Hannabil was the last to enter the building and quietly locked the door behind him, his stage was set and the cast was in place. He was prepared for every outcome that could happen today there were
weapons hidden all around and if need be could kill the three techs quickly they would not suffer. Mr Zeller might he is quite rude to will. dear will would be slow to react trapped in the play of hannabils making
and he felt he could kill Jack one on one but that was only the worst case scenario no one needed to die today unless will exposed everything. Seeing Will frozen and catatonic sent a thrill down Hannibal's spine
Jack as well noticed wills state and moved to violently shake him so hannibal had to interfere.
"No, don't touch him Jack. will is in a catatonic state. To wake him will cause him to go into shock. You have to coxe him back, allow me."
He walked over to his other half but stopped just out of reach should he react violently he took a moment to gaze at the younger man. His face was slack, his eyes empty, Renaissance Painters would have
killed each other to have this man as their muse, his deep eyes and perfect curls that shimmered between brown and black with the angelic face and he was all hannibals. the doctor lowered his voice so only Will
could hear him unknowingly providing the last connection.
"Will, it is 2:43 you are in Baltimore and you are safe. Come back to us, follow my voice. It Is 2:44. you are in a warehouse surrounded by friends. Will, can you hear me? try and follow my voice, let me lead
you back come,back to us will."
Hannabil watched as Will shivered and life re entered those storm blue green eyes he adored so much. The flash of anger and hurt he saw caused his loins to twitch. Will has finally seen, their dance was
moving to its next stage.
Will came back to himself following the smooth and harsh accented voice he had been imagining just last night. Hannibal's voice sounded the same as always but softer and smoother. How did he never
notice! He then looked into the blood red eyes of the Chesapeake Ripper/ copycat killer and everything fell into place. Merissa, Cassie, Nick, all the conversations, all the dinners, the drawing out of Will's own
darkness,the small touches, their entire friendship flashed before his mind's eye. Was any of it real? In answer his mind replayed The conversation from yesterday
Will you are perhaps my truest friend although I do not require the support that you find yourself needing I gain from you a respect and deep understanding of my person we are both very private people you have
more knowledge of me than anyone else alive I let you see me I am not required to act a definite way you allow me to just be and I find myself valuing that this is not one sided at all.
If last night was honest and Will was really looking intently last night for any hint of a lie in that office he saw none. For all of Hannibal's lack of morals the man doesn't lie half truths yes but no outright lies
then that meant the Ripper valued him he could use that. God, how messed up is he that thinking Hannibal hid from him is more important with all the rest of the information he just put together? he would think
about it later but right now he had to figure out how to get everyone out of this place alive. the Ripper plans everything In advance so a version where he kills everyone in the next few moments has been anticipated
looking around at the staged scene he knew he had to play out the message for Jack that was the rippers design. he was the ripper's final design but to what end he did not want to know. with a sigh he took a
step back from the killer in front of him and turned to Jack.
"Jack you were right, it's a message as well as a taunt, towards you in particular and so much more. this is certainly the Ripper who by the way is also the copycat killer. I'm his new obsession and you're the
target he plans to use me to hurt you. This is my personal death certificate. I'm dead, I just haven't stopped moving yet. Do you want the message Jack? your not going to like it."
"Wait a second!" price interjected "how the hell does all this mean your death? How are you the target and why are you talking about the copycat?"
"There metaphors stupid." katz replayed "I don't know what of but will is gonna tell us if you just shut up for once."
"I think wills right." zeller piped in "the kills of Cassie and Nick Boyles and Merissa Shuree were all connected to will in some way, almost like he was being protected and there are the antlers over there which
points to the copycat."
"Alright stop! Yes will I want the message I don't have all day, get on with it."
"Well fuck you too Jack! I'm glad my impending death means so little to you as long as you get you message! he has been following me since I started working with the BAU you have put a target on my back
remember that when I'm dead jack it will be on you."
Without waiting for a response, Will walked to the center of the room to Meriem, her skull was cut open, her brain a mess of melted flesh and ash inside. He closed his eyes and let the pendulum swing. He
saw Hannibal setting his stage. Will watched as the doctor in a plastic suit sure why not a plastic suit to match all that paisley and plaid arrange the funhouse mirrors in a circle around the room made to twist wills
reflection. What exactly are you Trying to twist me in to doctor? Will saw the bodies of dead snakes placed out carefully in front of the mirrors like he was placing dinner plates on his extravert table each one
representing a killer he had stopped one way or another. off to the left of him was a chess set to zugzwang black was three moves from checkmate well that has to be for Jack we had never played chess on the
right was the broken antique tea set two of the cups shattered I am not a teacup you asshole and by the back wall was a rack of antlers very funny hannibal he was surrounded by himself, his inner thoughts and
fears out on display, he was the message it was time for Jack to understand.
He opened his eyes and took a deep breath he quickly glanced at Hannibal looking so proud of his design I sure he would have placed the ravenstag as well if will had ever mentioned it thank the gods I didn't.
He allowed himself to become his best friend his posture upright and he held his head high his eyes grew cold and hard his lips curled slightly into a small smirk and he allowed a bit of his new orleans accent to
leak into his voice he needed to sound harsh yet smooth.
Hannibal actually smiled a bit as he saw Will step into his persona as well as the reaction of the others. Miss Katz took a physical step back the two men froze and held their breaths like rabbits trying to not
be noticed by the fox and Jack poor foolish uncle Jack actually looked frightened.
Jack found himself shiver as will transformed before his very eyes he had never actually seen will read a scene he always said that he needed privacy Jack now understood why will wasn't like Sherlock in
the books who deduced and connected the evidence he relived the crimes as the killer sure will told him all this but seeing it was something different made it more real how was this actually possible he was now
watching the closest thing to the Ripper right in front of him no wonder will hated doing this how was he not insane making himself become the actual killers jack felt as if he finally understood the man in front
of him a little and realized just how bad this was no job was worth this hell Jack felt like the worst friend in the world and vowed this was the very last time he would ever ask will to do this.
The entire room took a deep breath when Will started moving around the room, fingers trailing along the mirrors like a lover caressing skin making Katz squirm a bit. I wonder how strong and rough that touch
really is. She shook her head stop that Girl your at a crime scene then will began to speak.
"Hello Will Graham it is time. Uncle Jack needs to know that you are now mine. I win.
The mirrors of your mind can reflect the best of you and not just the worst of others all around you are people who can not see you but I can and do. When you look into the mirrors, who do you see
looking back? Are you twisted, changed, different, real? I see you will Graham and you are wonderful. Mirror neurons cause your empathy,your gift, as well as your pain. It allows you to know me, to see the
real me that is behind the mask. only you have the ability,only you are worthy to you see me will graham? I see you. You are the mongoose I want under my house when the snakes go by, the hunter that no one
notices. How many have you hunted, my mongoose? How many snakes have you stopped? you know that doing bad things to bad people feels good just like god he does it all the time and are we not made in
his image? you are the predator pretending to be prey, the vigilante every law enforcement officer tries to deny you are so much more than what others see we two are just alike. Jack thinks of you as the
teacup only to be used to show off he has broken you like others before you. I can fix you and show you how wonderful you can be. Miss lass found me and I now I have found you. your brain is on fire, will
graham. Uncle Jack holds open your mind and let's it burn Jack failed miss lass he will fail you as well. I have never had the pleasure of playing chess with you. I feel you would be a worthy opponent where
agent Crawford was not. do we allow him to play it out to the end and lose the rest of his pieces or can you get him to stop hunting me either way I win to the victor goes the spoils"
Will then walked right up to Jack eyes still hard and cold and stopped until there were inches apart holding the agents gaze
"If you have any questions for me, agent this will be the closest you will ever get to ask."
Hannibal was in awe, will always managed to surprise him not only had he delivered the message almost exactly how he wanted he was actually going to interact with someone while still channeling him. If
anyone knew how he would answer Jack's questions it would be will Hannibal just hoped will wouldn't kill Jack in the process he moved a bit closer to the pair just in case, albeit to hinder or help was yet to be
determined.
Will was no longer in the memory but was still in Hannibal's headspace; he was aware of himself and the space around him but kept pretending not to be not only to have Jack's reaction but Hannabils as
well. The doctor was enjoying this and the more he liked it the better his chance of survival was. He was keeping his voice low and accented waiting for Jack to talk knowing the man could not resist.
Jack looked into wills cold eyes and saw nothing of his friend there but he needed answers needed to understand and without breaking eye contact he took two steps back never turn your back or run from a
predator before speaking
"What I want to know is why?"
"You must be more specific in your question agent Crawford why is a very broad topic of conversation please clarify your inquiry further?
"Why are you doing this? Why Lass?Why will? Why all those people?"
"My my that is a lot of questions, any particular one you wish to know more or shall I go in order?"
"Stop with the run around and answer me dammit!"
Will tilted his head to the right, not blinking or breaking eye contact. That was rude. I wonder how easy it would be to snap his neck "Tisk tisk mind your self agent that was rude now what do you think should
be done about that hmm? Apologize please and I will provide your answers."
Jack clenched his fists and forced himself to remember that this was will but the arrogance being displayed was making it hard not to strike out. "you're right, I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell."
Hannibal actually raised his hand to cover his mouth to hide his real smile from the room; his will was just divine. For a moment there he thought Will would have killed Jack for that rude comment he saw
that Will wanted to snap Jack's neck he would have to capture that to draw later. his voice pitched lower and a southern twang make the overall effect so much better. he now understood the discription of wills
last night, the tone and pitch of the man's voice was somewhat erotic.
"Thank you agent" he purred and Hannibal's groin twitched now in proper order why am I doing this? It is simply because I wish to. I have no overwhelming urge to kill, no little voice in my head telling me
to kill. I just want to and find it enjoyable. my entire adult life I have lived like this I find there is no greater peace than knowing one's own self and limits. The rules of society have no real meaning. Life is a
blessing, something that is earned. I live each moment to the fullest as if it could be my last and deny myself nothing killing brings me joy. As for miss lass, it was simply because she had found me, mind you
it was by pure luck and I must thank you for that bit of prey, subduing her was enjoyable. She put up quite a fight but I could not allow her freedom after that, not until her risk was neutralized. I kept her alive
for most of the last two years. I was going to give her back to you, reprogrammed of course. I had no desire for her death but you decided to up the stakes of our game and it became necessary. you asked for
this by introducing the one person into our game who could out think me and find me. the one man with any hope to understand and stop me your pawn but he is so much more than you could ever
understand. too bad for you that I found him first without him you will never find me and now you never will. William is truly a gift and I must thank you for giving him to me never have I had the chance to
interact or study someone on my level it's quite exhilarating."
"He is not your gift I won't let you have him!"
Will held in a sigh Hannibal would not make that sound Jack was really starting to get on Will's last nerve or was it hannibals? he knew how Hannibal saw him. All their conversations over the past few months
created the picture of a muse, a fan,and a possible partner . Will was trying very hard to not think about what partner could include so he returned to the conversation he thought he was doing pretty well so far.
"The past cannot be changed uncle Jack dear wills fate was set the moment you pulled him out of his classroom it is strange talking about himself in the third person he is mine in life and death and shall be
made mine in every way do i really want that? hell will he give me a choice? I no longer need miss lass will is such a better toy. As to your final inquiry, why and how do I choose my victims? I deem them
unworthy of life. this world is full of people not worthy of the air in their lungs the life in their organs so I take it from them a make them something beautiful in death more than they were ever in life I make
their death art."
"Your not a god you don't get to make those choices you are a monster and I'm going to hunt you down."
"I am closer to God then anyone you have ever known and I am no monster I am the lion in the room, an apex predator and you are all below me, food if you think about it."
Will felt a wave of nausea hit him. They will never find any of the organs he took. They had been eaten but was it really cannibalism if you don't view them as human? god Hannibal was a creature unknown
where did he himself rank on the scale pig? Wolf? mongoose? only Hannibal knew that answer.
"A pack of wolfs can take down a lion."was Jack response It was a dismal attempt of wordplay on jacks part will held in his snicker Jack will be ripped apart how fitting.
"You have already lost two of your wolves Jack, do I get the other three as well?" not if I can help it he swore internally no one here was going to die today he won't allow it!
"You son of a bitch I'm going to find you and I'm going to kill you."
he was crashing fast the stress was making the room spin and his head throb "I wish you good luck and good hunting uncle Jack to the victor."
Will took a step back and let his eyes roll in the back of his head As his legs gave away under him, he was so tired, he did not feel himself fall into the arms of his killer.