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Dario Puggioni
2016
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//long chapter

"WILL?" She asked surprised. "What are you doing here?"

He blinked twice, trying to process what happened, as if he had just awaken from a trance. His surroundings were unfamiliar, just moments before he was with the FBI at the beach, investigating a human token, and now he was at Alice's doorstep.

"What am I doing here?" He asked still schocked, spotting the concerned brunette in front of him.

"That's what I'm asking..." She noticed something strange in his behavior.

"I...don't remember." Will muttered scared. "I don't remember coming here." He stuttered, realizing he had no idea of what was happening "I was on a beach, in Graftom, in Virginia..."

"That's three hours from here." Alice said, now aware that he in fact didn't remember how he got there. "God...Will..." she sighed "Come in."

"No-"

"I said: come in." She demanded, pulling his arm.

Alice told him to sit down at the sofa while she prepared a warm cup of tea for him. The atmosphere seemed way more comfortable inside, it was welcoming, a total contrast from the hainting and bloody beach he was moments before.

The smell of mint filled the apartment, as he rubbed his eyes, trying to stabilize himself, accept the present moment.

Alice looked over the window as the water boiled, his car was parked outside, she concluded he drove all the way until here, but he didn't remember it for some reason.

"Here." she came back a with the drink, as he tried to warm his cold hands on the porcelain.

Alice sat by his side on the sofa, holding her Water Lillies cup on her hands, she could remember Hannibal giving it to her: "Franklyn was drinking coffee with this at his last session, I believe he would like for it to stay with you."

He took a sip of the drink, letting the liquid slowly sink into his body, as his mind paced slowly.

"Can you tell me what happened?" Alice asked calmly.

"There's something wrong with me." He muttered with his eyes locked on the polished up floor.

"Should I call Hannibal?"

"No." He shaked his head. "The last thing I want right now is someone telling me what to do" He refused.

"But he might help you-"

"Alice, no." Will said serious. He took a deep breath and sighed heavily. "I'm sorry...I'm just..."

"Tired." She suggested, watchibg the dark circles around his eyes and his vulnerable oisture by her side. The man by her side eas breaking down. "You are not okay, Will."

"What do you mean?"

"Your work...all of this...it's...I'm afraid that's too much for you." She spoke, trying not to annoy him.

"Are you telling me to quit my job?" He replied in a defensive stance, not liking what she said.

"I'm just saying you are overworking yourself. You need to rest, Will." She tried to touch his arm, he avoided, getting up from the sofa.

"I save lives." He assured.

"And who's going to save yours?" She got up as well, the silence fell between them. "This is going to kill you someday."

He covered his face with his hands groaning, he didn't know what to do. She stepped foward, reaching for him, and touched lightly his shoulders.

"Look at me." Alice called her friend said. He didn't do it at first. "Will, look at me." She repeated softly, he took his hands from his face and looked into those ocean blue eyes. "I'm worried about you." She carressed his cheek and he held her hand, aborving her warm touch for a second. His expression was the same as a lost puppy in the rain. "Let me help you...please."

He sighed, as Alice touched her forehead with his, locking glances with him as an act of trust between them. He invisibly nodded in response. "Alright.." he responded in a hoarse whisper. "Maybe I..." he tried to take in the truth. "Maybe I should do some exams...a tomography or something."

"I agree." She muttered back. Holding his face next to hers. At this point, Will Graham was completely immersed into her figure, wondering what did he do to deserve her. "I will try to find a doctor for you...I can ask Hannibal if he knows someone-"

"What is happening..." he hesited but needed to ask. " ...between you and Hannibal?"

A moment of silence, his glistening eyes seeked for answers while staring at her. She wet her lips with her tongue, making him hipnotized by them for a second.

"It's...complicated." Alice simply said.

Will wouldn't take that as an answer. That matter burned inside of him. "We are complicated." He corrected.

"Will..." she frowned her eyebrows frustrated "We are friends..."

He carefully positioned his hands at her waist, stroking her large shirt's fabric lightly with his fingers, subtly feeling her skin in a sensitive, delicate and irresistible way.

"That's what he said about you two to Jack..." He remembered.

"Can we not talk about this, now?" She tried to run away from the growing tension between them.

"Of course." He whispered back, gazing at her lips, and she involutairily did the same towards him. "We don't need to talk."

In a heavy breath, Will leaned foward, tasting slowly, deliciously her lips again, he savored them like they were bathed by honey, a sweetness that spread into his mouth, as he pulled her waist against his.

But as caring, as dearly, irresistible and nostalgic that act was, Alice couldn't give in herself completely towards him like the first time. Her breath sharpened, and her heart speeded by the first thought that came towards her mind: by the memory of Hannibal's bloody lips and seductive touch that controlled her entire being, by the furtive glances and subtle gestures, the sweetness but also spiceness that they shared yet couldn't understand.

She might have had feelings for Will, but at that moment all she could think, all she could feel, and all she could desire for, was Hannibal.

Alice pulled Will away, not abruptely, but gently, with a discrete wet sound of their lips parting from each other.

"Sorry...I can't..." she shaked her head "I can't do this, Will..."

"Alice...I-"

"Will?!" A third voice broke the silence. Alice's eyes widened by recognizing from who it was, afraid to turn around and face it. "Will Graham??"

Alice stepped away from Will's arms, trying to fix the situation, but it was too late. "Colin-"

"You're Will Graham, aren't you?" Her brother recognized, coming fastly next to them, his eyes sparkling at the man."You were Alice's friend..."

"Hey, Mighty Colin." Will gave a half smile with nostalgia and tenderness, using the same nickname he used to call him when they were younger.

The scene that followed was not what Alice expected, after all, Colin has been so rebellish lately, frustrated with each and every attitude of hers. But not this time. This time he ran across the living room and just as a little kid, hug Will with the most sweet expression on his face. Even the agent was surprised, but his lips trembled, forming a genuine smile as he hugged back the little boy he watched grow before.

"Damn you're so tall now" Will chuckled as Colin left his arms. "And strong too, what happened to your little spaghetti arms?"

"Where have you been??" Colin questioned thrilled to receive the guest he admired so much as a kid. "How have you been? Are you still in FBI? I have so many questions-"

"Yeah, I've noticed that." Will replied on a funny note, his eyes gazed at Alice across the room, full of tenderness. She loved how he treated Colin, how he cared for him as an older brother even though he never needed to.

"Wait..." Colin just then realized. "...Did you just kiss my sister?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

Alice and Will couldn't reply by how embarrassed they were, her cheeks a bright red as she rushed towards the kitchen with the excuse that they ran out of tea. Will had to deal with the situation.

"Um...." He tried to speak awkwardly.. "Look, I..."

"I totally support you." Colin tapped his shoulder. "Really, no one would be a better choice for Alice than you."

"Do you...really think so?" Will asked a bit touched. In his conscience he never thought so, he always believed that Alice deserved someone better, more stable, and that could take care of her better than him.

"Yeah! And you're way better than the last dude she's been going out with." Colin commented.

"The dude she's been going out with?" Will gasped. Colin nodded. "Who?"

"Some weird doctor she met. I think he was her therapist or something. A weirdo."

"...Doctor Lecter...?" His eyes widened up, the lips parted in surprise.

"Yeah, that's it!" Colin confirmed, Will became speechless. Hannibal Lecter has been going out with Alice, romantically speaking, and even met her brother. The situation seemed to unreal to be true. "Anyway, tell me everything! Not about my sister dating you, that would be disgusting, but are you living here in Baltimore??"

Alice came back with another cup for Colin, as she sat on the sofa next to him, Will was on another armchair separated. Alice and him exchanged glances in an unspoken language. How would they tell him? It was a shame to take his happiness so fastly, but it was necessary.

"Colin...." Alice called him with a cautious tone. "There's something I must tell you..."

"Oh my God." He opened a huge smile that lightened the whole town, leaning foward. "Wait, wait, let me guess..." he made a suspenseful pause and lifted his arms in the air for the big news. "You're engaged!!"

Will choked on his tea, almost dying with the declaration, but recovered from it.

"What?! No!" Alice slapped Colin's shoulder. The boy whimpered. "Will's my friend!"

"You just kissed him in our living room!"

"That was...! I..." her cheeks flushed again. "It's not about me and Will. It's a serious matter. Okay?"

"Alright..."Colin sighed. "Then what is it?"

Alice made a pause, holding tight the cup on her hands, ignoring the heat, thinking wisely on how to say it.

"It's about Bree." She confessed. Colin stopped. "About her death."

▫️

"How do you think he handled it?" Will asked by the door.

"He's a bit schocked...specially by the news about Boyle." She told him.

"Jack's planning an analysis today. I'll inform you once it's done."

"Thank you." She replied in a whisper, as they both standed at that empty beige hallway. "Well, besides all of that I think he's fine." She gave a half smile. "Colin's very happy to see you after all these years."

"I've missed him." He replied kindly.

"I'm happy too." Their eyes for a single breathtaking moment. Alice hesited to say something. "...to see you."

"...I've missed you too." He replied in a whisper completely surrended. "More than anything..."

Alice closed her fists, never so conflicted before. When Will was there, it was almost as all the past came back in an avalanche of feelings. When he came back a storm seemed to disappear, and she recovered the clear blue sky she wished for. But at the same time, he was the storm itself.

"You should go now..." She muttered, lowering her eyes towards the floor, embarrassed over the loud tension between them, but not wishing to be hurt again by the same man.

"Yeah..." Will mumbled, feeling weak without her. "Take care."

"You too."

▫️

"Jack thinks Abigail did it." Will declared to the doctor.

"Why would he think so?"

"He thinks they are all connected somehow to Hobbs' copycat. He thinks that she knew about those victims, that she helped her father." Will walked in circles around Hannibal's half lightned office. The doctor calmly rest in his chair, drawing in his sketchbook a feminine figure in a yellow and bright dress. "He believed it was Alice at first, but she had an alibi to the time of when he was probably killed. So it couldn't be her."

"And what do you think about it?" Hannibal asked smoothly, while he gently drew hair brown strands to the portrait.

"It's not Alice." He replied confident. "But I can't believe it could be Abigail either..." he shaked his head, stopping for a moment from walking. "He's gonna do irrapable damage to Abigail if he exposes her to Boyle's body." Will spoke frustrated.

"Maybe she is stronger than we think" Hannibal suggested.

Will walked towards the doctor and tried to look over his shoulder, but before he could see what he was drawing, Hannibal closed promptly the sketchbook.

"Alice called me." The doctor suddenly said. "She told me you'd like to see a doctor. To do exams."

"Did she?" Will rest himself at the chair in front of him. His eyes stopped at a painting on the wall, specially the signature. Alice even painted for him.

"I do believe it is a waste of time, since-"

"Since you think it is a mental illness, yeah I know." The agent retorted. "But Alice agrees with me, I'm gonna do some exams and I'll find out what it is."

He noticed that Will's tone was slightly agressive, and he could smell something on him, it was light, sweet, addicting: Alice's scent.

"Alright." He nodded, trying not to appear bothered by his discovery that they have been together. "I was going to say that I already indicated a doctor to her. She said that she will accompany you in your appointments."

"I didn't know about that..." He replied a bit embarrassed. "Thanks..."

"No need to thank me." Hannibal looked into his eyes. "You should thank your friend. She cares about you."

A moment in silence, Will was unquiet, many questions ran through his mind. The office was still the same grey, dark enviroment, but filled with a curious atmosphere that surrounded them both.

"I saw Colin today." Will confessed. "Alice and I told him the truth....About Bree's case."

"And how did he take it?"

"Better than we expected. He's a strong kid." He said calmly. "I was very happy to see him again."

"Were you close with him?"

"Colin, Alice, Bree..."Will explained. "They were like a family to me. All of them. Even when..." He sighed. "Well, when I left, but it wasn't the same anymore."

"Colin was still a kid when you left. He doesn't seem to hold any grudges against you." Hannibal suggested.

"He doesn't." Will confirmed. "And I've made amends with Alice, which only leaves..."

"...Bree Mallory." Hannibal responded.

Will nodded in silence, something troubled him, the doctor could notice it. And if he pressured him just a bit more, just a bit longer he would find an answer for it.

So that's what he did.

"Is there something you'd like to tell me Will?" Hannibal asked calmly, watching as the agnt couldn't find a comfortable position on his seat "Perphaps about Bree Mallory?"

His memories spinned around and Hannibal knew he would tell it. He would explode by any moment now.

"I saw her." Will let it out fastly, finally confessing himself. "Bree."

"When?"

"One week before she died. At Virginia."

The story started to get even more interesting. Hannibal crossed his legs, ready to listen. "Does Alice know about it?"

"No." He replied quickly. "And...I don't know if I'm going to tell her." He looked into Hannibal's eyes. "I hope you don't either."

"I would never interrupt someone's private life and matters." He told him politely.

"I doubt if that applies to Alice." Will responded. "Due to your...relationship."

"Could you elaborate what you mean?"

"You're not just friends, are you?" Will questioned.

The silence fell between them. Hannibal's expression remained peaceful, so calm that it was almost annoying, almost as if he mocked Will with it.

"What did she tell you about it?" Was his answer.

"That it was complicated."

"Mhm." Hannibal nodded slowly. "I believe that's true." He took a moment to speak. "That is all I can tell you for now."

Will knew that he wouldn't obtain any more answers, but their involvement was clear as water now.

"I won't tell your secret, Will." Hannibal assured him once again, trying to build up a safe between them so he could reveal his secrets.

Will Graham then, comitted the naïve mistake to believe him.

He took a deep breath, held his hands to each other above his lap, and started.

"Bree was on a field trip with her students at Virginia's downtown. I bumped into her on the sidewalk."

"Will?" Bree Mallory's face turned pale as if she was staring into a ghost. "Is that...you?"

"Bree?" The agent widened his eyes at her image.

"What was Bree Mallory's reaction?" Hannibal asked.

"She wasn't happy about it."

In a moment of distraction between her students she slapped his face, leaving red finger marks across his cheek, his glasses almost fell on the floor with the strong impact.

"How could you?!" She groaned. "Do you know how my sister felt? The depression that feel above her? While you're here..." she looked at the little box at his hands, he had just came back from a fishing store. "Fishing?! Seriously?!"

Will swallowed dry. It was impressive how things have changed so fastly, how that woman who wished for him to marry her sister now despised him. He cared for Bree a family, but now she hated him and saw him only as a stranger.

"I am sorry-"

"Say that to Alice!" She yelled. "Say that to the river she cried, to Colin who asked about you everyday to her!" You could feel the anger in her voice, her body shivering by the emotion that ran through her veins. "I trusted you with my sister, Will. We all did. And what did you do? You left her."

"I had no other choice." He replied.

"Everybody has a choice, Will." She assured him. "The matter is if you're willing to fight for it." She spoke between her teeth. "Tell me, do you feel better now?" He felt suddenly small, weal and fragile again. Bree could be a great ally but a terrible enemy. "Was it worth it to leave Alice behind? She was willing to do anything for you, Will Graham. Anything." Not even a punch could express the anger she felt. "She dropped out of college to cover the mess that you did. Delivers food around town to pay for the bills. She's lucky she has me, otherwise she would be alone."

"I know." Was all he could say, unable to look at her curly haired and angry figure. "I am sorry, Bree, I truly am." He responded. "But it would be dangerous for Alice to stay with me."

"You knew it, didn't you?" Luckily there was another teacher taking care of the students, because Bree was completely immersed into the conversation to bother about working. "That she loved you." Will's heart trembled. "I think that not even she knew that, probably still doesn't, but I know my sister. And she loved you, Will. With her entire being." Bree's words heavily echoed in the air.

"And I love her." He let it escape and just then realized when it was too late.

Bree gave a bitter smile and shaked her head. "No, you don't." She replied. "If you did, you'd have stayed."

Will couldn't answer any more. Bree wouldn't say anything else either. She could listen to her students call for her, and seeWill's destroyed expression, almost made her feel bad for him, but not at all.

"How is she?" Will gained the strentgh to ask. "Alice."

Bree adjusted the purse she carried. Kept a cold expression. "Better." She assured him, refused to give any further details. "Goodbye Will."

With those words, Bree Mallory turned around in her green olive dress, and left the past completely behind.

Hannibal Lecter listened to his story with attention, his head connected the dots with precision, imagining the trama he created, building a dramatic narrative of betrayl and cold murderer.

"Why won't you tell this to Alice?" He asked.

Will took a moment to answer. "I planned to, at the beginning...but then.." he stopped. "I don't know, maybe I was scared that she would not talk to me again. That maybe Bree's speech would change her mind on making amends with me."

Hannibal nodded, understanding his point. "But don't you think she has the right to know?" The question made Will feel ashamed.

"Maybe she does. But I can't." He shaked his head. "Whenever I think about it...I come to the conclusion that Bree died hating me." His breath trembled. "I feel...indirectly guilty. I couldn't help her, and she wouldn't want my help either."

"Did you hold any anger, perphaps frustration or grudge against Bree Mallory for what she did?"

Will took longer to answer this time. Hannibal had finally hit a weak point inside his mind.

"I can't blame her for hating me." He told him. "But I also can't deny that I did feel...resentment towards her." He admitted. "She got under my skin."

Hannibal walked towards him and tapped his shoulder, trying to pacify his troubled mind.

"It is good that you finally talked about it." He spoke as a true wolf in sheep's clothing.

Will gave a bitter smile, glad not to feel judged by him. But little did he know that this conversation would cost him everything.

▫️

She excused herself while walking into the hallways of the institution. Besides the corner glances she received, the enviroment seemed quite peaceful, silent except for the birds singing at the green backyard area.

Her blue eyes spot a a slim figure with dark brown hair, her skin was a milky white, similar to Bree's, but her expression was that concerned, serious, sad expression glued always on her face.

She approached her slowly, maybe not to scare her, as other patients observed her with curiosity. Her hand touched delicately her shoulder...

"Abigail?" Alice called her.

The girl turned around, recognizing her name, then met the blue sapphires that called her.

"Alice?" She said surprised.

Alice gave her a hug, and even if Abigail wasn't the most receptive person for touching, she accepted it. Alice then joined her next to a delicate and vintage tea table, sitting across her on a white chair.

"What are you doing here?" Abigail questioned.

"Hannibal told me that you were here and I thought I could pay you a visit." She smiled. "Oh." She reminded herself and took a package from her bag. "He asked for me to give you this."

It was a small meal, very organized and smelling deliciously. Alice knew just by the appearance that Hannibal made it with much caring and effort to Abigail. She admired that in him so much.

"Thank you." The girl smiled while using the spoon attached to the content to eat it.

"How are you doing here?" Alice questioned, looking around at the hospital she was secluded in, calm patel tones painted on the walls, filled with trees and vegations to keep a fresh air and sunlight thay came from the bright windows.

Abigail chewed the food while thinking of an answer. Once she swallowed it, she could reply with certainty. "I wanna go home." The sentence stabbed Alice by the pain in her tone. "I...I don't like it here."

"Do they treat you bad in here? I can talk to-"

"No, it's not that, I just...I just want to be...normal, you know?"

Alice nodded, holding her hand above the table. Abigail felt comforted by the gesture.

"I know." She spoke softly. Even not experiencing the same, Alice empathized for her, after all, she lost someone she cared deeply. Abigail actually was in a worse situation, she couldn't even imagine how hard it was for her. "Can't anyone take you out of here, or something?"

"People still want to blame me for what my father did." She replied. "That agent..."

"Jack Crawford." Alice remembered the name annoyed.

"Yes, him. He wanted to blame me for Boyle's murder."

"What?!" Alice gasped, realizing her loud tone a bit too late. A nurse told her to keep it low. "Sorry." She apologized, then turned to Abigail. "That's insane!" She whispered. "I swear, one day I'll fight this man..."

"So, specially now, I can't leave here. I also have nowhere to go." She replied. "My house was sold, the victims gained all the funds from the sale."

"God..." Alice sighed. That girl was in real trouble. "Don't you have any relatives or...?" Abigail shaked her head. "That's so messed up...you are a victim just like everyone else."

Poor Alice Mallory. So naïve.

At that moment a pair of heels echoed on the floor. The subtle silence was interrupted by a red haired that entered the room with a sharp tongue and strong sense for curiosity.

"Hello, Abigail." Freddie Lounds smiled in her prep vintage clothes. She then noticed Alice by her side. "Miss Mallory, what a surprise." He journalistic sense activated. "How do you know Abigail Hobbs? Or perphaps..." her eyes lingered at her figure for a second. "...You're here because of Nicholas Boyle."

Abigail glanced at Alice, the question floated in the air.

"I've met Abigail in the hospital." Alice replied fearless. "We are friends, right, Abigail?" She asked the girl.

"...Yes..." She nodded shy.

"Really? What a coincidence." Freddie sat at a chair next to them without being invited. "A victim's sister who is a friend of a suspect, no offense Abigail." She tried to push Alice's limits.

"Why not be objective already, Miss Lounds? We know you're here for a reason." Alice replied sharply.

Freddie looked at her with the corner of her eyes, a mocking smile on her lips. She wasn't someone to be challenged, neither underestimated.

"I am here to speak with Abigail." Freddie turned to the girl. "As I've said before, I want to tell your side of the story."

"By gaining money with her story on your tabloid?" Alice crossed her arms, her expression cold as stone. "Don't you feel ashamed of yourself, Miss Lounds? Taking advantage of an innocent girl who already suffers so much?"

Abigail thought about her words. Freddie wouldn't give up yet.

"I am not here just as a journalist, Miss Mallory, but as someone who cares about the truth, Abigail's truth. So justice can be done." The tabloid writter replied.

"Abigail is innocent, there's no evidence against her."

"But that is not what people think, is it?" This time her question was better. "Writting your point of view Abigail, may help you recover control of uour life." Freddie tried to convince the girl. "You just need to let me help you."

"That's a lie, Abigail." Alice retorted. "Freddie Lounds spread fake news often, she only cares about gaining status, she does not care about the truth neither justice." She added. "Please don't listen to her."

Abigail felt conflicted once again.

"I see Will Graham spoke about me." Freddie commented bitterly.

"And about your insanities on your blog." Alice spoke between her teeth. "I won't let you take advantage on Abigail." She threatned.

Freddie Lounds liked her tone, how she attempted to threat her even if she couldn't. "Very touching, but I believe that is not your decision to be made, Miss Mallory." Freddie pointed to the girl "It's yours, Abigail."

The girl stood quiet for a moment, the eyes traveling to a sad, distant point that Alice couldn't reach.

"I want to do it." She replied in a low tone.

"Abigail..." Alice sighed.

"Good choice, Abigail." Freddie smiled triumphant. "Now, Ms.Mallory, if you excuse us." She ahowed her the door. "We need privacy to start writting."

Alice glanced at Abigail, who opened her mouth to say something but gave up after. Alice nodded, said goodbye to Abigail and walked away.

Once she crossed the door, took her phone on her hands.

"Hi." She spoke decided. "It's her again."

▫️

Hannibal Lecter believed that a conversation followed by good food and wine could solve most of the problems. Including the Abigail and Freddie situation.

He didn't like the journalist, found her nosy, annoying, but sometimes convenient. This time she was being an obstacle though.

Will Graham discovered the truth about Boyle's murderer that afternoon with the doctor. He knew Abigail did it. And with that knowledge he barely could stare back at Alice properly anymore. Could he tell her?

His exams also didn't help either, according to the doctor Hannibal recommended, there was nothing wrong with him. Alice tried to help make him feel better, to give him some hope, but the situation overall was bad and would get worse.

Now, this. A dinner with Freddie Lounds, Abigail Hobbs and Alice Mallory, as if he didn't have much trouble already.

Hannibal came back with the dishes, had taken off his coat, wearinh rolled up sleeves of his white shirt, smiling discretely towards Alice while she helped him set up the table.

The order of the seats were respectively: by the left, Alice and Will; by the right Freddie and Abigail and at the head of the table, the host, Hannibal.

"You're lucky I had prepared a second option, Miss Lounds. It never passed in my head that you might be a vegetarian." Hannibal spoke politely, delivering her plate in front of her. "You and Alice have something in common after all."

"Yes, you might be right..." Freddie exchanged hostile glances with Alice.

Alice Mallory didn't like that journalist. She wanted to protect Abigail from her, and Freddie, with that sarcastic and mocking attitude just bothered her even more. Hannibal noticed that, and he couldn't deny how strangely attracted he felt towards Alice whenever she seemed angry with someone, as if some sort of magical charm took over her, it glistened and sparkled her eyes with rage. It just drived him insane.

"Well that, and Abigail." Will added serious.

"It still intrigues me how all of you got connected." Freddie said curious. "Couldn't be a mere coincidence."

"Life has many twists and ways, Miss Lounds." Hannibal retorted, cutting elegantly his meat. "What matter is what we choose to do with it in the future."

"Specially a future where you can choose your path and your own truth." She retorted at his subtle attack. "I am here so Abigail can choose her own truth. Tell her own version."

"I see that you do." Will didn't believe in her.

"I don't have anything to hide." Abigail tried to make a point, why over the decided and tense adults.

"Everyone has something to hide." Freddie added. "But I won't tell anything you don't want me to."

"That's the bare minimum you should do to her as a journalist." Alice replied sharply.

Freddie smiled in mockery trying to make her loose her temper. "And you should not get involved in Abigail's decisions, Miss Mallory. You are not legally responsible for her." She spoke clearly. "Just because you might consider her as a sister..." she achieved her weakness. "That does not mean she's yours."

Alice clenched her teeth, closed the fists above her lap. "Tell me, do they teach you to emotionally manipulate people in order to profit in college? Because you are so talented in it, Miss Lounds." She furrowed her eyebrows and gave a skeptical smile.

"Alice." Will whispered to her, noticing how things heated up suddenly.

"I am talented in telling people's stories, not interrupt them." Freddie retorted unaffected tp her words. "I understand Dr.Lecter and Agent Graham's concerns. But you aren't Abigail's guardian neither an FBI agent. Well, specially not an agent." She replied smoothly in a passive agressive tone. "2 years of forensic science does not make you a professional, Miss Mallory. Specially if you happen to get expelled from the institution."

That was it. She went too far. Alice almost got up from the chair. "What did you say?!" She reacted. But before she could do anything about it, a hand held hers beneath the table. The touch immediatly neutralized her, calming her senses.

"That was quite unnecessary to say due to the current situation, Miss Lounds." Hannibal retorted as he held his loved one's hand beneath the table. "And rude." He added. "I won't admit any fights in my house between my guests."

"My apologies." Freddie replied, not meaning it at all.

Alice didn't reply, just tried to calm her unstable breath as she squeezed Hannibal's hand beneath the table. At that moment he was like an anchor that kept her under control.

Will's eyes lingered down, noticing the couple's hands intertwined above her thigh. Tried to ignore and not be bothered by it, but failed.

"You must understand our concerns." Hamnibal continued. "We care about Abigail. Our only thought is to protect her."

Freddie rest her silverware on her dish. "She's already exposed. Her silence until now has been taken as guilt." She retorted. "This book is about her innocence. I want Abigail to have a future."

"That's what we all want." Will commented.

"Well, we all want what's best for Abigail." Hannibal tried to be positive, but Will and Alice still had cold expressions towards the journalist.

"This is possibly the best salad i've had in my life." Freddie complimented the food, rollimg her eyes at the adverseries, she didn't change her mind. "What a shame to ruin it with all that meat."

▫️

Abigail and Hannibal talked in the kitchen, she confessed her sins to him, and he comforted her gently, as a father. Freddie Lounds had already gone. Will was saying goodbye to Alice, both of them oblivious to the truth that was being revealed.

"It was very kind of you to stand for Abigail." He told her.

"Not the part where I almost started a fight." She crossed her arms feeling terrible.

"You just cared for her."

"Stil, I was..." She sighed. "...imprudent."

He tapped her shoulder gently. "It's alright." He gave a half smile. "I don't trust that woman either."

"Thanks." She spoke softly. Then changed the subject. "About your doctor..."

"I will do more exams." He spoke decided.

"Are you sure?"

"Something must've passed ignored, maybe we can find it next time."

Alice tilted her head to the side. "But what if..." She hesited, knowing Will wouldn't like her next words. "What if Hannibal-"

"He told you."

She tried to warm up her hands by holding them together. "He just told me that it could be a mental illness."

"And you believe him" Will said serious.

"He is a doctor, Will." She tried to speak, but he was impassive. "Maybe we should accept that possibility."

"I am fine." He assured her. "It is a physical problem and I will find it." That was Will, stubborn just as always, the same she met in college.

Alice didn't want to fight anymore, she knew he wouldn't change his mind, so she just nodded silently, agreeibg with his decision. "If that's what you want..."

Will didn't like to argue with her. Deep inside, all he wanted was for Alice to be happy, to embrace her in his arms and have a normal, steady life.

That would be too good to be true.

"Do you want a ride home?" He suggested, unable to say goodbye already.

"No, you may go. Hannibal will drive me home later." She responded.

Will looked away, thinking. "You're staying?"

"Just for a while, I want to talk to Abigail before she heads back to the hospital."

"Just Abigail?"

The silence fell between them heavily. She avoided to look into his eyes.

"You should go home. It's getting late." She did not give him further explanations.

"Goodbye, Ali." He replied, understanding the cold treatment and lack of response.

"Goodbye, Will."

▫️

It was the softest of the moments, the sweetest of the sights. Hannibal Lecter hugged Abigail Hobbs gently, respectfully, in a caring way as he pet her head and she sunk her head into his chest while crying.

When Alice spot that scene she paralyzed from how touched she felt. She didn't know the context or reason, but she could understand one thing: he loved that girl as his own daughter.

She didn't know exactly how she felt at first, or how much she admired that man in front of her. It was something warm, gentle and that made her smile for a moment.

And when he noticed her presence, meeting her glance across the kitchen, with soft, tender eyes, her heart melt and her whole body shivered.

Once Abigail aparted from him rubbing her red eyes, Alice approached them, touching her shoulder. The girl was scared at first, but later, with Alice's kind, welcoming smile, she felt comforted, understood by her.

When she looked at those two, she could almost mistake them with her parents. They felt like parents.

"Hannibal?" Alice asked with a smile.

"Yes?" He replied gently.

"Would you allow me to use your kitchen?"

He could sense her attempts to make the girl feel better. "Of course." He said softly. "May I help you?"

"Hm...I don't know.." She played, curvibg her mouth. "Let me ask my co-chef." She turned to Abigail. "Would you like his help, co-chef?" She made a funny face.

Abigail chuckled, feeling instantly better. "Yeah."

"Alright, you're hired as our assistant." Alice teased him.

"I feel honored." He winked at Abigail. The girl laughed.

"Do you mind if I use your kitchen? I have an idea to help her feel better." Alice whispered at his ear, she barely knew how the effect of her breath against his skin made him tremble.

"Anything you need, darling." Hannibal replied completely surrended to that woman's existence. The nickname always managed to give Alice shivers. She loved it.

"Well, let's get to work!" She exclaimed optimistic.

▫️

Abigail had already eaten 6 chocolate cookies and didn't plan on stopping so soon. She sat on the floor and watched something on the TV like a child, her eyes glowed at the figures as she chuckled at some stupid joke the protagonists said.

Hannibal and Alice sat a bit behind her, side by side at the sofa, watching the girl's smiles, absorving that warm home atmosphere.

"She seems happy." Alice whispered softly.

"She is." Hannibal muttered to her. "Because of you."

Alice shaked her head with a short smile. "I did barely nothing." She spoke sadly as she watched Abigail eat another cookie. "I wish I could do more..."

He discretely set his his arm around Alice's shoulder, his other hand played with a strand of her hair, as his sight was completely stuck at Alice's figure. She turned to him, a bit surprised, the cheeks flushed. "You are doing your best." He spoke calmly, not looking away. "And I'm sure she appreciates that."

Alice's smile formed slowly, completely surrended to his touch and words, her heart melting as honey, and as much as that was uncommon to them, she didn't tell him to let his arms go from her. "Sorry for almost throwing hands with Freddie Lounds today."

"She deserved it. Actually, I was expecting a flying shoe instead." He commented, stroking lightly her exposed shoulder with his fingers. Alice laughed, he loved to make her laugh, to cause her a bit of joy, it was priceless. It seemed like she was the only one who got his sense of humor. "It's alright. In the end, you didn't."

"Thanks to you." She said, intensely looking into his deep hazel eyes. "It's always you." She was completely immersed into his figure. "You're always there to save, to help me, knowing what to say..." she sighed. Her head rest at his shoulder, cuddling, smelling his light scent of cologne, but mostly natural one. "Are you sure you're real?"

He caressed her cheek softly, his heart barely taking the emotion that he felt. He adored that woman. What he felt was beyond any label, title or anything that someone has ever felt. With Alice, he didn't just feel loved, he felt...complete.

Hannibal wished things to stay that way, to freeze that moment: Alice smiling in his arms, as they whispered promises, confessions to one another. Abigail happy, laughing at the living room, with the aroma of something that was cooked by them three in the kitchen. It almost felt like a dream.

"What do you think?" He vocalized back, watching her eyes sparkle, surrending to his carings "I'll always be here for you, Alice." He comforted her as she snuggled more on his chest. "Always."

They watched Abigail comment something about the show and smiled simultaneously, both wandering about the future and promises. Alice never allowed herself to be so helpless, naive and romantic, but at that moment, with him, everything just felt so right, so...perfect.

So she allowed herself to daydream at that night, to let her imagination travel beyond that living room to paper rings and sugar coated lies, attempting to escape that cruel and chaotic reality they lived in.

▫️

"A fight? That's impossible." Alice complained. "Colin isn't a violent kid, he would never hit someone."

"Miss Mallory, I understand your struggle to accept this, but he was seen today punching one of his classmates at the cafeteria." The grey haired principal exained to her in a tone that was so calm that became vexing.

Alice Mallory was called that afternoon into the principal's office of Colin's high school. Mr.Harold, a 50 year old man dressed a sueter in shades of green, almost looking like an olive. He had a serene, almosy sleepy expression while talking to her. Colin was by her side, the eyes stuck on the woodden floor beneath his feet, embarrassed.

"There must be a mistake." Alice shaked her head and defended him. "Right, Colin?" She turned to her brother. But he didn't reply. His hands stuck on his lap, aprehensive. Alice's light expression disappeared, her smile became a thin, straight line. "Colin?"

The principal cleared his throat, the truth had been revealed.

"Now, Ms.Mallory..."

"Why did you hit a kid?!" She groaned confused.

"I didn't mean to!" Colin finally spoke.

"How didn't you mean it? They saw your fist on his face!"

"Ms.Mallory..." the principal tried to speak.

"Did you slip and hit him? Huh?"

"Ms.Mallory..."

"Was it self defense? Did he hit you first?" She turned to the principal " Who hit first?"

"Ms.Mallory, please-"

"I did." Colin confessed.

"You what?!" Alice gasped.

"Ms.Mallory!!" The principal spoke louder this time. Both the siblings stopped talking and looked at him. "Now that I have your attention..." he adjsted himself at his seat.

Suddenly a sound echoed, interrupting his speech. Alice's phone. She tried to find it on her purse as the song continued loudly. The principal awkwadly stared at her as the ring conitnued. "Sorry." She replied "Just a second."

"And the seventh thing I hate the most that you do.... you make me-"

Alice picked up the phone just in time, already knowing who it was by the ringtone. "Hey."

"Hey, so, are you coming?" Will Graham answered at the other side of the line.

Just then she recalled. She promised to accompany Will on his exam that day. He seemed to really need support, something bad happened during his work, like he trespassed a crime scene and got too much into it, ge mentioned something about a girl who slashes someone's face, a girl who believed she was dead, but didn't give too much details about it. What Alice knew is that he needded someone by his side right now, but "Colin's Incident" happened, and she couldn't leave him now.

"I am so sorry, Will." She could hear him sighing through the phone. "I was called to the principal's office today, Colin's in trouble..."

The fact that both Colin and the principal could hear it and waited patiently for her to end the call made the situation even worse, if not hilarious.

"Is he okay?" Will asked.

"He punched a kid. But he's fine.... Can't say the same about the kid."

"Colin punched someone?" Even Will surprised the situation.

"Yeah, I can't believe it either."

"Sounds serious. You should stay where you are and help him."

"I am so sorry Will, I promised you-"

"Alice it's alright. I can take care of myself." He assured her. She didn't believe in that so much.

"Tell me how it went later, okay?"

" 'Kay. Bye"

"Bye."

She turned off the phone, then looked at the principal, more serious than before. "Sorry."

"Anyway, as I was saying, Mr.Mallory- "

"I'm sorry, just another call." She asked again, and dialed the numbers. The principal made a grumpy face.

On the other side of the line, an anxious and passionate Hannibal rushed through the room to pick up the call, almost tripping and falling on the floor. When he pressed the button he disguised his emtions, keeping it cool.

"Hello?" He asked, fixing his tie and polishing up his voice.

"Hi!" She greeted him sweetly, he closed his eyes and smiled, my God, he loved to listen to her voice. "So...I've got a problem." She told him.

"What did you do now?"

"Why do you assume it was me?" She questioned. A pause was made. "It was Colin." He almost laughed.

"What happened?" Hannibal asked.

"He hit someone and now I'm at his school. "

"He hit someone?" He didn't expect the boy to have such a violent behaviour. Well, something to keep in mind.

"Yeah, well, I need to solve this soon if he wants to get into Stanford." She explained.

"He wants to get into Stanford?" Hannibal asked intrigued.

"Yeah, to study law. It's his dream."

"...that's on the other side of the country." He realized. His eyes sparkled, a mischievous smile opened in his lips.

"I know...I'm still trying to change his mind." She gave a bittersweet smile. "Anyway, I need to help him. Could you do me a favor?"

'What is it?"

"Will has an exam today with that doctor you talked about. Could you please accompany him?" She asked him nicely. "I told him I would, but things got out of hand."

Hannibal Lecter saw one thing: opportunity. Alice unconsciously had provided him another piece to the bloody puzzle he built.

"I am sorry, I wish I could." He lied. "But I have a patient now, I just took a 5 minutes break to speak with you, but I must return."

"Oh, it's okay." She said a bit surprised.

"I am truly sorry."

"No, no, it's alright, you need to work." She shaked her head. "Will told me himself that he would go alone. He'll be alright, won't he?"

"Of course. Don't worry, darling." He said softly, Alice smiled, oblivious to his diabolic plans.

"Okay then, have a good day at work." She cheered for him.

"I hope everything works out for you and Colin. Call me if you need anything." He told her.

"Sure." She said.

"Oh, Alice." He remembered before she hung up.

"Yes?"

"What is my ringtone?"

"Um?"

"On your phone. What song plays when I call you?"

Alice chuckled softly, finding cute his curiosity. She didn't know, but since he heard Will's different ringtone from the average one when other people called her, he was anxious to know if he had one as well. He knew that setting a different sound for a contact was special to her.

"Fearless by Taylor Swift." She replied with a silly smile and blushing cheeks. He quickly wrote down the song on a sheet of paper. "Goodbye, Hannibal."

"Goodbye, Alice." He replied sweetly.

Mr.Harold cleared his throat again, as Alice quickly masked the smile on her face. "So, as I was saying, Mr.Mallory allegedly defended himself by saying that Mr.Wilcom verbally offended him, which led him to the physical agression"

"Is that true?" She turned to Colin.

Colin hesited to say something. He would have to admit that he has been suffering bullying for the past 7 months to her, and he didn't want to cause Alice any trouble or concern...well, too late for that now.

"He talked about Bree." He muttered. "He always talks about Bree..."

Alice could feel honesty in his tone. Colin would never lie about a matter as this one. No, while observing her brother at that moment Alice Mallory could see how much he suffered underneath that neat, happy surface.

And that made her want to die.

"We are aware that there are cases of previous violent attacks in your family..." The principal talked slowly, as he referred subtly to Alice's alledged attack at her college days. "So-"

"My brother has been bullied by your students and he's the one who's punished?" She interrupted his sentence. "He is the one who is called and labeled as violent, while the others insult people and get away with it? That's what you teach them? Where's the justice?"

"Ms.Mallory you need to understand-"

"Was he wrong for beating a colleague? Yes, he was. But that doesn't mean he is the only one to blame." She didn't finish yet. "Your other student also is blamed fpr this, he disrespected my family. I could sue his parents if I wanted to." At this point, Mr.Harold feared her next attitude. "And sue the institition for their negligence towards their students' well being." The principal trembled. "Should I do that, Mr.Harold?"

"Wait, no, no, that is not necessary, Miss Mallory!" He was terrified. "You see, I am also being pressioned by the parents as well-"

"Next time they complain, let me speak to them first. I'll tell them in full details what their lovely son is doing to others." She ended him. "My brother has a future ahead. So I sincerely hope you do not put anything on his records before he graduates in just 1 month." She pointed to him.

Mr.Harold swallowed dry. Alice killed him with her glance.

"A suspension with no register. That is the best I can do. 1 week."

Alice got up and grabbed her purse, she indicated for Colin to stand as well.

"Thank you, Mr.Harold. glad to know you're reasonable." She lifted her chin up. "Colin, let's go."

The principal tried to shake her hand but she ignored him. Colin was still speechless but they left with no other words, no exposed fear.

Once they reached the scooter outside, Alice stopped her brother.

"How long?" She questioned. He didn't reply. "How long has this been going on?"

"Since Bree died." He finally said, ss the leaves flew around them with the chilly breeze of that afternoon.

Alice ran her hands through her face and exhaled heavily. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"We both know you weren't in a good state." He replied. She meditated on his words. "And I didn't want to trouble you even more-"

"Colin, you are my brother." She said serious. "Whatever are your problems, they are mine as well. You shouldn't keep these things from me."

"Sorry..." He muttered. She messed up his hair with her hands, her sight blurred into seeing that little kid she raised and loved so much.

"No secrets now, okay?" She made him promise.

"Okay."

"Come on." She gave him a helmet. "Let's go home and binge watch The Simpsons" He chuckled excited, and joined her, leaving the pain behind.

▫️

A blurred figure hummed a country melody as it ripped off the jaw from a corpse inside that cold hospital office. "You take my hand and drag me head first..."

The "dead girl", also discovered by the FBI to be Georgia Madden, stepped back in fear, she looked for Will Graham, yet found a man who she couldn't see his face. Just felt as he grabbed her hands and pressed her fingers against a sharp, chilly weapon he held, leaving her fingerprints on it. He was creeply covered in plastic, and walked with no concern towards the exit, still humming.

Georgia Madden ran away clueless.

Will Graham, who was in a machine to do his exam, noticed the strange quietness and walked towards the office, finding his doctor's copse dripping blood with an open jaw.

▫️

Hannibal Lecter made a call. "Hello, is this professor Richards?" He smiled charmingly, getting downstairs at the dark basement and turning on the lights. "How do you do, professor?" He listened patiently to the ogter person on the phone as he opened the sink, letting the water run. "Glad to know you're okay... I hope you do not find this insolating, but...do you perphaps remember that favor you owe me?" His eyes sparkled within the shadows, creeping into the deaths of his insane mind, washing the blood dripping from the pastic fabric. "I'd like to claim it now."