Chapter 37

6 years later….

It was a cold, dreary start to a very long day indeed.

Hannibal was on an early morning run with Max by his side. Max was an older dog now but still had the young energy of a pup. Hannibal enjoyed the jog with him to try and keep him active and healthy. In a way, Hannibal considered this his final act and favor to his friend Alexander Wright. They were jogging on a trail that ran alongside a river. Hannibal enjoyed this trail because it gave him time to reflect upon his life and just how drastically it has all changed.

Hannibal and Clarice had already been through so much in their lives together and now their pride and joy Henry was almost 9 years old. Just shy of his birthday. Amelia has lived with them helping to take care of Henry. She does leave from time to time to check in on her brother, but she resides in the Lecter home for the most part. Clarice and Hannibal continue to rid their world of the monsters they deem necessary. However, much of their efforts have been focused on home schooling Henry. He was young but already showing signs of a brilliant mind. Hannibal placed his academia and reading level at about a 13 or 14 year old. The one thing Hannibal was thankful of though was that the boy had his mother's heart. Caring, sensitive, but very courageous and strong.

Hannibal continued to run around the bend and back to the house where Henry waited for him outside. His face lit up when he saw his father and so he ran towards him.

"Dad! You're back!" Henry almost tackled his father and wrapped his arms around him.

Hannibal smiled, "My dear boy. What are you doing up so early?"

Henry stepped back and gave a toothy grin, "I stayed up all night working on this art piece I want you to see!"

Hannibal's smile faded to a frown, "All night? Henry what have I told you about staying up all night? You know better, you have classes all day today."

"It was worth it! I promise I won't fall asleep during class ok? I am sorry Dad I just really wanted you to see it!"

"Gladly my son, but do not change the subject so fast. This is the third time you have stayed up all night. No more."

"Yes sir."

"Alright, let's see what you have for me."

They walked back in the house and Henry held the door open for his father. Max came bouncing in happily and ran towards his food and water bowl.

Hannibal looked to his son, "Please feed the dog and give him a little water Henry I will change and meet you upstairs in your room ok?"

"Yes Dad."

Henry was a well mannered child, Hannibal made sure of that. Not that he was ever too hard on Henry, but Hannibal wanted his son to have self respect and respect towards others. He wanted his son to have a better childhood and life than he could have ever imagined.

Hannibal walked through the doors of his Master bedroom and paused. Something was different. He could feel a steady presence yet no one was in the room. He walked to the closet and gently turned the door knob and then took a step back and smiled.

"Clarice……" The dungeon rasp was back, "If you are going to surprise me, don't you think you can do better than this?"

No response.

He closed the distance again but opened the door quickly and suddenly. Clarice stepped out and grabbed Hannibal's wrist spinning him around and slamming him against the closet wall. He let out a sharp exhale and started to push back, but she hooked her foot around his ankle and he lost his balance fall back onto the floor and Clarice straddled him.

"Gotcha!" She shouted with glee, "Your classes are paying off. I think I have learned a thing or two now."

Hannibal showed a devilish grin, "How do you know I didn't do it on purpose Darling?"

Clarice frowned, "Excuse me?"

Then the familiar click of handcuffs and she looked down to see Hannibal had cuffed her wrist to his.

"Where did you-?" She felt in her pockets and noted her handcuffs were gone.

"Planning on using these on me?"

"You really need to teach me how to do that."

"Focus Clarice. When did I take them?"

"When I tripped you?"

"incorrect."

"When I pressed you against the wall?"

"Wrong again."

"Fine….when?"

"The moment you grabbed my wrist. When you become singularly focused on a single object you get what some might call tunnel vision and lose track of all else. Especially useful in individuals such as yourself. Someone so driven and determined."

She leaned in closer to kiss him, "Big talk. How was the run?"

"Excellent. But if you will excuse me I do need to go check on Henry. Now where is the key?"

She bent over and kissed him deeply. When she pulled away, he smiled.

She pulled out the key and unlocked the handcuffs. He changed and then made his way to Henry's room.

"Now then son, what is it you wanted to show me?"

Henry flipped the canvas around to show his father the painting he made, and Hannibal was astonished. Henry painted his mother and father together. It was quite a beautiful piece, the painted showed them surrounded by greenery and Henry smiled, "Do you like it? I remember this day that you and mom took me to the park. You both looked so happy that day. I wanted to show it."

"Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful."

Henry embraced his father, "I want to grow up to be strong, brave, and great like you."

"My dear boy, you have already surpassed me, and at such a young age. Now come, let us prepare the kitchen for our guests tonight alright? I need to hang this piece downstairs for everyone to see."

"Really? Thank you Dad. What is for dinner tonight?"

Hannibal placed his hand on his son's head, "Now, now, you should know better, it spoils the surprise."

They began their descent downstairs and noticed Amelia had just walked through the front door carrying groceries.

"Miss Amelia! You are back!" Henry smiled.

"Yes, my apologies for the delay. Traffic was atrocious."

Hannibal walked across the kitchen and helped Amelia carry the groceries in.

"Thank you Doctor."

"Of course."

Clarice came running in the room to help with the rest, "Amelia, glad you made it back in time."

"In time for what, Mom?"

Clarice set the groceries on the counter and bent down to Henry, "Well, the festival is in town and we thought maybe you and Amelia would like to go?"

Henry's eyes sparkled, "Really? You mean it?"

"Yes. Your father and I discussed it and decided that it was ok so long as you promise to listen to Amelia."

"Yes ma'am."

"Good. Now go get ready."

Henry ran up the stairs and Clarice turned her attention to Amelia, "Are you certain you aren't too tired for this?"

Amelia yawned with a smirk, "I am tired but you two have been working so hard for this surprise for Henry. His 9th birthday is tomorrow. I can make it that long at least."

Clarice hugged Amelia, "Thank you so much Amelia, truly. We want this one to be extra special."

Henry came running down the stairs and hugged his mother and father before leaving with Amelia to go to the festival. It wasn't often that Hannibal and Clarice permitted Henry to be out of their sight for any extended period of time. Not that they didn't trust Amelia you see, but they always stayed diligent and alert of everything. The price to pay of living a life on the run. They began preparing the food and decorations immediately. Both parents were very proud that their pride and joy was about to turn 9 years of age.

Amelia arrived downtown at the festival at 11:45am. Street vendors were everywhere selling candy, toys, masks, and performers were lined up. Henry loved everything about this day. He walked close to Amelia and looked all around him.

Amelia was just enjoying his reaction to everything. Such a young boy with such an innocent heart. A very refreshing feeling indeed. 2 hours had passed and Amelia decided it was a good time to take Henry back home. He was reluctant to leave but happy to be going back home to his parents. They made it back to the car and Amelia fumbled with the keys.

There were so many people around and everyone in the crowd was laughing and screaming. Amelia heard someone talking behind her and she turned to see two rather large men with thick sunglasses and ball caps on.

"Can I help you gentlemen?" Amelia asked.

The larger of the two men stepped forward and revealed a gun he had tucked away inside the jacket he wore. Henry became very nervous and silent, and he wished his father was here. His father never seemed scared or frightened. He always seemed to know what to do. But here Henry found himself with Amelia, his father was no where in sight.

"Give us the child and no one gets hurt."

Amelia grabbed Henry and shoved him behind her, "No."

"Now!"

"No!"

"Have it your way then." He began reaching for the gun and Amelia became tense. She ran towards the men hitting the first one with her shoulder trying to tackle him and throw him off balance. She was successful and turned to look at Henry.

"Henry run! Go now! Find someplace to hide, go!"

Henry hesitated not wanting to leave Amelia behind but she yelled, "Leave now!"

He ran with tears in his eyes. The second man was pulling Amelia back by her arm. She tried kicking him away, but he didn't care. He bent over her and struck her over the head with the back of his gun. She lost consciousness. There were so many people around, but no one seemed to take notice except for one man who pulled out his camera and began filming the exchange, but he stayed at a distance, watching.

The two men carried Amelia away in the car.

"Leo! Where is the boy?" The driver shouted.

"He can't get far I will chase him on foot. Drive the van around the back street. I saw him run down that back alley. We can cut him off."

The man named Leo hopped out of the van and ran towards the boy. The man videoing everything from afar caught the van as it pulled away.

Henry ran as fast as he could trying to hide. He found a woman in the back alleyway and started crying, "Excuse me miss! Excuse me! I need your help! My friend is in trouble! These men are chasing me."

The woman bent over concerned, "Why are you by yourself? Where are your parents?"

"Do you have a phone so I can call my Dad?"

"Of course! Here." She pulled out her phone and Henry called his father. Unfortunately, by that time, the man named Leo had caught up. He saw the boy talking to the girl and stopped running. Instead he smiled and walked over as if in concern.

"Son! There you are! I have been looking for you all over. Your mother and I have been concerned. Come here."

Henry hid behind the woman and she questioned him, "You are the boy's father? You can't be. He just said he was calling his father."

"No miss! You see, we had a little argument and he got upset."

Henry shouted, "You are not my dad!"

The woman stood firm, "Sir, please don't come any closer."

The man sighed, he wanted this pick up to be painless and without unwanted attention. He pulled out his gun and shot the woman. She fell to the ground and Henry fell silent.

It was at this moment that Henry's call went through and Hannibal answered.

"Hello."

"Dad?!"

Hannibal frowned, "Henry? Henry what is wrong? Where is Amelia?"

"Dad I'm scared, this man is-he is-"

Henry started crying.

"Henry! Henry!"

Another man answered the phone.

"Hello Hannibal. We have your son. Try anything, and the boy dies. We will contact you. Goodbye."

The line went dead and Clarice came running in the kitchen.

"H, I heard you scream! What happened?"

Hannibal had his back turned to Clarice, and when he turned around to face her, all that could be seen in his eyes was pure blood lust and rage.