A Novel Fate was a terrible name for a bookstore, yet despite its name it was the best bookstore in town.
Now don't confuse best with popular for A Novel Fate was not popular; it did not carry the latest vampire romance, it did not have an eBook section and it did not take credit cards, yet it was the best. The musty, comforting smell of books filled the warm inviting space, the shelves lovingly adorned with the classics. The owner sat behind a little counter, with a cup of lemon tea next to him as his kind old eyes scrolled over the text he held in his hands. A pair of half specs sat on his nose and a thin chain laced up and round his neck. His name was Winston and he was nice.
Will Graham walked the shelves slowly, his blue eyes flicking over the spines. He had been to the popular bookstore down the block before and he had read their latest yet to him they had always seemed shallow; two dimensional. Pop Books was a shorter bike ride and it had been listed online but one day he had gotten lost and found this place; no computer in site. He'd only been here once before but he liked this place much better, to him it felt like home. Will looked up as he heard the jingle of the door chimes, another boy had entered the store. Will was always the curious type and hiding behind the shelf he watched the boy. He was tall and intimidating, with a square jaw, hard angled cheekbones and dark muddy eyes. He was dressed in a crisp tailored marron shirt, a black belt that wrapped around his beige trousers and he wore black dress shoes. The boy oozed wealth and confidence. Will looked down at his own clothing and withered, he was dressed so plainly in comparison; he was wearing a simple navy blue t-shirt, black trousers, sneakers and a checked over-shirt. He also mused as he ran his hand over his own mousy brown hair, that the boy's bright blond hair was perfect; unlike his messy mop. Will continued to watch the boy as he approached the owner with so much self-assurance.
"Good afternoon Winston, would you happen to have gotten those books in for me yet?" Hannibal asked the owner of A Novel Fate. Ever since Hannibal could ride a bike he had come to this store. To him it was like a second home, and he had gotten to know Winston so well; the man did take pity on him since he parents were so absent.
"Not yet Hannibal my boy, but I believe they'll be in by next Tuesday." His creaky voice answered.
"Oh, I guess that it is quite well. So how have things been with you my dear Winston?" Hannibal asked, of course he didn't actually care that much but politeness was important.
"Oh good, good good." Winston rambled, he tended to do that, but it was at this moment as Hannibal's eyes wandered is when he saw the boy. Thin, lanky and probably malnourished, bright blue eyes peeking out from behind the back shelves. His clothes were baggy and bought at Target but it was a lack of confidence that really drew Hannibal's attention. He tilted his head to the side and suddenly the boy jumped up, he realised he had been seen. Hannibal took the steps towards him and put out his hand. "Hannibal Lecter, and you are?"
The boy flinched at his movement and his eyes kept shifting as Hannibal's eyes moved to meet them.
"Don't enjoy eye contact?" Hannibal asked, even as Hannibal heard himself say it, he began to wonder why he did.
The boy's expression changed suddenly as his faced became serious and he looked Hannibal deep in his eyes while replying, "Eyes are distracting. See too much, don't see enough, and it's hard to focus when you're thinking, 'oh those whites are really white,' or 'he must have hepatitis,' or 'is that a burst vein?' So, I try to avoid eyes whenever possible." Hannibal smiled, his attention had been pricked. This boy was so unassured and yet, despite talking about hating eyes, it seemed he had completely forgotten about Hannibal's for just a moment.
Then suddenly the boy blinked and turned away sharply. It was clear that the boy had seen something in Hannibal's eyes; something dark. A moment passed before both their eyes rolled to meet again. I seemed that the boy had seen the darkness in Hannibal's eyes but was not afraid; in fact he was intrigued.
The boy nodded and stuck out his hand, "Will Graham."
Hannibal gripped and shook it, "Nice to meet you Will Graham." Hannibal knew this was just the start of something great.