She was hesitant at first…
Jack was subtle but his point was clear, she didn't have a choice.
Hannibal tried to make her see the advantages of what they are about to do.
Reassuring her that it wouldn't hurt.
She chose to just go with it.
Jack left the room, giving them the privacy they need.
Hannibal made sure nothing would distract them by closing the door, the windows and the curtains.
He instructed her to lie down, she obeyed… removing the covers of her big bed.
He told her to keep calm and close her eyes.
"Listen to my Voice… Just my voice and drown out everything else" he said…
Luna can't believe she's putting all her trust in him.
What if something goes wrong, what will happen to her then?
Will her brain be fried?
Her memories, will they be wiped clean…?
There was a strange comfort in that she thought.
He instructed her to stay calm but an inner turmoil was building inside her.
Then his voice finally started to drown her thoughts.
"Breathe in 1…2…3… Breathe out 1…2…3… ...10" he said in the background of Luna's mind...
She can hear him repeating the breathing cycle… they are getting louder in her head… until his voice was all she could hear...
The arm Luna had on her chest fell to her side…
And like on cue Hannibal started her Hypnotherapy.
Earlier that day:
Jack was listening intently to Hannibal,
The bureau gave him a month to shed light to the other victim's whereabouts.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Alana had suggested it prior but he didn't really give it much thought.
Hannibal explained that the procedure will allow Luna to connect missed memories, anything the serial might have shared with her.
She may also tap into the thoughts and feelings, her consciousness may have blocked due to trauma, painful or otherwise.
She will be in a temporary trance, Yes, it's not a conventional procedure but neither is it unusual.
And studies have shown it works and it's safe.
Depending on how deep they have to go or how she would respond, he may need to do multiple sessions.
The session progressed.
Hannibal was in a waiting game for Luna's responses.
They were going around a memory during the time she still had her vision.
"He was standing by the sink washing blood off his hands… he smelled like rain and sweat and something else… he was fidgeting, like he was scared" she answered.
Hannibal became curious, fidget? Her father was restless with fear after a kill?
That was uncommon, considering her father has been a serial killer for a while now.
"Where did he go after being by the sink?" he followed up
"He stayed where he was, walked back and forth... then he took a deep breath... and then he yelled for me…"
"He called for you?"
"Yes…"
Hannibal's eyes squinted… He stood up and went to Jack…
Today's session was over, Jack decided to head home…
it's late and Hannibal said he can only do 45 minutes of hypnotherapy today instead of the usual 1 hour since it's Luna's first.
It wasn't enough but he can sleep better... A break on the first session, the serial wasn't working alone…
He had to lie to Jack...
Hannibal went back in the room… decided to carry on with his questions…
"What did your father ask of you"
"He wanted me to sit on a chair"
"Why"
"He stares at me..."
It confused Hannibal...
"He stares"
"Yes... He stares and he thinks"
"After that, what does he do"
"He stood up... and fixed my hair, he's smiling and he asks me about my day at school"
"School?"
"Yes... college"
and then the snapping sounds from his timer started, a whole hour has passed... it wasn't enough.. Hannibal needed more time...
"Luna... open your eyes"
She obeyed...