame casting haunting shadows across his face and radiating heat towards hers. She shook her head.

“No.”

“Pity.”

He flipped the lighter closed, succumbing them to the darkness once again.

His hand came in contact with her face and she jumped. He caressed her cheek, wiping away a tear. She wondered if he could see her in this darkness. She couldn't even see his silhouette, he blended in, as if he was the darkness.

Just like the Boogeyman.

“My sweet Eria.” Her brain went into a state of hysteria at the nickname her parents gave her coming from his lips.

She threw her body to the side, away from him on the floor and started crawling on her hands and knees quickly.

“No, no, this won't end here.”

A bright, blinding light filled the room, making her flinch.

"Fuck," she moaned, her head pounding.

The light was too bright, her eyes burned as she strained to open them.

She was able to crawl far enough to feel a wall and stand on her feet. She squinted against the pain, trying to see where she was.

She stumbled forward, everything was spinning around her, what little she could see was obscured by dark shadows dancing in her vision.

"Valeria," a voice drawled, their tone far too soft. She swirled, trying to pinpoint its location, moving further into the room.

Footsteps again, that's the only thing she could hear. Every other sense is stripped of its usefulness. Her sight was completely overcome by the light. A cruel contrast to the previous darkness.

There was smoke in the air. Smoke that had her inhaling and immediately coughing. Her lungs ached from the assault, eyes teared up.

“My dear, what has you so frightened?” His voice was closer.

She could make out his steps. Softer taps now. He was circling her slowly, reaching out a hand to play with her hair, running his fingers across her skin. He was moving too fast for her mind to keep up with, she felt like was going to puke.

"Don't touch me," she whined, shrinking away from him. His touch felt venomous, like an electric shock through her system.

"My, my, look at you," his lips pressed against her ear. She could feel his breath through the mask brushing her hair and neck, sending goosebumps down her spine. The scratchy material of the mask pressed to her skin, "so reactive by just my mere touch."

He placed his hand on her shoulder, fingers trailing over her collarbone to engulf her neck with his hand. He pulled her against him, her back pressed to his chest. She could feel his warmth against her body.

"It makes me want to ruin you entirely."

"You taste exquisite, I cannot wait to devour all of you."

Her head fell back against him, too heavy to hold up. Too tired of fighting.

She tried to ignore the repulsion that surfaced in her with his touch.

“What happens now?” she asked bitterly.

“That is arbitrary, as of now," her eyes squinted at the figure approaching them.

His body a shadow outlined by the light. An aura of bright colors.

Dr. Lecter stopped before her, reaching out his hand to caress her cheek, much like Crane had done.

“Entirely dependent on your actions, my dear.”

Crane's fingers still circled her throat like a collar, controlling her movement.

“What do you want from me?”

“Honesty,” Lecter said. That word sounded abhorrent coming from his lips. She would have laughed, considering that was the first thing Crane ever asked of her with their deal.

“About what?”

“How did you find out about my involvement?” Lecter asked. She forced her face into one of confusion.

“You told me in the office. I had no idea you-”

Crane's grip on her throat tightened, cutting off her sentence. She gagged, her hands immediately reached for his wrist.

“You were wary of me even when you entered my office. I saw your hesitation and guard. Do not believe me ignorant. You were on edge, I could smell the fear.”

Crane's grip loosened enough for her to answer.

“I remembered the mushrooms and you throwing me in the room and blaming it on Dr. Crane. I remembered it.”

Mix the truth with a lie.

He gazed at her, weighing her words.

“You recovered this memory before our session?” She licked her dry lips, nodding.

“So it had nothing to do with the camera I found in my office?” Crane's strident voice asked.

She froze, unable to breathe. “No, I-I don't know anything about-”

His grip tightened again, a whimper escaping her.

“I was truly hoping you would not lie to us,” Lecter said, lips pressed together.

“As you have done to me?”

A playfulness entered his aura. “Valeria-”

She was fast.

Elbowing Crane in the stomach he lost his grip on her.

Run rabbit, run.

Her body reacted from pure instinct, hardly feeling their hands reaching out for her, missing by an inch.

She ran.

Adrenaline and fear pumping through her veins. Her feet carried her numbly. It took all the strength and focus she could muster to keep from toppling over or running into a wall.

Her mind was locked in, focused on the severity of the situation. Shadows danced on the walls, taunting her.

The bright light stretched only so far before she relied on flickering fluorescent lights to guide her path.

Whatever she was drugged with had not fully hit her yet, but that didn't mean she wasn't feeling it.

Her perception was utterly fucked. She was struggling to decipher how far and wide a turn was. Whether the hallway was straight or zigzagging.

Left, right, wall, left. She tried a few doors, all locked.

Hallway after hallway, turn after turn. It was like a maze.

Her stomach turned at the thought. The realization that this asylum was a haunted one. The walls screamed and bled with memories of the past and current terrors that occured within it. Tortured souls with nowhere to go, trapped.

She wondered how many had suffered at the hands of Crane and Lecter.

They knew the layout and environment, she didn't. These halls were unfamiliar to her. She was at a severe disadvantage.

Not to mention she was very out of shape.

She had to find a way to hide, or even a weapon to fight back if she stood a chance at all.

Her lungs burned, straining against each breath. She could hear her heart thudding in her ears.

She came to a door and desperately turned the handle.

Click

She could've cried at the relief that washed over her. She slipped in the room and gently closed the door, locking it.

Leaned her back against the wood surface she on catching her breath and not making too much noise.

The room was disgusting, under better circumstances she would have gagged.

The walls were lined with dirt, a singular hospital bed was in the center with clean sheets. A counter along with cupboards along the wall and floor. Finally, a metal tray stand was next to the bed.

She rushed to the cupboards, throwing them open in hopes of finding something.

Dust, grime, a stethoscope and gauzes was all she found. When she threw open the final cupboard she sighed at the sight of a knife.

A single knife, free of dust.

“One knife against two psychopaths,” she muttered. “Great odds.”

The door handle wiggled.

She pulled open the lower cupboard and crawled in, squeezing her body to close the door all but a crack, allowing her to peek into the room.

She focused on quieting her breathing more.

The door handle turned with a click, opening. No doubt a key was used.

Her knuckles turned white at how tight her grip was on the knife handle. She held her breath, afraid to even blink.

”They’re gonna get you, they're gonna get you!”

She hardly suppressed the way her limbs jolted at the sudden voice right beside her. A shrill female one that felt like nails against her brain.

A grotesque girl was somehow in the cupboard with her, dirt and blood stained her skin. Her face is a gnarled mess with pieces of skin hanging on loosely.

”When they get you, they're gonna rip you limb from limb!” she squealed.

Valeria couldn't see ghosts, that much she was sure of. Her mother had that gift, not her.

Despite her panic she couldn't see an aura of the girl beside her, nor could she feel any energy.

He had given her fear toxin.

She clenched her eyes shut.

It's not real, it's not real.

She opened her eyes. The girl was gone, sighing in relief she turned her attention back to the real monsters.

She could tell by their walk who was who. Lecter's steps were light, barely audible and cautious. Crane had a more arrogant walk, a waltz of his legs.

“Valeria, come out, child.” Crane's voice filled the room as he began walking around. It was less muffled, probably meaning he wasn't wearing the mask anymore. “We aren't going to hurt you.” He chuckled at his own lie.

Her body was shaking, especially her ankles which supported her crouched form, ready to react.

“Valeria, you have five seconds to come out,” Lecter announced. “Cease these meaningless antics, you know very well we will always find you.”

She almost considered it.

“Don’t make me punish you, dear one.”

This was already torture enough.

“Five.”

Crane threw off the sheets to the be. He crouched down to look under the bed.

She gulped as tears started streaming down her face.

“Four.” There was no irritation in Lecter's voice as he counted, quite contrary. He sounded almost pleased with the turn of events.

He was a puppeteer, she realized. He enjoyed mystifying people and using his strings to control them.

He shut the door, glancing behind it.

“Three.”

Crane kicked the metal tray, causing a loud bang. Valeria jumped, throwing her hand over her mouth to muffle any noise.

“Gonna get you, gonna get you!” the female voice was right in her ear this time.

It was not the girl from before, it was Emily now. A very tortured sounding version of her. Valeria didn't dare look away from the men.

"Two.”

She could still come out, still have it be less terrible for her. Maybe they'd give her a quick death or even the antidote. It would take her too long to run to the door and get it open.

Her legs wouldn't move, she was frozen in fear.

“One. . .”

Crane turned his body towards where she was hiding. He was quiet as he approached. He began opening cupboards. Slowly, as if to build suspense, incite more fear.

They had known where she was the whole time, just toyed with her. Lecter had probably smelled her.

She grit her teeth together, moving her hand to better grip the knife. She shifted quietly, so if he looked in he wouldn't see the knife.

When the cupboard opened she did not hesitate.

Aim for the femoral artery.

He was not crouched, like she assumed he'd be. She lunged with the knife, bringing it down.

He moved, quick enough that the knife did not lodge into his leg.

The knife sliced across his shin, instead. Slicing through his pants and his skin. She fell forward, rolling to the side. Hurrying to her feet to face them.

“Fuck,” he hissed in pain, falling against the wall.

Failed.

She held the bloodied knife out in front of her like a sword, her only form of protection. She did not feel like a valiant knight, though. She was the damsel, only no one was coming to save her.

Her breath was ragged as she looked at them.

Lecter was gazing at her in fascination, he seemed impressed. He made no move to help his companion who was clutching his shin.

“Put the knife down you stupid girl,” Crane spat. She shook her head, stepping backwards towards the door.

“I barely grazed you,” the words slipped out of her mouth. He glared at her.

Something moved in the corner of her eye, making her jump. She shifted her body to face it.

There was nothing there. A threat of her mind's own making.

“What do you see?” Crane's voice softened, any sound of pain in his voice vanished.

“How do I get out of here?” She ignored his question, turning back to them.

Lecter chuckled, stepping forward. She held the knife higher. “You don't. We have every entrance and exit locked down. You can't leave here unless one of us escorts you out.”

“I don't believe a word you say,” she snapped in desperation. “You two have something to get out of here, probably a key card. Give it to me.”

Amused, that was how they both looked. How comedic she must have looked to them, wielding a knife, threatening them. A jester playing her part.

Too weak, too emotional.

“Or what?” Lecter asked, intrigued. “You know as well as we do, once you lunge for either of us, the other will quickly render you powerless. If you do not believe we know our way around a knife, you have truly miscalculated.”

“I'm willing to take one of you down with me,” she said with fire in her eyes. There was a dead body on the bed, it was her mother's. Her eyes were missing. Two bloody sockets.

She did her best to ignore it.

“You’ve never killed anyone. Are you certain you wouldn't hesitate? You run the risk of doing it incorrect and allowing us both to live. Allowing us to return to our positions and your companions. Could you kill one of us, dove?”

“I wouldn't hesitate,” she growled, something feral.

His lips turned upward. “Good.”

”Just like you killed me, you'd kill the only two people that actually give a shit about your pathetic existence.” Her brother whispered in her ear.

She flinched, swinging the knife behind her. He was gone.

A pain shot through her heart.

She fell to her knees, the knife now held loosely in her left hand.

Weak, she was too weak. Had been too open with Lecter, they knew too much. Wherever she went, death was sure to follow. Standing by ready to mock her.

She brought her gaze up to them from her spot on the floor. She wasn't entirely sure if it was her decaying mind or the drugs, but they looked like God's above her. Holding her life in their hands. Playing at fate like one would a violin. As cruel as the Gods too, toying with her humanity.

Despite the way their faces flashed something truly monstrous.

"I don't understand why you're surprised at this turn of events. You used suicide as a means of trying to gain attention from an absent parent who shows no remorse or interest in having you as a daughter. A cry for attention. Now you're getting the attention, is it not all you hoped it to be?” Crane teased. “Are you not enjoying this fun little game we've all been participating in?”

She shook her head. “That’s not it. I never wanted attention,” she whispered. Lecter glanced at Crane.

“Isn’t it?” Dr. Crane crooned, a cruel edge to his voice. “That is why you so hastily crumbled and clung to Hannibal, is it not? You see him as a father figure. Pining for his approval, getting everything twisted in that confused head of yours. Did you consider calling him ‘daddy’? Did the thought of it make you weak in the knees?” She cringed at his words, flinching in disgust.

He stepped closer with a slight limp. “Or perhaps, as your visions inferred, you wanted to call me ‘professor’? Authority figures excite you, don't they? Knowing you are powerless arouses you. The line between fear and arousal is non-existent.”

“How can you stand there and say such vulgar things to me?” she hissed. “You knew me as a child! Have you not beaten my spirit down enough? Have you not subjected me to your perverse ideals enough?”

He lacked any emotional regard as he answered. A shell of a human. “You are not a child anymore. Perhaps to a point you are to us. I have no qualms about your age. It's like seeing an experiment progress into maturity. Though you always had to be mature for your father and brothers sake. Perhaps that's why you remain untouched, there are too many issues that no one wants to unravel.” She looked at Lecter in betrayal.

“We are not like the others, Eria. We will not let you down. These are issues we have tried to help you understand.”

“You already have.”

“Let’s count, shall we,” Crane smiled, limping a little closer. “Kept you here longer, where you made friends, instead of allowing you to return home where you would have tried to kill yourself again.”

Closer.

“Getting you to eat, instead of allowing you to starve yourself.”

Allowing. A reminder that everything she was, everything she had, was because they permitted it.

“Offering therapy to allow you a path to better heal. Look at you now, most people would be immobilized by that amount of my fear tozin. But there you are.”

“Drugging me, locking me up, beating me with a belt,” she interjected.

“Disciplined you,” Lecter corrected. “Helped you in achieving a greater awareness of your own psyche and fears that hold you back. All we have asked of you is trust. You would take the blade to your skin on behalf of your father, why not the blade to his skin for his crimes against you? Flesh for flesh. Everything society has been teaching you is a lie. You do not need to hide who you are with us. You already believe yourself responsible for one death.”

She shook her head. “He’s not why I did what I did! It wasn't some act to gain his affection,” She snapped.

There was a hissing beside her, she glanced over to see the tail of a snake slither under the bed. Her mother was gone, but the dark figure she always saw in the corner was not. He was a constant demon when she was given the fear toxin.

“Then enlighten us,” Crane said.

“I couldn't take it anymore! I couldn't take the pitiful looks cast my way, the whispers. I couldn't take having to put on a fucking face to everyone and pretend everything was fine when I thought of ending it every single day. I never wanted to get out of bed or brush my fucking teeth. Everything was an obstacle. I was alone, drowning. While my father acted oblivious to everything. I failed as a daughter, I failed as a friend, I failed as a mother!”

She froze, realizing what she had said. “I failed as a s-sister.”

“It would make sense why you saw Lucian in that way. To him, you were a mother,” Lecter said. “His only protector in this cruel world. I too lost a sibling. My sister, I can understand your pain. It is an unimaginably difficult burden to bear.”

That made her pause. She reminded herself she didn't know him. Had no idea what either of their lives were like or how they'd grown up.

Probably not well to be this fucked up as they are now.

“Please, just stop,” she cried. She couldn't afford to feel sympathy. “Why won't you just kill me already? Make it end. I know I've been a constant thorn in your sides.”

“You are of more use to us alive,” Crane said. “Or have you not been paying attention?”

“I have also never led you to that impression. I have instead always reinforced how meaningful I find our bond,” Lecter said.

“Why me?” she snapped. Crane shrugged, eyes moving to the knife.

“Do you not recognize it?” His eyes shone with enough pride and mischief that she pulled her gaze from them down to it.

She studied it. The weight, the shine. It felt familiar in her hands and realization hit her like a brick. The reason why it had had no dust, they had planted it for her to find. She closed her eyes, gripping the handle harder, letting out a dry laugh.

“You planned for me to come to this room. I was a fool to think I stood a chance or had a choice. The fucking knife I almost ended my life with, how poetic.”

“It was rather easy to obtain,” Dr. Lecter said, stepping closer to her. “Your father didn't want the reminder. He was more than happy for me to take it off his hands.”

She opened her eyes, mouth dry, glaring towards him. “You went to my house?”

“To speak with your father, yes. He has been in a state of distress, so I offered him some encouraging words.”

The knife was heavy in her hand, a burden of remembering the pain she had caused. It was a reminder that she was the cause of all of this. She was the reason Teddy and Emily were in danger.

“Your room offered me more insight into you than he could. Very bare, aside from a few books and journals. There was still quite a bit of blood left in the house, your father hadn't brought himself to clean it up yet. Though, I gathered he isn't a tidy individual. Presumably why you have a need for control and neatness. It was all too painful for him. My belief is that he uses it to torture himself. To gaze at the blood and wish it were his instead.”

Her grip on the handle tightened.

It would be so easy. Just one swipe across her throat and it'd be over. No fuck up this time. No way to save her. Just the darkness, peace, like she'd always craved.

But who would they turn to fulfill their torturous desires? Jane? Sebastian?

She brought the blade to her neck, tears streaming down her cheeks.

So what if they found someone else? It wasn't her fault they were fucked in the head. She didn't have to be a martyr. Teddy and Emily would still work to get Jane and Seb out, even with her untimely death. Her death would change nothing.

“My dear, sweet Valeria,” Crane's voice was mellifluous. He slid closer, only two feet from her now. “You don't want to do that. Don't you think you've hurt Emily enough?”

She licked her lips, tasting blood.

There was a threat in his words, despite his sentimental tone. A warning, that if she tried, there would still be consequences. Her death would solve nothing. They knew where her father lived, what would stop them from going after him too?

Her death would change everything.

Her arm dropped to her side in defeat.

Dr. Lecter moved towards her.

Horns, blood, hooves.

She wasted no time, moving forward and lunging at him with the knife. He was quicker.

The knife stopped inches from his throat, her wrist locked in a death grip. His nails dug into her skin, eyes shone with excitement.

“That was rather rude and foolish, Valeria.”

She prepared for this, throwing her head forward to headbutt him. She heard the satisfying crunch or his nose and grew lightheaded. Her brain shifted in her skull.

He faltered only for a second before he twisted her wrist painfully, causing the knife to fall from her hand.

“No!” she cried, trying to claw him with her other hand.

Her other arm was grabbed by Crane. They both dragged her across the floor and to the bed.

She was no match for their strength. Her wrists and ankles were soon immobilized by leather straps at each corner of the bed.

She screamed, a high pitched noise that reverberated throughout the room almost busting her ear drums. Pulling against the restraints, a hand grabbed her chin, retching her face to the side.

Lecter’s eyes were dark, but the faintest pull of his lips cued her in that he was enjoying this. Blood dripped down his nose, just reaching his cupids bow.

“Who placed the camera?”

“Go to hell!”

The straps were too tight, she was trapped, confined. She couldn't move, her chest was getting tighter.

Crane stepped beside the bed, a rag and bucket in his hand.

Lecter held out his hand for Crane to place the rag in it.

Within seconds her face was covered by the fabric, her breathing strained.

The rag began to dampen, water cascading to her nose.

She held her breath, fighting against it.

But eventually, she breathed out and made the mistake of inhaling.

The cloth tightly clung to her nostrils, cutting off her air passage. She opened her mouth to scream, but the small action caused the cloth to suck in, choking her.

The water was freezing, the cloth was soaked now, water still raining down.

Panic, that's all she could feel. Sheer and utter panic. Her chest was tight, heart in pain, feeling like it was going to burst in her ribcage.

She was back in the closet, hands bleeding.

She pulled hard on the restraints, feeling her limbs began to strain on their own, twitching.

This did not imitate drowning, this was drowning. She was about to try and breathe in when the rag was pulled from her face.

She gasped for air, gulping lungfuls down. Lecter ran his hand through her hair in a comforting manner.

“Who put the camera there, Valeria?” he asked, tone soft.

A snake slithered up her leg, sinking its fangs in her flesh. She cried out, pushing her body deeper into the bed.

She shook her head. “I don't know.”

“Hm, what a shame,” Crane said.

The rag was back over her face. She tried turning her head to throw it off, but a hand gripped her jaw painfully, forcing her head to stay.

She couldn't breathe, this time she allowed the water to invade her nose. Coughing out, the rag sucked back into her mouth.

She held her breath.

Then the water crashed down, hard, heavy, and constant. Much more force this time.

Her body began spasming, toes curling so hard she felt the bones snap inside of her.

The water was in her lungs, drowning her, consuming her.

"You deserve this.” Emily whispered in her ear. ”I can finally be free of you. You are nothing but a burden.”

The world was bright again. She coughed, water forcing its way out of her mouth.

“Kill me,” she hissed. Her eyes flashed between the both of them. “It won't change that I don't know who did it.”

“I'm sorry we have to come to such measures, but you must understand we gave you options,” Lecter said.

“Go fuck yourself,” she hissed, eyes crazed. He looked at her disapprovingly.

Crane snickered. “What an interesting idea.”

She looked at them confused. They both undid the straps that bound her to the bed, she tried to scoot up to a sitting position, but Crane latched his hand around her ankle and yanked her to the edge of the bed. He placed his palm on her chest, pushing her back down.

His hands clasped around her wrists, pinning them down by her head.

He forced his legs between hers, prying them apart so hers were on either side of his waist.

“What are you doing?” she asked, panic entering her voice.

“The toxin should be setting in more now,” he grinned. “Why don't you and I have some fun?”

“No, no-”

He gripped her wrists. “Calm.” There was that fog again, clouding her mind, forcing her body to listen.

He forced his lips against hers. Not tenderly or with passion like Lecter had, with cruelty.

In pure desperation and utter fear, she bit him. He jerked back, anger flashed across his face.

He smacked her, hard.

Her cheek stung in pain, far from a normal pain. It was like the pain the belt had caused in its wake. Her head snapped to the side, a ringing in her eardrums. He moved his hands so one of his now held both her wrists.

His other hand roamed down her waist towards the waistline of her pants.

“Please, don't do this,” she cried. He tilted his head.

“But you look too enticing to pass up.”

Lecter reached out a hand to gently caress her throat. “From reading your journals it is my understanding you crave domination.”

“I never wrote-!” one squeeze and she quickly shut her mouth.

Crane's hand was in her pants, trailing his fingertips along her skin.

“You did not, but you wrote about past relationships. You wrote about how none of them rivaled you. They were all too passive. Perhaps that's why you came to favor the affection of Ms. Hart.”

Breaking, she was breaking.

“I don't-Ah!”

Crane shoved two fingers inside her. The raw feeling felt like fire. He began moving them in circles to build her arousal. She cried at the burning pain that tore through her body.

The dead bodies of Emily, Teddy, Jane, and Sebastian stood behind Crane. Looking at her with hate.

Disgusting, she was filthy.

“You are headstrong, Valeria. But you have had to be strong for too long. Let go. Let us control you. Give in to us.”

She shook her head vigorously. “Not this way, not like this.”

More snakes were crawling up her skin, their hissing filling the room.

Lecter leaned forward, lips brushing against hers, her breath caught in her throat. “Let us take care of you, pet.”

Crane stripped her of her pants and underwear and any dignity she had left.

Lecter removed his hand to strip her of her upper torso, before pushing her back down by her neck.

Crane unzipped his pants. She turned her head away, closing her eyes tightly shut.

She heard the echoed laughter around the room, voices taunting her. Dehumanizing and terrorizing her.

“Valeria, you are going to be beautiful to build up. Your darkness and true nature will shine fearlessly,” Lecter soothed, fingers still caressing her throat. “Look at Jonathan now, darling.”

She didn't know why, but she obeyed.

Crane's eyes were such a bright blue, like the sky, yet so full of malice. She sobbed.

“Please!”

Moving his fingers from her entrance to her clit to collect the moisture, he hushed her, lining himself up.

He pushed into her and the scream that tore from her throat was blood curdling, all the air forced its way out and she couldn't breathe back in. She was frozen.

He gave her no time to adjust. Pushing himself deeper and deeper into her body, she was being split apart, she felt her insides tearing.

She was bleeding, she could feel the blood pooling down her legs.

He was killing her.

“Stop! It hurts Dr. Crane!” she begged.

She couldn't see anything from the tears that flooded her vision. She was hyperventilating now, unable to catch her breath.

“Who placed the camera, Valeria?” Lecter asked.

She shook her head, unable to speak. Crane pulled out and thrust back into her. His hips smacked painfully against her skin. She could feel him in her cervix, he was destroying her. She tried desperately to wiggle further away, but he hooked his hands under her knees and forced her closer.

She was nauseous and dizzy. Her breathing did not calm down.

”Slut,” her father slurred in the corner.

“Shhh, shhh,” Lecter’s voice was an anchor to reality. She hadn't even realized her wrists were no longer restrained by his hold, instead stuck there by her own shock.

Both of his hands were now cupping her face, his thumbs tracing patterns.

“I did it,” she lied, her voice barely audible. “I placed the camera. It was stupid, b-but I got it from someone.”

Crane pulled out and slammed back into her twice as hard. She screamed again, praying to any deity that would hear to show mercy.

“Who gave you the camera to plant it?” Crane asked, voice strained. He knew she was lying, she opened her mouth but no words came out.

She rolled her eyes back as a wave of pleasure washed over her, bubbling in her lower stomach.

Lecter leaned forward, trailing his lips along the sensitive area of her neck. Shrivers ran down her spine and she involuntarily clenched around Crane.

“Fuck,” she heard Crane's strained voice.

Lecter moved his fingers onto her stomach, fingers barely brushing her skin.

“Who and how?” he echoed Crane’s question.

She whimpered, Crane now had a constant rhythm that had her fighting against her body's instinct to protect itself.

“What does it matter?”

“If you're going to lie, I'd prefer you do it well. Don't insult my intelligence, Eria.”

“Don’t call me that.”

His hand now cupped her breast, pinching her nipple between his fingers. She cried at the pain, finally finding the strength to move her hands to grip his wrist.

“Such brave words, dove. Are you truly in a position to be giving me orders?”

A rage consumed her, so strong that she almost forgot about the man fucking her without mercy. “Fuck you.” the words were spat with such venom she wasn't sure it was her own voice. “I fucking hate you both. You're just the same. Only Crane does all the bitch work you tell him to do.”

They looked amused again, like they knew something she didn’t. He stood, hands leaving her body. Crane and him shared a glance.

“I had hoped this situation would be under better circumstances, after all, losing your virginity can be a momentous occasion. I'm sorry it had to be a punishment. Perhaps in the future, you will keep this in mind.”

Crane pulled out and flipped her body over effortlessly, her front now pressed against the bed. He reentered her and somehow she could feel him even deeper.

She sobbed into the bed, clutching the sheets in her hands. His pace was ruthless as he slid in and out of her, she could hear him breathing heavily. The sounds of skin slapping threatened to send her over the edge.

A numbness washed over her and she moved her head to the side, staring at the wall blankly.

She gave into the disassociation. The figures in the room bled into the walls, staining them crimson. Blood pooled under her from the wounds on her back and the cuts on her wrists.

Crane leaned down digging his nails into her hips.

“Oh, my dear, none of that.”

She yelped in pain when a hand wound itself in her hair and yanked her head up. She used her arms to support her weight as she stared into the gaze of Dr. Hannibal Lecter. But it was Crane who gripped her hair, using it as leverage to pull her back against him.

“You’re not going to tell them we are aware of this escape plan. You will play along like normal. Do you understand, dove?”

“W-why?” she was breathing heavier now, a heat radiating through her body. The smell of him stirring something deep in her core.

“That is not for you to know.”

Crane dropped her head, then snaked it around her throat. Crane pulled her against him, thrusting in and out. Lecter leaned back, watching them intensely.

His grip was cutting off her windpipe.

“P-p-please,” it came out as more of a breathy whine than she intended.

He pressed his lips against her ear, his breath warm. “You wanted this from the beginning, didn't you? That's why you always acted so difficult towards me. You wanted me to put you in your place and fuck you senseless.”

She couldn't shake her head, though she tried. He chuckled, his voice husky.

Just as everything was beginning to go dark he loosened his grip, allowing her air before tightening it again.

Pain, pleasure, and fear. They all walked a thin defining line, not a non existent one.

The light was back, flickering in and out of her vision, accompanied by a ticking sound.

Valeria stopped fighting, feeling her body take over and begin to twitch as she stared into Lecter’s eyes, clenching around Crane.

“That’s it, dear. Show me how much you crave it.”

She knew this would not be the last time.

Black spots danced in her vision. She leaned against Crane, eyes rolling back, savoring his warmth in the freezing room.

He moved his other hand to grip her breast.

She felt her walls flutter. A euphoric feeling passed over her as she came, barely able to think while her own body betrayed her.

Crane soon followed, bending her over the bed, keeping deep in her as he rode out his own high.

She could see Lecter's bulge in his pants as he crouched down to look into her eyes.

She felt nothing.

“As the light flickers, imagine a flame, the ticking crackling of the wood. Hear my voice and tell me what I wish to know. You are safe, Valeria.”

Hannibal’s voice led her into a deep trance.

“Safe,” she whispered.

She was never going to escape this place.

She was never going to escape them.

They were all doomed.

[fandomworldofdreams]

Hospital For Souls

"Early this morning

When you knocked upon my door

And I said hello Satan, ah

I believe it is time to go

Me and the devil walkin' side by side."

-Soap&Skin

Previous: Prologue, CHP1, CHP2, CHP3, CHP4, CHP5, CHP6, CHP7, CHP8, CHP9, CHP10, CHP11, CHP12, CHP13, CHP14, CHP15

Warnings: self harm, drugging

Chapter XVI: Me and The Devil

There was a stone in Valeria's stomach.

At least, that's what it felt like. No matter how many times she emptied her stomach into the toilet, it was still there.

‘The Devil’ That's what her cards had called Dr. Lecter. She finally understood it wasn't Dr. Crane. She was just too naive to see it.

“Stupid, useless.”

She wished it was just rage she felt, instead of a sinking feeling of despondency. Instead of trying to clasp the reality that was now hers.

There was so much of her that she had been transparent with him about. She had opened up so much. He had, in return, desecrated her mind.

She tried to remember anything, but all that came up was blank. An empty theater where Lecter ran the projector.

There was a part of her that wondered if he was doing it just because Crane asked, if maybe he would stop once she knew and feel remorse.

What if he had done worse things that she couldn't recall . . . What if he had . . .

She threw her head back into the toilet, retching.

Her cards had warned her about a betrayal.

“So fucking stupid,” she hissed to herself, moving away from the toilet to curl up on the cold floor.

A few more days, that's all she needed to last.

In that time, together, the two of them could do so much damage to her.

She wondered if this was a sign. Maybe she was meant to die when she tried to kill herself. Perhaps Emily wasn’t supposed to come to her rescue.

She pulled her sleeves down to gaze at the scars.

She longed to be in charge of her own pain, not a conduit between two psychopaths' experiments.

She raised her fist, bringing it down to her thigh as hard as she could. She repeated the action, allowing her anger to channel through her fist. The noise that tore through her throat was a mixture of rage and defeat.

“Just a few more days,” she whispered. “Then you can finish what you started.”

She didn’t move from her spot on the floor, digging her nails into the palm of her hand, she closed her eyes and begged sleep to make the ache in her chest vanish.

When Valeria entered Dr. Lecter's office the next morning, she was surprised to find a chess board set up at the table between their seats.

Two cups of tea and glass containers of food were also at the table.

Dr. Lecter smiled at her as she sat across from him and wrapped her arms around her knees protectively.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“Truite Saumonée Au Bleu,” he announced, removing the lids to the containers to allow the aroma of fish to fill the air. “I find the trout to be a very Nietzschean fish. Trials of his wild existence find their way into the flavor of the flesh.” It smelt divine.

She couldn't help the laugh that escaped her as they began eating. “Neitzschean was a German philosopher, right? He believed the world was full of suffering and had no meaning or purpose.”

“He also believed that our power and character developed from how we handled those hardships in regards to suffering. The morals we create for ourselves.” He looked impressed by her knowledge on the topic.

She hesitated, “I enjoyed philosophy while I attended college.”

“Your records show you were a very good student. You even took a couple psychology classes.”

“Had to be able to battle the skeptics, especially the overzealous God-loving type. They always believed metaphysics was demonic and evil.” She paused, contemplating her next question. “Are you religious?”

“Each religion has its beliefs. I'm not particularly compelled to any of them, though I find the notion of an almighty being amusing. Particularly one that takes attendance and who's malicious acts are praised.”

“Do you believe in good and evil?” her voice shook slightly when she asked.

“Good and evil have nothing to do with God. A church collapses. The structure fell on sixty-five grandmothers during a special Mass. Was that evil? Was that God? If He’s up there, He just loves it. Typhoid and swans, it all comes from the same place.”

“That wasn't my question.”

“Wasn’t it? What did Nietzsche believe about good and evil?”

A test.

“I know he believed that the concept of good and evil we know today came from Judeo-Christian ideals.”

She couldn't remember anything else, her mind was racing.

“For Nietzsche, good and evil was based on the resentment that slaves in the Roman Empire felt towards their masters. In this new slave morality, good came to be everything that the slave was. Passive, submissive, humble, meek. While, conversely, evil came to be everything that the masters were. Greedy, strong, violent.”

“That’s one philosopher's view.”

"How do you perceive good and evil?"

"I know evil people kill and harm others."

"Does God not do the same?"

"I don't believe in God and you know that," she said in frustration.

“Good and evil are just social constructs, Valeria. The ancient times of human sacrificing to appease the deities were seen as good. Indulgence is viewed differently amongst varying cultures. The ideals and beliefs you hold and practice are viewed as evil by many.”

She bit her lip, picking at the skin on her fingers.

He fixed her with a stare, assessing her face. “Do you prefer to play black or white?” He gestured to the chess board.

She gulped, what had brought her excitement now felt like a game of cat and mouse. A battle of wits.

“I prefer black.”

He chuckled to himself. “Why is that?” Her heartbeat sped up at his words.

She forced a shy smile. “Nervous to make the first move I suppose.” He turned the board so the white pieces were on his side.

He concentrated, studying the board before reaching out his hand and elegantly moving his e2 pawn to e4.

She knew immediately what he was trying to do, she just wanted to confirm.

She mirrored his move, moving her e7 pawn to e5. Their pawns were in front of one another.

He moved his queen to h5.

He was trying to scholar's mate her. Checkmate in four moves if she moved one of her knights. He was a more advanced player then he let on.

She pondered whether to let him win. If losing would set him off.

It was another battle of wits, he knew that scholar's mate was very particular, relied on her making specific moves.

She bit, moving her knight to c6. He moved his bishop to c4.

She moved her pawn to g6, threatening his queen and foiling his play. He moved his queen back to f3. It all came down to this.

“Do you know what I believe?”

She paused at the interruption in her focus, glancing up at him confused.

“I think you play black because it gives you an opportunity to assess your opponent's first move, instead of them seeing yours. You can tell a lot in a first move, whether someone is more defensive or offensive, whether they take risks or play it safe. Usually people prefer the upper hand having the first move gives. It gives you the opportunity to mask yourself in accordance with them. You see it differently, clever girl.”

She couldn't help the blush, cursed herself for it. She nodded in thanks and they continued to play in silence. Wits matching one another's.

She reached for the teacup and brought the brim to her lips, pausing. The faintest smell of mint sent her mind into a trance.

"Have you ever heard of psilocybin?"

"Mushrooms?"

"Some believe that altered states can be used to access traumatic memories."

"That is the last thing I need," she laughed bitterly.

"If we can create a positive associative state with these memories, they would not hurt so much. You would be under my supervision, of course."

“Is everything okay?” Her mouth was dry.

She lowered the teacup back onto the table.

“Mhm.”

She tried to extinguish her anger, but the more she tried, the more it grew.

She remembered him bringing her to that room now, where Crane and him had locked her up together.

"You seem troubled today. Is everything alright?" She moved a piece, her mind far from present.

“I'm fine.”

“Alright then, checkmate.”

Her eyes snapped to the board in surprise. He had her cornered.

"The rope you hang on to in order to stabilize yourself is rather precarious."

"What is that supposed to mean?" She asked.

He smiled, leaning forward in his chair. "My dear, did you think I wouldn't catch on?"

Blood rushed to her ears, she felt her heart in her throat.

"Catch on to what?" Her hands started to shake.

"I know about your plan to escape." Time froze. She had to slip her hands under her thighs to stop them from shaking.

“I-I don't know what you're talking about.”

To what extent did he know, she wondered.

“My office has a recording, I listened in on you and Emily's discussion.”

“You spied on us?”

“You don't seem very surprised.”

Slipping, she was slipping.

She realized with an unforeseen clarity, she truly had no idea who the man before her was or what his motives were.

“Have you told Dr. Crane?”

“Not yet.”

He was something else entirely, an enigma that couldn't be solved. Perhaps even worse than Dr. Crane.

“Are you going to?”

“I haven't decided. Why don't you drink your tea? It will calm you.”

Her mind screamed at her not to, but she needed to play the game. She needed to choose her moves carefully or else he would find out they were onto him.

Obediently, she reached for the teacup and sipped the smallest amount, setting it back down. His lips quirked.

“That little isn't going to do very much for you.”

They stared at each other. Yet another test.

Valeria realized the man before her had never wanted her to get better, his intentions were not for her to heal. He intended to break her and rebuild her in the image of her darkness. A darkness that would cater and yield to him.

She caved, drinking the rest of the tea before relaxing into the chair.

For Emily, for Jane, for Sebastian, for Teddy. She chanted it in her head over and over.

He tilted his head at her and reached out a hand to touch her hand. She somehow resisted the urge to flinch.

“Emily told you to be wary of me. Do you believe her?”

“I believe that I have no idea who you truly are.”

Add in truths with lies to make it seem more believable.

“Not many do.”

Then there was this darkness that entered his gaze. A playfulness she had not seen before.

“Would you like to?”

She swallowed a lump in her throat. “I'm not sure.”

His whole persona had been nothing less of a facade. A carefully sculpted and chiseled piece of artwork.

“What will it take for you not to tell Dr. Crane about the plan?” she asked. He looked at her with intrigue.

“What can you offer?”

Nothing, there was nothing she had that a man like that would want. She opened and shut her mouth, unsure how to answer.

“You have no freedom, no money or possessions, you're already chained by your deal with Dr. Crane-”

“How do you know about that?”

So many tests. To see her reaction to things, to trick her into giving away information.

“Jonathan and I talk.”

“And you just let him get away with these things?” she snapped.

“Are you assuming I don't enjoy it?”

Her face drained of color. She could feel the fog settling in her mind.

“You killed the nurse,” she asked softly. “Didn’t you?”

He regarded her closely, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. “What brings you to that assumption?”

“She was the one who didn’t tell you I requested your presence.”

He hummed, tapping his fingers on the armrest. “Her behavior was rather disdainful.”

“That wasn't my-agh.” She keeled over as it hit her all at once. Her head was spinning, nothing was staying still.

It was the feeling of drinking too much to the point you get sick.

He didn't reveal anything about his reaction.

She was so dizzy, so sick, so tired. “What did you give me?”

He didn't answer, even as she stood and crashed into the bookcase, knocking over items.

A vase broke and shattered to the floor, glass raining everywhere.

She reached for a heavy object, a small bookend and turned to him. But he was already in front of her.

He was fast to grab the item from her hand and toss it aside. She was pressed against the bookshelf now. He only moved closer, positioning his knee between her legs.

She immediately tensed. "What did you give me?" She asked, shakily.

"Just tea. Mint tea."

He moved his knee up. The friction caused her to shudder, an overwhelming wave of arousal ran through her. A wave that was not her own.

"Do you like when I touch you like this, Valeria?" He was mocking her now. She gritted her teeth together.

"What did you give me?!" She repeated.

He clicked his tongue and ever-so subtly began moving his knee in a circular motion.

More, she wanted so much more. She gripped the bookcase, pushing away the urge to grind more into his knee.

"Just something that will make you calmer. You've been very naughty, Valeria. What's to be done about that?"

She was panting now, the aching was killing her.

He grabbed her face with a gentleness she no longer believed he possessed.

"Sleep now, dove."

With a fraction of his might he slammed her face into the bookshelf making everything go dark.

[fandomworldofdreams]

Hospital For Souls

"You see I am the wolf and this dirty, little piggy lives inside of me. You see every now and then I forget which one that I want and which one that I need. I have come to realize that both of them have become a necessity. I now have come to realize that I become which animal I choose to feed."

-In This Moment

Previous: Prologue, CHP1, CHP2, CHP3, CHP4, CHP5, CHP6, CHP7, CHP8, CHP9, CHP10, CHP11, CHP12, CHP13, CHP14

Chapter XV: Big Bad Wolf

"We thought you were dead!"

Sebastian and Jane rushed to Valeria, crushing her in a hug. Valeria stood there frozen, taken back by their emotional outburst, but slowly reached her arms up to awkwardly pat them on the back.

"Sadly, I'm alive," she said jokingly, though it wasn't really one.

They took their seats at a table, Seb and Jane's eyes glued to her.

Valeria made no move to break the silence, feeling very uncomfortable having the attention on her.

"You look like shit," Seb said, eyes scrunched in concern. "You do look like you've been eating better though."

Valeria nodded, eyes flickering over to the door where Teddy had entered.

"Valeria," Jane snapped.

Valeria jumped, looking back at her companions.

"We haven't seen you for over a week and you act like the ghost of Christmas past," her tone was pleading, "A nurse was found dead, and at first they blamed you. Then they figured out it was that bastard that came for me."

"We heard you got put in the secure wing. What happened? Are you okay? I kept asking Lecter about you," Seb offered. "He kept waving me off and assuring me you were safe." Valeria chuckled."

"We're in Arkham, Sebastian, no one's safe here. Though, I'm trying to be." It wasn't a lie, not an entire truth either. "I can't talk about it here, I'm sorry."

"Why not?" Jane asked, she looked more healed than before. "Doing so would end very badly, he has ears everywhere." Both of their eyebrows furrowed at her words. Jane opened her mouth to speak but Valeria's eyes flickered to the side as Teddy and another guard approached their table.

"I'm here to escort you three to group therapy," Teddy said stiffly.

"What the hell do you mean by 'group therapy'?" Seb asked, looking at Valeria and Jane in confusion.

"Dr. Lecter is implementing another form of therapy," was all Teddy offered, eyes looking at Valeria in concern.

Valeria couldn't help her chuckle of disbelief. "Fuckin' fabulous."

"I understand that this is new and unfamiliar to you all. Stepping outside of your comfort zone and socializing is very healthy as well as needed for your recovery. Is there anyone who would like to share first?" Dr. Lecter asked the room.

There were seven chairs.

At the head of the circle sat Dr. Lecter, to his left in order going clockwise sat Valeria, Jane, Sebastian, a rather buff girl named Amy, a twitchy man named Carver, and a very meek and scrawny man named Henry.

Valeria's arms were crossed over her chest, staring at everyone in annoyance, ignoring the pain shooting through her back as it pressed against the uncomfortable chair.

Jane sat criss-cross, staring at Dr. Lecter nervously.

Sebastian's body language leaned towards Jane, his eyes darting between the three unfamiliar individuals.

Valeria glanced back and forth amongst the group gathered. No way made a move to answer Dr. Lecter.

"Very well," Dr. Lecter cleared his throat, eyes glancing around the room. "Jane, would you like to start?"

Jane tensed, looking around nervously.

"Um, I'm Jane."

"Hi Jane," Valeria and Seb both said in unison. Valeria's voice was full of boredom, Sebastian's uncertainty.

"I'm not -er - really sure what you want me to talk about," Jane said apologetically.

"He wants you to talk about your feelings," Valeria said bitterly. "What the recent death and lunatic they somehow can't find makes you feel. How being trapped in this asylum for longer than your original plan feels emotionally and mentally." Sebastian reached across Jane to grab Valeria's hand as a form of comfort. Valeria slouched. Dr. Lecter shot a sharp look Sebastian and hers way. She looked away and Seb retracted his hand, seemingly intimidated.

She craved to fall into despair and become even more of a heartless bitch, opting to be cold with everyone in hopes of being left the fuck alone.

Jane nodded, clearing her throat. "I mean I'm scared, just like everyone else. I was a victim of this masked madman, I don't see how talking about it will help us though. We need to figure out a way to put him behind bars."

"Please," Amy snorted. "The man seems like a Saint. Maybe he's trying to take this shit hole down. What's a couple of you weasels going down for him to succeed."

"Perhaps he'll come after you next," Valeria's tone carried across the room, calm and collected. Amy bared her teeth.

"You got something you wanna say?!"

"I believe I already did."

"Ladies," Dr. Lecter interjected before the situation could grow worse. "The Arkham staff are working tirelessly to find this individual. Why don't we turn to the topic of other struggles?"

"They say her organs were ripped from her body then her skin sewn back up," Carver squeaked, eyes bolting back and forth. Dr. Lecter studied the man before shifting his attention.

"Valeria, perhaps you would like to share?" He cast a pleading look to her and she felt herself slouch.

"It's difficult to feel safe here, not that it was easy to begin with. But knowing that someone has that kind of ability to harm and is using it. All of us are already so vulnerable. It is terrible what happened to her. I hope her family is recovering well. I worry about everyone else's safety in the asylum." Dr. Lecter reached over to place a hand on her shoulder. Her face immediately heated up, shifting and avoiding eye contact.

"Except yours Amy."

"Fuck you, bitch!"

"In your dreams, sweetheart." Dr. Lecter sighed, removing his hand, she could have sworn his lips twitched upward to suppress a smile.

"I want to know what you're doing to keep all of us safe. Two of us barely made it out alive of this guy's attack," Sebastian cut in.

"Proper precautions are being set in place to ensure everyone's safety."

"Comforting," Henry murmured.

"Let's diverge from the discussion," Dr. Lecter said. "Why don't we discuss something about ourselves to share? Let's start with Henry and go counter-clockwise. Tell everyone something you enjoy, or just something about yourself."

Henry looked around the room, licking his lips. "Um, I like to game - or more I liked to considering the situation."

"What kind of games?" Jane asked.

"Super Mario, Halo, sometimes UNO." That earned a chuckle from the group. "I dunno, it was an escape for me."

Dr. Lecter offered a warm smile. "Thank you for sharing. Carver?"

Carver jumped, letting out a slight squeak. "Me? I guess I like J.R.R Tolkien."

"Who's your favorite character from his books?" Dr. Lecter asked.

Carver's composure relaxed for just a moment. "Aragorn."

"Thank you for sharing. Amy?"

"This is stupid," she snapped.

"If you're boring just say so," Valeria teased. Amy rolled her eyes.

"Horseback riding," she said grudgingly. "My dad used to take me every other weekend out camping and horseback riding."

"Thank you for sharing. Sebastian?"

"I had two sets of wisdom teeth," he offered. Valeria covered her mouth to hide her smile.

Dr. Lecter chuckled. "How painful that must have been it is also rare. Jane?"

Jane shrugged her shoulders. "I was going to school for music therapy and education before I ended up here."

Valeria looked at Jane with a saddened expression.

"Were you planning on teaching?" she asked. Jane offered a small smile.

"Yeah, I wanted to teach middle school choir."

Valeria nodded, casting her gaze to the ground.

"Thank you for sharing. Valeria?" When she looked back up his eyes were already on her, pinning her in place.

"I like to dance," she said. "I'm no good at it, but when my mom was around, we'd have dance parties in the living room. Then my brother and I would go to Gotham University benefits with my dad and it was a way to feel free." Everyone was staring at her.

"Lame," Amy booed.

"Oh, eat shit. We both have daddy issues." That shut her up.

"I think this was a very productive meeting. I will plan more of these in the future. You may converse amongst yourselves for now. Valeria?" Dr. Lecter gestured her to the corner of the room.

She stood and approached him. "Yes?"

"How are you feeling?" Her face heated up once again and she cursed herself for being so reactive to him. This crush of hers was getting out of hand.

"I-I'm okay. Trying to adapt back to normal," she offered a forced smile. He chuckled, placing both of his hands on her shoulders.

"I am very proud of your progress." He cupped her cheek in one hand and she couldn't help quickly glancing at the group. Jane and Seb kept glancing up at their interaction.

She wondered if he was doing this just to get a reaction out of her.

She almost sighed in relief when the door opened and guards walked in to escort them back to their cells. She went to move but he leaned down to press his lips to her cheek. It was quick and no one saw it, but her eyes widened.

He moved away to speak to the others, showing no emotion that anything had happened.

She tried to calm her racing heart, hurrying to find Teddy.

"I'm ready," she said. Teddy went to escort her out, but Dr. Lecter stopped them.

"That won't be necessary, Terrance. I can escort her to her cell."

Teddy's jaw clenched, but he nodded, stepping away. Dr. Lecter looked down at her before guiding her out of the room and into the hallways.

"What was that about?" she asked, glancing back.

"With everything going on at the moment, I believe it is best to keep a watchful eye on you. It was much easier to do so when you were in the secure wing, however, we must adapt." His hand moved to her lower back and she bit her lip.

She cursed him for what he was doing to her. The way his touch made her feel excited and comfortable. Yet, there was some part of her that felt fear towards him. She brushed it off as her own insecurities.

She had almost missed her old cell.

Stretching out on the uncomfortable bed, she favored the silence. Not having to hear that asshat Nygma asking countless riddles. She slid her hand under the pillow to adjust, she felt a something under it and paused..

Confused, she pulled the paper slip from under the pillow.

Coming to get you at midnight. Be awake. We all have something to discuss.

-Teddy

She had felt her heart leap, at first thinking, tonight was the escape. She had to calm herself.

Going over to the toilet and flushing the letter she reseated herself on the bed, hoping that Crane didn't come for her tonight and fuck everything up.

She waited around, rather impatiently. Unable to sleep or focus, she paced.

Teddy arrived like he said he would, glancing both ways and opening the cell. They traveled in silence, returning to the room he had brought Emily to last time.

Valeria entered the room, immediately surprised at everyone she saw before her.

Sebastian, Jane, and Emily looked at her as Teddy locked the door. Emily stood to embrace her.

"Is tonight the night?" Valeria asked, trying to hide the hopefulness from her voice. Teddy must have filled Jane and Seb in on the plan while she was locked away.

"Sadly, no," Teddy said, pulling out a seat for her to take. "We need to talk to you about something."

Valeria looked at them with confusion. "What is it?"

"While you were in the secure wing, we were working on trying to figure out escape routes. Well, upon Emily's request, I put a camera in Dr. Crane's office."

"You did what?" Valeria asked im disbelief, looking at Emily. "I told you not to fuck with him!"

"Valeria, listen-" Teddy started.

"You enabled her! Have you not seen enough of what that man is capable of? You really needed to do this?"

"Valeria, they were just trying to help," Seb reasoned. Teddy placed a hand on Emily's shoulder. The way their auras interacted filled Valeria with a bitterness.

"Emily tried to help before," Valeria said. "It didn't work."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Emily snapped.

Valeria sighed, turning her back to them and lifting her shirt to show them her back.

She heard the gasps and pulled her shirt back down, turning to them with indifference.

"He would have done it anyway with my attitude problem, don't feel bad. But this is the kind of man you are messing with. He isn't afraid to get his hands dirty."

"Crane and Lecter are going to pay," Emily said, her voice low and teeth bared.

Valeria froze. "Lecter? What does he have to do with this?"

"He isn't who he says he is," Teddy said. "We heard a conversation between him and Crane-"

"Hannibal has been there for me my entire time here, he has done nothing but support my recovery!"

"Valeria," Emily's voice was soft. "Please watch the video." Valeria sighed, crossing her arms over her chest.

Teddy reached over to the computer, pressing play and turning the screen to face her.

Dr. Crane sat behind his desk, typing on his computer. The camera was angled to face him, presumably hidden in his bookcase. There was a knock on the door, catching his attention.

"Come in!" Dr. Lecter walked in, closing the door behind him.

"Ah, Hannibal. How are you this evening?" He shut his computer, offering Dr. Lecter his full attention. Hannibal sat down across from him, smoothing out his suit jacket.

"I am well, Jonathan. You will be pleased to know that she is continuing to respond positively to the hypnosis and pills. She proved to be most susceptible to Xanax and ketamine. Ketamine makes her more open to suggestions. I'm considering flunitrazepam or rohypnol next."

Dr. Crane beamed, leaning back in his chair. "Quite the drug choices. Wonderful! The poor girl won't even remember her name by the time we're finished with her. She is turning out to be quite the patient."

Dr. Lecter chuckled. "I agree, her openness to metaphysics is most likely the contributing factor to her willingness. Her open-minded nature mixed with emotional instability and a high tolerance for drugs is precisely what we have been looking for. Yet, her psyche still needs to be nurtured. We must not break her entire will, without allowing her someone to rely on that could lead to having a lifeless shell. We want her reliant and obedient."

"Yes, yes," Crane waved him off, "as we've discussed. You continue to play the beloved hero trying to help her, while secretly corrupting her, and I will continue my role as villain. It does appear to work, she clings to you like a wounded dog, while snapping at me like a bitch."

"She is rather fond of me, and and I, her. She is stimulating. A rare one."

"You do not need to act like a gentleman around me. We both know you desire her." Dr. Lecter's mouth thinned at Dr. Crane's words.

"I admit, I feel a possessiveness over her. The same way you do. It started as perhaps a paternal instinct and grew from there. I want to see the form she takes when her darkness is finally released to its extent. She is more like us than she is aware of. I plan to exploit that."

"I feel possessive over her fear, do not mistake the two. We may share the same plaything, but they are for different reasons."

"I'm fully aware. We have discussed it very extensively. I would argue that your interest has molded," Dr, Lecter said with a smirk, crossing his legs. "I have known you to do many violent things, but never have you belted someone before. She got under your skin and made you lose your composure. Perhaps you enjoy being challenged. I know you, Jonathan, She excited you and simultaneously annoys you." Dr. Crane's face hardened.

"What else has she shared?"

"I'm afraid there must be some mystery involved amongst patient confidentiality," Dr. Lecter said, standing to his feet. Dr. Crane smirked. "After the amount of fear toxin you injected her with, she's been in a very prolonged state of fear. I haven't been able to coax as much information out of her as I usually can."

Dr. Crane clicked his tongue. "Poor dear, perhaps she could use some company. Though, I would hate to interfere with your molding of her. Or am I to understand only you can see her for the time being?"

"As you've said, Jonathan, she is as much yours as she is mine, see her whenever you wish. Just update me on how much of your mess I have to pick up. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a session to get to."

Valeria sat there, unmoving. At first, she felt nothing but an icy pit of betrayal. She wanted to burst out crying, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. The part of her heart that cracked felt numb.

"We have to get you out of here," Emily said, moving towards her friend to place a hand on her shoulder. "The drugs he's giving you and the hypnosis is why you keep forgetting situations. He can input memories because you're open to it."

"So you're saying this is my doing?" Valeria snarled. Emily stepped back, hurt crossing her face.

"No, never. I'm saying I researched into hypnosis. It only works if the subject is willing. Even though you aren't willing he is a master of this, the drugs make you willing. That's the main problem, with all the drugs you're more open and susceptible to him."

"There's something else," Jane said quietly. Valeria looked at her, eyes dead.

"What?" She snapped, not recognizing the voice coming out of her mouth.

" Dr. Garcia dropped me as a patient. Dr. Lecter is taking over my case now. They're coming for us all. Who knows what they fully know."

Valeria was shaking, her whole body felt like it was in a blizzard. Her fists were clenched, eyes locked on the wall.

"Valeria?" Emily asked.

She stood abruptly, her chair falling back. There was nothing left inside of her but the ringing in her ears. She walked abruptly towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Teddy yelled, grabbing her arms and turning her to him. He flinched at the look of deadly rage in her eyes.

"Let. Me. Go." He cast an uncertain look to Emily who shook her head.

"We have to pretend nothing's changed," he tried to reason. "That is the only way this escape plan can work."

" Or, I go in there and slaughter the both of them."

"Then you get locked away where even we won't be able to reach you," Seb said.

"Who gives a fuck?" She snapped. "You all have each other. Then you all can get out and everything will be just peachy. I'll be locked away, but at least I won't be beaten and mind-raped. At least I won't be led to falsely believe I can trust someone."

"This plan fails without your cooperation," Emily barked. "All of it depends on you. You know both of them even better now, you can help us. We have to get you all out of here."

"So you just expect me to keep allowing him to drug me?! I can't protect Jane and Sebastian from him, he won't take a deal, not like Crane did." Teddy released her arms and Valeria froze.

Jane looked at her unsure. "W-what?"

Valeria sighed. "I guess it's time everyone knows everything. Crane is the masked man who attacked you and killed the nurse. That night I came to the infirmary with you he showed up. We made a deal that if I did whatever he asked for his stupid toxins, he would leave you alone."

"T-that's why all the guards were watching me. Y-you, why?"

Valeria couldn't look at her. "What does it matter? You were safe from him killing you. I'll play along for all the time I can. But Lecter is smart, I can't promise he won't sense something is off. What am I to do if I end up being hypnotized and tell him the whole plan?"

"Let us worry about that," Teddy said. She nodded, looking at her friends. The peoples whose lives had been put in danger because of her. "All of you do me a favor?"

They all looked at her.

"When all this is over, please just leave me alone. Don't try and contact me or find me, just stay away from me."

[fandomworldofdreams]

Hospital For Souls

"I took you home. Set you on the glass. I pulled off your wings, then I laughed"

-Deftones

Previous: Prologue, CHP1, CHP2, CHP3, CHP4, CHP5, CHP6, CHP7, CHP8, CHP9, CHP10, CHP11, CHP12, CHP13

Warning: drugging, belting, perversion, hallucinations, slight noncon elements

Chapter XIV: Change

Valeria's mother had always warned her about being in touch with spirituality. So many people tried to exploit, deny, or misuse it. It could be a gift or a curse, depending on who you trusted with the information and how you used it. When she was young, she associated colors with people since emotions were a difficult topic for her to grasp as a child.

Auras had always been a way for Valeria to read people since she cut herself off energetically from others and usually saw the worst.

People were still far too complex, it wasn't as simple as one color. When she started to focus more there were different mixtures, shades, layers, shapes, and intensities.

This could all change in an instant based on an emotional switch. So, she observed closely. People's true colors showed with extremes. Scared, desperate, and angry was the trio she watched for.

The booze had begun to settle into her system. She felt her worries washing away. It was a nostalgic feeling, being able to succumb to her way of escaping once again. She supposed part of her irritation, other than being tortured, was not having access to liquor.

She didn't think she had seen Dr. Lecter and Dr. Crane in the same room together, other than when coming to see Emily. Though the energy they shared felt familiar. Their auras almost mimicked one another, making her nauseous. It reminded her of fire and air, the way the colors danced together, feeding off one another's energy.

"I take it your discussion went well?" Dr. Crane inquired from behind his desk, leaning back in the chair to better view them. She hummed, moving away from Dr. Lecter and over to the couch. She plopped down, crossing her legs on the cushion.

"It was nice to see my friend if that is your question." The bubbly feeling inside of her was hard to contain. This whole situation felt like one big comedy show. Or a puppet show, she wondered whose hand, metaphorically, was up her ass.

Hannibal chuckled, walking over and bending down in front of her.

"Are you going to be good for Jonathan?" His tone was soft as if she were a child.

Her eyes slid over to Dr. Crane who was watching with vehemence. She knew that look meant trouble.

"You can't extinguish a fire with alcohol," she mused.

She felt at peace being drunk. Like a blanket was wrapped around her to protect her from her surroundings. She had no fear of consequences for her actions. It was a rush of invincibility. She hoped the high would last long enough to endure whatever she was about to go through.

"Are you the fire or the alcohol?" Hannibal questioned, tilting his head with an odd twinkle in his eyes.

"I guess we'll have to see." Hannibal patted her thigh and stood to his feet, stepping over to Dr. Crane to whisper something. Crane nodded, eyes still glued on her.

Valeria looked away, focusing on the books on Dr. Crane's shelves.

All on fears and phobias.

Hannibal faced Valeria. "Valeria, I will be back shortly." She nodded, still not looking at him.

"Take your time," she waved him off, "I'm sure Dr. Crane and I have much to discuss."

She heard the opening and closing of the door, signaling his departure.

"What did you tell her?" Dr. Crane said apathetically, it seemed he had collected himself from his earlier outburst.

"We haven't had bonding time in over a week and that's how you greet me," Valeria pouted. "You insult me."

"Don't play coy with me, child." He began pacing around the room.

"I'm hardly playing coy. Just curious how quickly your demeanor falters at being threatened. You do detest having a lack of control." She smiled at him.

He stepped towards her, she saw his hand going for her neck.

"I told her you're an ass. But not that you're an insane, sadistic, ass. She knows nothing. Happy?" His hand stopped midair and returned to its place by his waist.

"Why do I have trouble believing you?"

"Because you have trust issues?"

Crane was the fire this time. She held the control and was fueling it. Though she feared for what would happen when it became unmanageable and consuming. She wanted more of it, the feeling of having some sort of power. Being able to get under his skin.

She was playing a dangerous game.

He chuckled and for a moment she thought she was going crazy. He was behind her now. She resisted the urge to look back at him.

"My, aren't you mouthy today? Here I thought the little stay in the room and secure wing would have beaten you down more. I'm not sure if I should feel impressed or vexed at this sudden display of behavior."

"Both, preferably. I am honestly surprised you had me confined for your crime and then didn't come to kill me. How is it that you thought so far ahead but got caught by a security camera? You run this place, don't you know where all that is? Why did you kill her anyways?"

He was circling her now, hand occasionally running along the couch to almost touch her or brush her hair. She showed no physical reaction.

"I don't plan on killing you, yet. You have a tolerance for fear, which is important for my work. But, I suppose we haven't had the chance to discuss what you saw during the exposure therapy, have we?" He ignored her other questions.

"It's been a week, if you truly gave a shit you wouldn't have waited so long to ask me," she said, eyes tracking his movements now.

"I had other things to deal with, such as the murder. You know, paperwork and such. Just because we have had a lapse of time apart does not mean the deal you struck with me doesn't still stand. Unless you've changed your mind?"

"No," she huffed, rolling her eyes. "Our deal is set. I just find it interesting that you expect me to be completely docile after you killed someone."

"What happened to her is separate from us. Now, as we agreed upon, answer me honestly. What did you see?"

"You locked me up for four days, I saw a lot."

"Then start from the beginning."

"It was all hallucinations. I saw a lot of shadows and death. Everything was dark and overwhelming. As I'm sure you know, I felt like I was fucking suffocating in that small space." She shot him a glare. "My chest felt tight and I kept hearing voices saying terrible things . . .There was one particular dream, or whatever you wanna call it. You were my collage professor and my family was still alive. But you told me that the toxin you use is a drug that you sell and that's what my brother was using."

"Fascinating," he hummed. "Your subconscious portrayed me in a rather detestable way."

"I don't think I need to justify why that is."

"I'm interested on why you put me in a professor role," he said to himself. She watched as he leaned against his desk.

"It's not rocket science," she scoffed, leaning her head back against the couch.

"No, I suppose it isn't. You see me as a authority figure that holds power over you. Yet, you also need my approval."

"Here I thought it's because you were a teacher and that's where we first crossed paths," Valeria said sarcastically.

"If you want to be so literal. There could also be an underlying attraction you have towards me. You do appear to have quite an aversion to being dominated, which leads me to believe it secretly arouses you. Since you always have to have control. Perhaps you daydream about me taking you on top of my desk."

Her head snapped to him. "What-?"

"It could be possible, but I doubt it happened," he rambled on, changing the topic.

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"I do have specific buyers of my drug. Usually they are unaware of it's effects. Have to keep the mystery. They, in turn have customers." She looked at him in shock.

She then shook her head, refusing to go there within her thoughts.

"Though, my toxin is more advanced than that. I doubt someone like your brother would have gotten his hands on it without me being aware."

"Arrogant coward," she murmured to herself.

He was suddenly behind her, fingers tangled in her hair to yank her head back. "What was that?"

She chuckled against the pain, hardly feeling it in her state of intoxication. "I said you are a fucking coward. Your toxin defines you. You have no business placing yourself on such a high pedestal."

His nostrils flared and he leaned down to her ear. "You have no idea how bad the toxin can get. You have yet to try it in its most potent form."

"What does that mean?"

"Pill and contact are not its most effective form. I've told you this before. Now, remove your shirt." He released her hair and strode over to his desk, rummaging through the drawers.

Valeria looked at him blankly, making no move to do as he ordered.

When he returned to her he had items in his hands. A band, a needle with some questionable-looking liquid in it, and an alcohol wipe. He placed them on the table giving her a pointed look.

"I won't ask again." She weighed her options in her mind.

"Why do you need my shirt off? I can just roll my sleeve up."

He gripped her face, squeezing her cheeks between his thumb and forefinger.

"You seem to be under the impression I need to give you a reason. Take your shirt off or I will gladly rip it off you." He pushed away, releasing her face.

She bit her tongue, reaching for the bottom of her shirt.

She bundled up the fabric in her hands before pulling it over her head and placing it next to her.

If she wasn't intoxicated she may have felt more embarrassment. At least the bra acted as a barrier, but she didn't miss the way his eyes wandered to her cleavage. Or the way his aura took on a new color.

She held out her arm, wrist facing up. "Let's get this shit over with."

He tied the band around her arm, wiping off the area with alcohol. He took the syringe in his hand and lined it up with the vein that popped out, pushing the needle through the skin.

She winced at the piercing feeling. Making sure all the liquid was injected, he took his time removing the needle. She gritted her teeth together, watching the bead of blood that formed from the spot, He placed a cotton ball on it, covering it with a bandage.

"Since when do you do things the responsible and sanitary way?" she asked. He gathered the items, returning them to his desk.

"When I want the patient to last as long as possible."

It was a couple minutes before she needed to stand. The icy feeling in her veins set her nerves on edge. The drug in her blood was now battling the alcohol.

When she got to her feet, her legs wobbled as she stumbled to the bookshelf, using it to keep her upright.

He observed her closely, hands clasped behind his back, casually walking closer. "Inhalation and injection is the most rapid way to pass the blood-brain barrier. After all, if you haven't pieced it together, my drug is anxiogenic. This form of administration has a far more rapid onset." His words were muffled in her mind.

"How do you feel?"

She laughed nervously, sweat forming on her forehead. "Just peachy, doc. Like I could run a fucking marathon."

She was spinning. Everything in her line of sight was shaking. She swallowed and leaned her head against the wood, savoring the cool feeling. She closed her eyes and tried breathing deeply to regain control.

"Fine, I'll be more specific. What do you feel?"

"Everything's spinning," her voice quivered.

"What do you see?" His voice was on the other side of the room. She hesitantly opened her eyes, looking around the room.

"Boo."

His voice was right in her ear. She was overcome with his presence, jumping and spinning to press her back against the shelf.

It had been her brothers voice. She looked around and realized she must have imagined it.

Dr. Crane was on the other side of the room. Her skin felt tingly and tight. She wanted to rip it off.

"I don't see anything."

"Your reaction says differently," he teased. "seeing ghosts already?"

"Fuck you," she whispered. A hand brushed her shoulder making her jump. Her eyes flickering around the room. He was next to her again.

Smack!

Her body reacted to the slap, falling to the floor from the sheer force of it.

"Do not speak to me that way." he said indifferently.

She nodded, cradling her warm cheek. How quickly her confidence and cockiness faded away.

His footsteps were a loud rumble that vibrated through her bones. She felt the impact on the floor through her hands and knees as she tried to push herself up.

A heavy weight landed on her back, pushing her flat. She groaned in pain as Crane put more of his weight on the foot that pressed against her spine.

"Now, what did you tell her, pet?" She hadn't seen him this calm. Whenever she didn't give him what he wanted, he would get irritated and lose his composure. It seemed this time he wanted to toy with her.

"I already told you! I told her nothing of your bullshit actions!" He stepped down harder and she coughed as her chest took the brunt of the weight, her ribs straining against the pressure.

"Well, isn't that a relief," he mocked. "You were right. It has been so long since you and I have had private time together. I don't want you to feel neglected."

"D-don't worry about me," Valeria coughed. "I'd prefer if you neglected me."

He chuckled and the pressure on her back was gone.

She laid there, cherishing the air she was inhaling without difficulty.

"Perhaps you'll see your brother again," Crane teased, circling her.

"I did see him last time," she said softly.

"You also saw plenty of shadows. Are you afraid of the dark?" She didn't answer.

"Come now, tell the good doctor," he said in a sickly-sweet voice.

She breathed in, pushing herself up onto her knees. But he was immediately behind her, hand wrapped around her throat.

"As much as I'd love to hear you scream and beg, I'm afraid these walls aren't soundproof." His fingers wrenched her jaw open and shoved in a ball. Her jaw snapped against how wide it was forced open. He tied the strap around her head.

The loops that connected the ball to the straps dug into the corners of her mouth painfully.

He firmly grasped her hair, tugging her head back. A muffled whimper escaped her.

His fingers felt like they were stabbing into her skull, slicing her brain with his nails.

"If you get another person involved in our situation it will be much worse for you next time. You will be begging for death by the time I'm finished with you. Now, it's time for your actual punishment. Not just for getting that bitch involved, but also for your impertinent behavior. Remove your bra."

The world stilled at his words, a lump formed in her throat. She felt the walls closing in.

She looked up at him with fearful eyes, not missing the smirk on his face. He released her and moved to sit on the couch, waiting patiently. His body relaxed, like he was waiting for a show.

She hated him more than anything or anyone.

She tried to speak, but the ball muffled any sounds, her tongue pressed against the plastic uncomfortably.

"You'll find out what the punishment is soon enough. Now, the bra, dear. Or perhaps Jane would be more equipped for this kind of punishment? Maybe even Emily?" His smug smile stretched until all she saw was fangs.

With a shaking body, she pushed herself to her feet keeping her back to him. She unclasped the bra and let the straps slip down her arms to the floor.

"Face me." Keeping her gaze to the floor, she slowly turned to him.

"Look at me." She hesitated. She missed the feeling of the liquor, wanting nothing more than to feel like she wasn't the size of an ant. Like she at least had some of her dignity.

He leered at her, curling his index finger as a signal for her to come closer. She obeyed, stopping when their knees brushed.

"On your knees."

Anything but that, please, no. The panic was causing her to hyperventilate. When she fell to her knees her kneecaps ached in pain.

There was something in her stomach fighting to free itself.

He surveyed her, letting her panic worsen. Relishing in her reaction to her fearful imagination. His hand reached out to brush her neck. She flinched back, making him chuckle.

"I must say, seeing you like this is very enticing. I almost regret my choice of punishment." His hand trailed to her collarbone, tracing small patterns.

The skin burned where he touched.

He moved quickly, grabbing her hair once again and forcing her body to twist so her back was against him.

He used the leverage of his hold on her head to throw her at the table.

Her face smacked into the middle of the wood. She thought she felt her skull shatter at the impact. She tried to push herself up, but he was on her again, forcing her wrists into cuffs to grip the edge of the table.

The cuffs were around the leg of the table to keep her wrists on the corner. Her upper body pressed against the table.

"You are going to take this punishment obediently. I have no tolerance for anymore or your rebellious nature."

'Are you going to be good for Jonathan?'

She nodded as best she could, her right cheek pressed against the table to see him out of her peripheral.

"I was going to stick with the toxin. But then I thought, if you are going to act like a child, I'm going to punish you like one."

She couldn't see him anymore, but she heard what sounded like a belt.

Fear didn't have enough time to sink in when it started.

The first hit took her by surprise and caused her whole body to tense and the area to sting in pain. The air was sucked from her lungs and tears welled in her eyes

Her teeth dug into the plastic gag, making her gums ache.

"Count with your fingers for each one. If you don't, I will start over." She stuck her pointer finger on her left hand out, while the rest still gripped the table's edge.

The next one she felt the buckle dig into her skin and screamed. The noise was subdued by the gag, but the pain radiated through her whole body.

She couldn't breathe, causing her to panic even more.

The pain the belt left in it's wake set her back on fire. The belt cut open areas on her flesh that would probably scar.

Her skin was being torn open.

His hits were getting faster and stronger. Rage built up in him and seemed to release itself through the object

She made the mistake of trying to focus on her fingers.

Her wrists were bleeding, bathing the table. Drops of it falling to the floor, hitting the ground with a loud bang She gazed at the way the muscles and tendons twitched, making her sick.

She looked away.

The belt melted into a whip in her mind, leaving her humiliated and terrified.

All the fingers on her left hand stuck out. Her right hand dug into the table, fingernails breaking as she tried her best not to move.

Her body was trembling at the trauma of it all, she felt blood drip down her back and was actually glad for the gag. She didn't want him to get the satisfaction of hearing her breaking.

The next hit was the buckle part, he seemed to be going back and forth between ends.

It hit her directly on spine, she gripped the table harder with both hands.

"What number was that?" She shakily moved her fingers to show six.

"Perhaps I should start over if your feeble mind is unable to keep up."

She sobbed, shaking her head vigorously. If her mouth wasn't gagged she would have pleaded til her throat was hoarse.

"I think I will. Begin at one again." More tears fell. She tried steadying her breath through her nose.

He brought down the belt. It smacked her shoulder blade cutting off any air. She wanted to escape, to simply disappear.

She kept count this time, watching as shadows surrounded them, pointing and laughing. They reached out to touch her.

Their fingernails were pointed, just like their teeth, eyes a glowing red. A loud ringing made her flinch.

The whip was now a snake, it's fangs punctured her skin, dragging down. She was sweating so bad it was getting hard to keep herself steady on the table.

Finally, her tenth finger went out. She released a deep breath, letting her body relax.

He crossed in front of her, removing the cuffs off her wrists. She quickly covered her chest with her hands.

He bent down in front of her. "Learn your place. Keep your silly friends out of my asylum. Or I will not hesitate to make you watch as I kill her. Have I made myself clear, my dear?"

She nodded and he smiled, reaching back to unclasp the gag. He pulled it out of her mouth making her jaw snap. It felt so sore.

"Good." They both stood and she reached for her bra, putting it back on. "One more thing."

She squeaked in surprise when he pushed her against the wall, grabbing her wrists in one hand, holding them above her head. Her back screamed in pain at the contact.

"No more of this backtalk or this facade of fearlessness. Next time you don't do something I tell you to do, it'll be more than you just stripping."

His other hand played with the edge of her bra, trailing his fingers over her bare stomach.

"You are not in charge here." She nodded, not saying a word. "Excellent, I'm so glad we could settle that. So now tell me, have you seen anything on the toxin?" He smiled like it was a humorous question.

She gazed into his bright blue eyes, a smile crossing her lips. She was fairly certain the man before her had no soul. He gazed at her with such a lack of remorse or emotions it almost made her laugh.

"Just pure evil."

There was a knock on the door. He released her, shooting her an annoyed look. Valeria rushed to pull her shirt on over her head.

"Come in!" He called. The door opened, Dr. Lecter walked in, observing them both.

"My apologies, have I interrupted something?"

"Nothing of importance. Just a friendly chat, isn't that right?" Dr. Crane looked over at her and she nodded, looking away.

"Well, it's been an eventful day. Valeria, I'll take you back to your cell." Dr. Lecter held out his arm and she walked quickly to him, not being able to leave fast enough.

"We will see each other soon, Valeria," Crane called.

She gripped Hannibal's arm and they were on their way. She kept glancing behind her, hearing whispering along with the suffocating feeling of being watched and followed.

"Are you alright, Valeria?"

She didn't respond, there was a creature of darkness in the corner of the hallway. It's long limbs contorted to resemble a spider. It's body arched and bright red eyes on her.

The lights flickered and it was gone.

She moved closer to Dr. Lecter, seeking any form of protection.

They reached her cell and she rushed to the bed, throwing the covers over her head to hide.

"Valeria, what is wrong?" The bed dipped as Dr. Lecter sat on it, reaching out a hand to rest on her arm.

She peaked her head out from the covers. The creature was on the ceiling, hiding in the shadows, antlers grew from its head.

"It's going to get me," she whispered frantically.

"What is?" He moved his hand to rub her back, making her hiss in pain. He pulled the blankets back.

"There is blood on your shirt. You've hurt yourself. Let me see." She sat up, facing the wall.

He lifted her shirt. "Tsk, tsk. This is very bad. How did you manage that?" She felt breath on her neck.

"I-I fell." That's what Crane would want her to say.

Something touched her back, trailing it's fingers along her scars. She was frozen in fear, unable to react.

"You have to be rather ungraceful to fall hard enough to hurt yourself this badly."

"Can we not talk about it anymore, please?"

"If that is what you wish." He pulled her shirt back down. "I will leave you to recover." He went to stand and she turned, grabbing his arm.

The thing was right behind him.

"Would you stay?" She heard how stupid she sounded but was too scared to care. "Just until I fall asleep."

He nodded, sitting back down.

She expected him to just sit there, but he laid down beside her, pulling her close so she would rest her head on his chest.

"Hannibal . . . I'm scared." The thing had disappeared. She scanned the room.

"I'm right here. Rest now." She released a shaky breath, looking up at his face.

His eyes were a blazing inferno. She quickly looked away, closing her eyes.

She fell asleep, allowing the monster to hold her close.

[fandomworldofdreams]

Hospital For Souls

"Conclusions manifest. Your first impressions got to be your very best. I see you're full of shit and that's alright, that's how you play, I guess you get through every night. Well, now that's over."

-Trapt Previous: Prologue, CHP1, CHP2, CHP3, CHP4, CHP5, CHP6, CHP7, CHP8, CHP9, CHP10, CHP11, CHP12

Chapter XIII: Headstrong

The secure wing of Arkham was void of any type of comfort or humanity. The new and improved cell came with a bulletproof PERSPEX clear door, more secure than Valeria's previous bars.

The days passed by like trying to watch paint dry. All Valeria could do was sleep and eat the slop they gave her, which she did grudgingly and not well. She had lost some weight and dark circles had made permanent residence under her eyes. Her only solace was when Hannibal would visit her throughout the days, sometimes bringing food or a book. But mainly, bringing company.

He would visit even when they did not have a session. Sometimes they would sit and read together or just talk. It was the only human comfort she had, considering she wasn't allowed out of her cell for rec anymore.

Her neighboring cell mate was more of an annoyance than company, always asking her riddles that made her wanna reach over and slap the shit out of him.

She found herself longing for Hannibal's presence, his energy brought her a sense of protection and safety that she had never felt.

"I brought you some food," Hannibal's voice carried through the small cell.

He sat beside her on her bed, two containers of food in his hand.

"Rabbit, again?" She joked.

"Fish." She nodded, taking the container and opening it. It looked too intriquite to even describe. A mixture of smells and sauces that looked like it belonged in a fancy restaurant.

It was sushi. Her stomach immediately grumbled. "I love sushi," she said excitedly. He smiled at her, handing her a pair of chopsticks.

The first time he had brought food during her time in this cell he had brought lamb, making her shudder.

"I employ an ethical butcher," he had said, taking note of her hesitance.

"Just because he pets them before he slaughters them doesn't bring me comfort." She still took a bite of the food and savored how good it tasted. "Still, you're a damn good cook."

She took a piece of sushi in her mouth and did a happy dance.

"I'm glad you like it," he chuckled at her, taking a bite himself.

"The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?" Valeria groaned at the voice that shouted from the adjacent cell.

"Do I look like fucking Google to you, Ed?"

"You barely have the mental capacity to solve a children's riddle! How could you even hope to have all that knowledge that Google does?"

"Do you know the answer to it?" Valeria whispered, attention on Hannibal.

"Footsteps," Hannibal matched her pitch.

"I know the stupid answer, I'm just tired of you asking me every five minutes!" She called to Edward Nygma.

"Then what's the answer?" He replied arrogantly.

"Footsteps." There was a long silence. Valeria smiled in triumph, turning her gaze back to Hannibal.

Her wounds had time to heal since the incident. Her eye was now a faded green and the bandages around her wrists had been removed by Hannibal. There were two red scars left that indicated what she had done.

It was a hard reminder for Valeria to see them on display.

"In a few days you're going to be transferred back to your old cell," Hannibal said. "Further investigation found that the same masked assailant that attacked Ms. Lockwood also killed the nurse. You were cleared of suspicion. It'll just take some time to clean the cell out."

"How did they figure that out?" she asked, tone full of mockery.

"Security cameras." She nodded, wondering why it took them so long to look at the cameras.

She had figured Dr. Crane was the one who killed Nurse Rosie, especially since he had been the one to bring her to that room and trap her. The little bits and pieces she could remember filled her with anxiety, especially since she had not seen Crane since. She had left that part out to Hannibal. Opting to tell him she was wandering and got locked in.

She hadn't had the chance to speak to Teddy since he saved her. He did not work the secure wing. She just hoped Jane and Sebastian were okay.

She finished her food and thanked him, bringing her knees to her chest.

"My memory has never been this bad," she confided. "I always prided myself in remembering small details, but now it's all just one big dark void of nothing."

"Most assume that when people go through something that increases their adrenaline, such as rape or being held at gunpoint, the memory records everything and the sense becomes aware. But as we've discussed, that is not true at all. Too much or too little arousal can impair memory retaining, there has to be that middle ground."

"Thank you for coming to visit me, I mean, you know, outside of our sessions. I know you're very busy."

"I enjoy your company."

She blushed, smiling at him.

"Dr. Lecter," a guard was at the door, her blonde hair pulled back into a bun. "There is a visitor here to see the patient, won't take no for an answer."

"Where are they right now?" She shifted, uncomfortably.

"Currently in Dr. Crane's office, shouting at him." Valeria's eyes widened and then her eyebrows furrowed. Had her father come to visit her? Had he grown a backbone?

Hannibal's face was calculated, eyes sliding to her as if contemplating something.

"Alright, Valeria, would you like to come? If they wish to see you, I will not decline." Valeria hesitantly nodded. She did not want to see her father again, but she would take any excuse to get out of this cell.

"Sir, is that a smart idea?" The guard asked, casting a mistrusting look to Valeria, who in response smiled.

"Of course it is. Valeria's as harmless as a lamb." He placed his hand on the top of her head, almost patting it.

Valeria felt offended, the guard looked unconvinced. They made their way to Dr. Crane's office.

"Do you know who would come to visit you?" Hannibal asked casually. Valeria shook her head.

"No idea."

Valeria's stomach dropped as they got closer to his office. A deep feeling of despair that washed over her and drained any color from her face.

She heard the muffled voices behind the door, she strained her ear trying to listen in. Hannibal knocked on the door causing all noise to cease. The door swung open, Dr. Crane stood there looking very irritated. His eyes slid from Hannibal to Valeria.

"Perfect timing." He said, with a tight-lipped smile. He stepped aside allowing Valeria to see the person who was at his desk.

Her mouth went dry.

"Val, thank God."

Valeria stepped past Dr. Crane and was tackled in a hug by Emily.

"What are you doing here?" Valeria hissed in her friend's ear. Nothing scared her more than the fact that Crane was now aware of her friends existence.

"You have been here for almost a month, this was supposed to be a seventy-two-hour watch. She looks much worse than she did before she came here,' she snapped to Crane who gave her a cruel smile.

"Is that so? I thought being on the brink of death was much worse, but that's my opinion."

"Brink of deaths wasn't what you told me at the hospital." There was a fire in Emily's eyes and Hannibal stepped forward.

"My deepest apologies, I do not believe we've been introduced," Hannibal held out his hand. "I am Dr. Hannibal Lecter."

Emily looked him up and down, her face shone with distrust as she shook his hand. "Emily."

"Just Emily?"

"Hart. Emily Hart."

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Hart."

"I'm afraid I can't say the same under these circumstances, Dr. Lecter. As I was saying, a patient goes missing for four days and nobody fucking bats an eye?"

"How did you find this out, exactly?" Hannibal asked, closing the door. He fixed her with a stare that was meant to pierce through her. Emily was not intimidated, nor did she back down.

"When I called one of the receptionists informed me of the situation."

"What was their name?" Dr. Crane asked in an accusatory tone.

"Gregory Jones." She was quick, almost too quick, like it was a planned response.

Valeria had yet to see someone go toe-to-toe with Hannibal and Dr. Crane, it scared her. She was known to get under Crane's skin, perhaps even Hannibal's, but never at the same time.

"Well, as you can see before you," Dr. Crane interjected, motioning to Valeria. "She is perfectly fine."

Emily laughed in disbelief. "Fine, sure. I want to speak to Valeria alone."

"I'm afraid that can not be done at the time. She is in a more secure wing of the asylum because of the investigation of a murder. To leave her unsupervised would be-"

"Murder? I'm sure the local news stations would love to get their hands on that kind of information. Was the GCPD brought in on this investigation? Has it been solved or the asylum shut down?" Valeria had seen Emily be strong, it was one of the things she admired about her. But she had never seen her this ready to fight. This was a new kind of protective strength that warmed her heart.

But it also terrified her because Emily did not know Crane like she did.

Crane's lips pressed into a thin line. "It would be wise of you not to threaten me, Ms. Hart."

Emily stepped closer. "That wasn't a threat," she smiled. 'It was a promise."

"Emily." Valeria warned, moving closer.

"Perhaps permitting them ten minutes to talk may be beneficial to all involved," Hannibal said, stepping between the two. "Emotions are high, she is simply worried about her friend, as I'm sure Valeria could use the support. I believe it in our best interest." There was a look shared between Dr. Crane and Dr. Lecter that Valeria could not exactly pin.

Dr. Crane's cold stare did not falter, but he gave a curt nod. "Just remove her from my presence."

"I'm so offended," Emily said dryly.

"If you will follow me, Ms. Hart, I will show you to my office. You two may use that space as privacy."

Hannibal opened the door and guided Emily out. Valeria went to follow when Crane lunged, grabbing her by the throat and pushing her back against the doorframe.

"If you say a single word to her," his tone was so full venom, yet so calm. With each enunciation, his grip grew tighter and it became harder for her to breathe, her nails dug into his wrists. "I will slit her fucking throat. Do we understand one another?"

Valeria tried to nod, "Y-y-yes"

"Good." He released her and she gasped for air, hurrying to get as far away from him and catch up with Emily and Hannibal.

Emily immediately glanced back to check on her, casting a glare back at Dr. Crane's office. "You must forgive Dr. Crane, his years of teaching college students and running an asylum have done no positive diligence to his social behaviors," Hannibal joked.

The look Emily gave Hannibal made Valeria nervous. Emily was known for liking just about everyone. But that look meant Emily saw something wrong with him. She had learned to trust her friends intuition, but would have to argue with her on this one.

When they reached Hannibal's office he opened the door, gesturing them in.

"I'm going to run some paperwork down to Dr. Garcia, if you two need anything there is a guard just down the hall."

With that he left, shutting the door behind him.

"I told you not to come visit," Valeria hissed. Emily rolled her eyes.

"Yes, you did. I did not listen."

"Do you have any kind of idea the danger you have put yourself in?"

"All I know is I'm trying to save my friend!"

"That murder was most likely done by Dr. Crane," her voice was hushed, a feeling of fear that he was somehow listening in. "You don't know what he's capable of, especially when crossed."

"Valeria Minerva Gray," Emily growled. Valeria immediately flinched at hearing her full name. "I'm sick and tired of this protecting everyone but you bullshit. We went through this about your suicide attempt. So stop acting like your life is any less significant or that you can control what I do. I can look out for myself, you have limited control and resources."

Valeria felt like a child being scolded, though a part of her knew she needed the reality check.

"Now listen, Teddy and I have been working tirelessly studying a map of the asylum and following Crane-"

"You've been stalking him?" Valeria asked, incredulous.

"-the basements have tunnels that lead to the sewers throughout the city. We just have to wait until they move you back to lower security and pick a day."

"I can't," Valeria said softly.

"Why?"

"If I escape then there's a chance he may kill Jane."

"Jane and Sebastian are coming with us," Emily said, as if it were obvious. Valeria looked at her confused.

"Does Teddy just tell you everything?" A light blush swept over Emily's cheeks and Valeria paused.

"Are you two . . .?"

"He's very kind and charming," it was Emily's turn to be flustered and nervous. "But whenever I try to make a move he pulls away."

Valeria automatically felt guilt along with a mix of betrayal. That quickly disappeared when she realized why Teddy wasn't returning Emily's advanced.

"He will, he's probably just nervous," she said comfortingly. "Now how do you plan to break out three patients out of Arkham and be unseen?"

"We have the perfect plan." As Emily quickly went over the plan in as fast of detail as she could, Valeria was overcome with a feeling of strength. Her friend was willing to risk all of this just to help her. Perhaps she didn't need inner strength, her love for her friends was what would push her and there was no problem with that.

Even if Jane, Sebastian, or Teddy never talked to her once they returned to the outside. Knowing they had gotten out would be closure enough.

"Are you paying attention?" Emily asked with a huff.

"Yes," Valeria felt the tears coming. She stood and fell in front of Emily, buring her head in her friends lap.

"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for being selfish, for not thinking of you or realizing how much you cared. You are my best friend and I couldn't even begin to make up for all that you have done for me."

"You've been there just as much, don't get all weird," Emily chuckled, placing her hand on Valeria's arm. "We're best friends for life, the universe deemed it. It's what we gotta do. I may need you to bail me out of jail one day." They both laughed at the thought of her getting in trouble.

"Though, I do want to say," Emily looked nervous. "Be cautious with Dr. Lecter, I get real dark vibes off of him. I know you're the aura seer and all, but he's hiding something."

"He's a good man, he's proven to be there for me multiple times." Emily nodded, not fully content.

"Valeria, I know you'll make the right decision, just watch out, please. All I ask is try and fully see him."

"Okay, I will."

When Hannibal returned he seemed to be more cheerful, offering them both tea, which they both declined.

"I hope that was an adequate amount of time to catch up?" They both nodded. Hannibal smiled, eyes focused on Valeria.

"May I show you out, Ms. Hart"

Emily gave him a tight-lipped smile. "No, thank you. I'm sure I can manage."

Hannibal tilted his head at her curiously. "By all means. It was a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, take care of my friend." Emily turned and gave Valeria a tight hug before walking over to the door Hannibal held open for her.

"I am doing my best to make sure she is taken care of, but she is a stubborn one." Emily snorted, glancing back at Valeria and throwing her a wink. He watched their interaction closely.

"Yes, she is."

Hannibal watched Emily exit, observing for a while before stepping into the office and closing the door.

"She seems to have a very good memory, being able to navigate Arkham so quickly. It makes me wonder if she's been here before."

He shot her a questioning look. She shrugged.

"Not that I'm aware of."

"How was seeing your old friend?"

old , she wasn't sure why, but the way he said it sounded wrong.

"It was good. Apparently she was the one who found me when I was bleeding out. She called the ambulance and saved my life. At the hospital, I guess Dr. Crane told her I was dead." She told him the events Emily had revealed at their previous reunion.

"Hm," he took a seat on the couch and patted the cushion next to him. She walked over and sat next to him, growing increasingly more nervous.

He placed his hand on her knee as he seemed to often do. His thumb rubbing along her knee.

"Why do you think he did that?" She asked.

"There are different forms of protective actions psychologists have to practice when a patient comes into our care. With victims of suicide it tends to be a factor laced with the environment. So we try to split the two for the time being while growing an understanding of why they tried to take their life."

"You're saying Dr. Crane was trying to help me?" He must have seen the doubt in her expression. He chuckled, his hand inched a bit up her thigh going unnoticed.

"What I am saying is that he may have felt he was doing the correct thing. I do not speak for Dr. Crane's conscious, I can only offer my professional opinion."

She was growing irritated, with everything that was happening she wanted him to be more on her side. He seemed to walk the line.

She looked away from him, pushing herself up and creating distance.

"I would like to return to my cell, please."

"Why is that?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Are you regressing in how far you've come with therapy?" She shook her head at him.

"No, I'm simply drained and honestly wish to be alone."

She did not miss the way Dr. Lecter's eyes squinted and lips thinned.

"As you wish. But before I bring you back, Dr. Crane wants to see you for a few minutes to settle some things."

Valeria's mouth went dry.

Dr. Lecter walked over to his cabinet that sat in the corner and opened it, pulling out a bottle of bourbon.

"Are you okay?" Valeria asked, voice softer. She had never seen him drink.

He poured himself a glass and sat back on the couch.

"I worry that the progress we have made together is being interfered with." She stared at the alcohol in his hands, the pull to drink was there. She tried her best to ignore it.

"What do you mean interfered with?"

" Dr. Crane's actions seem to always leave you in a more traumatized state and when you see visitors it brings you emotional distress and feelings of anger. I'm worried I'm not doing well as your psychiatrist." His eyes met hers as he brought the cup to his lips, taking a long sip.

Her mouth salivated as she sat on the other end of the couch, a cushion between them.

"Emily is not what made me irritated . . . you did." He gazed at her questioningly. "I realize you are my therapist, but you are someone I consider very close. So I feel a need to seek your approval, or at least see you take my side. Dr. Crane may be a great person to you, but he isn't to me." She was laying bare before him now, feelings on display. But his break in character had caused her to falter. Perhaps a lapse in judgement, but she couldn't help it.

He was still her friend.

"Perception is a tool that's pointed on both ends," he confided. She understood that all too well.

"I'm sorry if I made you upset," she said softly. He held out his hand for her. She slowly took it, scooting closer to him.

"I accept your apology."

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. Her head spun at the contact and the lingering smell of bourbon on his lips. She leaned into him, savoring the feeling. When he pulled back they both looked into each other's eyes, he gripped her face and began to lean closer.

"Be cautious with Dr. Lecter, I get real dark vibes off of him."

She froze before beginning to pull away. But his hand wrapped around her wrist and she stopped. He tugged her closer and their lips met.

The taste of him felt familiar, the way his hand trailed up her arm. All too familiar, too much fear ran through her veins. The way his tongue entered her mouth made her feel sick. She thought the feeling of him would be a comfort, but her instincts were screaming at her. Yet, her body reacted differently, she squeezed her thighs together instinctively trying to relieve the pressure. Her body craved his touch, but her mind was pushing her to stop.

Finally mustering up enough strength, she pulled away. His hand dropped from her face but still gripped her wrist.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I didn't mean to do that, it was out of line, my emotions are high. You are a respectable psychiatrist, I shouldn't have done that." She wasn't entirely sure why she was apologizing when he had been the one to make the move, not her. But she felt increasing guilt. Guilt for pulling away, guilt for falling for him, guilt for not liking it and liking it at the same time, and guilt for not listening to Emily.

"It's okay, I completely understand. Let's get you over to Dr. Crane and then back to bed."

Bed, as if it weren't a cell.

Valeria nodded numbly, flustered and not wanting to face Dr. Crane in a state of arousal.

"Would you like some to help you calm?" He held out the bourbon and she looked at him with suspicion.

"I thought I shouldn't have that?"

"Unsupervised, no, You'd drink the whole bottle. But I am monitoring you and in control, you are not going to get drunk off of some bourbon. Perhaps you may even find yourself more open with Dr. Crane. He could use a scolding if you will. Alcohol can sometimes show people's true nature." She gulped, taking the glass from his hands, watching the liquid swirl.

"Or it makes us the worst versions of ourselves," she murmered.

She brought it to her lips, taking a couple large gulps that burned her throat. She took another few sips and before she knew it, the glass was empty.

But she didn't think it had been overly full to begin with. He took the glass from her hand, setting it back on the table. He brought that same hand back to her face, using his thumb to wipe any remaining alcohol off her lips, she found herself parting her lips for him to get better access.

His lips opened with hers, tongue pressed against the roof of his mouth, She wanted more of him. He brought his thumb to his own lips to get a taste of the liquor and a chill went down her body into her core.

She cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably.

"I suppose Dr. Crane wouldn't take kindly to a rain check?"

He chuckled, looking at her with that face that knew exactly what she meant, almost reading her mind.

"I'm afraid not." He leaned closer, whispering in her ear. The feeling of his breath on her face had her closing her eyes and shuddering. "Do try and behave around him, I'd hate to have to keep you in the secure wing. Will you be good?"

She nodded, wanting him to approve."I can try my best."

"Wonderful, I'll bring you over to him."

[fandomworldofdreams]

Hospital For Souls Masterlist

Jonathan Crane x OC x Hannibal Lecter

Summary: Valeria finds herself in Arkham asylum after an attempted suicide. She soon learns that her psychiatrists are not who they appear to be.

Warnings: This story has mature themes, it is not a romance. It is a story of one-sided obsession, noncon, lust, and all around mind fucking. Please read at your own risk! Warnings are at beginnings of chapters if necessary.

Prologue

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XII

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

Chapter XIX

[fandomworldofdreams]

Hospital For Souls

"Is it sick of me to need control of you?

Is it sick to make you beg the way I do?

Is it sick of me to want you crawling on your knees?

Is it sick to say I want you biting down on me?

Is it sick of me to feed the animal in you?

Is it sick to say "I tease the hunter" like I do?

Is it sick of me to watch the wicked way you thrill?

Is it sick to say I live to break your will?

Are you sick like me?"

-In This Moment

Previous: Prologue, CHP1, CHP2, CHP3, CHP4, CHP5, CHP6, CHP7, CHP8, CHP9, CHP10, CHP11

Warnings: hallucinations, coercion, suicidal imagery

Chapter XII: Sick Like Me

There was a cold chill in the air, the kind that forced its way into her lungs and made it difficult to breathe.

Valeria's whole body was tense against the freezing air.

She idly tapped her pencil against the notebook on her desk.

With a loud thud, the door to the lecture room slammed open.

Dr. Crane waltzed in, briefcase in hand, an aura of authority. He went straight to the podium, where he cleared his throat and pulled a large stack of papers out.

"I have everyone's papers graded. Please pass them out, you." He motioned lazily to a student in the front row who hurried to grab the papers and return them to his peers.

Dr. Crane finally looked up at the class, his gaze pierced every student. "I was not too impressed with them."

Tension grew as everyone began to see the grade they hade received. Valeria nervously glanced at the disgruntled faces of those around her.

When her paper finally reached her hands she noticed the B+ and sighed in relief. There was also a 'see me after class' scribbled in red ink. Her anxiety immediately spiked, glancing up at Dr. Crane.

His eyes were already on her. She quickly glanced back down.

If she got in trouble again her parents were gonna flip.

"For those few that did receive an acceptable grade, congratulations. You know how to study and pay attention." Some students recoiled at those words, shrinking into themselves.

With that he started his lecture. Valeria tried to take notes and hang on to his every word, but it all got lost in her mind. The only thing she could focus on was that she had to talk to this man alone after class.

Her phone dinged, she stole a glance down to see a text from Lucian.

'Going to a party tonight with some friends. I will text you when I arrive there, when I leave, and when I get home. Don't worry, I will be safe. Love you '

She sucked in a deep breath, turning her attention back to the lecture. He was being responsible, she had to have faith in him. That was what she told herself.

When Dr. Crane's lecture ended she packed up her stuff slowly, waiting for people to pile out. When there were still a few students left she rushed to his desk.

"You wished to see me, professor?" Her voice was soft.

He regarded her quickly, glancing behind her to the other students. "Yes, let me finish this." He turned his attention back to the paperwork in front of him, seeming to stall.

Valeria rocked on her heels, waiting, rather Impatiently. Dr. Crane was a harsh and cold professor, the last thing she wanted was to talk one-on-one.

When the last student had left, signaled by the door closing, he turned his full attention to her.

"Your paper was the highest grade in this class, consider yourself lucky." Her cheeks heated up at the backhanded compliment.

"O-oh, thank you, professor." She clutched the strap of her bag, feeling Incredibly awkward.

"I'm fascinated in your perspective," he said. He walked around the podium, standing in front of her. He was taller than her and it made her feel intimidated. "Hypnosis, astral projection, meditation, these all are ways you believe can achieve the root cause of fear?"

"Yes, sir. I believe altered states allow an opportunity to not be bound by our physical body and feel more in touch with our spiritual one. Trauma can be felt and understood."

He stepped closer and she resisted the urge to step back.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket.

"You should probably answer Lucian." Her world froze around her at Dr. Crane's words.

"H-How do you know?"

"I make it my business to know everyone that buys my drug." The cold was making it harder to move, she felt her body beginning to shiver uncontrollably.

"You sell drugs?"

"A type of, yes." Before she could reach for her phone he grabbed her by the throat and whirled her body around. Her back smacked into the podium and she cried out.

His body pressed against hers.

"You are so fucking pathetic," he spat. "Your father couldn't love you enough to get his act together. Your brother became a drug addict and died under your care. You are a waste of space." His eyes glowed red. She gagged as he squeezed his hand tighter.

"Emily only tolerated you because you follow her around. Jane and Sebastian would choose one another over you any day. Who do you truly have left?"

Her mind seemed to puzzle things together at the familiarity of the names. "H-Hannibal!"

"Aw," his smile was mocking. "Sweet child, he's the one who got you into this situation. He's the reason your trapped in your own mind. At least I've been upfront about who I am to you from the beginning." His grip on her throat tightened.

She glanced around, understanding his words fully for what they were.

"You're right," she wheezed. "This is my head."

She grabbed his wrist with her hands and used as much strength as possible to push him off. She only got a couple inches, but it was enough for her to slam her head back.

She was back in the darkness.

There was no concept of time within these padded walls. It felt like every few seconds she had to take deep breaths to keep from panicking or having a heart attack.

Images played before her like a movie, when she could sleep her dreams were plagued with nightmares. She was running or reliving her loved ones deaths over and over.

She had screamed her vocal cords raw.

The voices from beyond mocked her, toying with her insecurities. Using them as tools to get a reaction. She felt things crawling on her and touching her.

"Help!" Her voice broke at the cry.

"Fuck!" She hit her leg with her fist, crying at the pain. She wanted out, she needed out. She was going to die in here.

This was it for her.

"Valeria!" There was a light in the darkness. She squinted her eyes as a silhouette came into view. For one of the first times in her life, she didn't feel fear or sorrow. She felt peace.

"Honey bee, it's not your time yet," the voice was so sweet.

Valeria looked away from the light to see her wrists were slit and bleeding heavily, her body felt numb.

She looked back up to the light to see the face of her mother. Her face was just as ageless as it was before she died.

"Mom," her voice broke as tears streamed down her face. "Am I finally going to be with you?"

"No, Eria. Listen to me, you have to fight. You are so strong, so much more so then you realize." She saw a shadow behind her mother and immediately knew it was Lucian.

"Please, please I don't wanna fight anymore. Let me be with you two." Her mother took Valeria's face between her hands.

"Shhh, you have a purpose here. You need to wake up. You need to do what has to be done, I miss you and love you so much. But I am with you. Now, wake up, Valeria."

"Valeria, come on!" Her whole body jolted as her mother's face suddenly melted away into Teddy's.

"What the fuck?" She croaked, frantically looked around, checking her wrists. The bandages were still around her wrists. She wasn't bleeding or dying.

She did smell an awful stench.

"How long have I been here?" It hurt to talk. The look he gave her immediately made her feel uneasy.

"Four days."

Her head spun at his words. "How did you find me?"

"Dr. Crane and Dr. Lecter sent all the guards to search for you. They said during lunch you snuck away and a nurse was found dead."

Everything was spinning, she was going to vomit.

"No, no, I didn't do that. You have to believe me. It was Crane! Who did he kill?"

"The nurse from your first night in the infirmary, nurse Rosie. She was found stabbed to death."

The same nurse who had not passed on her message to Hannibal.

"How does that explain how I got in here?"

"It doesn't. Stop questioning yourself, I know you didn't do this. I'm telling you how he set it up to seem."

Tears streamed down her face. "I can't do this anymore, I'm so tired. I wanted to be a somebody and do something good, but I can't. I'm not strong enough."

"You're not alone, I'm going to help you out. You gotta listen to me, okay? Emily and I have been discussing ways to get this place shut down. Or at least get you out of here."

She nodded, trying to calm herself down. "What do we do?"

"We have to play the game a little bit longer. I have to act like I found you and am bringing you to them."

A sob ripped from her throat shredding her vocals. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "We're gonna take this son of a bitch down. Do you remember how you got in here?"

"I remember hearing Crane's voice," she said.

He nodded, helping her up. It was upon standing that she realized how wet her pants were. Another wave of nausea and embarrassment swept over her.

She leaned against him to try and stabilize herself. "It's working," she said. An eerie feeling of numbness swept over her as she gazed at Teddy. "He's winning." Teddy's face softened. He went to open his mouth-

"Thank goodness, you found her."

They both turned their heads to see Dr. Lecter quickly walking towards them. Valeria's body tensed at seeing him, her brain couldn't pinpoint why, only that an immediate sense of danger was coming towards them. Teddy's grip on her back tightened.

"Are you okay?" Dr. Lecter asked, placing a hand on Valeria's face. She flinched at his touch, shaking her head.

"I'm pretty fucking far from okay, Dr. Lecter." His head tilted at her and she was filled with anger. He was observing her.

Teddy stepped a little in front of her to shield her from Dr. Lecter."We need to get her food and water. She needs to go to the infirmary."

Not that fucking place again, she didn't want to go back to being cuffed helplessly to a bed.

"You are right. I will take her." He reached and grabbed her wrist. A fog set over her mind and she allowed him to pull her away from Teddy. Without her leaning against something her knees buckled. Hannibal caught her and she found herself leaning into his touch.

What was happening to her mind?

"Let me help you take her there," Teddy interjected.

Dr. Lecter regarded him with a cold look. "That is unnecessary. I assure you, she is in safe hands. You know she trusts me when she is in a healthy mental state." Teddy backed down at those words, nodding in agreement.

Dr. Lecter bent down and scooped Valeria into his arms. Her head fell against his chest as he began to walk.

"Dr. Lecter?"

"Yes, dove?" he did not look down at her as she spoke.

"Did you kill that nurse?" she felt the soft rumble of his chest when he chuckled.

"I did not. What if I told you that you did it?"

"I'd call you a liar."

"Really? With everything that you have been forgetting lately, one would believe you more open to the idea."

"There was no blood smell in that room or on me," she whispered.

"Perhaps you had time to clean it up, or you had help."

"What are you insinuating?"

"Terrance seems rather protective of you, I am surprised I did not notice the bond you two have formed."

"He was there when Crane was being a fucking bastard, at least he has some humanity and tries to help me."

The look he cast down at her made her bite her tongue immediately.

"What did you see in the room?"

"Too much."

"Did you see your mother?"

She gulped, refusing to meet his eyes. "Yes. Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"You show a possessiveness over me, why?"

"I feel responsible for you. After all, the things that Jonathan has done have happened under my watch."

Jonathan

The name rolled off his tongue with such comfortability and familiarity that made Valeria uncomfortable.

"What did your mother say to you?"

"That it wasn't my time. But I was bleeding and dying."

"Perhaps a memory from your suicide attempt?" She nodded at his words.

They reached the showers.

"There are clean clothes in there. Would you like help cleaning yourself?"

There was that sense of danger again. It filled her body with adrenaline.

"No."

He placed her down on her feet and she immediately fell against the door. His hand was on her hip, lower than it had ever gone. She held her breath, using all her strength to push herself into a standing position.

How had she gotten herself into such a fucked situation?

She twisted the doorknob and held onto the door for support before closing it behind her and falling against it. Her whole body was so weak. She was tired, hungry, thirsty, and done.

She managed to lay on the ground and strip. Getting the shower on required more effort, but she washed herself on the ground. She scrubbed til her skin felt raw, not wanting any reminders of what had happened. She wondered if she'd remember any of this in the morning.

When she was done and had managed to turn the water off she found a towel and wrapped it around herself. She used the wall as leverage to push herself up and find some fresh clothes. The clothes were up at the top of the shelf.

She didn't hear the door open or the silent footsteps as she reached up as far as she could to try and grab the clothes.

A hand entered into her peripheral to grab them and she screamed, falling back onto the floor and creating as much distance between her and Dr. Lecter as possible. She gripped the towel tighter, he seemed to be unfazed by her reaction. He placed the clothes on a lower shelf that she would be able to reach. He walked towards her and offered out a hand. She hesitantly took it. When she was on her feet and leaning against the shelves, he moved his hand to grip her wrist.

"Let me help you." His words echoed in her head. A command that her body reacted to before her mind could comprehend. The fog set in once again. A mindless being awaiting commands.

"Drop the towel." Her hands worked without thought, pulling the fabric from her body and leaving her bare before him. He took his time, allowing his eyes to roam up and down her form. Her mind was trapped within the confines of her body. He grabbed the underwear from the shelf, bending down on one knee before her and holding them out.

Embarrassment was too meaningless a word for what she felt right now.

Pushing off the shelving a little, she raised one leg at a time and stepped into the holes. When he dragged the garment up, he made sure his fingers grazed her outer thighs.

"I'm going to forget this all in the morning, aren't I?" He smiled, retrieving the pants. They did the same thing and he looked at her when he stood from his knees.

"Yes, for now, it is best if you do not remember. But I will put some other memories in this time, to avoid suspicion."

He brought over the shirt, balling it up to place it over her head. One arm, the next arm. When he dragged the shirt down she felt his touch against her bare breasts and shuddered.

"Am I ever getting out of here?" Her voice was pleading and broken.

He shushed her, pulling her in for a hug. He ran his hands through her hair and then pushed her back to grip her cheeks.

"You may, but if you do you will not be returning to your previous life." She didn't know what that meant and felt top scared to ask.

"Valeria, I am doing all of this to benefit you. You will see eventually. Now, sleep."

Darkness swallowed her once again, and she allowed herself to be consumed.

[fandomworldofdreams]

Hospital For Souls

"Utilize surrendering, when silence falls, to you it sings. Sterilize your mentality, compromise your reality. Restful mind and peaceful eyes. When sound is gone, then you will find It's all the same for the dreamers. It's all the same for us, for us."

-Broken Iris

Previous: Prologue, CHP1, CHP2, CHP3, CHP4, CHP5, CHP6, CHP7, CHP8, CHP9, CHP10

Chapter XI: Where Butterflies Never Die

Valeria's favorite movie as a child was Labyrinth, starring David Bowie.

It was rare when she could watch it, as the puppets scared Lucian.

She could relate to Sarah. Sarah complained about the hand she was dealt and was rarely heard. The adventure she goes on and the friends she meets was what caused her to love the movie even more. The lengths she would go to try and save her brother.

Then there was Jareth. He saw Sarah's darkness and flaws, yet still adored her. Perhaps not in a healthy way, but Valeria still wished they had got together.

"What time did you get back from Crane's last night?" Valeria looked over to Jane and Sebastian. Jane and her had been released from the infirmary that morning after their therapy sessions.

"I think an hour or two after I left." To be honest, Valeria couldn't remember heading back to the infirmary. Not even what happened with Dr. Crane.

"I tried to stay up to see you. Dr. Lecter came in a bit after you left and asked where you were. I told him and suggested he go check to make sure you two weren't tearing one another apart," a chuckle full of worry. "I guess I passed out, I hardly remember him leaving."

Valeria shrugged. "He didn't mention it at our session this morning."

He hadn't mentioned much of anything this morning. Valeria was surprised he hadn't brought up Dr. Crane. Hannibal was a good psychiatrist, but seemed to be a possessive one as well.

"I'm glad you're both finally out. I had to ask Dr. Lecter how you two were doing. By the way, I want an answer on who did that to you," Seb said, eyes glued to Jane's face.

Jane cleared her throat, glancing at Valeria.

Valeria could take a hint. She excused herself to give them privacy and wandered over to the bookshelf.

Despite herself, she scanned the faces of the guards in hopes of seeing Teddy. She needed to get her hands on her cards, there was a gut feeling they had something to reveal to her.

When she didn't see him she sighed, looking at the spines of the books until she saw a familiar one.

'Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone'

A faint smile grew across her face and she grabbed it from its spot, finding a chair in the corner and allowing herself to be swept away by the words before her.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed when a hand grabbed her shoulder, startling her.

She looked to see Hannibal bending down beside her.

"I came to check on you and see how you were doing."

"W-why? Our session was just this morning, did I seem off?"

"Not at all, perhaps a little dazed. You've been through a lot these past couple of days."

"I'm okay, really." He glanced over to Jane and Sebastian who were in deep conversation.

"Why are you not with your friends?"

"They needed some privacy."

"Ah, well then perhaps you would like to have lunch with me? I brought too much food for myself and I'd hate for it to go to waste."

She bit her lip, clutching the book nervously. "May I bring my book?" She wanted to slap herself at how meager her voice sounded. The effect this man had on her made her feel ridiculous. But she wondered what his favorite movie was. She doubted he even liked movies. Or if he did, it was some foreign film from way back that she would know nothing about. Even what books he liked would confuse her. They were all academic or on Renaissance architecture. She did see a book on Florence, Italy and it's culture. He was distinguished, she was not. But still, she wanted to know him.

"Of course." When she stood his hand immediately found the small of her back to guide her out and into the hallways.

"An old friend once convinced me to try out that series. I will admit I only made it through to try to understand them better. It is not my preferred genre or writing style. But it is interesting."

"Who was your favorite character?" Valeria asked.

"I suppose Albus." She couldn't stop the scrunch of her face. He didn't miss it and chuckled.

"You disapprove?"

"He was the true villain," she said. Dr. Lecter unlocked his office door. When his hand dropped from her back she felt a coldness where it had been.

"Perhaps that is why I favor him." Valeria and him took their normal seats, opposite one another. "Everyone is a villain to someone else. Within our own lives, we see what we do as reasonable. We must be our heroes, even if others cannot see it that way."

Valeria considered as he rose to his feet and approached a small fridge rucked next to his desk. He pulled out two Tupperware from it, almost like he had planned this. Valeria took the container he offered her, along with the fork, which seemed against regulations to allow her to have, considering it was metal.

When she popped off the lid she had to hold back any noise. It smelled divine, better than anything she had been offered in her life. It looked more expensive than anything she could afford too. Dr. Lecter then grabbed two tea cups off his shelf and a tea pot. He placed them on the table, pouring tea into the cups before taking his seat.

"I thought you meant cafeteria food, why did you make extra food?"

"The food they serve here is hardly rich in nutrients. You are recovering mentally and physically. You need better food. Besides, I usually end up making too much food anyway."

Valeria cleared her throat. "Your wife doesn't mind?" He looked up at her with a knowing smile.

"I am not married."

Valeria nodded, looking down at the food. There was a type of meat, some kind of jam and veggies. Her mouth instantly watered. "So, girlfriend? Boyfriend?"

He shook his head. "I live alone and do not have a partner." She stabbed the food. She brought it to her lips. Hannibal's eyes were glued to her as she placed the food on her tongue.

An explosion of flavor across her taste buds and she had to close her eyes to focus on all the different seasonings. She couldn't quite place the type of meat, but it was heavenly. She took a sip of the tea and noticed some bitterness to it, but did not complain.

"Which character do you like?" She came back to reality, thinking for a moment.

"Severus Snape."

"You judge Albus, but not a man whose sole goal for protecting everyone was for a woman who did not love him back." Valeria knew he had not meant it offensively, he was trying to see where she was coming from.

"Perhaps that is hypocritical of me. But Snape never lied about who he was, just what he did. He did not try and place himself on some high pedestal. Dumbledore tried to seem like the hero when in reality Snape was." She scooped more food into her mouth.

Dr. Lecter studied her. "You are very passionate about people being true to who they are. I am guessing as a child you were confused by the facade people portray for themselves?" He took a bit of his food as she swallowed hers.

"I didn't realize I'd be receiving extra therapy time today," she teased.

"This is not therapy, this is simply two friends conversing with one another." Her stomach flipped at those words. She covered her face by looking down and eating another bite.

"What kind of meat is this?"

He smiled, "It's rabbit." Her heart stung at that, but it felt rude to push away such a nice meal.

"You have such a strong desire to be seen and heard, yet you deny anyone the chance to do so."

She sighed, taking a deep breath. She didn't want to resort to anger with him, he tried to see her and she needed that.

"I'm trying. I open up with you."

"What about Jane and Sebastian?" He was walking on thin ice now. She ate another bite.

"What about them?"

"Do you feel seen with them? Or does their bond between themselves create a barrier for you to feel loved?"

There it was, that pang in her chest. Just like clockwork, her demeanor hardened. "Their bond has nothing to do with me, I would like to change the subject now."

"Dr. Crane resembles Snape."

"No, he doesn't. Snape may have been an ass, but Dr. Crane is merciless. You seem to defend him quite often."

"He is my superior, I know him on a deeper level. I am not defending him, I am merely making a connection."

She finished the rest of the food and set the container on the table, bringing her legs up to her chest.

"I am not attacking you, Valeria. I am trying to help you understand."

"Understand what?"

"The hardest lesson of life. The fact that you are different and you will never be accepted amongst society unless you learn to fake it, just like everyone else does."

"Just like you do?" she snapped.

"Even I must remain a mystery. Sebastian and Jane are not like us. Socializing and fitting in comes naturally to them. They live inside their boxes and cannot see beyond. You have already shifted your personality to match what they want, have you not?"

She didn't answer. She had thought she was finally coming out of her shell with them, but perhaps he was right. Maybe she was just mirroring their personalities.

"Valeria." She looked at him, his aura was all around her, wrapping her in its embrace. "I am here for you, you are safe with me. You can show me the darkness within you and I will not judge you."

"That's what they all say." She reached out for the tea, drinking the rest of it.

"Valeria, Dr. Crane, and I have agreed on a type of exercise we would like you to try."

She immediately felt herself start to shake. "What?" If Dr. Lecter agreed it couldn't be too bad. But anything that involved Dr. Crane made her sick.

"Have you ever heard of psilocybin?"

"Mushrooms?"

"Some believe that altered states can be used to access traumatic memories."

"That is the last thing I need," she laughed bitterly.

"If we can create a positive associative state with these memories, they would not hurt so much. You would be under my supervision, of course."

She shifted, she had done some drugs before, but alcohol was what made it all go away. At least with alcohol, she could feel in control.

But at this moment, she wanted to just let go. "Okay," she said. "When do I take it?"

He smiled, looking down at the teapot. "You already did. Now, I need you to come with me."

"What do you mean I already took it? What if I would have fucking said no?" He stood from his chair, hardly fazed by her anger.

"Come with me."

She sighed, standing to her feet.

The entire room warped before her eyes. A panic set into her and she started hyperventilating.

"Valeria," Hannibal's voice was all around her. "Don't fight the drug, it will only make you more anxious, Allow it to consume you. Let it take control."

She nodded, trying to stabilize her breathing. She closed her eyes and focused before letting go, of the worry, the fear, all of it.

When she opened her eyes, Hannibal was holding out his hand for her. She giggled, placing her palm in his. It felt like a romantic gesture. He started leading her out of the office and down vacant hallways.

"What do you see, Valeria?"

Shadows like never before were traveling up and down the walls. Yet, she was not afraid. Their energy was beckoning her to join. She waved to them, becoming aware that her hand was still in Hannibal's. "I see death," she whispered.

"Everyone has the potential to see the spiritual realm, honey. It just takes work and being open. You will get it one day, I promise. Then maybe you can help others."

"Mom," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. She had forgotten what her mother's voice sounded like.

"Ah, there you two are." The voice brought her only slightly out of her haze. They had stopped walking, having reached a room.

Dr. Crane stood in front of the door. Her gaze swept to Hannibal, who offered her a comforting smile. "What is going to happen next is exposure therapy, Valeria. This is going to help you. Do you trust me?"

Beyond the veil, she swore she heard voices screaming, the voice of her mother screaming at her to stop. To say no.

She nodded. "I trust you." Dr. Crane opened the door and she felt all air sucked out from her lungs. It was a padded room, but no more than five feet wide and seven feet tall. Hannibal's hands moved to her shoulders, he was behind her now, his body pressed against her back. His lips next to her ear. "Don't fight the darkness, or it will consume you."

"And that's our job," Dr. Crane smirked. Before Valeria could comprehend what that meant, Hannibal pushed her. She fell into the room with a thud, landing on her elbows. She didn't feel the pain.

"I can't wait to try exposure therapy for your fear of intimacy, now that would be quite the experiment," Dr. Crane taunted. Valeria looked to Hannibal with pleading eyes, but the door slammed shut, leaving her in total darkness.

She screamed, throwing herself against the wall.

But she was trapped in the darkness.

She was trapped alone with herself.

She was trapped with the demons.

[fandomworldofdreams]

Hospital For Souls

"I'm a whisper lost upon wind

I'm the ember that'll burn you down

I'm the water that'll drown you

I'm a star that's just a black hole now

I'm a terrifying danger

I'm a fruit decaying on the ground

I'm a swallower of anger

I'm the tree that falls and makes no sound

I make no sound."

-Seether

Previous:Prologue, CHP1, CHP2, CHP3, CHP4, CHP5, CHP6, CHP7, CHP8, CHP9

Warnings: manipulation, things get a little heated

Chapter X: Nobody Praying For Me

The darkness surrounding took shape, molding like clay. The shadows circled around then stretched out and up before creating a coherent image.

She was in Dr. Lecter's office, sitting across from him. She flipped her head in every direction, seeking an explanation as to how she got there. Her head felt hazy and she almost toppled over at the dizzy spell that swept over her when she turned her head.

"Are you feeling alright, Valeria?" his voice was calming, she felt herself sinking deeper into the chair.

"I-how did I get here?"

"What's the last thing you remember?"

"I was in Dr. Crane's office . . . I think I passed out."

"You showed up to my office drunk, Valeria." Her head whipped to him, eyes wide in disbelief. She had fallen asleep on the couch, after that she remembered nothing.

"Where would I even get alcohol?!" If she had found alcohol here and drank that would certainly be something she wanted to remember.

"Dr. Crane said while he stepped out to seek assistance after you blacked out he came back and his private drawer had been broken into. When you arrived at my office you were heavily intoxicated with a half empty bottle of scotch in your hand."

"No, I would remember, I would remember that. He must have . . ." Dr. Lecter's eyes regarded her with curiosity and a hint of worry. She turned her head to the side where she saw the bottle of scotch, half gone.

Did she even smell like alcohol? She couldn't pinpoint it on her testbeds.

"He must have what, Valeria?" She bit her lip, the man before her wouldn't lie about her state when she came to him. She just needed to remember.

"The senses have memory," she muttered to herself.

She pushed herself off the chair and approached the liquor bottle, grabbing it and bringing it to her nose. Her face scrunched at the smell. An uneasy feeling settled into her stomach.

Dr. Lecter had made no move to stop her. She brought the bottle to her lips and started chugging.

"I have many variations of my fear toxin. Gas, liquid, pill, even a cologne. I will admit, the forms I exposed you to don't have as potent effects as the gas and liquid form, as Ms. Lockwood would know. " A cruel chuckle. "But no matter the form, I've only had to double dose someone once, he found the experience quite enlightening."

His voice brought a pounding feeling to her skull. She kept drinking, trying to resist the urge to regurgitate the liquid as it burned her throat and warmed her stomach.

Her body felt so weak. She could barely open her eyes to gaze at the sadist hovering over her. She could only make out the way his body clashed with his dark aura. There was a figure in the corner, but it didn't feel imaginary. The figure did not yield though her brain willed it to.

The bottle was pulled from her hand, causing some alcohol to slip down her chin. She coughed, looking at Dr. Lecter, who put the bottle on a high shelf.

"Just because I'm short doesn't mean I can't climb. I'm remembering what happened, give me the bottle."

"I don't doubt it, however I believe you trust my judgement and agree that almost emptying the bottle was enough." He was right. there was only half left of what had been there. "There are other ways of remembering than doing exactly what caused your memory loss in the first place."

She wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her shirt, beginning to pace. "What did I say when I showed up here?"

"You were incoherent, but you spoke of the Devil. I had not realized you were religious."

She needed to get her hands on her tarot cards again.

"You had a momentary lapse in judgement, it is nothing to be ashamed of. Your brain is trying to fill in pieces because of guilt."

"I don't feel guilt," she snapped. "I've gotten drunk enough to where I don't remember anything. But I certainly remember the getting dunk part. I have never felt guilt about drinking, especially knowing it's Crane's."

"You do seem to project onto him. Who do you see him as?" She turned to Dr. Lecter. He was seated back in his chair, one leg propped on his knee. "He has no qualities of your father, other than the fact they know each other."

It was getting increasingly hot in the room, this feeling was one she recognized. She had to calm herself from flashing back to the fear toxin.

"I don't see him as anyone other than who he is. I'm really not in the mood to be psychoanalyzed."

"I'm speaking to you as a friend."

"Where the fuck is he anyway?" she hissed.

"Who?"

"Crane!"

"He is in his office, with a new patient." There was a pause in Dr. Lecter's voice. "Valeria, I'm becoming more concerned for your wellbeing. Please, sit." Valeria sighed, nearly tripping over her feet as she moved to flop into the chair.

She could feel the weight of the booze, the feeling almost brought comfort to her, the same way her inner rage did. Having something familiar in this situation gave her a feeling of control.

"Control is an interesting concept. People are delusional to the true meaning of it. You have no control of what happens to you, how or when you die, if you die. People need to create an illusion of control to feel comforted by the unknown. There is one thing I know, the feeling you feel right now, is powerlessness. It is an absolute absence of control. I am in control, child. Do you know why I entertain the idea of you offering a deal in Ms. Lockwood's place?"

Her breathing became rapid. How could she just forget something so easily? She was losing her mind, the toxin had done more than Crane said. It had made her crazy.

"Valeria." There was a voice in the mist, it made her recoil. Suddenly Dr. Lecter was bent down in front of her, hands on her cheeks. His grip on her face was grounding. A sort of haze set over her mind, slowing her breathing. She felt her shoulders slump as she looked into his eyes.

"What is happening to me?"

"You're having another psychotic episode, Valeria. You are very unstable."

"N-no I'm not." Her face still gripped by his palms, his thumb idly ran over her cheekbones. She didn't know if it was the alcohol or not, but her body heated up, leaning into his touch.

"I'm not psychotic." Her words sounded more pleading than a statement.

His eyebrows furrowed. "I know, I would never categorize you as that."

"But you just said-" She had a horrible thought that the toxin had not worn off, that perhaps she was still hallucinating. Or Crane had sent her here after dosing her again. Or maybe she was dreaming.

His eyes slid to her lips, his tongue ran over his own. That was all it took for her inhibition to fly out of the scenario. She convinced herself it was to ground her in reality as she leaned forward and kissed him. His lips were soft. But she did not jolt up from sleep.

He did not pull away like she expected. He deepened the kiss, one of his hands tangled into her hair while the other moved to her arm. All her inclinations for self-preservation disappeared. There was only him.

He smelled of leather and pine cones, the scent of him was intoxicating. It consumed her mind. She scooted closer to his body, not breaking the kiss. All that mattered to her mind was in the moment, not what she couldn't recall.

He moved his hands to grip under her thighs, within seconds she was lifted into the air. Her legs immediately wrapped around his waist as he replaced her position on the chair and she was straddled on top of him. His hands now moved to her waist, the other returning to her hair.

He gripped a fistful and tugged, not too kindly. She couldn't help the gasp at the sudden sharp pain, the wave of dizziness. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, taking his time to explore.

She had just gotten used to the feeling when he pulled away, his lips began trailing up the crook of her neck. She shuddered at the feeling that flowed through her body.

"You taste exquisite, I cannot wait to devour all of you." His words only reinforced the desire she was feeling. She became increasingly aware of the throbbing between her legs and grinded against his erection to get some relief. She did not miss his sharp intake of breath.

"Tell me, dove. Have you ever been intimate before?"

Time stopped. She didn't need to speak, he read it all on her face. Though that didn't satisfy him. He gave another tug of her hair.

"Use your words, my dear."

"No, I haven't been intimate with anyone before."

His eyes seemed to twinkle. She hated the concept of virginity, the way it was viewed as some bullshit form of purity.

It was a look of complete control that crossed his face. A view past the veil.

"I-I don't feel well," her speech was becoming slurred. She placed her hands on his chest to create some semblance of control before things got out of hand.

His hand moved from her hair to trace his fingers across her collar bone then his hand shifted to rest around her neck.

She froze, Crane's face flashed across her vision.

"Your pulse is rather fast. Perhaps a mixture of fear and arousal?"

"I will allow you this small amount of bargaining. If only because I prefer you coaperble. Your attitude irritates me. Reminds me of a petulant child. Though your anger is exhilarating. But, do not be mistaken. If I wanted to, within seconds Jane would be at my mercy. Begging for death. Your begging will truly be something to revel in when the emotions are so raw. So full of fear. Rage, fear, and arousal all have a very thin line between them, it's easy to get lost."

She was gonna be sick.

"Valeria. Sink."

The wind rushed past her body as it reacted to his command. When her back collided with the floor she felt a terrible pain spread throughout her spine and skull. Tears welled in her eyes.

He looked down at her with curiosity.

A predator sizing up it's prey.

She focused on his aura, the way it's colors transformed into monsters. Their horns stretched up to the ceiling.

"Valeria."

Her eyes snapped back to him, but in his place there was a bright white light.

There was a ticking in the background.

This felt too familiar.

"Focus on my voice. You are safe. I want you to imagine rain drops. As they fall down onto the ground you find yourself becoming increasingly more tired and open."

The image played before her eyes, a rainstorm calmed by her brain.

"How do you feel, Valeria?"

"Lost," she whispered.

"Let me be your guide. Hear my words and believe them as facts."

Tick Tick

"Okay," she murmured.

"I am going to snap my fingers. This will be your que to sleep. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"When you awaken from this sleep, this whole interaction will feel like a terrible nightmare."

"Just a dream . . . . Hannibal?"

"Yes, dove?"

"You've done this before, haven't you?"

"I'll countdown from three." Her eyelids already felt heavy, she wanted to escape. To forget it all.

"Three."

She wanted to remember though.

"Two."

Why had she mentioned the Devil to him?

"One."

A feeling of utter despair set into her stomach.

"Sleep."

[fandomworldofdreams]

Hospital For Souls

"The monotony and the rising tide Is under my skin, is crawling inside. Adrenaline to rewire my mind. I'm only human, I come with knives"

-IAMX

Previous:Prologue, CHP1, CHP2, CHP3, CHP4, CHP5, CHP6, CHP7, CHP8

Warnings: slight noncon, drugging, hallucinations

Chapter IX: I Come With Knives

Her dreams replayed like a broken record. She could not control her own body, just her thoughts. She kept finding Lucian in his bed. Once she pulled the covers back and saw him, the nightmare would start all over again. No matter how much she fought against the dream, her body went along with the scene.

She was trapped in a loop that felt more like hell than a dream.

She knew what was coming as she crept into the room for what felt like the hundredth time. But when she pulled back the blanket it wasn't Lucian's dead body that lay there. It was Sebastian. His throat was slit, the blood now dried. His face was frozen in terror.

She screamed, the high pitched noise shook the house causing her to fall back. The cycle was broken. Her back did not meet solid wood. It met air, endless darkness, and the floor swallowed her whole.

The first thing Valeria felt was pressure on her forehead. She stirred, groggily opening her eyes.

Dr. Lecter's hand was pressed to her forehead, his lips were parted, tongue resting against the roof of his mouth while he looked at her curiously.

"You're slightly warm but nothing to panic about. What was your dream?" he asked, retracting his hand. He was seated in a chair next to the bed.

She sighed, sitting up and stretching out her limbs. She winced at the pain that shot through her stomach and face.

"My brother." Dr. Lecter nodded, not asking any further.

She glanced across the room, eyes immediately locking on the empty bed.

"Where's Jane?" Her voice was panicked.

"With Dr. Garcia," he said calmly. "I have come to collect you for our session, I planned a little outside walk."

"I can go outside?"

"Under my supervision, yes. Terrance!"

Teddy walked into the room, eyes quickly locking on hers. His face winced in sympathy while unlocking her cuff. They both helped her stand to her feet.

"That will be all," Dr. Lecter didn't even look at Teddy as he said it. She glanced at him instead, trying to communicate with her eyes that they'd talk later. A curt nod was all she got in return, calming her nerves.

Dr. Lecter held out his elbow, she hesitantly slipped her hand into the crook of it and he guided her out of the room.

The hallways seemed longer than usual, each step a loud boom in her ears. It could have been the overwhelming feeling of how close she was to Dr. Lecter. The anxiety of messing up or making a fool of herself in front of him set her nerves on edge.

When they reached an exit he swiped his card, waited for the light to turn green, then held open the door for her.

She hadn't realized how much she'd missed fresh air.

The cool breeze rustled her hair and brushed her skin in a comforting way. Her lungs filled with the crisp air as if it were her first time truly breathing. He continued to lead her further down the pathway where they reached a vast grass area surrounded by a very tall gate.

The sun was something she had not missed, it's brightness blinding her, making her eye shoot with pain.

"Why did you bring me out here today?" She glanced over at Dr. Lecter who was looking straight ahead.

She took a minute to admire his demeanor and aura. His colors were more relaxed today, yet there was this strange forced color on the outer shell that seemed to mold into her own. Not that she had ever been able to see her aura, but she felt it, saw the outline of the edges.

"I thought in your condition some fresh air would be nice. After all, Mr. Gibson is a rather strong man, I'm impressed you didn't break something. Though the bruising is bad it could have been worse." His eyes cast across her face making her feel self-conscious.

"Brawn is all he's got going for him," Valeria replied bitterly.

"I find it interesting you did not fight back. From the guards and his accounts you just blocked his assault. Correct me if I'm misinterpreting, but that does not seem like you." He glanced at her and she shrugged.

"I heard Jane was hurt. It was the only way to get information. But I didn't start it. All I did was show him how to correctly play chess."

He smiled. "Ah, I too indulge every once in a while, I enjoyed it very much when I was a young boy. I find it hard to discover a worthy opponent to challenge me nowadays. Perhaps we could engage sometime?"

"I would enjoy that."

A comfortable silence passed as they continued their walk, enjoying the sounds of the birds chirping.

It was Valeria that broke the silence. "I had requested your presence last night, but the nurse wouldn't hear of it."

Out of the corner of her eye she saw him suck in his bottom lip, a look of disdain crossed his face. "She told me of your condition, then that you were asleep after being given a sedative prescribed by Dr. Crane. So I did not come right away. I do detest liars." That last part was almost a comment to himself.

"I panicked when I learned you hadn't prescribed that sedative."

Or whatever drug it was, she thought.

"I did discuss this with Dr. Crane. But given your situation it was best to put you in a calming state after the trauma your body went through."

She nodded, pressing her lips together. The idea of Dr. Crane and Dr. Lecter discussing her made her uncomfortable. The fact they engaged at all did as well. He moved his hand to rest over hers, which was still wrapped around inner elbow.

"What is troubling you?"

She looked back at Arkham, from this far it seemed almost normal, by her standard at least in comparison to its interior.

"Jane. What happened to her. I can't begin to understand why or how."

"Yes, it is rather troubling that someone was able to break in and do such a thing."

Valeria glanced to him. "You believe her?"

"Do you?"

"Of course."

"Then so do I." Valeria's chest warmed at his words. "I do not know enough about Ms. Lockwood to form an opinion of my own. I only know what you have shared during our sessions. But I do know you. I trust your perception on the matter."

She felt her face go warm and looked away. "Thank you." She knew she was just a patient, but his words and actions always had a way of making her feel special. If she ever got out of here she would miss him, even if it was just his job to make her feel that way.

"Dr. Crane informed me you two have a session this afternoon, per your request."

She licked her lower lip, tracing the scar. "Yes, I wanted to talk to him about what he's going to do to find the person that hurt Jane." Not an entire lie.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Valeria," his tone was serious as he watched her expression.

"If I don't try and help her, who will?" A cold breeze swept over them causing her to shiver.

"How rude of me," he said, pulling his arm away to remove his jacket and hold it out.

"That's your jacket Dr. Lecter"

"I insist. After all, I invited you for a walk and did not inform you of the weather." She hesitated before sliding her arms in the sleeves. The warmth that overcame her made her sigh in relief. The jacket consumed her and felt strangely intimate as his scent filled her nostrils. He held out his arm for them to continue and she obeyed.

The rest of the walk was filled with talk of her physical and emotional well-being. As they neared the end of their walk Dr. Lecter went to swipe his card. When he opened the door he placed his hand on the small of her back making her tense.

"I requested they keep you in the infirmary for one more night so you can be with Jane and keep an eye on each other. Amongst the fact you are also still recovering." She eventually relaxed into his touch and smiled.

"Thank you for everything."

The smile that he gave her was genuine. When they reached the infirmary she went to remove the jacket but he halted her.

"I'll get it back in the morning when I come to collect you. It gets rather chilly in here, keep it for the night." She hugged the fabric tighter to her. She was at a loss for words so all she could do was beam and nod.

He turned from her, only making it a couple steps before she called after him.

"When I first met you it was a woodsy brown with specks of dark blue. That combination to me means wisdom, insight, and the ability to read others. Your aura changes with each emotion you present though. Your colors appear like a curtain sometimes, not allowing others to take a peak behind. Every so often the curtain pulls back a tad and I see a new color."

He glanced over his shoulder at her, eyes crinkled in mirth. He then turned forward and left. Teddy was waiting in the infirmary when she entered, Jane had also returned from her session.

"What the hell happened?" Teddy immediately asked. She told him the events from the previous day, minus the talk with Dr. Crane. He shook his head in disbelief. "You are crazy." She chuckled as he cuffed her hand with an apologetic look back to the bed rail.

His eyes cast over Dr. Lecter's jacket but didn't ask about it. Jane however, immediately shouted across the room.

"Oooo, how was your date with Dr. Lecter?" Valeria rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

"He took me outside, it was cold. Get your mind out of the clouds."

In all honesty she wasn't sure how she felt about him. The insinuation of a date made her heart flutter, but she felt he filled a fatherly role more than anything, especially with his age.

"I'm not the one sporting my therapists jacket."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Maybe Garcia will give you hers next time." Jane laughed at that.

"They still don't know who did it," Teddy said, eyes on Jane, darkening the mood. "There's talk amongst the guards that a patient is living in the vents. But I doubt that. If anything it's the basement. Nobody goes down there."

"Dr. Garcia said they doubled the guards watching me, kinda surprised. I had no idea they cared." She placed the palm of her hand to her chest in an exaggerated manner.

"Too much paperwork," Valeria chuckled.

"I'm here for a few more hours, so if you two need anything I'll be right outside the door."

Valeria watched him leave, his aura swarmed with worry. She turned back to Jane. "How are you feeling today?"

Jane sighed, running her fingertips gently over her face. "Like Freddy Krueger."

"Damn am I glad I'm older than eighteen." They both softly chuckled. Jane leaned her head back against the pillow.

"I had a dream last night that he came for me, but instead he hurt you too."

Valeria pressed her lips together. "No one came for you last night. I was up for a while to make sure of that. At least until the extra guards showed."

Jane nodded, eyes casting to the door. Valeria felt a pang of guilt for lying, but knew it was for the best.

"Thank you."

"Wanna play 'I spy'?"

"Sure."

The next hours stretched on from playing the game to discussing each other's lives. They chatted about anything they could think of. Valeria gained a new understanding of Jane and admired her. She saw some of herself in Jane, but also parts she wished she had.

Jane had an optimistic personality that seemed to cope via humour. Valeria had always had a dryer personality, not lacking sarcasm, but perhaps comedic wit.

Food was brought to them by a new nurse, she was an older lady with permanent frown lines and glasses that made her eyes look twice the size.

The mush made her gag, reminding her of being force fed.

Then that thought spiralled into her session that would soon await her. What horror Dr. Crane had planned. She ate a couple bites and pushed it away, losing her appetite.

"You gonna finish that?" Jane asked. Valeria shook her head. The nurse took the plate, bringing it over to Jane to finish.

Surprisingly the new nurse seemed more laid-back, despite her sour disposition.

The door opened. Valeria turned, expecting Teddy to walk through.

Dr. Crane stepped through, offering a tight-lipped smile to the nurse "I'm here for Ms. Gray, we have an appointment."

"I could have escorted her to your office, Dr. Crane," Teddy said, stepping into the doorway. Dr. Crane studied him for a moment.

"I'm aware. Uncuff her from the bed, then cuff her wrists behind her back."

Teddy turned to Valeria and did what Dr. Crane ordered. She stood to her feet, back to him. When he cuffed her wrists he did so very loosely. She was sure she could almost slip her hands out of she pulled hard enough.

"Where did you get that jacket?" He suddenly asked, an envious shade of green seeped into his colors. She questioned what he had to be jealous of.

"Dr. Lecter let me borrow it."

He frowned before seeming to catch himself and neutralize his face once again.

"Very well. Shall we." Dr. Crane said, grabbing her by the elbow and tugging her alongside him. They made their way down the familiar hallways, reaching his office. She was grateful for the jacket as it created a barrier against his skin and hers. He opened the door, partially shoving her in.

When he closed the door she heard the sound of the lock click into place.

He did not sit behind his desk, instead he gestured to the armchair and couch that sat across from one another in the middle of the room, a small side table was next to the armchair with a bottle of water.

Valeria awkwardly sat, trying not to lean against her arms so the cuffs wouldn't dig into her spine. Dr. Crane sat opposite from her.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"Um, sure." Her brain screamed at her once she'd said it, but her mouth felt so dry from nerves. He reached over and grabbed the water bottle, opening it. She furrowed her eyebrows when he held it out to her.

"I can't grab it, I'm cuffed."

"I know." He was looking at her expectantly. She swallowed her pride, leaning forward, wrapping her lips around the edge of the top. He tilted the bottle, allowing her to take a few large gulps. She pulled away, her lips had a tingling sensation. He placed the water bottle on the table, crossing his legs and balancing a notepad on his knee.

"How did you sleep last night?"

"Fine."

"Any nightmares?"

"No."

"Ms. Gray, you made a deal with me. If you'd like to decline the terms then by all means I can take you back to your cell."

"You haven't told me the terms of our deal."

"At this moment, honesty. I'm going to ask you questions and you will answer truthfully. I will be able to tell if you're lying. If you try our arrangement is forgo and I no longer show any regard for the safety of Ms. Lockwood."

Valeria scowled. "I had nightmares all night. The same one repeating."

"What was it about?"

She hesitated. "It was about my brother. When I found him dead. I was aware it was a loop, but it felt very real." She left out the part about also finding Sebastian.

He tapped his fingers on the armchair. "What are you afraid of, Ms. Gray?"

All Valeria could think of was Jane. She had to focus on her friend. She could play this game whether he was the rule maker or not.

"I'm afraid of a lot of things, Dr. Crane. Do you mean fear in terms of spiders or more something like fear of failure?"

"Let's start with physical situations, we'll save the emotional for after."

"I'm afraid of small spaces."

"Claustrophobia," he hummed. "Have you always been afraid of this?"

She shrugged. "It started when I was ten and just got worse. I'm not sure what caused it." He nodded, writing something in his notepad.

"What about the fears that hold you back in life? The ones with imaginary scenarios that just seem to spiral."

"I have a fear of failure, so I usually end up not trying." He once again wrote something down before reaching up to adjust his glasses.

"Do you remember any of the times your father took you and Lucian to Gotham University?" Her brother's name sounded like venom when he said it.

His voice seemed to fill the room now, loud enough it was making her anxious.

"Not really. I was very young."

The room was growing hotter by the second.

"Could you take these cuffs off? They're very tight."

He stood from the chair, placing the notepad down and approaching her. Her whole body froze when he leaned down, sitting next to her. His hand gently pressed to the back of her neck, the feeling of his skin on hers sent shivers throughout her body. Slowly, his hand traveled down her spine. She shifted uncomfortably, trying to twist from him as he got closer to her lower back.

His face had leaned closer to her ear. She felt his warm breath and shuddered.

His hand slowed once it reached her tailbone, thumb brushing over the peak of her ass. She didn't realize she was frozen in fear of what he was doing. She thought he would go further down, but instead his hand slid to her wrists and she felt a tight pain when he squeezed the cuffs tighter into place. She yelped as he yanked her wrists slightly so she leaned into him. Her wrists now pulsating as blood found it harder to circulate.

"I'm sorry," he said, tone full of mock sincerity, a malicious look in his eyes. "Is that still too tight."

He released her and returned to his chair like nothing had happened. Valeria could feel her heartbeat in her ears as well as a headache coming on.

"So is this it? We just sit and talk about me while you continue to be a jackass? Just like we've been doing?" Her voice shook. He chuckled at her question.

"No, my dear. This is simply a formality. Let me ask, do you also have a fear of intimacy?"

"No," her voice was quick and she cursed herself for it.

"Tsk, tsk," he clicked his tongue. "You're lying to me, Valeria. Do you remember what that leads to?"

"Yes, I have a fear of intimacy," she blurted out. "In all forms. Friendship, family. I'd say it's more vulnerability than intimacy."

He smiled, reaching up to remove his glasses and place them on the table next to him. "Are you perhaps a victim of sexual abuse?" She flinched at his words and shook her head.

"No, nothing like that."

She felt like he was reading everything about her as if she were an open book. She was feeling ill, the same way she had felt the night before when she was given the pill.

"Fear takes many different forms: fight, flight, freeze, fawn. You're reaction to me being so close to you shows a freeze response. When you were younger it was fight."

The room was spinning, Valeria had to lean forward to try and clear her head.

"What do you mean when I was younger?"

"Your father did inform you that you and I had met. Don't you remember?"

She tried to remember, memories like that had been blocked out. Unless it was a good memory of Lucian she didn't want to recall her childhood.

"No, I don't. Nor do I care."

This time when he leaned forward he placed a hand on her thigh, eyes locked with hers.

"Perhaps you should."

She felt trapped again, the walls seemed to close in on her. His hand burned the spot it touched. She knew what he was doing, playing on her fears. All he did was toy with her.

"If you did anything worth remembering, I would. But you don't seem to do many memorable things," she said.

His hand moved further up. Her breathing become more rapid. She started yanking against the cuffs.

he studied her for a moment, reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out a pill bottle.

"I'm going to give you a pill. It's effects are stronger than the one you took yesterday. Perhaps this will have a better result."

Removing his hand from her thigh, he popped off the cap and grabbed a pill.

She clenched her lips shut when he stood and walked in front of her.

"Very well, I'll make sure the guards are sent home."

Valeria immediately opened her mouth so he could drop the pill in. He held out the water for her to drink.

The liquid sent the pill on its journey. She leaned her head back, wondering if she would puke.

"You were locked in one of the classroom closets," he said. "I heard the screaming and opened the door. There you were." Valeria shut her eyes, trying to block out his voice.

"I had a strong dislike for your father, he seemed to be an idiot. Then he brought his children to work and I detested him even more. Your brother wandered into my classroom, after a lecture, lost. His fear response was freeze, I could barely get him to talk. Then you came flying in the room, small but mighty I suppose. You had this rare form of anger. The kind where fear fuels it, fear keeps you alive. That is a rare. Fear usually causes people to shut down. You had an immediate distrust of me then as well. Even when I opened the closet door later that day. You were ready to challenge me."

Valeria saw a flash of the science closet where they stored lab coats. How had she gotten trapped in there?

"So imagine my surprise when I see you now. Your fear having shaped and evolved, or devolved. That is still to be determined."

She had banged on that door til her bones felt like they would break. Screamed til her throat was hoarse. The room was so small. She couldn't breathe, her chest was tight.

She was back in it, her whole body tense and uncontrollable while she rammed it into the door.

When she looked behind her it was not lab coats that hung from hangers.

In a tight row Lucian, Jane, Sebastian, and Teddy all hung from the coat pole. They were being held up by the nooses around their necks.

"No, no, no," she whispered, head shaking. There faces were all pale, bruises poked out from under the rope

"What do you see?" Suddenly she was back in reality. Dr. Crane was now half-sitting on the arm of the couch. His arm supporting him by gripping the back of it.

"This is what you gave Jane. You did do this to her." She turned her body towards him and scooched away to the other end of the couch, half-falling.

"I will admit the contact dosage on the water bottle usually does the trick. You seem to have a tolerance to fear, which is perfect for my research."

"Am I going to die?"

"No, not yet," Dr. Crane mused, moving towards her causing her to thrash her legs out.

"Don't touch me!"

He gripped her shins and with a hard yank her body slammed into his, painfully. Her legs on either side of his hips.

Too vulnerable, too intimate.

"W-what are you doing?" Her body shook under him.

"Testing something." He gave her a lascivious wink, but with the way her eyes were seeing things she thought it could've been in her mind. He leaned closer to her, she could feel all his body against her. The way his hips dug into her thighs, she tried not to let her mind focus on any other area.

She flushed at the rush of arousal that ran through her, possibly from the pain and fear. Her mind was spiraling, no longer feeling like her own.

"Intimacy you don't fight. Perhaps you're a runner instead of a deer." His hands rested on top of her thighs. She tried wiggling away but he dug his nails into her skin making her cry out.

"Be a good patient and hold still." His hand traced up to her hips while his body moved even closer, his lips inches from hers.

"Tell me what you saw and I'll stop." His hand inched upwards.

"I was in the closet again, but this time people were hanging in there."

"Who?"

"Lucian, Jane, Sebastian . . . . Just them."

His lips pursed. "Do you see anything else?"

Her eyes looked around the room. "Just shadows, hiding. Waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Demonic whispers filled the room.

"To tear me apart."

He grinned,"They'll have to wait in line."

"Don't hurt Jane or Sebastian. Leave them alone." He regarded her the way one would an unknown specimen.

"You behave and continue these little sessions of ours, taking my toxin willingly and I won't touch them. As long as you survive the dosages, that is." A cruel smile crossed his lips. She knew he could do this to her no matter if she agreed, so why not use it to others advantage?

"O-okay."

There was this glint in his eyes as he stared at her, she watched his aura turn a shade that made her even more nervous. He ran his tongue over his lips, seeming to be in a battle within his mind.

Then he was off of her so fast she felt her head spin. He adjusted his tie and jacket.

"You'll remain here until the toxin has worn off completely. I don't need anyone asking questions." He strided over and took a seat behind his desk, all focus on her gone.

Her whole body felt heavy, especially her eyelids. Fear was a dull presence in her mind as she gave into the unknown.

[fandomworldofdreams]

Hospital For Souls

"You must've made some kind of mistake, I asked for death, but instead I'm awake. The Devil told me, "no room for cheats" I thought I'd sold my soul, but he kept the receipt"

-Bring Me The Horizon

Previous: Prologue, CHP1, CHP2, CHP3, CHP4, CHP5, CHP6, CHP7

Warnings: Drugging, choking

Chapter VIII: Doomed

The infirmary had four beds, two on each side.

The room itself was cold and lifeless, lacking of any color or feeling of hope. It vibrated in pain making Valeria's teeth clench. The stench of death was not unfamiliar, but in no way comforting.

Valeria sat with a ice pack gently pressed to her eye. One wrist was cuffed to the bed rail much to her discomfort.

Jane laid across from her asleep, body turned to the side which meant Valeria couldn't see any wounds. Hell, she couldn't even tell if she was breathing.

The nurse walked in front of Valeria, pulling the ice pack away. She studied the spot, shining a light in her eye. Valeria's eye flicked sending pain throughout the socket.

"It's gonna leave a nasty bruise. Doesn't look like any ocular damage. I'm gonna keep you overnight to be sure and keep it iced. Should probably do the same for your lip." Valeria ran her tongue over the busted skin, tasting dried blood.

She gave Valeria back the ice pack. Valeria immediately returned it to her eye. She leaned back in the bed, wincing at the pain in her stomach. The kick would no doubt also leave a bruise.

A few hours passed, the constant rhythmic typing of the nurses fingers on the keyboards threatened to drive Valeria insane. It wasn't until the nurse left that Valeria finally sat up.

"Jane," she whispered, afraid of someone hearing. Jane did not move. Valeria groaned, rattling her handcuff, hearing be damned. "Jane!"

Her friend stirred, slowly rolling onto her back. When Jane finally met her gaze Valeria couldn't help the gasp that escaped her mouth.

Scratches covered her whole face down to her collar bone, deep enough that she was worried it would leave permanent scarring. Jane was pale, dark half circles under her eyes and brusing on her jaw.

"Valeria? The hell are you doing here? You look like shit," Jane's voice was a whisper.

"I could say the same for you. What happened?"

Jane shifted up to a sitting position, her face scrunched in pain. "Honestly, I don't know who did it.."

Valeria's mouth thinned, her heart started racing. "Who did what?"

Jane offered a weak smile. "I woke up in the middle of the night to someone in a mask standing over me. I know it was a man. The mask was . . . It was burlap. It looked like a scarecrow. Before I could scream some kind of gas filled the cell. I remember . . . everything." Her voice cracked. "There were bugs, so many maggots, spiders, roaches. They all crawled on me and burrowed into my skin. I-I tried to get them off." She reached for her face. "When I screamed some crawled into my mouth. I had needle marks on my arms, just like my parents have. I saw Sebastian and my grandparents dead bodies." She was crying, gripping onto the sheets while her body shook.

Valeria wanted nothing more than to hug her, seeing someone so vibrant be stripped of color.

"So he gave you some kind of hallucinogen?"

Jane nodded. "It felt real, every bit of it. I think it went on for four hours, felt like more. He didn't intervene when I was clawing off my skin, he didn't even move. He just stood and watched me, like some kind of experiment. I thought I was going to die. The only time he spoke was to ask me what I'd seen. There was no emotion, no regret. I think he almost enjoyed it. His voice was so deep, so demonic."

Valeria didn't know how to respond, didn't know how any words could offer Jane comfort.

Luckily, she didn't have to, Jane sniffed, eyeing the ice pack and her lip. "How'd you wind up here?"

Valeria lowered the ice pack to show Jane. "Gerald and I didn't agree on his chess skills." Jane laughed, quickly covering her mouth and apologizing.

Valeria chuckled back. "Don't worry, it was kind of funny."

"Punching Crane, taking on Gerald, maybe you need some anger management."

Valeria rolled her eyes playfully. "I'm half covered in bandages, maybe I need to learn when my opponent is too much."

"Kind of funny we ended up here at the same time. Glad to have the company."

"Me too. Sebastian will at least know you're not bleeding out or missing a limb. What do you want me to tell him?"

Jane's face fell, looking off to the side.

"He deserves to know the truth," Valeria offered.

"You're right . . . If you don't mind, I'd like to tell him . . . Do you think I'm crazy?" Valeria held up her hands.

"No, I don't. I think there are enough fucked up people here that one of them could do that. You do what you feel is right. My lips are sealed. You should get some more sleep, you look completely weak."

Jane nodded in agreement, turning on her side and snuggling back into the bed. Valeria listened until her friends breathing became deep and slow before releasing a sigh.

She didn't want to cry, not with the way simply looking over made her eye scream in pain. She leaned back on the pillow, eyes locked on Jane. She refused to sleep, no matter how long it would take. She would watch over her friend, in case this masked man came back to finish what he started.

A while later the nurse came back in with something in her hands walkimg over to Valeria.

"Take these." The nurse held out two pills and a cup of water.

"What are they?" Valeria asked, removing the ice pack and setting it beside her.

"Does it matter?" She sighed in exasperation.

"Yes."

"One is for the pain another is a pill your doctor prescribed." She hadn't remembered Dr. Lecter mentioning he'd put her on medicine. She took the pills, washing the bitter taste in her mouth down with water.

They sat in silence for a while before the nurse walked over to Jane and injected something into her IV.

"What are you giving her?" The nurse glared up at her. "A sedative so she sleeps through the night." The nurse returned to the computer, leaving Valeria to her thoughts.

It took twenty minutes before Valeria knew something wasn't right. Her heart was racing, she also felt anxious and paranoid.

"When did Dr. Lecter prescribe me that pill?"

"He didn't, Dr. Crane did."

Valeria froze, dread overtook her whole body. Icy coldness in her veins, fear in her chest. She felt so stupid for not asking.

"D-Dr. Crane prescribed it?" Her mouth was so dry. The nurse nodded, not bothering to look at her.

"I need Dr. Lecter, can you please get him?"

"Dr. Lecter is busy at the moment, he doesn't have time to come down here."

"I wonder how he would feel knowing you didn't inform him of one of his patients being physically hurt. Or giving them medicine without checking with their primary doctor." She saw the nurses hands pause, glancing up at her.

"I'll inform him of your condition, but not your request." She turned on her heels and left once again. Valeria was sweating now. If she puked up the pills she'd only be given more, not to mention too much time had passed. It was already in her system.

Her mind was spinning, body shaking. If she woke Jane then they'd both be panicking, but she didn't know if this drug would knock her out.

"J-Jane?" Her voice was distant, beyond her own body. "Fuck, Jane!"

Her mind was in a state of pure panic now. She pulled against the handcuff, frantically looking around the room.

There was a pen on the desk, right next to her bed, if she could only reach it she could pick the cuff lock.

She stretched out her hand, fingers barely brushing the side of it. She hissed as her limbs screamed in pain.

The pen was shaking in her vision.

Then a hand reached out to pluck it up, holding it out to her. She froze, looking up at Dr. Crane who had a smirk on his lips.

"Trying to grab this?" She grabbed for it but he quickly pulled his hand back, placing it further back on the desk.

"What did you give me?" She hissed.

"Nothing you need concern yourself with." He pulled up a chair from the corner and sat beside the bed. "It is merely something to help you relax."

"I'm the fucking opposite of that!"

"Instigating a beating to see Ms. Lockwood, quite the cunning plan." Dr. Crane is ignored her statement. Valeria was starting to think her panic was fueling whatever drug was coursing through her blood. The more she worried about it, the more her body started shaking.

"You did this to her." The words felt triumphant on her lips, like she had solved some great mystery.

He tilted his head at her. "No, my dear. I am just as confused as you about the situation."

The colors of his aura swirled and filled the room. She was in a sea of deception. Groaning, she turned on her back, sitting up.

"Why did you come here?" Her voice was shaky. A wave of nausea swept over her. Shadows danced out of the corner of her eyes making her flinch and scan the room.

"To check on you, you took quite the beating." His eyes flickered from her to Jane.

"She doesn't know, if she does she didn't tell me." She hoped these words would stop whatever he was thinking of doing.

"There's nothing to know about psychotic tendencies. Hallucinating is normal for psychosis."

"She isn't psychotic!"

"Who's going to believe that? Especially when it's my word against hers. Her parents have an extended history of drug use. She has one of suicide attempts. We have cameras in this asylum. No one saw a masked figure entering or leaving her cell."

"I believe her," she spat.

He grinned, showing teeth which sharpened into fangs. She saw the snake coiling back to strike.

He sat forward reaching a hand out to grip her cheeks between his thumb and forefinger. The pull of her cheekbone make her yelp in pain.

"Who do you think would actually believe you? You are still a patient at Arkham asylum, home for the criminally insane. Whatever bonds you think you've formed are an illusion. I am a respected psychiatrist, not to mention you have no proof. As much as I know you wish to paint me as your villain, I am not responsible for this."

"She's not crazy!"

"Ah, because you know her so well, yes?"

Desperation clawed at her bones. "Please," she whispered.

His eyebrow rose, a twisted smile formed on his face. "Please, what?"

Valeria's eyes cast to Jane. "Don't hurt her again."

"I've already told you it was not I." He released her face, leaning back in the chair, crossing one leg over the other.

"Then post a guard at her cell! Do something to keep her safe! She's not crazy, you fucking know that."

"I have countless other patients, I would gain nothing from that besides entertaining a delusion."

"What do you want?! Want me to beg?" Her question was meant in exaggeration, but he quirked his lips, waiting.

She saw something in that moment. He would never be swayed by her pleas. They would only fuel him more. So she could only think of what she did best. "You can kiss my ass. You're a damn coward and a piss poor excuse for a doctor."

Fight.

Something dark cast over his face, when he reached his hand out again it was quick to attack.

His fingers curled around her throat, applying enough pressure to scare her but not limit her oxygen intake.

Shivers ran down her spine. She froze in fear. Her breathing grew ragged and she reached up her uncuffed hand to grab his wrist.

"Let me make something perfectly clear, Ms. Gray," his tone was serious, threatening. "You have no power in this asylum. You are nothing but another individual society has thrown in here to get rid and not be responsible for. You are under my care. That means this building is under my rules and so are you. Do you know what that means?" The question was asked the way one would ask a child it, slow and condescending.

"That I really got myself into some shit?" She gagged when he tightened his grip on her throat, leaning forward.

"It means I own you."

The words sent adrenaline throughout her body, as if it finally realized the danger that lay before it.

"Please," she whispered, losing herself in the fear. "Please don't hurt her. I'll do anything."

That seemed to intrigue him. "Anything?"

She wasn't sure if it was the drugs, her desperation to protect any person she had a connection to, or maybe a concussion from her earlier beat down, but she tried to nod. "Yes."

"Here I thought you were incapable of forming relationships," he teased. "Perhaps it's just guilt."

"Perhaps."

"You lack a sense of self preservation, but seem very aware of others survival. It's unique."

"Do we have a deal?" Her ears were ringing so loudly she thought her skull would burst.

He released her, she finally felt she could breathe. Her eyes tracked him as he stood from the chair, placing it back in the corner. "We'll discuss your willingness in the afternoon tomorrow, during our session together. Until then I will have a guard posted here . . . To ensure this individual cannot get to Ms. Lockwood."

She dug her nails into the palm of her hand, relief, it only a small amount, filled her chest.

"What exactly have I agreed to?" Her words were calm, a mask of curiosity. Inside she was terrified.

His smile was reserved, one meant for his own thoughts.

"Get some rest, dear. You're going to need it."

He walked out, leaving Valeria to face the rest of the drugs side affects in silence.

She didn't know what Dr. Crane was capable of, all she knew was she felt like she had sold her soul.

All to protect Jane. Who Sebastian would suffer without. They needed each other the way Lucian and her had.

When the guard showed up at the door as Dr. Crane had promised she kept her eyes half open, knowing that trusting him was a fools mistake.

Still, sleep eventually overcame her.

[fandomworldofdreams]

Hospital For Souls

"I saw the world a couple of times, tried to cure the ache with absence. But that hole was still a hole and my mind kept playin' tricks on me. Feelin' older every day, took everything I had to not crash and burn. But I'm starting to learn sometimes I'll fall down, sometimes I'll lose hope. But those days will be few if I keep my feet on the ground

I might be lonely, but I ain't alone here. So I keep pushin' the limits of what makes me me"

-Asking Alexandria

Previous: Prologue, CHP1, CHP2, CHP3, CHP4, CHP5, CHP6

Warnings: Mentions of suicide, violence

Chapter VII: Alone In a Room

Valeria immediately glared at Dr. Lecter.

"Why is he here?"

Her father shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Dr. Lecter stood and gestured for her to sit. She made no move, causing him to pull his arm back to his side.

"He came to visit you. I thought it would be a good opportunity to have a session where you talk to him."

Valeria considered turning on her heel to walk out or breaking something to get solitary confinement once again.

The look Dr. Lecter fixed her with made her sigh in defeat and take a seat on the other end of the couch.

"Valeria, I am so sorry," her father cried. She was hoping they could both go through this session masked with ignorance, but he seemed to want to actually talk.

She crossed her arms over her chest, barely glancing at him.

"For what?" Her tone was cold.

"Well, um, for er, not being there when, um, you, uh, you know," he spluttered.

"You misunderstood me." She offered a sickly sweet smile. "For not being there when mom died? When Lucian died? After you saw the scars? When I slit my wrists? When the hospital called you after the fact and you didn't answer? Which one are you sorry for?"

His mouth was open in shock, she almost thought she saw a smile cross over Dr. Lecter's face.

"I tried to be there!" He protested. "All you did was ever push me away."

"I was six. Dealing with the concept of death beyond what mom had shared with me. I was six and trying to manage a life without her. Yes, I understand you were too, but you were the adult. How many times did I have to stay home with Lucian when he was sick? Or skip school to be at his school events because you were always at work. Never home. Never there."

"Valeria, I did the best I could. I had to make the money for all of us to survive. Evangeline . . . parenting came so easy to her. When she was taken I realized I didn't know how to do half of what she did."

"So your best was being incompetent when you chose to have kids, great to know."

"Mr. Gray," Dr. Lecter interrupted. Valeria was grateful for the interjection. "What was Valeria's personality as a child? Would you say it resembled your late wife?"

Her father chuckled, a ghost of a smile. "Almost a spitting image. She was strong and always knew what to do and how to do it. She solved problems, made everything look effortless. Even Lucian clung to her before he did me. I blamed it on womanly nature. It wasn't until she was ten I realized there was also an anger like my own, except she wasn't held back by fear. She spoke her mind. At least, when it came to Lucian. I guess I thought it was too late, that neither of them wanted me. So I would try and disappear even more. Just financially provide."

Valeria was staring at the wall, tears brimmed her eyes. "I lost two parents the day she died," she said softly.

"I wish you hadn't been the one to find him. That, perhaps is my biggest regret." He looked at her with remorse.

"Find him?" Dr. Lecter asked.

"When Lucian overdosed. I was home for the holidays. I was the one that found him dead."

"I failed you both as a father. As a protector. I am so sorry," he was sobbing now. "What can I do? H-how do I fix this?"

Valeria gazed at the man before who she had held so much resentment for. The man who had showed her what weakness and cowardice did to people. What happens when someone allows fear to rule them instead of becoming one with it.

"Nothing you do could make up for years of neglect." She watched the tears stream, for just a moment she felt pity. She thought of the man who lost the love of his life. She had been there for Lucian despite her sorrow, but her brother, though he was too young to remember her well, understood not having a mother.

"I'm not your responsibility anymore. . . I forgive you." The words seemed to hang in the air, a heavy weight lifted from her chest. She had to look away to hide the tears. "Now, please leave."

She heard the shuffling, the doorknob turn, and the pause. "I love you Eria. I don't know how something so good came from someone like me." The door shut.

She was holding on, her arms held herself, creating some sense of comfort keeping her emotions in check.

Dr. Lecter stood, walking over to sit beside her. His motions were slow, giving her time to deny him. He pulled her to him.

Her walls collapsed. The tears came like a flood. He placed his hand on her head, running his fingers through her hair, pushing her face into his chest.

She uncrossed her arms, grabbing his shirt in her fists and let it all loose. Her sobs were uncontrollable, mixed with fits of gasping for air or nearly screaming.

"I'm proud of you," he said. She broke down even more.

His grip on her was somehow gentle and firm. They sat there til she calmed down and was able to finally pull away.

He reached out to wipe her cheeks with his thumb. She felt her heart flutter in her chest.

"I'm sorry. I got your shirt wet." He chuckled, caressing her face.

"It's alright. No harm done."

"Where do I go from here?" She asked.

"You begin to heal. You let go of everyone else and focus on these sessions. You focus on yourself. We work on getting you out of here." She nodded, forcing a smile.

"Okay."

She left that session feeling more free, despite still being stuck at Arkham. She had been a prisoner of her hatred towards her father for so long.

Like clockwork, she looked for Jane and Seb. Seb was sitting alone.

She knew something was immediately wrong when she saw his face.

"Where is Jane?" He looked up at her, demeanor drained.

She prepared for the worst.

"She's in the infirmary," he said softly. "I don't know why. They won't let me see her."

A rage consumed Valeria. Then an idea followed by an eerie calmness.

"Who is the most prone to violence here?"

Seb was dismissive. "I guess Gerald over there. I would say Zsasz but he isn't allowed here, too dangerous. Gerald gets angry over anything, you could just look at him wrong."

Valeria smiled. "I'll tell Jane you send your best." Seb looked at her confused.

"What?" She stood, walking over to the man Seb had gestured to. He was a burly bald man, surrounded by two others. One sat across from Gerald, a chess board between them. By the looks of it Gerald was exerting his brain too much.

His gaze roamed over her body, he smiled showcasing rows of rotted teeth.

"What can I do for you sweetheart?"

The smile she returned was emotionless.

"Listen little guy, I understand sometimes it's hard to use braincells, but if you're going to disgrace the name of chess, just don't even try." She reached out and moved his knight to knock over his opponents rook.

"What the fuck did you just say to me?" His opponent looked almost impressed by the move. A vein popped out of Gerald's forehead and he stood to his feet.

"Let me dumb this down," she crooned. "You get checkmated in two moves. This dude here's been going easy on you. I can see why, it's like trying to teach a child. Except they catch on quicker."

She saw the flex of his arm, the step forward of his foot and closed her eyes.

The pain only took a second to sink in, but it radiated throughout her whole body, which was now sprawled on the floor. Her cheekbone ached, her vision was black. Only yellow spots danced in the darkness.

He gave her no time to recover, pouncing on top of her after swiftly kicking her stomach, just missing the ribcage.

She coughed, gasping for air that was knocked from her. She turned her face away when he brought his fist down. It connected with her lip and she felt her teeth rattle together. She was grateful for the swift movement, if she hadn't have moved the punch might have broken a tooth.

"Get away from her!" Someone screamed. The weight on her chest was gone suddenly. The metallic taste of blood hit her tongue. She looked over to see Sebastian on top of Gerald, punching him.

Three guards had finally come and we're pulling them apart.

Sebastian looked at her with wide eyes and she managed a toothy grin.

Two guards dragged Gerald out, the one who had Sebastian followed. Another guard grabbed her arm, yanking her up.

"Let's get you to the infirmary."