Understanding A Killer

Tale full of lies

"Hello. Will, Eliana."

Hannibal's polite greeting felt heavy as feelings of loathing seeped through the fake calmness. He reached for his pocket swiftly, and it was barely visible what he took out.

Will and Eliana tensed, both unable to utter a word.

"Is this what you're looking for?" - Hannibal continued while showing a film roll to them. Then, in a quick motion, the lighter he hid in the other hand showed a spark, setting the film on fire.

"No!" - Eliana reached her hand out, but it was too late to do anything.

The foil burned for a few seconds in his hand, and then he let it fall on the floor.

Will's hands started shaking with anger, and he couldn't do anything but grip the gun harder.

"I believed you two to be my friends." - Hannibal sighed, "But you had some other plans for me."

Eliana didn't feel a hint of dishonesty in his words, maybe for the first time since they met. Behind walls of lies, a true feeling laid there, and Eliana knew what it was. Hannibal felt betrayed.

"Friends?" - Will scoffed, "Is that some kind of mockery?"

"It isn't. We could've left together... To a nicer place." - Hannibal's lower lip shook, "It would've been fun."

"How'd you know we'd be here?" - Will asked.

"Oh, Will..." - Hannibal shook his head, "You come to my office putting on your best show, but smelling like Eliana's perfume. The rest was easy to figure."

"And now we're back to square one. There isn't a trace of evidence that could ever convict you... Catching you, was it ever possible?" - Will took a step closer to Hannibal, then straightened his hands, pointing the gun at Hannibal's head. "I don't think it was. We were making a fool of ourselves."

"Will, don't." - Eliana followed Will, touching his arm lightly, "Please put it down."

"Killing me is the only way to stop me, Will." - Hannibal smirked, "Right here, right now, you have a chance to do it."

"Don't listen to him!" - Eliana grabbed Will's arm harder.

Will ignored her, placing his hand on the trigger. "I kill you, I stop you. But maybe a shot to your head is too merciful."

"Tell me, then. What kind of death would you give me? In your wildest fantasies, what kind of death suits me the best?"

"One filled with pain of all the people you've ever killed." - Will's eyes gained a lively spark, "I'd tear that smug smile to tiny little shreds. You'd scream so loud, but not a person would care. Because you don't have anyone. Slow, and painful... I'd like to see that kind of death."

"Live out your fantasies, Will. Do the world a favour." - Hannibal insisted, then glanced over to Eliana, "She wouldn't tell anyone. She feels really strongly for killers like us."

The room went quiet for a second, with only drops of rain falling on the roof audible. "...I-I do. I feel strongly for you, Hannibal. That's why I want you... to stop killing." - Eliana spoke quietly.

"That's a ridiculous fantasy." - Will almost laughed, "Who would he be, if not a killer?"

A lightning flashed through the room, making Hannibal's face clear for a moment. If he didn't know better, Will would gather the look on his face resembled regret. "The door that's been opened can never be closed." - Hannibal uttered.

"No, it can't. Just as Abigail can't be brought back." - Rage returned to Will's face, and he gripped the trigger tighter.

Hannibal walked even closer, almost touching the gun with his forehead. "I'd like it if you were the one who killed me." - He whispered.