The night was cold as the rain came pouring down. Hannibal walked quickly down the street. Hardly a soul was to be seen. Not surprising though as there was bad weather and this was not the safest part of town. On a night like this, you never knew just who was lurching in the shadows. But that did not bother Hannibal one bit. He would almost find it interesting, and maybe even a little entertaining if someone tried to assult him. He would love to see the look on their face when they realized what he was right before he killed them. Hannibal smiled sinisterly at the thought. If only his other victims had known, then they might not have been so rude.
Hannibal's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching quickly. He looked up and was a little disappointed when he saw that it was just a couple walking hurriedly in his direction. The man, who had his arm wrapped around the woman, kept looking over his shoulder as if to make sure they were not being followed. The woman carried a small bundle in her arms, holding it closely to her body. Hannibal watched them curiously as they came closer. They did not seem to notice him. That is not until the man bumped into Hannibal's shoulder. The man looked at him in surprise, then alarm, then relief.
"Excuse me sir. I'm sorry!"he apologized hurriedly as continued down the street still looking over his shoulder. Hannibal watched them. He might of killed him for his rudeness had he not apologized. The couple quickly turned down into an alley, disappearing from sight. Hannibal shrugged to himself. As he began to turn away he heard more footsteps, running this time, toward him. He turn in time to see three thugs before they crashed into him.
"Get outa da way!" one snarled as he pushed Hannibal out of his path. Hannibal watched as they ran down the alley after the couple. He paused. He did not care what happened to the couple one way or another but he was curious. Hannibal started toward the alley. He did not get far before he heard a woman's scream. As he entered the alley, he saw that the man had somehow managed to kill one of the thugs. Suddenly gun shots rang out.
"Richard!"the woman screamed as the bundle in her arms began to cry. The man, Richard, was dead before he hit the ground.The two remaining thugs advanced on the young woman. She turned away as they brought their knives down on her small body. She did not scream, cry, or beg for mercy as she shielded her baby from the blows.
Hannibal did not know why he did it. He moved without thinking. Quickly and silently with predatory grace, he came behind one of the thugs and snapped his neck before he even knew Hannibal was there. Hannibal paused and slowly looked up. His eyes met the other's, while his lips curled into a rather sinister smile. The thug swallowed and held his knife out in front of himself in a defensive position. The young mother moaned at his feet but still clung to her baby. Hannibal payed no attention to her, keeping his focus on the thug in front of him. He began to circle the surviving killer, like a panther circling its prey. He was the predator, the stronger and he would devour his prey. The lone thug seem to be thinking about the same thing. Fear radiated off him. Hannibal could smell it, almost taste it.
Not able to endure it any longer the thug lunged at Hannibal with his knife. Hannibal simply stepped to the side as his assailant thrust towards his heart. The lack of contact between blade and flesh cause the thug to stumble forward allowing Hannibal to slip behind him and get him into a headlock. Hannibal held him in that position for a few moments, savoring the sight of his prey flail his arms helplessly. Then in one jerk it was over. The body went limp and Hannibal dropped it to the ground in disgust. Survival of the fittest, it was the way of the world. The sounds of shallow breathing reminded him of dying woman bleeding to death on the ground. Crouching down he examined he wounds. A few glances over the numerous wounds told him she would not survive long enough for an ambulance to get there. Gently and carefully he rolled her onto her back. She whimpered in pain.
"Shhhh,"he whispered soothingly, the predator was gone and the doctor remained. "It's alright now." He smoothed the hair away from her face. She looked into his eyes, her own being full of gratitude, and smiled.
"Thank you,"she whispered, her breaths coming in short, painful gasps. The woman looked around fearfully. She grabbed Hannibal's coat and pulled him closer.
"Must go,"she gasped,"...find you...kill you...go!"
Hannibal nodded understanding. These thugs had friends who would come looking for them and he did not get the feeling they would be thrilled with what he did. But for some reason Hannibal could not leave.
A sob escaped her lips. "My baby!"
Hannibal suddenly remembered the child. It had become quiet and so he briefly forgot about it. What would become of it, he wondered.
"They find her...they kill her...hide her...please...beg you,"she managed to gasped out. Her breathes were becoming more and more shallow. Hannibal hesitated. He could not be responsible for a baby. He never had children. He had never thought about it. And now here was this dying woman trying to ensure the survival of her helpless child. She recognized that Hannibal would be a strong protector and she was begging him to take her child. This appealed to Hannibal's inner beast as well as his chivalrous nature. Without a word he carefully picked up the baby. She did not cry as he held her but gazed back at him with big, curious eyes. Hannibal felt something he did not expect. A sudden need to protect.
"Her name...is Lillian," breathed the child's mother. "Please...see that... that she is safe."
Hannibal leaned down and captured her gaze. "I give you my word." His heart skipped a beat. Why did he just do that? Hannibal could not explain why. He did not care for this woman, he owed he nothing but he for some reason he felt compelled to do as she asked. Hannibal looked down at the baby that he cradled in his arms. Her mother caressed her face. "Goodbye Lily," she sighed. Her breath came to a halt and her body became limp. Her eyes, still open, were fixed on her child. Hannibal sighed and reaching down, gently closed the dead woman's eyes. Then he quickly stood and silently left the alley. The baby, Lillian, gave a small cry. Hannibal paused. "Shhhhhh,"he hushed her gently but sternly. "You must be strong and behave yourself now. I will take care of you now." He swallowed, almost uncertainly. Why should he? He owed nothing to this family. He could just leave her with social services but that would raise too many questions. Leave her on a doorstep? Hannibal looked back at Lillian. A smile spread across her face as she cooed happily. She reached out for him with a chubby little hand and he found himself taking it into his own. Lillian grabbed his finger and brought it to her mouth. Hannibal found himself smiling at this curious little creature. He could not raise a child, could he? No, he thought as he shook his head. She would be a weak, little nuisance. And yet... The thought of raising her intrigued him. How to explain her though? A daughter he just found out he had with the passing of her mother. Not entirely a lie but he was well respected and wealthy. No one would question him. How would her care for her though? He had no experience and he had his practice as a psychiatrist. He could hire a nanny until Lillian was old enough. An older woman would do. One who was discreet. Hannibal then made up his mind once and for all.
"I am taking you home with me. From now on I will be your father and you, my daughter." As if she understood, Lillian let out a happy, little cry. Hannibal pressed her little forehead to his.
"I will take care of you now, little Angel."
As he made his way home with Lillian in his arms, Hannibal felt strange. Like there was now a small patch of light shining on his darkened soul. He looked down at the now sleeping babe. He was a merciless, cold-hearted killer but even the hearts of hardened killers are sometimes melted. And this was the case with Hannibal and his little angel, Lillian.