Author's Note: This is my first fanfiction! I have read a lot of fanfiction in my days and I felt like I needed to contribute. My story will have a few OCs. In fact, one of my main characters will be a OFC. I said Hannibal and Will are the pairing, and they are, but I needed to build a story around them. Since this is my first fanfiction, I don't expect my criticism to be light! I want all the criticism I can get, it will help me better myself in the future. Thank you for reading and don't forget to review! Finally, the first chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the television, movie, or book series of Hannibal. I also do not own any of the songs I used lyrics from. They all belong to their respected sources.
Chapter One: Stop and Stare
"I'm losing sight, don't count on me.
I chase the sun, it chases me."
The air smells of anxiety, the expressions in the room all convey worry, and desperation seeps from everyone's pores.
Everyone except Hannibal and Will.
Hannibal acts as he always does; un-reacting. He feels nothing when gruesome some crimes scenes photos are displayed and he only blinks when he is asked upon for insight.
Will, however, looks as if he is in his own little world. A world Hannibal would love to venture into. Will's feelings towards the photo's vary from hatred towards the killer to empathy for them as if they are the victims. When asked questions, he stumbles on his own words. Under the spotlight, he is nervous and feels exposed.
Yet he is one of the most intelligent men working with the FBI; Hannibal being the other.
Hannibal does not realize he is staring at Will until Beverly snaps her fingers in front of Will's face, snapping him out of his own trance.
"Hello? Earth to Graham." Beverly teases.
"Yes?" What.. What is it?" Will whips his head towards her, blinking away his daydream. His dark curls shake as he turns his head.
Jack Crawford looks down and sighs. His patience was running thin with the detective. He didn't like to repeat himself.
"Will, we gathered all the unsolved murder cases in the Ohio and West Virginia area dating back to ten years." Agent Crawford looks back up at Will with dark eyes. "Care to explain to us why?"
Will's face turns red with embarrassment as his eyes scan the room, everyone looks agitated with the man. He senses Hannibal's eyes on him but can't bring himself to make contact with him.
"Oh yes, of course. You see, I believe that the Chesapeake Ripper killed in these states before Virginia." Will states.
"And what do you base this off of?" Jack asks.
"Well, we have reported cases in Michigan that are confirmed to be done by the Ripper." Will answers, "Between Michigan and Virginia there is a time gap of ten years." He finishes.
"But serial killers often take breaks to ease suspicion or grieve." Dr. Price states.
"Yes, you're right, but we're talking about the Chesapeake Ripper. A man who degrades his victims by displaying their bodies and eats their organs. This man takes no break, because his blood lust simply won't allow it. It was only convenient for him to kill while moving through these states because Virginia is where the real battle begins. Right in Quantico's backyard." Will explains.
"Are we sure it's blood lust?" Hannibal asks. He agrees with Will, but wants to hear him explain why he wrong.
It's Dr. Lector's first time speaking since entering the room and his question throws him off guard. He blinks at him a couple of times then answers him.
"It is a little more than blood lust. When the families and friends were asked about the victim's personality, they said the victim's weren't the most pleasant people. Will looked at Dr. Lector's neck throughout his explanation.
"So are you saying that their rudeness is another motive?" Beverly questioned.
"That's one way to put it. It is as if he is closer to godliness by getting rid of the rude." Will says, a nasty scowl on his face showing his despite of his ability to feel what the killers feel.
Hannibal sat back and watched Will and Beverly converse. Beverly would share her theories, and Will shot each of them down. Mrs. Katz was getting angry.
"You know, Will, you can be such an ass-" Beverly was interrupted by the loud-speaker in the large office.
"Agent Crawford?" The secretary asked, her voice hinting worry.
"Yes?" Jack's deep voice boomed.
"A young woman just ran past security after I denied her request to see Will Graham." Will went wide-eyed when he heard his name.
"Alright, we will handle it, thank you." Jack sighed. This wasn't the first time someone had breached security in attempt to see Will. They were mostly reporters seeking a story, but he couldn't allow Will to be distracted in the FBI headquarters.
Dr. Zeller snorted. "Looks like Will's got groupies."
Jack was about to lose his temper when the door swung open.
The young woman at the door skid to a halt and was breathing heavily. Hannibal had to wipe away to look of recognition off his face. Her dark hair fell over shoulders in long waves and her brown eyes were wide. She seemed shocked to see so many people and a deep blush rose into her high cheekbones. Dr. Lector could only hope she didn't recognize him. This girl should be dead, he thought to himself.
"I don't know why you lie so clean.
I'll break right through the irony."
Jack Crawford's thin patience shattered.
"What?" He blurted.
The girl gulped and fidgeted with her hands before speaking.
"I was hoping to talk to Will Graham... sir." She added the 'sir' hoping to ease the furious agent.
"You'll have to address us all if you wish to speak to him. Now I suggest you get on with it before I escort you out!" Jack exclaimed.
The girl didn't look comfortable with Jack's suggestion. She scanned the room for Will and when she spotted Hannibal, her expression didn't change. She doesn't recognize me, Dr. Lector realized. He sighed heavily, unaware that he was holding his breath. She took a couple deep breaths and finally her eyes met Will's. Something haunting about her eyes made Will not want to look away for once. She stared at him and said:
"I was a victim of the Chesapeake Ripper."
"This is complete nonsense, come with me." Jack walked towards her.
The blush grew deeper but because of anger rather than embarrassment. She was furious that he didn't believe her.
"Let me prove it to you." She said, and before Jack could reach her, she lifted her shirt.
Along her abdomen, there was a long scar. The scar was many shades darker than her skin tone and the contrast was sickening. It was jagged in one area and it looked like an eerie grin. The scar was puckered and hideous.
Hannibal looked at the scar he inflicted on the girl, and felt anger.
The scar would have been perfect if the girl had not moved around so much. He remembered her struggle, she had fought back harder than most of his victims.
The girl pulled her shirt down and walked past Jack's open-mouth gaze.
Will's face did not hide his shock. As she eased into the chair, he didn't know what to say. It was clear that neither of them had great social skill, and for a couple of minutes he just stared at her. This was one of many missing puzzle pieces to this mystery, and she was right in front of him.
She reminded him of one of his dogs. An abused stray he had picked up on the side of the road. Her eyes showed distrust like the dogs did.
He put his palm on her forearm. He never engaged in physical contact and it slapped awkwardly against her skin. She shrunk away from his touch and he shifted his gaze to his own hands. He spoke and the abruptness of his own voice made her jump.
"What's your name?"
"Enlighten me; reveal my fate.
Just cut these strings that hold me safe."
The song lyrics throughout this chapter are from 'Follow' by Breaking Benjamin.
Thank you for reading!