Pitch Black Fan Fiction ❯ Together Again ❯ Sacrifice ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter Six

 

Fry, Imam, Rashad, and Jack ran through the darkness as the shotgun blasts fired like lightning behind them. The group was trying to backtrack along the sled marks to get back to the crashed ship. Fry glanced back behind her to see if they were being followed and smashed into something solid.

“Back to the ship, huh?” Riddick asked. He and Elijah had been waiting for them.

“Move.” Fry said breathlessly.

Riddick stayed where he was, blocking their path along the sled tracks. “So everybody huddles together till the lights go out? That the big plan?”

“Where's Johns?” Fry asked.

“Which half?” Elijah asked coming up to stand next to Riddick. Elijah had a huge manic smile on his face.

In the dull light, Riddick and Elijah saw Jack pale slightly.

They all looked back to where they'd last seen Johns. “Gonna loose everybody out here.” Jack whispered loudly. Her eyes swelled with tears.

“He died fast.” Riddick snapped. “And if we got any choice, that's the way we should all go.” He started walking towards the canyon. As he passed by Jack he spoke softly. “Don't you cry for Johns…don't you dare.”

Elijah turned on his light and then Riddick's when he caught up. Jack fell into step behind them. After a few seconds Fry, Imam and Rashad followed.

With Riddick and Elijah leading and Imam and Rashad pulling the sled, they reached the entrance to the canyon quickly. Without his goggles on, Riddick could see the horror that was waiting for them. He stopped walking.

(Fuck. They're everywhere Riddick.) Elijah said.

(Just don't worry about it.) Riddick replied looking over at him.

Elijah raised his eyebrows slightly. (What are you kidding me?) He asked incredulously.

Riddick smirked and looked out over the canyon again. His jaguar like eyes recognized the wing shapes perched everywhere like gargoyles on a desolate cathedral.

The creatures were constantly moving, skull-blades clashing as they fought and fed with savage cruelty.

Riddick glanced at Elijah again and then moved forward. The rest of the survivors followed, weary faces reflecting their stark dread at what lay ahead. Only Riddick and Elijah seemed unafraid.

“How many are there?” Fry asked.

Riddick winked at Elijah. “Only one or two.”

They bought it.

“Jack? How many bottles left?” Fry asked.

Jack counted. “Three full ones, but it's just about time to refill.”

It wasn't enough to make it back to the crash ship with, so the only other choice was to move forward. Fry looked at Riddick. It was his call.

“Only see one way.” Elijah said.

“Lose the sled…it'll only slow us down. Keep the girl in the middle at all times.” Riddick looked around. “Light up everything we got and run like your ass is on fire.” He gestured to Rashad and Imam and they got to work unhooking themselves from the sled.

“And what about the cells?” Fry countered. “How are we gonna get them to the ship?”

“We'll take those.” Elijah said.

Fry calculated the possibilities. None of them were good.

Riddick had eliminated his captor. The witnesses had to be next.

“We're just here to carry you're light aren't we?” Fry asked, voice filled with contempt.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Riddick's POV

I smirked slightly when Fry said that. She doesn't know the half of it. Elijah and I have the cells now, the others are just gonna slow us down. Shoulda let them keep the sled, but I'm not gonna change my mind now.

I walked away from Fry without answering and went over to where Elijah was standing. He was staring at something behind me so I turned around to look. He was watching Fry. She had dropped down to her knees to refill her torch flame. With just the pilot light burning, she never saw the large shadow coming up behind her.

“One down.” Elijah said softly.

I grinned. The creature spread its taloned wings, preparing to strike.

Abruptly, the torch flared to life and the creature screeched and shank back away from Fry. She stood quickly and took a several stumbled steps back. The others looked up startled at the noise.

“Well damn. What luck.” Elijah said crossing his arms over his chest, his mouth forming a small pout.

I grinned at my mate. I looked up in time to see Fry striding over toward us.

Folding my arms over my chest, I waited till she got to us to speak. “Close call Carolyn.”

“You both were just going to WATCH weren't you?” Fry growled quietly.

Why lie to the woman? “Yes. It would have been one less to slow the group down.” I said smirking slightly.

“And you're going to leave us here to die.” Fry said looking from me to Elijah. Everyone's attention was on the three of us but they were too far to hear our conversation.

“It's crossed my mind.” I said.

I tracked her left arm as it moved quickly taking out a knife from her belt. She brought it up and made to stab me. Elijah's tail shot out and wrapped itself tightly around her wrist. THAT'S gonna leave a nice bruise.

Elijah took the knife away and threw it hard into the darkness. We heard a screech as the knife hit one of the creatures.

“Maybe you ought to rethink that decision.” Elijah said releasing her arm. “Now, fuck off before I rethink the one I just made about letting you live.”

Fry backed off rubbing her wrist and went to stand with the others.

“Little bitch.” Elijah growled wrapping his tail back around his waist. He turned to face me. “She was going to stab you.” He stated.

“I know.”

“You wouldn't have let her, right?” Elijah asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.

“We've come this far, Cat. You think I'd let someone stab me?” I smiled slightly. “Besides, I knew you'd stop her. And if you missed, I would have done it myself. I just wanted them to know that we're a team so they don't get any funny ideas. So no worries, huh?”

Elijah took a breath and then smiled back at me. “No worries.” He got serious suddenly. “But Riddick…she won't live the next time. She makes another go—for either of us—and I'm ghostin' her. Deal?” He stuck out his right hand.

I didn't even stop to think about it. What Elijah says goes. I just reached out my own right hand and took his. “Deal.”

His eyes flashed happily. “Seal it.” He whispered excitedly.

I chuckled softly and kissed him. It was slow and passionate and full of promises I intended to keep.

We were aware of the others watching us as we broke apart.

“Sealed.” I said.

He grinned.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

We regrouped in the boneyard at the mouth of the canyon.

I used the loading straps to rig a body harness to drag two cells. Elijah did the same.

I was so absorbed in my task that I forgot where I was for a moment. When I stood up to admire my work, I was face-to-face with a predator. I jerked back quickly, pulling out a shiv as I went. When it didn't move I realized it was already dead. “Long gone.” I mused out loud. I felt something silky slither around my left bicep…a tail. I looked over at Elijah.

“Your pulse skyrocketed so I came over to calm you down.” He explained.

He's right. My heart is going a mile a minute. But, I can feel my heartbeat slowing down from the soothing emotions he's sending through the bond.

I returned my attention back to the dead alien and inspected the fossilized skull. The remnant was propped up by the other bones, making it seem like it was on display. Its hammer head was crowned by a large bone blade. Below it dangled a reptilian spine as if the blade was linked directly to the nervous system rather than to the brain. “Pure killer instinct.” I said.

Elijah noticed something about the creature's bones. “Look.” He reached out with his left hand and touched the skull.

I stared at the bones again. Twin echo-location sensors positioned behind the eye sockets on each side of the skull. I studied the echo sensors a moment longer before I understood.

“Blind spot.” I whispered.

If I stood directly in front of the creature—nose to nose—I couldn't be `seen' by its echo locators. “Nice theory, but I'd hate to test it.”

“May I bless you?”

Elijah and I turned to see Imam looking at us.

The monk smiled. “I've blessed the others. It's quite painless.”

“It's pointless.” Elijah pointed out, unwrapping his tail from my arm and letting it drop bonelessly to the ground.

“Exactly.” I agreed, folding my arms over my chest.

Imam looked at Elijah. “Do the Elvin people not have a God that they believe in?”

Elijah tilted his head to the left. “They do. But the Valar has already blessed me once. I don't need to be blessed again. Ever.”

I know he didn't mean that last part. He wants us to have a kid or two. He'll be praying every night until he gets pregnant. He just doesn't want Imam to know that.

Imam turned his attention to me realizing Elijah was gonna be hopeless. He's not gonna get to far with me either.

“Well even if you don't believe in God, it doesn't mean that He doesn't believe…”

Imam trailed off when he saw the look I was giving him. “You think someone could spend time in a slam with a horse bit in their mouth and not believe? You think he can start out in some liquor store trash bin with an umbilical cord around his neck and then wind up a Company Enforcer and not BELIEVE?” I asked harshly.

I jabbed my finger in Imam's chest. “I absolutely believe in God. And I ABSOLUTELY hate the fucker.”

“He will be with us nonetheless, Riddick.”

“Two of your boys are already dead. How much faith do you have left, Father?” I said slipping into my harness. Beside me, Elijah did the same. “Give our blessings to Jack.” I paused looking off into the darkness. “It's time to go.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

They saddled up slowly, torches burning brightly as they sucked down O2 for the final run.

In front of Elijah and I, Imam and Fry took the head positions with Jack and Rashad behind them. The front four each held a bottle with a burning wick inside. While Elijah and I still had our handlight strapped to our backs. It was the last of the light our little parade had. And I could tell right now, that our light would last the longest.

I looked to my right at Elijah. “Ready?”

He nodded.

“As fast as you can!” I shouted to the others.

Fry looked back at us. “Are you sure you guys can keep—”

“MOVE!” I interrupted. They began running.

There was no going back now.

Immediately, predators began launching themselves down from the rim. First came the hatchlings streaming right into our faces and then veering aside at the last moment, repulsed by the light.

Next came the sounds of fighting and feeding that filled the darkness overhead. Suddenly, thick blue liquid spattered down on us as we ran through the hellish nightmare.

“Don't look up!” I shouted hoarsely.

More blue liquid showered down on us carrying the unmistakable stench of blood.

In front of us, I saw Fry glance up into the sky.

“Don't look! Keep going!” I yelled at her.

Fry dropped her head back down and ran faster. More blood dropped down from the creatures above followed by oozing chunks of intestines and other organs as the creatures killed each other.

I could barely make out Imam's voice saying a prayer.

Beside me I heard Elijah snort softly.

Unexpectedly, whole corpses were crashing down all around us. We had to veer around the bodies like we were on an obstacle course. Up ahead, I saw Rashad stumble slightly and drop his bottle after he cut his leg on one of the fallen creature's talon. I glanced down at the broken bottle when we passed it.

(That's just what we need now…someone else bleeding.) Elijah sent.

(Nothing we can do, just keep moving.) I replied.

“Riddick!” Fry screamed.

“WHAT?” I looked ahead to see that they were slowing down. The canyon was narrowed into a choke point and the dead creatures were blocking the way.

“What is it?” Jack yelled, alerted by Fry's panic.

“It's a fucking staircase!” Elijah yelled. “GO OVER IT!”

Elijah and I reached them and started climbing first. I glanced back quickly to see Jack coming next followed by Fry. Down at the bottom I saw Imam and Rashad wrestling with the creature that had a good hold on Rashad's cut leg. I saw Fry go back down to help them. The creature let go when Fry burned it with her torch. Fry started climbing again while Imam bound Rashad's leg quickly with a piece of torn cloth.

I turned back around and kept going. We all made it over.

“Riddick, wait!” Jack called.

She called my name again, but I didn't stop.

Suddenly I heard a screech and then a crash as something hit the ground. Elijah and I stopped and turned back around when we heard Jack scream.

She was trapped under one of the skeletons with a creature banging its skull trying to break through the bone to get to her. She was trapped. I looked back at Elijah.

We heard Fry screaming at the creature to get off. I looked back and saw her waving her torch at the alien. It wasn't working.

“It's your call Elijah.” I said to him.

He looked at me and then at Jack. “Go.”

I slipped out of my harness and started making my way towards Jack. The creature jumped at me with its clawed arms stretched out. I grabbed each arm and struggled with the beast. With its arms held captive in my hands the alien snapped it's large jaws at me.

(Elijah.) I said forcefully.

(Coming.)

Suddenly Elijah was crouched in between us with his shiv in hand. In one smooth move he sliced the creatures belly open spilling out its organs. I let go when the creature went limp in my grasp. It fell to the ground dead.

Gasping for breath I helped Elijah up and we turned to look at the others. They were gaping at us, pale faces reflecting their stunned disbelief. I shrugged and bent back down to twist the alien's head sharply, breaking its neck for good measure. “Did not know who it was fuckin' with.”

I looked back up. Fry was holding a shaking Jack and Imam had a tight grip on Rashad's right arm.

“Come on.” Elijah said to me.

We got back in our harnesses and started moving again; the others following behind us. I looked back again to see that they were helping Rashad up off the ground where he had fallen. (We're better off losing that one.) I pointed out to Elijah. I turned back around when they started pulling him along.

(Oh, you have GOT to be kidding me.) Elijah said dryly.

“What?” I asked aloud. Then I felt it. A drop on my nose. I touched it and then looked at my finger. Not blood. Suddenly more drops came down. No, definitely not blood. “Rain.” I said softly.

Elijah and I stopped walking. I looked at him with a grin on my face. I started laughing. I turned around to look at Imam. “So where the Hell's your God now?”

Jack and Fry moved against the side of the cliff and covered the flame with their hands to try and keep the rain from hitting it. They had the only fire left since Imam's had run out of alcohol only a moment before the rain. Imam crouched at Rashad's feet and started wrapping another piece of torn cloth around Rashad's cut leg. It was worse than before. I turned back around and looked out ahead of us.

“Riddick? Are we close?” I heard Fry ask.

I didn't answer though. Something else had caught my attention. Elijah had blood seeping through the bottom of his white tank. “You're bleeding.” I stated.

He looked sharply at me and then followed my gaze. “Fuck.” Quickly, Elijah lifted his shirt to look. He had a nice long gash on the left side of his lower stomach.

He looked back up at me and shook his head. “I didn't know.” He moved his tail up from his waist and wrapped it tightly around his belly, covering the cut. “Maybe when you dropped the creature earlier it cut me.”

I nodded slightly, but I was still worried. I needed to get Elijah off this rock now more than ever.

With the cut securely covered, I looked back out in front of us.

“Just tell me the settlement is right there.” Fry's desperate voice cut through my thoughts.

Again, I ignored her. I need to get Elijah safely into the skiff. I can't do that if the others are gonna slow us down. I came to a decision. I had to get rid of them.

“We can't make it.” I told Fry.

Suddenly I heard Imam cry out.

Elijah and I turned quickly around to look. Rashad was being pulled up along the cliff by a creature. Well, that's one taken care of.

“No!” Imam yelled pounding his hands against the rock.

Fry wrapped her right arm around Jack's shoulders and they sagged against the wall.

I looked around and then let go of the cells. Walking over to the group I prodded them up. I gripped Jack's hand and pulled her to a cave like crevice in the canyon wall. “Here!” I shouted waving at Imam and Fry. “Hide here!”

Imam slowly came to his senses and half-carried Fry to the cave as the clicking hordes circled overhead.

“Inside!” I hissed, pushing Imam in after Fry. As they crawled into the narrow space, the second torch died out. They only had one torch left.

When the three of them were inside I pushed a nearby rock into the hole, blocking them inside. Now that there's no one slowing us down I can get Elijah safely to the skiff and we can get out of here.

XXXXXXXXXX

The mud made it difficult to walk through. Especially while pulling something heavy. Every few feet we slid on the rain-soaked ground, the heavy cells pulling us down like an anchor. Finally we made it to the crest of the hill. I expected another obstacle to stand between us and safety, but as I peered through the hard rain I saw nothing that would get in our way.

The settlement was deserted. There were no creatures around; nothing to stop us from leaving. All we needed to do was get down the hill.

It didn't take long to reach the skiff. Behind us predators came out of nowhere and followed every step of the way, hovering just beyond the faint circle of light as Elijah and I boarded the skiff.

We got the cells in place and turned the skiff on and shut the hatch. As the skiff came to life the creatures that had been hammering on the outside of the vessel moved away.

“Free at last.” Elijah said.

I grinned and sat down in the pilots seat.

We didn't speak as we ran a pre-flight integrity check. But as my fingers ran over the instruments, my mind kept going back to the people we'd left in the canyon.

“Don't be sucked in Riddick. Good intentions kill faster than bullets.” Elijah said looking at me.

I nodded. He was right of course. “I just thought you wanted to take Jack with us.”

He sighed. “I did…still do.” Elijah shook his head. “But we're here now and it's not like we could keep her…I just wanted to get her off this rock and then send her on her way. She wouldn't want that of course, but it's best for her not to be around us.”

“I can go back if you want.”

Elijah was silent for a moment. “No.” I could tell that decision was hard to make.

I nodded and then very deliberately, smashed our hand lights against the hull. “Let's get out of here then.”

I fiddled with the flight controls before rolling the skiff to the runway. For some reason I took my time. I kept peering out into the rain-soaked darkness…as if expecting someone. I sat in the flight chair and checked the computer for the fourth time. I could feel Elijah's eyes on me as I had an internal battle with myself.

((Every time you get noble, you get royally fucked.)) I reminded myself. I looked over at Elijah. “What the fuck is wrong with me?”

“You have a heart Riddick. Don't beat yourself up over this.” Elijah reasoned. “If you want to go back…”

“No.” I cut him off softly. “Let's get out of here.” After coming to this decision I strapped myself in and turned around to face the windshield. My eyes widened when I saw Fry standing in front of the skiff holding up a blue glowing bottle.

“Well, well.” Elijah said. We unstrapped and went to open the hatch door.

We waited at the opening until Fry came around to the back.

She stood there, her chest heaving as she struggled to get her breathing under control. I could tell it was hard for her since we ditched the breathers a while back when they ran out of O2. Elijah and I were ok though since we had already gotten use to the sparse air by then.

“Strong survival instinct. I admire that in a woman.” I said grinning.

“You're…not…leaving.” She said, her breath slowing down. “Not until…we go back for…the others.”

I snorted.

“I promised them we'd…go back with more light.” She said, moving to stand at the bottom of the ramp. “And that's exactly what we are going to do!”

I looked at her for a moment before I spoke. “Think you've mistaken me for somebody that gives a fuck.” I said harshly. She doesn't need to know that I was just thinking about going back to get them.

“What, are you afraid?” Fry jeered. She stood there swaying in the rain.

“I think you are confusing him with Johns now.” Elijah corrected with a sly smile. “Fear was HIS monkey. All that stuff in between? Some shad of gray we can't see.”

Fry sneered at Elijah and then turned back to me. “I trusted the both of you!” Fry yelled. “Goddamn, I trusted that some part of you wanted to rejoin the human race.”

My face remained impassive. “Truthfully, Fry?” I said quietly. “I don't think we'd know how.”

Fry's hands dropped to her sides. “Then wait for me! I'll go back myself. Just give me more light for them.”

“Ok.” I said shrugging and tossed her my broken handlight.

She caught it and then stared at it in her hand. Fry tossed it aside when she saw that it was broken. “Just come with me.” She pleaded.

“I've got a better idea Fry. Come with ME.” Elijah said. I looked at him. (What are you doing?)

(Just seeing how much will she's got left in her.) He replied.

I rolled my eyes.

“You're fuckin' with me, I know you are.” Fry said softly.

“You know I am? You don't know anything about me. We will leave you here.” Elijah said.

“I—I can't.” Fry said falling to her knees.

“Sure you can. Come on…give me your hand.” I said walking down the ramp to her. I reached out my right hand. She looked up at me when it came into her sight.

“No one's gonna blame you Fry.” Elijah said soothingly.

Slowly Fry reached out and I pulled her to her feet. She took small steps forward towards where Elijah was standing in the entrance.

Suddenly she stopped and swayed slightly. I thought she was gonna fall but she kept her balance. I turned around to stare out into the darkness when I heard movement. The creatures were starting to close in.

“Just a few more steps Fry. You can do it.” I heard Elijah say softly.

I turned back around sharply when Fry screamed. She slammed into my body and knocked me down. We landed at the end of the ramp with her on top. She pulled a knife out of her boot and held it against my throat.

“Now you…you listen to me! I am the captain of this ship…and I will NOT give up on them!” She shouted, gasping for breath. “I am not gonna leave any of them behind on this rock with those things—even if it means killing you and Elijah and going back by myself then so be it. Now you WILL help me or I WILL slit both yours and Elijah's—”

She didn't get to finish as Elijah's body connected with hers and knocked her off me. They landed a few feet away with Elijah straddling her waist and Fry's knife in hand.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Elijah's POV

I don't even know why I'm doing this to her. I just want to leave this place. And if it means that she comes with us…then whatever…

I watch as Riddick walks down the ramp to help her up. She starts walking up slowly, step by step and then she stops and sways slightly.

I look out over their heads when I hear the creatures making noises. I can see them slowly closing in on us. We need to hurry this along and get out of here. “Just a few more steps Fry. You can do it.” I said softly.

Suddenly Fry cried out and I watched her turn and tackle Riddick to the ground. I hissed and crouched down at the top of the ramp. Damn bitch. I KNEW I shoulda killed her earlier. I listened as Fry goes off on some rant about being the captain until I can't take it anymore. My blood is singing to kill the one who dared to hold a knife to my mate's throat and threaten kill us. With a strong push I sailed off the skiff and rammed into her body.

We rolled a few feet away from Riddick. Before we stopped moving I grabbed the knife from her hand. I grunted when she pulled out another and sliced my arm. I knocked it out of her hand and then held the first one at her throat as I straddled her waist.

“GET off!” She said forcefully, as if I would listen.

“FUCK YOU!” I yelled. When she struggled I nicked her neck. “I want you to listen good Fry, because this is the last thing you will most likely ever hear.” I growled out. When her body stilled I continued. “After I so GRACIOUSLY let you live earlier I made a deal with Riddick…we agreed that if you did ANYTHING like what just happened, I'd kill you. And I am absolutely going to enjoy it.” I grinned maliciously. “There's just one thing I want to know Fry, before I slit your throat.”

She stared at me and then looked over at Riddick with pleading eyes.

I followed her gaze to see Riddick crouched down in the mud. He stood slowly and shrugged. “Don't look at ME Carolyn. You think I'm gonna help someone who just held a knife to my neck AND threaten to kill my mate? You did this to yourself.”

I looked down at her stunned face and then grinned up at Riddick.

“A deals a deal Carolyn.” Riddick said to her crossing his arms over his muscled chest.

I turned back to the matter at hand. “Look at me Carolyn.” I said using her name for the first time. She turned her blue eyes on me. “Now that you've gotten to know Jack and Imam…I was just wondering how you felt now that you know that you're gonna die for them.”

“Please…don't kill me.” She whispered.

I shook my head in mock sadness. “Still a spineless cowered.” I bent down close. “Say hello to Johns for me.”

Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth. In one smooth move I slit her throat spraying blood all over me. I watched the light in her eyes die out and blood bubble out of her mouth. Riddick came over behind me and lifted me up off Fry's motionless body. I watched as he lifted one arm and one leg and then tossed Fry's corpse as far as he could out into the darkness.

“Feel better now?” He asked smirking.

I looked up at him. “Yes.” I stated simply. “I've also had a change heart.”

“Have you now?” He asked amused.

“Yes. We need to go back for Jack and Imam.”

Riddick stared at me for a moment. “Ok.” He said nodding. Riddick bent down to pick up the glowing blue bottle that Fry had brought.

I peered inside. “Are those what I think they are?” I asked.

He grinned. “Seems so.”

“Right. Let's not waste more time.” I said and started to leave.

“Hold it.” Riddick said and grabbed my right arm.

“What?” I asked.

Riddick looked pointedly down at my left arm. “You're bleeding in two places now. You're going to stay here, get cleaned up, put some stuff on that burn and wait for me. If you come with me you'll just attract them. I don't want to take any chances.”

I sighed. I know he's right, but I don't have to like it. “Fine.”

“That's my boy.” Riddick said kissing my temple. I flinched slightly when he accidentally put pressure on the bruise Johns had given me earlier after burning my arm with the flare.

He guided me back to the skiff. “Go in there and shut the hatch. I'll bang five times when I get back.”

I nodded and went inside. I looked down the ramp at my mate.

“Close it.” Riddick said.

Nodding, I pushed the button.

XXXXXXXXXX

Riddick's POV

I didn't need the bottle of glowworms to see, but I brought it anyway. Maybe one of them could use it.

I marched back towards the canyon and flinched slightly every time a predator zoomed past at the edge of the meager light the bottle let out.

((One last pass and I'm clean.)) I thought as I moved steadily through the rain. I paused as my night-vision eyes picked up a flurried knot of predators. They were down at the bottom of the hill drinking runoff from the rain that had formed a huge pool.

I detoured around them and scanned the canyon wall for familiar landmarks. All I could see was flat black rock.

XXXXXXXXX

It took me a while but I found the crevice where I had put the others. I moved the rock out of the way and looked inside.

The first thing I saw was Jack's wide eyes.

“I knew you'd come back.” She stated smiling.

I grinned slightly and then looked at Imam. “Anyone not ready for this?” I paused for a moment when I heard something behind me. I looked around, but found nothing. “Come on.” I handed the bottle of glowworms to Jack since Imam already had a bottle full.

I moved out of the way so Jack and Imam could get out of the small cave. I turned and started walking back. They followed behind me as quickly as they could in the sliding mud.

I stopped when four creatures blocked our path. They seemed to be fighting and there wasn't enough room to go around them. We were gonna have to wait until they made a path wide enough to get through.

We moved back against the canyon wall and crouched down low. I grabbed a hold of Jack's left hand and when Imam took a hold of Jack's right one I pulled them through the gap in between the aliens. They jumped out of the way of the light the glowworms provided and we moved quickly through and struggled up the hill.

I pushed Jack and Imam ahead of me. “Bang on the hatch five times. Go! You know the way!” I yelled at them. Imam nodded and took Jack's hand again. I turned back around when they were out of sight. The four creatures landed in front of me and started moving in.

I scrambled backwards up the muddy hill, my feet slipping every step of the way. When I reached the top, I turned my back and ran as fast as I could towards the settlement. When I lost the creatures in between some buildings I breathed a sigh of relief.

(Where the fuck ARE you? Imam and Jack are here and they said you told them to go on ahead!)

(I'm in the settlement Elijah. Almost to the skiff. If I wanted to get us all back I had to distract the fuckin' things.)

(Just be careful, Riddick.)

(You know me.) I replied.

(That's exactly what I mean!)

I grinned slightly as I turned the corner. Suddenly a creature landed in front of me and I jumped. (Looks like it's time to put that theory to the test.)

(Riddick?) Elijah asked uncertain.

(Hang on.) I ran up and stood directly in front of the alien. When it moved its head to the side I followed. Slowly the creature stepped back and turned away. I relaxed and waited for it to get out of sight.

Suddenly, I felt a tingling sensation run up my spine. Clicking noises sounded behind me. The creature in front of me turned back around and I knew it saw me. It lunged quickly at me and I tried to dodge it without getting hurt, but I wasn't quick enough to escape the swinging talons. I got a cut on the back of my left shoulder. When the second creature jumped on the first one I took my chance and made a run for it. I could see the skiff up ahead of me and ran faster.

Behind me I heard one of the predators following. Thinking fast, I searched for Fry's body hoping that there was something left. Spotting the mangled corpse a few feet away I ran towards it and stopped. I picked up the body and waited for the creature to get closer. Then as hard as I could, I threw Fry at it and when it was distracted by the scent of blood I ran the rest of the way to the skiff.

Elijah was there waiting for me when I boarded and he pulled me into a bone crushing hug.

He let go and scanned my body. Seeing blood he looked up sharply.

“Most of it's Fry's, but I got a cut on the back of my shoulder.” I said pushing the button to close the hatch.

“Fry?” Jack asked jumping up from one of the side seats. “That's right. She came back for you. Where is she?”

I looked at Elijah and then back at Jack. “One of the creatures got her.” It was partly the truth; only she was dead when they got to her.

Jack's body slumped down and Imam caught her before she fell.

“Let's get out of here.” I said.

Elijah nodded and moved to sit in the co-pilot's seat. I sat down and then started it up. I pushed the throttle up and then paused. Pushing it back down again I turned the skiff back off.

“Riddick?” Jack asked. “What's wrong?”

I looked over at Elijah. He stared at me questioningly and lifted a white eyebrow.

I looked back out the window to see the creatures closing in. Suddenly one slammed into the glass and I heard Jack gasp. They started climbing on the skiff.

“Can we just get the Hell out of here now?” Jack whispered loudly.

“We can't leave.” I stated.

I grinned when another creature hit the glass. “Without saying goodnight.” I started the thrusters back up and we rammed through the creatures in our path.

The fabric wings ignited when the skiff reached escape velocity. For a long moment it hung there until the wings disintegrated and disappeared into space.

“With so much prayer to make up for, I don't know where to start.” Imam's voice cut through the silence. I looked behind me to see him at the back of the skiff rolling out one of the prayer mats that had been stowed on board with the rest of the supplies.

“I know where I'd start.” Jack said softly joining him on he floor. She pulled out a second mat and knelt down next to Imam.

I turned my attention back to the front when Elijah spoke. “Thank you.”

I raised a brow questioningly. “For what?”

(For going back.) He answered.

(I don't think we would have left that planet without them.)

Elijah smiled at me. (You think we would have gone back even if Fry hadn't come to get you?)

“Yeah. I don't think we could've left them there.” I said softly.

He nodded his head slightly and then reached over to take my right hand. “I think you're right.”

I smiled back at him and kissed his knuckles.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Third Person

After a few hours, distant stars came into sight. Riddick remained hunched over the control board looking through nav-charts to try and figure out where they were.

“Just don't worry about it Riddick. We'll figure it out later.” Elijah spoke up.

Riddick sighed and leaned back in his seat. He looked over at Elijah's tired face. “Why don't you get some sleep?”

“I can't sleep yet.” Elijah said.

Riddick was about to reply when blood seeping through the bandage on Elijah's arm caught his attention.

“We need to clean those out.” Riddick stated, getting up from his seat and moving towards the back of the skiff where all the supplies were.

He grabbed the med kit they had found back at the crashed ship and brought it up front. Riddick knelt in between the two pilot chairs and turned Elijah's seat around so it faced him.

“First things first.” Riddick said. “Unwrap your tail and take off your tanktop.”

Elijah nodded. When he was done he dropped the dirty white tank on the floor. “Now what Doc?”

Riddick rolled his eyes and unwound the piece of cloth Elijah had tied around his left arm. The cut Fry made went from the top of Elijah's shoulder down to his elbow. He grimaced. It needed to be stitched. He looked down at the cut on his stomach. It wasn't as bad as Riddick thought it had been, when he had first spotted it. It wasn't bleeding anymore so it just needed to be cleaned out and bandaged. Elijah had already put some salve on the burn, so Riddick didn't mess with it.

Riddick looked inside the kit for the supplies he needed.

The two sat in silence while Riddick worked. With Imam and Jack asleep on the prayer mats the only sounds in the skiff where deep breathing and the hum of the engine.

After twenty minuets Riddick was finished. He looked up at Elijah. “Feel ok?”

“Yeah.” Elijah whispered.

They stared at each other for a moment longer until Riddick sat up on his knees and placed his arms on the sides of the chair. They sat there face to face until Elijah laughed softly and leaned forward to kiss him.

When they pulled away Elijah leaned his forehead against Riddick's. (I love you.)

(I love you, too.) Riddick replied sitting back in the pilot seat.

In the back of the skiff Jack stirred and slowly sat up. She stood and stretched. Jack bit her lip and then walked quietly up to the front.

“So I guess it's ok for us to talk now.” She said hopefully.

Elijah grinned when he remembered that Jack had wanted to talk to them the day before but Johns and the others had said `no'.

“So, you can find us a shipping lane, right?” Jack asked. “And then someone picks us up so we can go wherever we want…someplace bright, with SHOWERS. Someplace like where I came from, I guess.”

When Riddick and Elijah didn't respond she continued. “You see, I was just running away when this all started.”

Riddick glanced at Elijah. He knew what she was getting at. Jack was alone and wanted to come with them.

“Only one problem with that plan.” Riddick finally spoke his eyes still fixed on Elijah.

“What?” Jack asked.

Riddick plotted a course and turned his chair so he was facing Jack. “Lotta questions with whoever we run into. Might even be a merc ship.” He trailed off.

Jack thought about it. “So, what do we tell them about the two of you?”

“Tell `em we're dead.” Riddick looked at Elijah. “We died somewhere on that planet.”

Jack grinned and went back to the prayer mat for more sleep.

“Looks like a good idea.” Elijah said. “Wake me up in an hour and we'll switch off.” Elijah leaned his seat back and closed his eyes.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

After six hours everyone on board the skiff was well rested and wide-awake.

“How much longer do you think we'll be stuck in here?” Imam asked.

“Not for much longer hopefully.” Riddick replied sitting up in his seat suddenly and pressing buttons.

“How do you know that?” Jack wondered.

“Because there's a transporter coming our way.” Elijah answered sending out a hail.

They sighed in relief when a woman's voice spoke over the line.

“Thank God.” Jack sighed in relief.

Riddick spoke to the Captain for a few minuets and grinned when the Captain agreed to pick them up.

It took ten minuets for the transporter to reach them and another ten minuets to finish docking. It turned out that the transporter was actually a luxury ship heading towards the New Mecca region. Hellion Prime to be exact.

Riddick put his goggles on before the four of them stepped out onto the main deck after they docked the skiff in the loading bay.

The Captain stepped forward. She was a short, older woman of about forty with shoulder length graying hair and kind blue eyes. “I'm Captain Sara Luthor. First thing I need to know is if any of you need medical attention?” She asked looking pointedly at Elijah's arm.

“No. Just feed us and let us shower.” Elijah said with a grin.

The Captain laughed softly. “Follow me then.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After eating they were shown to two rooms.

“It's all we have left. I hope you don't mind doubling up. Each room has two queen size beds, a full bath, entertainment centers, and a mini kitchen.”

“Thank you Captain. We are very grateful for your help.” Imam said.

“Think nothing of it.” The Captain said waving a hand. She looked at her watch before speaking again. “It's just past 9:30. In the morning I'll send someone to get you for breakfast. They'll lead you to the dining hall where you can eat your fill. Do you have any questions?”

“You got a place we can wash our clothes?” Jack spoke up.

“Of course young man. There's a cleaner in your rooms. These are the deluxe suites. Not everyone can afford them so we don't usually fill up. The rooms have everything you'll need. Goodnight gentlemen.”

The four turned to face each other in silence.

Elijah rolled his eyes and wrapped his arms around Riddick's neck. “Shower.” He put all his weight on Riddick and knocked them back into the door.

Riddick grunted upon impact with the metal door and then he laughed. “We'll see you two in the morning.”

They went inside the room and looked around. It was definitely the deluxe suite. Two queen beds with a nightstand in between, a balcony looking out over the interior of the ship—they were on the top floor—large TV, small kitchen, and large bathroom with both shower and a jacuzzi tub.

Riddick spotted the small cleaner over in the corner of the room. After closing the curtains, they undressed and stuck their clothes inside. With the press of a button the cleaner started washing.

Riddick looked over to see Elijah leaning against the bathroom door. “Come and shower with me.”

Riddick nodded. “Lights to twenty percent.” Riddick took off his goggles and placed them on the counter top and joined Elijah in the stall.

After a quick hot shower they turned on the Jacuzzi tub and got in. Riddick sat in the large round tub with his big muscled arms resting on top of the sides. Elijah moved to straddle his lap.

Elijah stared into Riddick's silver eyes for a long time. “I missed you.”

Riddick brought his hands down off the sides of the tub and placed them on Elijah's thighs.

“We've never been apart for so long.” Riddick answered.

“Two months.” Elijah paused and rubbed the left side of Riddick's neck where he had bit him a couple days before. “The marks are already starting to fade. Our bond is weakening again.”

Riddick nodded and the two stared for a moment longer.

Elijah laughed suddenly and leaned down for a quick kiss. “I think we should fix that.”

Riddick grinned back and pulled Elijah's body as close as he could. “I think that's a good idea.” He whispered.

They made love for hours that night. Putting all the passion and desire they possessed into it. Yes, two months was a very long time indeed.

With the pressing need to bond sated, they lay asleep curled together, their dreams melding into one as their bond strengthened and became permanent again. They could feel each other wholly once more. The bite marks on their necks healing and scarring over as their bond was now fully complete. In the morning the redness around the marks would vanish and you would see two crescent shaped marks where the neck meets the shoulder.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

The four survivors stayed on board the ship for two weeks until the Captain dropped them off on Hellion Prime.

They were standing at one of the ports trying to convince Jack that she needed to stay there with Imam.

“But why can't I just—” She started.

“No. You need to stay here for a while Jack. It's not safe to be with us right now. We're gonna be on the run for a few years until they think we're officially dead.” Elijah explained.

Jack huffed and walked over to sit in a chair.

“Where do you think you'll go?” Imam asked.

“We're gonna go and stay with his parents for a while. They're on an ice planet in the UV System. It's nice and cold there. Don't know how long we'll stay for though.” Riddick said.

The call for their ship came over the speakers. “We have to go. Tell Jack we're sorry.” Elijah said looking over at the sullen girl. He looked back to Imam. “Please, try and explain things to her.”

Imam nodded. “I'll do all I can.”

Riddick and Elijah walked through the gate and onto the ship to find their cabin. It was one of the smallest the ship had. Only big enough for a bed and bathroom with a small shower, toilet and sink. Didn't even have a window to look out of.

“Well, this looks like home for a month or so.” Elijah stated.

“That's what it looks like.” Riddick agreed.

Elijah turned to face his mate. “Wanna see how sound proof these walls are?”

Riddick laughed and dimmed the lights before taking off his goggles.

“That sounds like a plan to me.”

END CHAPTER SIX

 

Alright, there's chapter six. I posted it for ficjunkie (my only review on this site). So I hope you enjoy it. I think I've got my groove back so maybe I'll finish the epilogue. What do you think?