Eat the Rude

Hannibal laid in Juliette's bed awake. Thoughts racing through his head. Juliette lay next to him. Her face peaceful and serene as she slept. He turned towards her, running his fingers along her skin. She stirred.

    "Hmmm what's on your mind Dr. Lecter?" she mused.

    "When did you start?"

    "When I was 20. I was at Oxford. A friend of mine was having a party. There was a group of young men that attended. When I spurned their leaders advances he had them follow me home. I used to cut through this beautiful park, they caught me there. They beat me.....just as the young man was about to rape me....something inside me snapped. It was like some wild beast took hold of my soul and I was no longer afraid. I bit his neck as hard as I could and ripped with all my strength. He screamed, blood poured from the wound into my mouth. Hot and syrupy. His friends ran but he couldn't I bashed his head in with a rock. From there it has evolved. I wrote an entire paper on cannibalism in the modern world. I have my morals. I don't kill the innocent, children or domestic animals. Eat the rude, that's my philosophy."

Hannibal pulled her into his arms. Juliette rested her head on his chest.

    "I understand you Hannibal. More than you could possibly know. I am aware that this probably frightens you."

    "If it were anyone else saying this to me, yes, it would frighten me. I have no reason to fear you. I have every reason to love you."

Juliette smiled and kissed his chest. There they slept. Safe in each other's arms. How long that safety would last, was a different story.