Day of Discharge:
She still manifested apathy.
Vision wise, she's now able to distinguish silhouettes and shadows.
He was sure she stared him down during the interrogation.
It still baffles him that she's practically blind.
BAU released her for house detention accompanied by a nurse attendant.
She is still crucial to the case; she can help them find unaccounted remains.
The victims were women of the night; but they have families that needed closure.
She will start her psychiatric evaluations the next day, then off to therapy if necessary.
Hannibal knew of her attempts at avoiding another stint with him;
She used the doctor gender preference card.
Hannibal remains unaffected.
He knew Jack would never give in to a demand like that.
The first session:
Hannibal didn't even consider it a consultation.
Luna barely spoke.
The nurse attendant remained with her the whole time.
Formal introduction was the main objective of the first session so he allowed the nurse to stay.
He needs Luna to trust him.
She lived in the same roof as a killer and she did not know he was killing?
He knew she was an Abigail too, but he wanted to know in what sense.
He kept his cool as usual.
If the nurse knew the danger she was in? If she had any idea about the thoughts looming in his head?
She'll probably jump out the window instead and give him time alone with his patient.
Patience and composure, is a predator's innate character.
The second session:
Hannibal led the nurse out to the waiting room.
Luna chose to sit on one of his armless sofas.
The door opened.
She inhaled deeply; she is once again alone with this dark familiar presence.
The weight of his steps, and the smell of his breath in the air.
The murderous rhythm of his heart; the beat he's trying so hard to mask.
She's certain this was the same presence that replaced her father's after he left her room.
He is anguish waiting to happen.
"Good evening Luna" he interrupted her thoughts.
She turned to the direction of Hannibal's voice, "How's your night so far?" he asked.
She just stared. His voice sounds far away, that's a good sign.
"These sessions will run 4 times a week, it would be helpful if you participate" he said as he took a deep breath.
Luna looked down and tried to visualize the shape of her hands on her lap.
She couldn't see them; so she tucked them away beside her thighs.
Then a feeling of warmth was directly in front of her.
He is close, her thoughts warned her.
He was so close that she could hear him breathe.
"Do you want to ask me a question, Luna?" his face was directly above her head now.
Her fingernails dug into the edge of the seat cushion.
Do not budge and keep your guards up, Luna told herself.
"Luna…?" Hannibal's breathy whisper in her ear startled her.
She miscalculated an evasive move and it caused her to fall off the chair.
Her lower back suffered the blow.
She distanced herself from where she thought he was by pushing herself backwards with her feet.
Panic is starting to set in and it is clouding her senses.
Where are my silhouettes? They would really help me right now she thought.
She squinted, trying hard to see something, anything.
But there was nothing.
This must be a closed space; no light permeating through.
Her chest is starting to tighten.
Her breathing was now shallow and fast.
Calm yourself please, she repeated in her thoughts.
Hannibal watched the scene unfolding right in front of him. It was bemusing.
He expected fear but this was different.
This is not fear of uncertainty.
This is the fear of knowing.
She's anticipating some form of pain he thought.
Does she know about him? About what he is?
A mystery he'll definitely enjoy solving.
He won't hurt me. He won't kill me.
My nurse is just outside. He can't do that.
Luna kept repeating the lines in her head like a chant.
Her chest is getting heavier and the clouds forming in her head are starting to make her dizzy.
She started to hug her knees in an attempt to guard herself.
"I need air" she mumbled while trying to keep her eyes open.
"Please" Luna begged as her body slowly collapsed onto the floor and curled into a fetal position.
Hannibal smiled as he walked towards her.
"Breathe Luna" Hannibal tried to calm her down.
He knew he was the cause of her panic and it excites him, but he can't let her pass out.
That wouldn't be smart.
Luna was shaking her head, sobbing, refusing the fake comfort Hannibal is attempting to offer.
"You were there… I know…" She said accusingly.
Hannibal placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her up to a sitting position.
"Yes. I was there" he said and he watched her froze.