Twisted Minds

Coquielles

LONELY ROAD - NIGHT -

The BLACK STAG slowly lumbers down the vacant rural road. it is walking directly behind... WILL GRAHAM.

His eyes are glassy and vacant. He's clad in boxers and a white t-shirt, coming directly from bed. He walks on the gravel, barefoot, seemingly unaware of the BEAST behind him.
Will Graham looks up at the BRIGHT MOON overhead, his HEARTBEAT and CIRCULATORY SYSTEM a DIN in his ears. He stops, swaying ever so slightly at his ankles. The BLACK STAG slows to a stop. Its SNOUT nudges Will's arm, dangling at his side. Will doesn't react, his arm only barely moves.

WILL'S P.O.V. - THE ROAD -

It stretches into the night in front of Will, VIBRATING IN AND OUT OF FOCUS as BEAMS OF LIGHT cut through the darkness. He instinctively holds up his arm to shield his eyes from the glare of the BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS. they belong to an approaching POLICE CAR. It rolls to a stop. TWO POLICE OFFICERS step out of either side of A POLICE CAR. "Are you lost?" one of the officers ask me as i rub my eyes in confusion, "What?" I ask confused to how i got here, "What's your name?" the officer asks "Will Graham" I respond still confused, Did I sleep walk? "You know where you are, Mr. Graham?" The officer asks me, I look around and shake my head. "No." I say rubbing my face tiredly, "Where do you live?" The officer asks watching me closely. "Wolf Trap, Virginia." I say blinking sleepily, "We're in Wolf Trap. So that's good. You're close to home. Is that yours?" The officer says as he points his flashlight behind me,  I slowly glance over to see, not the BLACK STAG of my nightmare, but the tail-wagging concern of WINSTON. "Hi, Winston." I say gently petting him, Winston can barely contain himself, worried about Will. As his dog nudges Will, he becomes aware he is in mild pain. "Can I sit down? My feet are sore." I ask looking up from my dog, "Why don't we take you home?" The Officer offers and I nod.

MOMENTS LATER - BACK OF COP CAR -

I slide in followed immediately thereafter by Winston. A standard-issue wool blanket wrapped around my shoulders, I pluck gravel out of my feet while trying to keep Winston from licking his wounds and his face. One of the POLICE OFFICERS hover over him, flashlights shining politely. "Are you on any drugs, medications? Prescription or otherwise?" He asks me, "No." I say shaking my head and petting Winston,  "Have you been drinking?" The officer asks,  "No. Yes. Not excessively. I had two fingers of whiskey before bed." I say shaking my head.  "Do you have a history of sleepwalking, Mr. Graham?" He asks me shining his he light in my eyes slightly.  I shakes My head no.

"I'm not even sure I'm awake now."

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND- HANNIBAL'S KITCHEN - EARLY MORNING-

Hannibal wears his bathrobe, having been roused from sleep. Will stands nearby, fully clothed, relatively bright eyed. "Although I may be, is it safe to assume you're not sleepwalking now?" Hannibal asks Me, I sigh "I'm sorry it's so early." I apologize feeling bad that I came so early in the morning. "Never apologize for coming to me. Office hours are for patients. My kitchen is always open to friends." Hannibal says as he pours Me a cup of coffee. "Onset of sleepwalking in adulthood is less common than in children." Hannibal explains as he hands me my cup of coffee.  "Could it be a seizure?" I ask taking a sip of my coffee, "I'd argue good old-fashioned post traumatic stress. Jack Crawford has gotten your hands very dirty." Hannibal says as he pours himself a cup. "Wasn't forced back into the field." I say leaning against Hannibal's counter and take another sip of my coffee. "I wouldn't say forced. Manipulated would be the word I'd choose." Hannibal says as he still prepares his coffee. "I can handle it." I say not really sure if i actually believe what i said. "Somewhere between denying horrible events and calling them out lies the truth of psychological trauma." Hannibal says as he finishes making his coffee. "So I can't handle it?" I say with a look in my eyes saying 'well shit'.

"Your experience may've overwhelmed ordinary functions that give you a sense of control." Hannibal says looking up at me, no shit. "If my body is walking around without my permission, you'd say that's a loss of control?" i say sarcastically and chuckling. "Wouldn't you? Sleepwalkers demonstrate a difficulty handling aggression. Are you experiencing difficulty with aggressive feelings?" Hannibal says as he takes a sip of his coffee, i join him in that sip.  I think long and hard about that, then: "You said Jack sees me and Caroline as fine china used for special guests. Well I'm Beginning to feel more like an old mug." I say walking slowly towards him and then lean on his counter. "You entered into a Devil's Bargain with Jack Crawford. Takes a toll." He says taking another sip of his coffee. i tilt My head chuckling, "Jack's not the devil.", "When it comes to how far he's willing to push you to get what he wants, Jack's certainly no saint.' he says looking at me with a knowing look. I take that in...