Author's Note: Hey guys... I apologize for the SUPER late update. I guess I can't handle the every-Thursday-update. I've been terribly busy the last couple of weeks. Thanks for waiting! In my AU, Abigail Hobbs knows Hannibal is a cannibal. Please enjoy and don't forget to review!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Hannibal. I do not own the songs I use lyrics to. They all belong to their respected sources.

Chapter Seven: The Sheep


"Put the mask back on, put the mask back on.
Don't take it off till everybody's gone.
Put the mask back on, put the mask back on.
No disguise has ever lasted so long."


Abigail Hobbs stared out of the window in her room at the Port Haven Psychiatric Facility. Instead of being around her neck, her scarf laid on her bed. She wore it while in public because otherwise, she felt exposed. She felt that since her life had been searched through with a fine tooth comb, she needed at least one secret that not everyone knew about.

Hannibal had called earlier and told her that he was almost at the facility and that Will, him, and herself were going to eat dinner at his home that evening. Will wasn't with him so Abigail knew Hannibal needed to talk to her. Alone.

Being around Dr. Lector uneased Abigail, so being alone with him was down right terrifying. She knew what the man was capable of yet she had no leverage over him. If Abigail were to so much as hint to anyone who Hannibal really was, she would go down with him. He knew her secrets as well.

He knew that she lured in the girls her father killed so that her own life would be spared. He knew she was surrounded by the remains of her and her father's victims whether it be from the pillow stuffing, or digesting them. Hannibal also knew that she had killed Nicholas Boyle.

Taking Hannibal out meant taking herself out as well.

"Hello, Abigail." Hannibal Lector said finally after standing completely silent in her room for a moment.

Abigail jumped and spun around. "You frightened me."

"My apologizes," He said, however his voice didn't change, didn't hint any emotion at all. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, I just need to put on my scarf." Abigail stated, making her way towards the bed.

"Allow me." Hannibal requested.

Abigail simply nodded as Hannibal reached for the floral fabric. He stepped up to her, looking down at her. Abigail had to look up at him and she knew this was how things would be. Hannibal always being above her. She had no chance against him.

He laid a gentle hand on her bare neck. His fingers grazed across the scar on her neck. Her breath hitched and she swallowed hard. Hannibal smirked when he felt the swallowed lump in her throat. He wrapped the scarf around her neck and tied it. He tightened the knot on it too tight and the girl went wide-eyed.

Her round blue eyes bore into his dark ones. Abigail thought to herself, this could be the end. This is how easily he could end me. She searched his eyes as he finally loosened the knot. Nothing. Even though she knew he killed in the past, she didn't notice how cold he was when he did it.

She didn't say anything when he released his hold on her scarf. She didn't say anything as she followed him to his car. She felt as if the scarf incident was not only a show of power, but also a warning, and Abigail was too afraid to speak.

Neither of them said anything until Hannibal was almost at his home. Abigail flinched when he spoke up.

"I am going to explain something to you, Abigail. It is not something you haven't already heard, but the importance of it should be repeated. I do not want you to interrupt me. All I want you to do is listen carefully and nod when I am finished so I know you understand." Hannibal said this in a monotone voice.

"We are both murders. We have both ended the life of another whether it be by association or by our own hands. As you can understand, my history of killing is much more outstanding than yours or your fathers, however, this is not a competition. This shows that I am more experienced, and I know my way around certain things. I know that in that tricky little head of yours, you are trying to think of a way you can pull one over on me. What I need you to understand is that if you try and tell anyone about our little secrets, I will destroy you. You can not plead insanity for your own actions because I will do tests, and see to it that you are proved sane. My abilities of manipulation are far better than those of a teenage girl." Hannibal's voice remained neutral throughout the explanation.

"Needless to say, I own you." He continued. "You will do as I say and as I say only. Nod if you understand."

Abigail slowly nodded.


"Cover up, cover up,
don't let them see the real you.
If your secrets can't stay silent,
all those rumors might just end up being true."


"I have recently come across someone who could be my demise. If this person realized what I've done it would be the end of me, I believe. Now that I've told you, it will also be the end of you. So what I need you to do is imperative to both of us if we want to continue breathing free air, or any air at all. I need you to fix this... problem in a way that neither of use would be prosecuted. It will be a fairly difficult task and will require your full attention." Hannibal said all of this in his usual tone. "Nod if you understand, Abigail."

Abigail quickly nodded again.

"Do you have any questions?" Hannibal asked.

"Yes," Abigail spoke for the first time, "Who is it?"

"Oh, I believe Will Graham will answer that for you, speaking of, I believe he is already here." Hannibal replied as he pulled in behind Will's car.

"He drove all this way just for dinner?" Abigail asked.

Hannibal stared at her. "Of course not. He drove all this way for you."

The explanation sounded simple but the thought of Will caring for her so much still shocked her. Abigail thought he could lose interest in her and move on. Will would never be as much of a father figure as her actual late one was. If you took away the serial killer stuff, her father was the best anyone could ask for. He treated her like precious gold, and despite the last couple of months, she missed him.

Hannibal exited the vehicle and she followed him to his home. Will got out of his own car and caught up with them.

"Good evening, Dr. Lector. Hello, Abigail." Will tried to smile at the girl. He wished he could look into her eyes the way he could so easily with Alexis, but he couldn't make himself.

It was beginning to annoy Abigail that Will was trying to build a friendship with her, but couldn't even look her in the eye. Hannibal unlocked the door to his home and they all entered his far from humble abode. As he opened the door, they were welcomed by an amazing aroma. Will's mouth began to water, but Abigail felt sick knowing what the source of the smell probably was.

"Dr. Lector, what have you cooked for us this evening?" Will asked.

"Beef stew." Hannibal answered. " prepared it last night and it's been stewing ever since. Not without assistance, however." Hannibal smiled as he remembered how much help Will had been with the meat selection and preparation. Even though Will couldn't remember it, Dr. Lector enjoyed last night.

"Abigail, I'd like your help in the kitchen, Will do you mind setting the table?" Hannibal asked.

"I don't mind..." Will said as he clumsily starting putting place mats on the table. Hannibal led Abigail into the kitchen where he started putting food on their plates. The sight of the meat made Abigail squirm.

"It's human isn't it?" She asked quietly.

Hannibal paused momentarily and looked up from his plating. "Yes."

Abigail crossed her arms defensively. "I won't eat it."

Hannibal finished the third plate before responding. "Yes, you will. It is no different from what your father's cooking was. It would be terribly rude, Abigail, if you refused what I have taken so long to prepare."

Abigail felt her eyes water at what he said about her father. " Do not speak about him like that again." She whispered violently.

"Or?" Hannibal asked.

Abigail tried to think of something, but instead her eyes watered more.

"Please clear your face and bring mine and Will's plates into the dining room." Hannibal hated to be so up front with the girl, but he had no choice.

Abigail wiped her eyes and brought the two plates as she was told. When she entered the dining room she sniffled involuntarily . Will, who had yet to take a seat, noticed almost immediately.

"Is something wrong, Abigail?" He asked as she sat the plates down.

"Nothing's wrong," Abigail assured. "I just burned my hand a little in the kitchen."

"Oh, are you alright?" He questioned as he walked over to her. "Let me see-" He reached out for her hand when she sat the plates down.

Hannibal, carrying a plate in one hand and tree glasses in the other, walked in just in time to see Abigail slap Will's hand away from her own.

"No!" She exclaimed. She didn't care about the hurt that flooded his eyes. She was tired of the surrogate father idea. Will slowly took a seat.

"What is the matter?" Hannibal asked, careful to keep the concern out of his voice.

"Nothing." Abigail said, repeating herself.

"Good, because this meal will not be ruined with bad moods." Hannibal smiled, which he noticed seemed to ease Will.

Will gazed at the food in front of him. He began to lose himself in the dark liquid form the stew, but instead of seeing the broth, he saw muddy water. He could feel the clouded water crashing over him in waves, could feel the water rushing into his mouth and nose. Will could feel water invading his lungs. He din't snap out of his trance until Hannibal asked him a question.

"Would you like some wine, Will?" He asked. He had a bottle of red wine in his hand, waiting. Will shook his head.

"No, thank you." Will denied the offer and settled with water. He couldn't remember last night and he wasn't even drinking then. He had decided to stay away from alcohol for a while.

Hannibal poured himself a glass and sat to Will's left. Abigail had taken the seat to Hannibal's left.

"So, Abigail," Hannibal started. "I heard that you were sneaking out of the facility again. I thought your wall-climbing days were over?" He asked, a playful smile on his face.

"I don't like it there." She stated.

"I know someone else who doesn't like where she is staying." Will said, chewing his food before speaking.

Hannibal flashed a glance towards Abigail, making eye contact. His nod was barely noticeable.

"W-Who is that?" She stuttered.

"A girl who came to the B.A.U. headquarters. She's helping us with the Chesapeake investigation. She stays at the Chisholm facility." Will answered. "I think you'd like her, Abigail. You two are the same age, she went to your high school, and you both have a knack for... climbing walls." Will chuckled.

"What's her name?" Abigail went wide-eyed.

"Alexis Ponds, do you know her?" Will asked curiously.

"As a matter of fact," Abigail was finding it hard to swallow the beef. The dining room was shrinking around her. " I do."

Abigail almost gagged when a genuine smile grew across Will's face and heard what he said next.

"You do? That's great!" Will exclaimed. "Dr. Lector and I were talking about how it would be ideal if you two would meet." Will kept talking, but Abigail's thoughts flooded and took over her brain. She fearfully looked over to Hannibal. Dr. Lector had no idea Abigail knew Alexis, but the ironic turn of events had made him grin.

The grin was only evil in Abigail's eyes because she knew their true intentions. Hannibal thought to himself how interesting this game had become.


"Has anyone ever reached out to you?
Has anyone ever seen your real face?
Does anyone know what you've been doing,
as the one we used to know fades away?"


End of chapter seven

The song I used lyrics from is "Cover Up" by Trapt.

Alright guys, there you have it! I brought the Murder Family together in this chapter. I will have the next chapter up as soon as I can. Don't forget to review!