Luna felt a disturbing familiarity in that aroma…
She couldn't figure what it was and it's making her heart beat really fast
It was flesh she was sure of that… or was she? Her memories have been playing tricks on her lately…
Too caught up in her confusion she didn't realize she already scurried out of the kitchen
She is now in her bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed clutching the sheets tight.
"Is everything all right?" it was Dr Lecter… Luna turned towards the door.
She gave him a forced smile, "Yes… I'm okay doctor… just started to feel tired"…
That should get him out of her hair for the meantime…
Once the sound of his footsteps disappeared she stood up and made a way to the window
She needed air… to wash out the smell from her nostrils…
Is Doctor Lecter doing these things on purpose? Provoking her… he knows I can't control my responses yet
They are all too unfamiliar…
She needs time to figure out what's causing these little curveballs of emotion.
And take hold of the reigns fast...
She raised her face up to the warmth of the sun… the weather was perfect… she should go out…
The patrols weren't on their usual post so it was easy for her to go out,
The gates were open… it was weird but since it was to her advantage she didn't care
The air was blowing through her dress… she liked wearing dresses…
They had to be the billowy ones… ones with skirt hems that extend when you go around and around…
Her hair was always down…
She found the perfect spot…
Just a few blocks away from the facility
After laying the small blanket she had with her, she laid and stared up into the sky…
All she saw was white but she was certain it was beautiful;
She turned, now laying on her stomach
Her cheeks pressed on the silk scarf;
The shade from the tree and the fresh air was perfect and it calmed her thoughts.
Her arms extended to her sides, her fingers touching the grass
Her toes touched the hemline of the blanket…
She closed her eyes… and then sleep took over.
He's been around the house and back looking for his patient.
He left the gate open and that was a mistake... did someone get in?
It was already 8:30 pm… she already missed their session.
last he saw her it was a little after lunch... where could she have gone?
Should he call Jack? Would that be wise?
Then the door opened…
Luna headed for her room, a trail of ground dirt followed her.
Luna went into the shower to clean up,
What time is it anyway? She had a feeling she's in trouble,
How can a grownup be so irresponsible?! She reprimanded herself.
She turned the shower knob… got out and donned a short cotton dress for bed,
Combed her hair slippers on and then sat on her bed after turning the lights out.
She's not ready to face the doctor yet, she'll have to explain, she'd rather go to sleep.
And then a glimmer of light entered her room…
"Luna" she stood up.
"I'm sorry doctor… I was just about to…"
The air was knocked out of her lungs as her body hit a wall…
His head was bent with his forehead resting on hers, she felt him breathing on her face.
His hands pinned her on the wall by her upper arm, fear crawled up her spine...
"Where were you?" he asked
"I was out by the fields… I fell asleep… I'm sorry doc…" she stuttered
Hannibal shushed her… they stayed this way for who knows how long
She was frozen, it wouldn't be wise to anger him more, if this man was strong enough to subdue her father, then he must be crazy strong.
Then as if nothing happened "I'm sorry… I lost control… let's forget everything…" and released both her arms
As he moved towards the door he asked "You're hungry. I'll reheat the food"
It was a statement that sounded like an order...
Luna didn't follow him out…
He didn't take it against her,
He needed the distance anyway, maybe she needed it too...
He might lose control again... Today she was carelessly rude... he's not even sure if she knew she was rude.
Hannibal as if on automatic uncovered the plates on the table and warmed the food up one at a time…
How can she have so much power over me? He asked himself,
I own her and yet it feels like she can do anything she wants with me
His instincts are telling him it's time he took her,
Luna's scent distracted him from his thoughts,
She sat on the table; Hannibal placed a plate in front of her, and said "Dig In"
He watched as she ate… every bite felt like she was calling his name.
Something was boiling up inside of him, he decided to join in, it is his dinner after all.
After dinner he asked Luna if she still wanted to have the session she missed.
She said yes of course with guilt still painted on her face.
She laid down on the bed and placed pillows on her chest,
Hannibal removed them, saying what she did was a form of "Guarding" and he needed her to be open.
After 30 minutes of therapy… he looked down on his notes...
Her coffee preference: With milk
The book she was reading: something about a Hangman's Heart.
The name of the guy she met in the memory: Hansen
The bread spread she enjoys: Hazelnut
She was independent,
She had an apartment near school…
She was living alone…
She stared at Luna lying in bed
They just had dinner and yet something about her incites his hunger.
The possibilities…
He woke her up… decided they will discuss her progress in the morning...
Hannibal woke up, to a noise that seemed like stealthy steps…
Whoever was being sneaky certainly didn't know about his heightened senses,
He remembered the gate… Is it still open?
He opened the door wide without even making the slightest squeak, it was very dark,
Patrols were ordered to stay out of the gate when he's around, session confidentiality and all…
Could it be possible someone was able to get through them?
Yeah possible, but not through him…
He took a step out of the room, his senses still on alert…
With thoughts about the things he'd like to do to Luna still on his mind
With adrenaline still rushing through his veins, he moved towards the direction the sound was coming from.
With complete awareness of the vast space in the dark living room,
He stared at the narrow hallway ahead and saw a hooded figure.
Did they know Luna was here?
He followed the figure's trail
The sound of the steps stopped, Hannibal retreated a few steps,
His back was against one of the pillars now, the ones that lead to the narrow hallway
Moonlight was hitting his face
He leans forward trying to take a peek at whatever was making the noise earlier; his vision is not adjusting properly.
With his heartbeat still at its normal rate, he asked himself, "Should he prevent the attack or should he observe?"
Then he remembered, the master mutilating himself at his behest, Hannibal did agree to keep Luna safe from the world, a dying man's last request,
"Safe from the world" he thought… "Just from the world… not from himself" a little loophole…
Prevention it is then…
There's another open space after the hall, the house being spacious is such a disadvantage right now.
It wouldn't be smart to dash into the dark as the attacker might come from any direction he is after all unarmed and he values his life more than anything.
As he inhaled to breathe, a scent signaled a presence to his right…
He hurled himself towards that direction pushing the assailant hard on the wall,
A grunt set a hint of familiarity, but he was in a trance, His hand was already covering half a face,
Fingers start to claw on his arms trying to pull or push them away somehow.
The more he felt the struggle the more it elated him
"Doc…to…r" Luna tried to say… She couldn't breathe… she kept kicking to be released, hitting his arm with clasped hands.
He blankly stared at her and that made her panic increase, she moved to her left losing balance…
They fell on the floor; he's on top of her now smothering and crushing her at the same time…
"Stupid move" she thought…
Blurriness was starting to take over, her legs became weak then her arms… she felt air start to ease in but it was not enough...
He realized it; his right hand was still covering her mouth
Luna was unconscious on the floor and he was on top of her
Hannibal stared taking in the view, He feels power…
This is not one of his vivid imaginations… this is real…
Her body warmth against his, her scent,
His right hand moved to pull her neck towards his face, he nuzzled her ear taking in everything,
He was drowning in her, ready to bite, he opened his mouth… then his mind snapped at him "No!"
His other arm tightened around her waist, almost breaking her, he breathe her in one last time then with all the self control he could muster…
Hannibal raked his teeth on her shoulder without breaking her skin…
He wants this, but not yet…
His body moved to her right lying on the floor, He sat up and pressed his ear to her chest, his eyes closed
He was curious; he started listening to her heart beat, hearing her breathe…
She was peaceful and he wanted that, coveted it in fact…
She was safe and sound...
He realized the irony in it, his face stayed on her chest,
Then he felt a hand on his face… "Doctor?"
The warmth in her touch kindled his hunger again.