Inside Of Our Minds (Hannibal Lecter's Son)

Chapter 27) Betrayal

Ashton gets the call three days into being home.

Lithuania was nice— beautiful, historic buildings, tasty baked goods and beer, and plenty to offer in terms of education.

He loves it there and hopes to return someday, but for now he's content to be home with his husband and his children.

Well he was content, that is, until Fredrick Chilton phoned him.

"Is this Mr. Lecter," he greeted once Ashton picked up the phone.

His tone reeks of arrogance and he seems a tad giddy.

Ashton finds his interest piqued.

"Yes, it is," he responds, holding the phone with his shoulder as he twists the lid on the twins' bottles.

"May I ask who is calling?" he adds, feigning ignorance. He would know that man's voice any day. After all, Fredrick Chilton was his therapist until the age of 10 when the doctor moved onto "greener pastures".

"Doctor Fredrick Chilton, director of services here at the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane,"* he recites. "I have some information that may be of interest to you. Is your husband in the room?"

Ashton stiffens at the question, a sinking feeling settling in his chest.

He places the bottles down on the counter and turns to face the room.

"No," he responds curtly. "He isn't. What is it you want?"

"No need to be rude, Mr. Lecter," Chilton tuts and Ashton feels himself sway at the small reminder of Hannibal. "I simply wanted to reach out to you about some concerns I had regarding your husband and your children."

"My children?" He asks before he even has time to process the question.

He does a quick sweep of the room—the twins are in their respective cradles, Arthur is sitting at the table drawing.

They're fine, they're fine, they're fine, he reassures himself.

"Yes,"he continues, breaking Ashton out of his trance. "Are you aware that your husband has been taking your children to visit Hannibal Lecter?"

Ashton's heart drops to the pit of his stomach, and the subsequent palpitations make him nauseous.

"No," he manages after a moment, feeling disconnected as he moves over to the kitchen window to peek out at the driveway.

*Mick could be home any time.*

Mick, his husband, the love of his life, the father to his children...

Ashton's going to kill him.

"No, I did not know."

"Well, I'm sorry to be the one to inform you," Chilton drawls, sounding nowhere near apologetic. "But he's been bringing the little ones' 'round to see the good doctor often; even letting them hug on him."

Ashton's blood boils and he has to take a deep breath as his hands begin to shake.

That son of a bitch, he thinks to himself. Who does he think he is? Laying his bloody hands on his children? Whispering lies and praises to his children, his beautiful, innocent children.

Ashton begins to pace the room, free hand flying up to tug at his hair as he attempts to put a damper on his anger.

"Thank you for informing me," he responds curtly before he hangs up the phone and discards it on the counter.

He continues to pace for a long moment, hands moving from his hair to his face, occasionally fluttering at his sides before he finally comes to a stop in front of the sink.