The Gifted Menace Strikes Again: Will Confronts Hannibal in His New Hideout

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Will's hands trembled as he held the small box in his lap. He recognized the handwriting on the outside as Hannibal's, and he knew that whatever was inside was not going to be pleasant. He had expected Hannibal to try to contact him again, but he had not anticipated this.

He took a deep breath and opened the box. Inside was a clear plastic bag containing a severed ear, fresh and still bloody. Will felt his stomach churn as he read the note attached to it: "I've been thinking of you."

Will's first instinct was to call Jack and report the gift. He knew that Hannibal was taunting him, trying to get a reaction out of him. But he also knew that there was a part of him that was intrigued by the gift, that wanted to know more about Hannibal's motives.

He decided to take a risk. He called the number on the card that had come with the first package and waited for Hannibal to answer.

"Hello, Will," Hannibal's voice said, smooth and calm as ever.

"What do you want?" Will asked, his voice tight.

"I wanted to give you a gift," Hannibal said. "Something to remind you of our time together."

"I got your gift," Will said, holding the ear up to the phone. "What the hell is this?"

"An offering," Hannibal said. "A token of my affection."

"You're sick," Will spat.

"I'm merely trying to establish a connection with you," Hannibal said. "I miss our conversations, Will. I miss your insights."

"I'm not your friend," Will said, his voice rising. "I put you in prison. I nearly died because of you."

"I know," Hannibal said. "But that doesn't mean we can't be civil."

There was a long silence as Will struggled to control his anger. He knew that Hannibal was trying to manipulate him, but he also knew that he couldn't resist the pull of his old life.

"Where are you?" Will asked finally.

"I'm in a new hideout," Hannibal said. "Somewhere safe. I'll send you the address. I hope you'll come visit me, Will. We have so much to catch up on."

Will hung up the phone, his mind racing. He knew that visiting Hannibal was a bad idea, that it could put him in danger, but he also knew that he couldn't resist the opportunity to confront Hannibal again. He wanted to know what made him tick, what drove him to do the things he did.

He waited for the address to come, and when it did, he packed a bag and headed out into the night. He knew that he was taking a risk, that he was putting himself in danger, but he couldn't resist the lure of the hunt.

The hideout was a small cabin in the woods, miles from civilization. Will parked his car and approached the cabin cautiously, his gun drawn. He knocked on the door and waited, his heart pounding in his chest.

The door opened and Hannibal stood before him, dressed in a tailored suit as if he was going to a fancy dinner party.

"Hello, Will," Hannibal said, smiling.

Will stepped inside, his gun still drawn. He knew that he was taking a risk, but he also knew that he was in control. Hannibal was in his territory now.

"What do you want?" Will asked.

"To talk," Hannibal said, gesturing to a chair. "To catch up on old times."

Will hesitated for a moment, then lowered his gun and took a seat. He knew that he was playing with fire, but he also knew that he had the upper hand.

They talked for hours, about their past.

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