"I know that the City changes things for many." Hannibal nodded. "You aren't the first to be altered in some way on the whims of a sentient flying island. I have seen things taken away for the better, and for the worse."
He didn't know if she would feel better knowing she wasn't alone, or if it would worsen her fears that other things might be taken from her as well. He was hoping for the latter. Either way, Hannibal couldn't have lied to her about it. No matter how much better he might have thought it would make her feel. River deserved honesty.
"It doesn't always do bad things, though. You must strive to remember that. It gave you John Coffey. It gave me you."