[OOM] she's got that blindfold on

[collects_strays]

The privacy room has the same submerged feeling that permeates the rest of the hospital. There is more light – the large window is frosted glass, and sliced lengthwise by vertical blinds, but it's the closest thing to direct sunlight he's seen while in here. With the long gray patterns along the walls, like thin streams have dripped down the stone, it was like being just below surface of the water, looking up to the light that glints and splits itself into pieces with the current.

In this room, Graham is seated at a table. His hands are folded over it, his wrists in handcuffs connected by a long chain, which runs through a steel loop that's been bolted to the table's surface. If he moves one hand, the chain will click and tug at the other. It's worse than the cage, which at least affords him some illusion of separation. Restrained to the table, Graham can't move away, even if he wants to.

The wall and door facing into the main hall are transparent. Despite this, he doesn't watch it as he waits for his visitor. He looks to the rippled pattern along the wall across from him, even when he notices dark figures moving in the corner of his eye, and hears the buzzer as the door is unlocked.

Comments

[collects_strays]

not often tempered by mercy

Clearly.

Graham lifts his eyes. His voice is still shaky, and he takes a short, gasping breath after he speaks.

"I know."

[cook_the_rude]

"For all that, I am sincerely hoping that the trial will lead to something productive," Dr. Lecter says. "Truth, justice, revenge, closure, or simply your freedom."

He stands.

"I will be there, Will. And on your side."

[collects_strays]

He follows Dr. Lecter with his eyes. There;s a flicker of surprise in his face as Lecter stands, and he takes another, quick breath.

But he forces his composure, steadying himself and folding his hands over the table again. The chain follows this movement with a quiet clink.

He meets Dr. Lecter's eyes as he answers, quiet but earnest, "Thank you."

[cook_the_rude]

Dr. Lecter holds his gaze for a moment, then nods earnestly, and leaves.

[collects_strays]

As Dr. Lecter leaves, Graham leans forward, lowering his head to his folded hands. He doesn't move until the guard enters to return him to his cell.

By the time the cell door closes behind him, he's steady and still, dispelling the surface of jittery panic like pulling off a glove.