"Honey? You okay?" Your mother opened the door in alarm after the terrified cry. Ah, she probably heard your wild sound of pain... You didn't feel like dealing with her hysteric state however - so you decided to lie instead.

"U-Uh, yeah..." You ran a hand through your messed-up hair and faked a calm expression. "I...I just had another nightmare, that's all."

"But babe, you've been having them for a while now, haven't you?" She protested unhappily, sitting on the edge of your bed and facing you head on. "Is something bothering you?"

"Nothing in particular." You continued to lie as you stifled a yawn and stretched, trying to act natural. "Just gotta get ready for my second year of studying psychology."

"Oh that's right," Your mother smiled and let you stand up, "You go back today, don't you?" She checked with interest, wanting to interact with you somehow.

"Mhm. I think the main thing we're studying this year is the human mind and how even calm people can turn violent in the blink of an eye." You explained while you started to get dressed. You only got your shirt on though.

Your mother suddenly gasped in shock. "(Y/n)! H-How on Earth did you get those cuts? A-And your pyjama-covered leg is stained with blood-! W-What's going on-?!" She panicked, stopping you from getting dressed as she knelt down and held your thigh between her hands.

"Oh...uh..." Your voice trailed off and your thoughts turned blank. "I...I'm not sure...?"

"You're not sure...?" She repeated sarcastically, her concerned eyes causing you to release an almost silent sigh as you knew this would happen. You knew she'd freak out.

"Hey, don't sweat it." You waved her worries away and pulled your leg out of her hold, staggering to the bathroom in order to fix-up your injured thigh. "I just need to stop the bleeding and I'll be set. Do you know where the bandages are?" You questioned.

"Second shelf in the cupboard." She spoke in a stressed-out manner, holding her arms while she followed you into the bathroom.

"Mom, I'm fine. Really." You tried your best to get yourself alone - but soon you realised that simply wasn't going to happen.

"At least let me bandage up your leg for you." Your mother begged; growing anxious due to the sight of blood. "It must sting like a real bitch." Her response made you laugh a little, because what she said was true.

"You're not wrong, it does hurt. But we need to hurry up, I have to get dressed and go to uni." You gave in and let your mother clean the wound - bandaging it up afterwards so it wouldn't get infected.

"So...what was your nightmare about...?" She tried to strike up a conversation, but it just made you bite your lip - due to not wanting to talk to her. "Was it something you dream about repeatedly? Or something traumatising?"

You shook your head and stood up, slipping your pyjama bottoms back on before heading back into your bedroom. "No, I was just...in some kind of boiler room. It's no big deal."

Your reply stunned your mother so much so that she stood still in the hallway, her eyes widening into large circles. Her face paled and she was completely silent - obviously not knowing what to say. Eventually, she found her voice. "What did you just say?" She whispered.

"I said I was just in some kind of boiler room. I don't see why that's such a problem, Mom." You casually spoke, switching out your pyjama bottoms for jeggings and stepping into your flats/shoes. Then you brushed your hair and sprayed deodorant under your armpits.

"How do you know about the boiler room, (Y/n)?" Your mother inquired in a lifeless voice, clenching her fists as she swallowed.

"It doesn't matter." You pushed her anxiety to the side, "I'm going to leave now." And with that, you grabbed your bag and slung it over your shoulder - carrying a few of your books with both hands. "Don't worry so much."

"A-At least have breakfast-!" Her tone grew alarmed and you held back rolling your eyes.

"I'll grab something while I'm there." You brushed past your mother and went downstairs, heading towards the front door. "Promise. Have a good day, Mom."

"W-Wait-! (Y/n)!" You ignored her clingy cry and shut the door behind you, poking earbuds into your ears as you put on some music.

'UNKLE - With You In My Head' filled your ears and the outside world faded away, causing you to just focus on walking to uni. Second year of studying psychology... You enjoyed learning about how people think and why they act the way they do. How personalities can change, how certain emotions can alter people's decisions, and how psychology might be able to boost your own mental health. Perhaps you'll be able to figure out why your mother tends to overreact to certain situations. For now, you just needed to focus on studying, and studying hard. Your life was pretty mundane - you weren't kidding in your previous dream.

Wake up, get dressed, grab uni things, walk to said uni, interact a little with friends, go to a few lectures and seminars, walk back home and then repeat the same boring, life cycle you seemed to be caught up in. That certainly wasn't going to change anytime soo— You suddenly bumped into someone - probably because you weren't paying any attention - and landed on the cold pavement, your books flying into the air before hitting the path with you. What the—? You looked up and found out what you bumped into. A dark-haired male dressed up in a smart suit stood directly in front of you, his dark brown eyes gazing into yours with incredible intensity.

"My apologies," He softly spoke; his voice gentle and sounding like a musical lilt, "It seems that I wasn't looking where I was going." You were so taken aback by his appearance and his voice, that you didn't say anything at first - merely staring. But you remembered that staring was rude, so your eyes flickered away for a split moment.

Then, you decided to speak. "N-No, it was my fault-!" You stammered, trying to collect your thoughts. "I was the one who wasn't paying any attention...I'm so sorry." You apologised, reaching to grab your books and stand up.

"I don't think we need to start a fight over whose fault it was, do you?" The male smiled in amusement, also reaching for your books. "Here, allow me to help you with your things." He collected your books before you could and then held his hand out - offering to help you up.

"Oh, thank you very much." You stumbled over your words slightly as you took his hand and let him pull you back to your feet. "And thank you for picking my books up for me."

"No problem, no problem at all." His smile grew after he passed the books into your arms, his chocolate-coloured irises glittering with warmth. "May I ask your name?"

"O-Oh, uh...(Y/n). My name is (Y/n)." You were so entranced by his eyes that you almost didn't answer his question.

"Well then, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, (Y/n)." The polite male greeted pleasantly, holding out his hand. "My name is Hannibal Lecter."

"N-Nice to meet you." You replied in return, dipping your head and trying not to look like a complete imbecile. Unfortunately, that failed.

"Ah, it's very nice to meet someone who's so well-mannered." Hannibal complimented warmly, shaking your hand as he attempted to make conversation.

"I could say the same." You managed to shyly smile, "I don't think I've seen you around town before, are you new?" You curiously asked.

A devious grin flashed across his facial features once he shook his head, clearly finding your question to be amusing. "No...I live on the outskirts, in a house just out of town." He explained, definitely entertained.

"I...see." You slowly responded, snapping out of your mesmerised state and remembering why you were outside in the first place. "I hate to cut our conversation short, but I have to get to my uni class." You weren't wearing a watch, but you knew you were probably late.

"Can I ask what class you take, (Y/n)?" Hannibal asked, tilting his head to the side ever-so-slightly and shooting you a tremendously charming smile. Seriously, it was hypnotising - no...irresistible.

You breathed in and blinked once, trying to act like a normal human being. "Um...I uh...I study psychology. I'm in my second year, actually." You answered timidly, a faint shade of pink spreading across your cheeks.

His smile remained. "Psychology, hm? What a fine subject. I wish you the best of luck in that case." He kindly commented.

"T-Thanks." You thanked; giving him a  grateful smile and almost growing mesmerised again. Class. You have to get to class.

"I guess I'll be seeing you around soon then." Hannibal flashed you another one of his sweet smiles before stepping past you and continuing his walk. Oh...you should probably say something in response...!

"U-Um, yes! Take care!" You called after him, feeling awkward and self-conscious. But he...he was something else. Something else entirely.