Prologue
"I see you are an accomplished man, Dr. Lecter." The interviewer commented. "It makes me feel good to see a successful psychiatrist interested in foster parenting." Hannibal smiled.
"I'm very grateful to have the opportunity." He replied.
"But I can't help being curious." The interviewer said ominously. "You've never had any children of your own, or even been married. Why have you just recently decided to bring a child into your life?"
Now wasn't that the question? Hannibal himself found it hard to believe that he was doing this. Bringing a child into his life would make everything harder. It was certainly against his better judgment, but he felt a strange attraction to the idea of being a parent. That was what he'd been to Abigail, whom he'd enjoyed more than most people in his life. There had been something special about guiding a young mind, especially one like hers. Abigail had been different. Different enough to have something in common with a serial killer. She was special. Hannibal missed her. He missed their relationship. He wished that he hadn't had to kill her. Killing Abigail had taken something out of Hannibal's life. He wanted it back in whatever way he could have it. If he could only find a young mind like Abigail's, a different one, then he could guide it. He could create something like what he'd had with Abigail, something special. If he could find that, all the burdens of bringing a new person into his murderous life would be worthwhile.
"I've always been very focused on my career." Hannibal explained. "So, I never gave much thought to starting a family. However, I've gotten to the point in my life where I'm looking back at the way I've lived, and one of my biggest regrets is never becoming a father." The interviewer seemed satisfied with the explanation, giving a nod of approval. She went on to ask him about what kind of child he'd be open to fostering.
"Would you prefer a child of a particular age?"
"I'd like an older child." Hannibal specified. "And I'd be more than willing to care for a teenager."
"Great! We have a shortage of foster parents who want teenagers, so that's perfect. Now, being a psychiatrist, I'm sure you know a lot about handling people with mental conditions. Given that, would you be open to a child with a mental illness?"
"What sort of mental illness?" Hannibal asked curiously.
"We're managing quite a few." The interviewer explained. "Depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism-"
"Autism is not a mental illness." Hannibal corrected. "It is a developmental condition."
"But you know about it, right?"
"Of course." Hannibal confirmed.
"Would be willing to foster an autistic child?" Hannibal was filled with satisfaction. He smiled with a hidden vindictiveness.
"I'm sure I could handle that."