Sorry, here is the first of two missing chapters, the other will be published soon
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I walked down the steps, the air was cool down there, unlike the scorching atmosphere outside. Hannibal would be furious, naturally, but it wasn't the worst I had done in his opinion, definitely not. Each step I took brought me closer to Will Graham's cell, poor man. I looked in on him, he stared at his hands, completely unmoving. I knew he had heard me, but he never looked my way.
"Will?"
He looked up, dead ahead.
"Will, I'm sorry" I told him softly, "but you know what he's like"
He twitched slightly at the reference to Hannibal, not unexpected really.
"I didn't want this for you."
His eyes drifted over to me, Will turned his head, only slightly, but enough that I could see the look on his face; anger, hatred, fear, betrayal.
"I'm sorry, Will, I really am. But you know I could never stop him, once upon a time, maybe, but not now."
He took a heavy breath, releasing it slowly as he stared at me.
"He doesn't know I'm here. He'll be angry when I get home."
He looked away quickly.
"You don't deserve this. And he doesn't deserve everything he has gained. I want you to know, Will, you are the better man, never doubt that. No matter what you think you may have done, you are better... I know what Bedelia said, don't forget those words – you'll need them to get through... Goodbye Will"
I watched him a second or so longer before I turned away, walking back towards the stairs.
"You chose your words rather carefully, Ms Lecter"
I stopped. "I choose everything carefully, Mr Graham"
"Will he hurt you?"
"Probably"
"You don't deserve that"
A bitter smile grew on my face, "No"
"...What?"
"I don't deserve that, Will, I deserve worse"