A/N: Hello everyone! Thank you to all the new followers and likes and those that have stuck with me from the beginning! You all encourage me to keep writing. Have no fear, this story is far from done. I know this chapter is a little shorter, but we are once again setting the stage for a few shockers and plot twists coming up. So stay tuned! Please review and tell me what you all think thus far. 25 chapters in now and going strong. Please enjoy!


Chapter 25

Dr. Lecter flipped through what little of a file Agent Mapp had available for him to read. A few conclusions he made: 1. The Killer was copying one of Doctor Lecter's early crimes, 2. The target was an old patient of his, and 3. The killer was bold enough to go straight to Pearsall and leave a message to the FBI. This concluded the killer was probably bold enough to actually come after him. What was the motive though? Was Hannibal some sort of unspoken hero to this new player in the game, or a martyr perhaps? Time was running short, and Clarice was formulating her own plan to rescue him. This was going to be a big risk to everyone involved. Hannibal determined his best bet was to aid Ardelia in this person's capture, otherwise Clarice may be in danger.

He flipped through each of the pages methodically, but there just was not enough substantial information to provide him with any form of a clue. A frustrating feeling.

He stood up and placed the case file back in the tray and slid it back to Ardelia.

"Sorry Doctor, I only had maybe about six hours with the case so far. I know the information is scarce."

"No worries, I am sure you will be able to find more information. Does Pearsall have cameras around his house that would catch any video?"

Ardelia shook her head, "No such luck."

Dr. Lecter placed his hands behind his back, "This one is bold Miss Mapp. He could pose a threat if not handled quickly. Unfortunately for us," Hannibal tapped the plexiglass, "I am behind here and unable to assist. So I will depend upon you to gather the necessary evidence to solve this case."

Ardelia nodded, "I know Doctor. I am on it now."

She turned and left in a hurry. He listened to her footsteps echo down the hall. He wished to hear the sound of Clarice's steps approaching him, but alas the sound never came. He was alone. The image of the sonogram flashed in his mind, Clarice holding the image and smiling at him, it gave him a sense of Pride. He settled back into the cot and pondered upon this new person who has entered the game.


Meanwhile…only a few miles away, a man sat in his hotel room patiently waiting. The man wore a grey sweater with black slacks. His hair was black and silver and he had crow's feet tugging at the corner of his eyes. He had a five o'clock shadow that gave him a rather worn look. He looked to be in his mid to late 50s. He sat at the desk with the little lamp light turned on. He had an exacto knife in one hand cutting out images from the National Tattler. On the desk he had an old photo album, and it was a deep black color with gold trimming along the edges. The man took his time methodically cutting out the images he needed. Once finished, he opened the photo album and glued the images to the page. He looked satisfied with his work then flipped back to the beginning of the book. The start of the album was images of Dr. Lecter going through medical school, the articles had mentioned his brilliance and how he was at the top of his class. Flipping a few pages ahead, the next article had mentioned how he had assisted the FBI with multiple cases and how his expertise and insight gave the FBI the advantage it needed in solving future cases. The next article was his falling from grace. It detailed how he had been identified as the Chesapeake Ripper and how Will Graham caught him. The next page, was how the FBI had asked for Lecter's assistance on the Red Dragon Case. The next was page was showing Clarice Starling's image next to Hannibal Lecter's and discussed the Buffalo Bill case. The next one was his favorite, it was the article talking about the night Lecter escaped. The pictures listed with this article was an image of the prison he escaped, and then, beside it, the last image of Dr. Lecter before he escaped. The man stroked the image of Lecter. He flipped the page again now showing how Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter had gone missing. He frowned, "We can't let this woman stain your legacy. You belong to no one. You are a God."

He flipped to the last page he had made showing how Dr. Lecter had been captured, but Clarice Starling was still missing. It had stated that the exact location where Hannibal was being held had not been made public knowledge, "They can't hide you from me for long."

He closed the book and tapped the cover with his fingertips, "I will write the next chapter of your life."

He walked over to the bed where he had a military grade sniper rifle with a large scope. He tested the equipment and once he was satisfied that everything was in order, he placed the gun back in his duffle bag.

"With all the commotion I caused amongst the FBI by vandalizing Pearsall's car, they will be eager to move you again and soon. That is when I will strike, and you will be free. Once you are free…I will consume you, just as you have consumed so many others. Once I have consumed you, then you will be the one to set me free."