Sometimes We Love The People Who Hurt Us

Chapter 9: Trou Normand

"So another personal kill?" Campbell was frowning as Rogers had gotten me to tell Campbell what I had learnt from the crime scene.

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I let out a small sigh as I shook my head, trying to keep the annoyance and exhaustion from my voice. "As I said, it's not quite clear. They would have been at least friends for the motive to have been personal. Whoever this person is, his victim had only met him once, twice at the most.."

Campbell gave a small nod, though not seeming to be paying his full attention to me as he rubbed his jaw in thought. "But you said there was an implied emotion in the attack, a motive? That would mean it was personal."

Snorting, I moved away to where Rogers was notting down notes from the witness statements Campbell had gotten and placing them in a small grouping under our new victim's photo. Looking over to me as I paused beside him, he gave me an apologetic expression before he placed the last note on the board, hands resting on his hips as he took a step back to look at the board. "So, the majority of the staff have supported alibis, but a couple seem like they could be hiding something, unless that was just nerves.."

Campbell soon joined us, nodding as he grabbed a marker before moving to write a note and placed it above the photo; 'Possible personal motives. Killer starting to go after enemies?'

Huffing as I read the note, I shook my head and shot a glare at Campbell's back before pacing off. Of course they'd go with what seemed so obvious despite the hints I'd told them that suggested something could be different here. Rogers was chatting with Campbell but soon turned to me as he noticed my agitation with a small frown of worry. "Let's pack this up early for today, we're all running high with the full moon. I'll see you guys tonight, northern edge of the city."

Giving a small nod of acknowledgement, I was quick to leave the room, heading outside as I waved down a taxi and hopped in, glad when we were quick to leave as I rested my head against the window. After paying the taxi driver as we arrived, I got out and headed inside, one hand running through my hair as I moved down the hall, pausing in front of my door. Searching my pockets for the keys, I soon found them just as I felt a hot breath against my neck. Turning around in surprise, my shoulders slumped as I found Campbell in front of me, taking a step back and crossing my arms over my chest. "Can't you just leave me alone Campbell?"

Campbell moved forward when I stepped back, crowding me back against the door as he shook his head slightly, letting out a small growl. "You wouldn't let me talk to you last night, but now I will, since you're not running off to some stranger you haven't even known for a couple or so days.."

Shoving his hand away when he tried to touch my cheek, I bared my teeth with a small growl of my own, smirking at Campbell's surprise. "At least he treats me better than you ever have. And yes, we do need to talk. Where are my suppressants? I know you took them."

He paused at my reaction, still seemingly caught off guard before he tilted his head at my words, his expression becoming more curious as he glanced to the door behind me and then back to me."I haven't touched them, don't even know where you kept them...But if you're going to go into heat sooner, you should move back in..."

Shaking my head, I quickly regretted mentioning the missing suppressants at the keen glint of interest in his eyes, especially now that Campbell knew where I was staying. "Bullshit. You took them, and I want them back. And no, I'm not letting you anywhere near me, especially during that time.."

Campbell watched me as his eyes narrowed but he gave a casual shrug, hand moving to grip my shoulder. "Think of it Will. You move back in, at least for your heat, and I can help yo--"

Suddenly, Campbell had been pulled away, his grip on my shoulder causing me to stumble forward before he finally released me. Looking up, I soon found Hannibal pinning Campbell to the wall on the other side of the hall, teeth bared as he growled out. "Don't you dare touch Will, especially in his heat. You will have no hold over him and if you ignore my warning, so help me..."

Frowning in confusion and surprise at the rage clearly evident in Hannibal's voice, I moved closer and placed a hand lightly on his back. He seemed to hesitate at my touch, still glaring at Campbell but was quick to relax, stepping back as he pulled Campbell with him before shoving him down the hall. Campbell growled, gaze flickering between us before storming off, muttering over his shoulder. "See you tonight, Will,"

Fighting back a small shiver, I looked back to Hannibal curiously, biting my lip as he turned to me before raising a hand to cup my cheek. "You shouldn't stay here now, especially since he now knows where your room is. Come back to my house, you can go through your heat alone without any troubles..."

At the unexpected touch, I stayed silent for a while, blinking before I started after a moment of pause, giving a small shrug as I watched him. One hand soon raised to rest lightly on top of his as I held his gaze with a gentle smile. "I don't want to burden you..." As he opened his mouth to protest, I gave his hand a light squeeze until he fell silent. "...but..I'll think about it.."

Hannibal seemed to hesitate before giving a small nod, his thumb tracing over my cheekbone as his smile softened. "Okay..." After a couple of minutes spent in silence, he soon pulled something out of his pocket and I glanced down to find my phone in his hand. "You left it at my house this morning, and I didn't think you'd be back this morning so I waited.."

"T-thanks.." Smiling gratefully, I moved to grab my phone and slipped it into my pocket. "And thanks for being here in time, that was pretty...lucky,"

Hannibal smiled as he gave a small nod in reply, his hand still resting on my cheek as our gazes held. "That's quite alright. And I'm glad I came when I did...You need to stay away from him, or at least never be alone with him. Please."

Nodding after another small pause, I smiled more before biting my lip with a hesitant sigh, not really wanting to ruin the peaceful moment, though he wanted to eat before the run. Eventually, I ducked my head with another sigh before looking back up at him. "I have to go..."

He frowned slightly at the words, seeming also hesitant to move away before giving a small nod in acknowledgement, lowering his hand after another caress of my cheek. "Of course, I understand. I guess I'll see you tomorrow then Will...Please take care."

Rolling my shoulders in a small stretch, I looked to him with a soft smile, nodding as I opened my mouth to reply. But I was soon startled into silence as Hannibal suddenly moved closer, hands cupping my face and pressing his lips to mine in a tender kiss. By the time I had processed what was happening and moved to return the kiss with a happy purr, Hannibal quickly pulled away and, after saying one more soft farewell, turned and left, leaving me standing near breathless in the hallway.