The Curse

by Gildan

19th century AU in which Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter are working together to stop the onslaught of cannibalistic attacks brought on by what the townspeople are calling "the wendigo". When the two discover Hannibal is the one transforming into the creature each month, Will attempts to find a remedy. But they are running out of time, can Will save Hannibal before it's too late?

10. Part 10

Gildan's Note: This is the last part of the series, hope you enjoy the end!

10. All Along

From his window Will was focused on the microscope. He tested his latest remedy and….

Success.

A cry brought his attention back to the square. It was Hannibal, and they were lowering his head onto the wooden block.

"No no no no." Will breathed, grabbing the cure and running down the steps. It looked like he had been thrown out of his doorway he jumped out so fast.

"NO!" he cried, everyone turned to him.

Hannibal blinked the tears out of his eyes and tried to look around for Will.

"STOP!" Will yelled, running up to the platform.

"We have to do this." One of the officers said.

"No you don't. I have the cure." He explained with desperation. "This will stop everything."

"So will this." Said the officer, pointing to the axe.

"This is barbaric!" he cried.

"He KILLED people!" the officer shouted back.

"It wasn't him. It was the creature that had possessed him. He was just a victim, he doesn't deserve to die." Will begged. "This is the 20th century for God's sake."

"It's true!" came a voice, it was Mr. Starling.

The officers looked from Will to Mr. Starling.

"Please believe us." Said Will. "Nobody hear can explain what is happening better than us. We've all been the victims of a supernatural force, here. We can end it through this cure. Please, let's be done with death."

Will scanned the eyes of the crowd. "Do you really want to see a man be killed here today? Is this your entertainment?"

Everyone was quiet now, and most of them avoided Will's gaze. His eyes fell on Freddie.

"This is far enough." She said loudly. "If Will can cast the Wendigo out, then that should be the end of it." There were murmurs among the crowd.

The officer sighed. "If this doesn't work…then you're responsible."

"Fair." Said Will, he moved over to Hannibal. "Get out of here." he said angrily to the executioner. He grabbed Hannibal from under his arms and pulled him back.

"Will." He cried, too weak to reach out.

"I'm here. I'm back. I've got the cure, Hannibal." Will felt tears fall from his own face, and he helped Hannibal drink from the flask.

Hannibal coughed, his scratches suddenly healed, and his appearance had changed back to normal.

"It…it worked." Cried Will, hugging Hannibal, who smiled behind his tears.

"Thank you." Hannibal whispered, hugging Will back.

Whether the Wendigo was killed or simply cast away neither Will nor Hannibal knew. That night Hannibal did not transform, and for them it was truly over. But in the depths of the night, when it was pitch black, Hannibal thought he could feel his heart itch, and he'd suddenly feel a growl in his stomach – and he had the strangest inkling that he wasn't craving something easily attainable. He'd shut his eyes until the feeling was gone, and wake up the next day feeling fine. But who really knows how long one can avoid their natural instincts, especially ones they've been fighting since birth.