A Chance Reunion
Author: Jacklyn C. Reed ( jack_b_badd@yahoo.com)
DISCLAIMER: The Character of Phillip Johns is copyrighted to me. You must
ask permission if you wish to use him.
Prologue
The streets of Scrap Iron were bustling like always. People scurrying about
to buy and sell their goods. The place was nothing but metal, rust, and
smoke. At least that's how Jack thought it looked. Tall buildings along
with slums, ship dockyard, bars, saloons... You name just about every filthy
place known to man and there we at least ten to fifteen of them in Scrap
Iron. Of course there were also the factories and mines, that's how Scrap
Iron got it's name... Iron was it's most abundant resource. Hardly any plants
grew in the soil. Imam told her it was because of the high iron content
in it. It didn't make much difference to her. It was just another boring
place with nothing to do. Just like New Mecca. Sure everyone welcomed her
and Imam with open arms nearly a year ago when Riddick dropped them off
there and then left. Not even a goodbye, then again she didn't think he
was one for goodbyes, after all they never really said hello.
Jack sighed a bit as a hand ran through she short curly brown tresses that
she now had. She had let her hair grow back out, well some at least. She
wasn't the scrawny little girl anymore. Hell they all would have been shocked
to know that she was seventeen then. But the time that passed afterwards
let her fill out, her once small breasts were larger and rounder, her waist
was more defined and her curves more feminine. "Imam, why did we have to
come here again?" she cast him a slightly irritated look, a frown playing
in her face.
"Jack... We came for the herbs for the colony. You know that." He regarded
her with a kind smile. "I thought you said nothing could grow here." Her
narrowed blue eyes peered to the holy man. He only gave a chuckle as he
looked at her, "My dear Jack, Scrap Iron is the closet trading planet to
New Mecca. We can only get the herbs we need by trading for some and buying
the rarer ones."
She looked down, hands stuffed into the black pants that clung to her subtle
curves, black tank top adorning her upper half also tucked into the pants
to show the curve of her breasts, kicking the rust colored dirt of the planet
with the toe of her boot. "This place is horribly boring. I'm gonna go find
something more interesting. I'll see you back at the hotel okay?"
"Alright, child." He nodded to her. There wasn't much he could do anyway,
Jack had a mind of her own and he'd come to care about her very much in
the year they lived on New Mecca. He felt as if she was a daughter to him.
His brown eyes watched as she trudged off down the street slowly, sighing
lightly to himself before he too headed down the opposite way and into the
market.
***** ***** ***** *****
A few hours had past as she wandered aimlessly through the streets. Night
had fallen and yellow tinted lights from street lamps lit up the streets.
Signs flickering above the shops and bars and saloons. She frowned deeply
as blue eyes almost glared at the ground. She hated these kinds of trips.
They always made her feel so useless, but if Imam had any money left over
he always gave it to her. She saved up from a few trips before and bought
herself a shiv the last time she had come here. Imam wasn't too happy with
her about that. He didn't like weapons and he didn't like the idea she had
one either. But it made her feel safer... and it also reminded her of Riddick.
She wanted to go with him so bad. A frown tugged at her pale rose hued lips,
as she stopped in her tracks and tilted her head up to gaze at the stars.
She could still hear the words he told her before landing. I'm not the kind
of person you need to make a role model kid. You're better off with Imam.
Then he left them there on New Mecca. She never quite understood it. Sure
she had looked up to him, his presence alone told her he demanded respect,
and she had found him intriguing. She didn't know quite why she had missed
him so much... but she did find that she cared about him... probably a lot
more than she should and a lot more than Imam would like.
Slow steps started her walking again, most the places in this sector were
shut down for the night. That was when the man grabbed her from behind,
large arms encircling about her little form. She yelped in surprise and
squirmed, but the mans grip held on, he reeked of beer and his speech was
slurred, "Awwww, qui- quit fighting it honey. I-it won't hurt... I'm," hiccup,
"just going to fuck you..."
Her heart pounded in her chest as she thrashed in his arms, 'God no! Not
like this!' she prayed silently to herself as the man started to stumble
back into the alley taking her with him. That's when her remembered her
shiv. Good thing she made a pocket for it that nestled in the waistband
of her pants. She shifted her hands a bit and pulled the small black shiv
out. "Get the fuck off me asshole!" with that she brought the shiv up and
slashed it down the mans arm. He let her go in an instant howling in pain
and cradling his now bleeding arm.
A drunken rage crossed his face as he looked at her. "You fucking little
slut! I'll kill you for that!" He stalked towards her then, arms outstretched
in a menacing look on his face. She shook a bit at his words; actually she
was terrified beyond her wits. She did the only thing she could think of,
she shoved her arm out towards him, gripping her shiv tightly. That's when
the blade cut through his navy uniform and into his gut, he paused a moment
and looked down. Jack's arm was shaking but she held it there, unable to
move it, she could feel the warm blood flowing slowly down over fingers.
Her mouth hung open, she could hardly believe what she'd done. Slowly the
man looked up to her, his face was turning ashen slowly, and his large hands
went to her shoulders, as he staggered a bit. His hands then moved to slip
about Jack's throat starting to squeeze. She closed her eyes, wondering
if she'd be found dead along with the man.
No... No. I refuse to die here...I won't!! She thought. That's when she
pushed her hand up harder into the man's stomach causing the blade to slice
slowly up an inch or so through the tender flesh there as more of the blood
dripped down over her hand. He cringed a bit and slowly took a staggering
step back; a sickly sucking sound was given as the shiv slid out of his
stomach. He looked to her before he fell to his knees, then to the ground
on his face. She stood there silently a few moments. The events slowly registering
in her mind what had happened. She could feel the bile rising in the back
of her throat as her free hand rose close to cover her mouth as she took
in a shaky breath. She turned quickly and ran from the alley, feet pounding
against the sidewalks as she ran back towards the hotel. She had to see
Imam... she needed to leave now.
***** ***** ***** *****
The door burst open suddenly, caused Imam to be startled from his prayers.
His brown eyes found Jack standing there in the door panting. He could tell
something was wrong. When she shut the door and turned her back slightly...
that's when he saw it. Her hand behind her back, clenching the shiv tightly
as she trembled. He looked up to her suddenly, getting up from his prayer
mat. "Jack... what has happened?"
She shook a bit, the tears that had threatened to fall finally did. They
fell savagely down her pale ivory cheeks. Knees shaking as she sank to the
floor, the shiv falling from her hand to it, bloody hand resting against
her leg as blood from her fingers marked the floor. "I... I didn't mean
to. He... he attacked me," she let out a sob as her head drooped down and
her eyes closed, "h-he was going to rape me..." she coughed a bit as well
taking in a sharp breath, "s-said th-that he was... going to fuck me...
I didn't mean to."
Imam's eyes widened. The poor girl! He rushed to her and wrapped his arms
about her. He didn't approve of her killing him, but it seems there must
have been no other choice for her. His heart ached to see her pained like
this. He pulled her close and stroked her hair gently. "Shhhh child, it
will be alright. Did anyone see you?" Truth was he was more afraid now that
he'd lose Jack and he couldn't bear for that to happen. She leaned against
him sobbing into his shoulder, she shook her head slowly, voice wavering
"I... d-don't think so."
Imam nodded lightly to her and squeezed her tight before pulling back to
arms length and peering at her. "You must be strong now Jack. I can no longer
help you I'm afraid," a sad look was held in his eyes, "but perhaps Riddick
can."
Jack's blue eyes were filled with tears. "How!? We don't even know where
the fucking hell he is!!" she was upset and angry, it was the first time
she had ever used that tone or words around him. He frowned only slightly,
knowing she must fell all tangled up on the inside. A smooth hand ran over
her cheek and brushed away the tears. "I discussed it with him briefly one
night. He mentioned he would be heading to Ryson Three. I will give you
the rest of the money I have with me. I'm sure you will be able to find
him." He gave her a smile even though he too felt like crying.
***** ***** ***** *****
It had only been a day but already the news of a murder had spread like
wildfire. Jack was petrified beyond belief but she appeared to look shocked
when others spoke of it. Responding with the normal "How horrible's" and
"Such a shame's." It was afternoon before she finally reached the front
of the line at the ticket terminal at the docks. The man behind the rusted
counter looked to her through thick glasses, his accent slightly off. "
'Ow can I be 'elping ya, Ma'am?"
"I...uhhh... I n-need a ticket to Ryson Three, please..." blue eyes peered
at the man, tucking a curl behind her ear nervously. The man just shook
his head to her, placing large calloused hands on the counter. " Sorra'
Ma'am but I done sold all of those tickets. There won' be another ship leaving
fer there fer another five days.. if you'd like ta wait I reckon I could
save ya a ticket." She frowned and looked down sadly, normally people in
places like this didn't care much but the man raised a brow to her. "Did
you be needin' ta get there cause of an emergency Ma'am?"
Jack blinked as she glanced back up at him, she nodded slowly. Time to pull
one your perfect little lies out your pocket Jack. She looked down yet again,
sniffling a tad and making her voice quaver a bit. "Y-yes... m-my mom is
sick. I...I was here with my Aunt b-but now I need to get home... Please...
I'll do anything." She looked back up to him, fake tears making those blue
eyes look glassy, she was good at stuff like this, didn't know why but she
was. The man nodded and frowned a bit then, calloused hand reaching up to
rub his chin a moment in thought. " Tell ya what Ma'am, why dun ya go tha
building o'er there and talk ta a fella by tha name of Peters. He Cap'ins
tha' ship. Maybe he'll help ya out." She smiled weakly to him and nodded,
wiping away a fake tear as it slipped down her cheek. "Th-thank you..."
she turned slowly peering at the building, slow steps carrying her over
to it. She had to get out of here or she'd be dead or put in jail for the
rest of her life. She didn't want either to happen to her. The only sound
in her ears was the pounding of her own heart.
***** ***** ***** *****
Peters had turned out to be a man in his late forty's, tall, about six foot
Jack guessed, and he well fed, not fat but he had meat on his bones, with
oddly light blond hair that didn't match his cold dark eyes. She didn't
know if they had color or if they were just all black. His eyes made her
uneasy. Especially when she caught them moving up and down her body, taking
in her curves. She shivered a bit as she looked to him.
"S-so... do we have a deal?" her blue eyes were hopeful as she sat the credits
on the table in front of him, 273 of them to be exact. They would have paid
for a low class ticket on his ship. His dark eyes moved over her body again,
his tongue tracing out to lick over his lips before cold eyes gazed into
her blue ones. "Throw in something else and I'll even put you in first class."
Jack gave him a wary look, sinking back in her chair slightly a slender
brow raising, voice shaking a moment, "Wh-what do you mean something else?"
she knew what he wanted. He wanted her... or her body anyway. She gave a
visible shudder at the thought. He seemed to frown at her words, sensing
her unwillingness to do, what to him was a simple little thing. "If you
don't want it... Don't bother to waste my time." He stood up then, heavy
steps carrying him past her slowly.
"W-wait!" she turned around in her chair slowly, swallowing the lump in
her throat and clenching her fists a moment. You have to do it Jack...You
might now want to but you have to survive...You got to make it to him. Her
voice lowered a tad, her head drooping slightly as well. "I'll do whatever
you want. I just really need to get to Ryson Three."
A sick grin twisted the pilot's lips then. He reached out and took hold
of her arm and pulled Jack close to him. He smiled darkly as she gave a
faint little gasp and tensed as he brought her body even closer to his with
a tight embrace. His hands slipping down her back and to her round, firm,
rear, giving it a squeeze. Jack yelped lightly and jumped in his arms, it
only made his grin widen. He leaned over to the table and snatched up the
credits and looped his arm about Jack's waist. "Come dear... we have business
to attend to." The words sent chills through Jack, she didn't want to do
this... she accidentally killed someone who tried just about the same thing.
But she couldn't see another way out of it... she couldn't afford to wait
another five days...
***** ***** ***** *****
If she only knew someone had seen. Someone who'd be watching her now very
closely. The cigarette lit the darkness of the room as cold blue eyes were
caught in the dim yellow light of the far corner of the bar. A smirk crossed
his cool features. Yes... perhaps this girl would be useful after all. If
only she wouldn't have stabbed that man he would have helped her. But now
she was just like all those other fucking murders out there. It'd only be
a matter of time before he brought her in like all the rest. He thought
about how she reacted when she realized what she had done and chuckled.
Yes... he'd bring her in after he got what he wanted first.
Chapter One: Old Friends
Dusk was setting in on Ryson Three and the lilac sky had turned a dark violet.
Jack stood at the end of the alley peering out at the empty streets, save
for a few animals here and there. It had been nearly three months now and
she hadn't seen any trace of Riddick. She started to wonder if he was even
on this god-forsaken rock. A sigh escaped her pale lips as blue eyes drifted
down to look at the sidewalk. The silence seemed to surround her as her
left hand moved over to her right side, rubbing lightly over her ribs. She
couldn't feel it, but she knew it was there. The fucking pilot had marked
her. She had a 'P' shaped scar there now. The sick bastard. Her mind drifted
back to what he had done to her. The joy he took in from the pain he caused
her. Her eyes narrowed slightly as a glare was given to the ground as the
memories began to flood back into her mind.
***** ***** ***** *****
His cold dark eyes peered down at her prone form. He yanked the ropes tying
her hands above her head tighter causing her to yelp and flinch. Jack peered
up at him fearfully now, what had she gotten herself into? Peters just grinned
darkly at her and opened a drawer next to the bed. When he pulled back he
had a little carving knife in his hand. Jack's eyes widened as her breaths
caught in her throat. Oh shit! He's going to kill me!! She started to squirm
in her confinements trying to get her hands free. "Don't worry... it'll
only hurt for a little while." A cocky grin crossed his face as his other
hand reached up to cover her mouth.
"Mmmph!" was all the protest she was able to give before she felt the sharp
pain on her side. He cut deep so the scar would always be visible. She shuddered
a bit as tears slipped down her cheeks. She could feel the blood trickling
down her side. He tossed the knife away after what seemed like an eternity.
He leaned down towards her and pulled his hand from her mouth. She was not
allowed enough time to scream before his mouth devoured hers, muting all
her cries. He--
***** ***** ***** *****
A noise had startled her. She glanced down the sidewalk. There was someone
coming, a tall man in a trench coat. She pressed her back against the wall,
keeping as quiet as she could. There was no telling if he was friend or
foe yet. He neared the alley slowly and caught a scent he had not smelled
in some time. He turned his head toward the alley slowly as he stopped in
his tracks. The light from the street lamp glinting on the black goggles.
Jack grinned happily to herself as she pushed off the wall and moved into
the light of the alley. Curls fell in her eyes as she peered to him, a smirk
crossing her pale lips. "Well, well, well... Long time no see."
A grin twisted Riddick's lips as she stepped into the light. The black goggles
hid his eyes as they took in her form. Seemed the kid had done some growing
up. "That it has Jack. It's good to see you again." His hands slid into
the pockets of his coat. His deep voice seemed to have calmed her nerves
some. He glanced one way then the other before letting his gaze return to
settle on her again. "I don't take this is just a friendly visit? Where's
Imam?"
Jack hooked her thumbs into the pockets of her pants as she rubbed the toe
of her boot against the ground. "No...not really... Imam's back on New Mecca."
She made herself force a smile up to him. He still had no expression on
his face, just his usual calm and collected look.
"Hmmm..." Riddick glanced about once more. He didn't like standing in the
open like this. He gestured to the alley with his head as he walked inside
it, leaning against the wall she had been leaning on before. They were now
opposite each other and Jack seemed to have relaxed a bit more. He reached
up and moved the goggles back to his hairline. Silver-blue, reflective eyes
looked at her, they alone told her where he was at. "So, what have you been
up to Jack?"
"Nothing much really... just looking for you mainly." She glanced down to
the ground a moment, curls brushing her cheeks. Riddick noted she looked
a little sad about something, what...he didn't know...yet. He pushed from
the wall and moved closer to her. His towering form stood less than a foot
from her. Jack's heart jumped in her chest, tilting her head up as blue
eyes gazed into his reflective ones. His large, rough hand reached out and
ran through a few curls. "I see you grew your hair out," he let his hand
drop. He could still smell the slight fear she had. He could tell she was
still the frightened little girl he knew from the planet. A teasing grin
twisted his lips; "The bald look just didn't suit you."
Jack couldn't help but laugh at that comment. "Heh...yeah. I keep it short
though," fingers reached up and nervously tucked some hair behind her ear.
A faint smile tinted his lips. It was good to see someone who he could call
a friend again. Then again, her being here could only mean trouble...for
the both of them. "Why are you here Jack?"
"Well... actually... I was kinda hoping I could stay with you for a while,
Riddick," blue eyes peered up at him, pearly whites biting her lower lip
nervously. Riddick sighed a bit and shook his head, arms crossing over his
chest. "Look, Kid... it's not safe to be around me. Besides... I don't have
a permanent place to stay." His silver-blue eyes studied her, taking in
the frown that crossed her face. She was disappointed, he could tell that,
but it had to be this way. He couldn't watch out for a kid as well as himself.
She'd just get in the way.
"Yeah, well... I haven't stayed in a permanent place for a few months now,"
she tucked some hair behind her ear, "so... that doesn't matter." Now it
was his turn to frown a bit. His eyes gazed down at her silently for a few
moments. "Look kid. It's too dangerous." It was the simple truth. She would
just end up getting herself hurt or killed. He didn't want either to happen
to her. He cared about her... a thoughtful look crossed his face a moment
as his features softened a tad. I care about her. He closed his eyes briefly
looking back down at her, "You can't stay with me kid and that's that."
Jack frowned more at him, a tinge of hurt trying to stay hidden in her eyes.
But Riddick saw it, he had learned to read people well, Jack was no exception.
"Yeah, well this 'Kid' has done a lot more than you know," her tone was
defensive and hurt, "you won't help me. Fine. I don't need you!" she turned
on her heel walking quickly out of the alley and down the sidewalk. Her
fists clenched as blue eyes glared to the ground, a breeze blowing a few
curls about.
Riddick frowned a bit as he ran his hand back over his shaved head. Damn
kid, didn't she understand anything? How dangerous he was, how it's not
safe to be around him... Damn her. He left her with Imam because it was
safer and it was easier for him on his own. He tilted his head to the side
a bit catching a scent,... Jack? No...not her. He shifted his eyes about,
someone was trying to hide beside a window in the building behind him. No
doubt a Merc. Damnit. But at least they would come after him instead of
Jack. He pulled the goggles back down over his eyes, slowly slinking back
into the shadows of the alley.
***** ***** ***** *****
Her boots thudded on the sidewalk lightly, hands stuffed down in her pockets
angrily. She didn't understand why he wouldn't help her. He was supposed
to be her friend, right?? Maybe he thought she just wanted to tag along
with him. Part of her did, always had since she first met him. But the truth
was she needed him to protect her again. She would have to tell him the
truth...that she killed someone...how she got here...everything. She ran
a hand through her curls as she sighed. A loud shot broke the silence and
interrupted her thoughts. She stopped in her tracks and turned around quickly
to look back towards the alley. Her heart jumped in her chest. Riddick.
Merc's...it had to be. Shit! I lead them right to him! Damnit, I should
have known better.
She knew she couldn't go back, she also knew Riddick could take care of
himself, but right now, she needed to get a move on herself. Slow steps
carried her backwards as she peered towards the alley for a few more moments.
She then turned, rather quickly, taking a stride forward. When her eyes
shifted forward as well, she caught a glimpse of something gray before a
throbbing pain shot through her head. She staggered back a few paces and
shook her head. She opened her eyes slowly, seeing she carelessly ran into
a pole. She grumbled and muttered under her breath, "Damnit...serves me
fucking right for not paying attention."
***** ***** ***** *****
Riddick stayed back in the shadows watching the Mercs pass by from his hiding
spot. He grinned lightly to himself, knowing they wouldn't find him. For
Mercs, some could be quite careless and stupid. He hoped silently that Jack
had had the brains to run. But something bothered him about what she had
said before she left so quickly and angrily. Jack's words playing over in
his mind. This kid has done more than you know. You won't help me. Fine.
I don't need you! He shook his head slowly and silently. He just couldn't
leave her out there for the Mercs to get her. The old Riddick could have
without a second thought, but now... no. Fry had changed him when she died.
The time he spent on the skiff with Jack and Imam had changed him. He had
started to care about them. It's why he left them so quickly, he didn't
understand it or how to deal with it. Now, seeing Jack again brought up
those odd feelings again. His thoughts were interrupted by a voice that
made him peer between the cracks of the crates he was crouched behind.
"He must have gotten away. Radio the others. We'll go after the girl. Looks
like Phil was right about her." the man hefted his weapon upright as he
started out the alley. Two other men followed him out, pulling what appeared
to be tranquilizer guns from their holsters. A brow raised slightly now.
So they had followed Jack. Maybe she really does need my help. But what
the hell could she have done to get Mercs after her? He wasn't sure but
he knew he'd find out. He stood carefully, peering after the receding Mercs
a moment, then darting off in the opposite direction.
***** ***** ***** *****
Jack blinked a bit to clear her vision, a hand raising to rub her pounding
head. She began to walk down the sidewalk slowly, blinking a bit more to
get the white spots out of her eyes. It was only a matter of moments before
she heard the yell. "There she is! Remember she's wanted alive!"
Her eyes widened as she glanced back over her shoulder. Three Mercs were
heading her way. She looked back to the front, not wanting to run into another
pole, and pushed herself into a full out run. Her boots pounding on the
sidewalk. The squeal of shots flew about her, as her heart pounded harder
in her chest. Riddick kept a silent watch from the shadows of the alley.
She saw an alleyway coming up so she veered into it, running as fast as
she could. All she knew was that she had to get away. Riddick would have
moved to go help her then but he heard something. He glanced to the side
and ducked back in the shadows as a truck came barreling down the street.
His thoughts drifted a moment. Since when do fucking Mercs work together
to capture someone. A deep frown crossed his face as he sank back off into
the shadows and disappeared.
Jack continued to run down the darkened alley until she ran into something
that nearly knocked her off her feet. She looked at it again, a few strands
of hair in her face. It was a damn chain link fence. She glared a bit at
it before she grabbed onto it and started to climb. Riddick had just rounded
the corner into the alley in front Jack, on the opposite side of the fence,
but he stayed to the shadows. He smiled faintly to himself, she was smart,
but a frown soon crossed his face when the two Mercs rounded the corner
shooting at her. She yelped slightly and faltered a moment in her climbing.
She continued to climb up once more but she wasn't fast enough, the Mercs
reached her. The two men grabbed her and yanked her down from the fence
causing her to lose her balance and drop down to one knee, her hands on
the ground at her sides. One of the men, the shortest, seemed to be the
braver of the two. His hair was also the lightest, the other man had darker
hair the best she could make out. Her blue eyes glared up to them from under
a few curls that obscured her eyes. "Get up!... On your feet!" the shorter
man leveled his gun at her, standing less than a foot away.
She glanced to the other man who stood closer to the fence than to her.
Riddick watched silently as he slowly crept closer to the fence, silently
pulling his shiv from his belt. She moved a hand up to her leg slowly, appearing
to be getting up. But before either of the Mercs realized it she had pulled
her black shiv from the pocket at her waist and held it in her hand. Riddick
raised a brow at this as he watched intently. Where the hell did she get
a shiv? He could smell that she was afraid, and he wondered why she had
pulled the weapon. Was she going to fight them? They'd kill her without
a second thought. He prayed silently though that she'd give up. He could
save her then. He just hoped she wouldn't go down the path that he had.
All his questions had their answers when he heard her yell. No...no Jack
don't you do it, he prayed silently to himself. She hefted her arm upward
at the closest Merc. The short man had been to close to react properly.
His shock gave her time to push his gun away from her. He stood with an
open mouth and a pained look on his face. The other man quickly leveled
his gun at her, arm shaking slightly, "Move away from him. Now!"
She just glared over at the man and pushed her hand harder up into the short
man's gut. Feeling the blade slide easily through the flesh, then she gave
a prompt little twist of her wrist. The shorter man gave a slight cry as
the gun fell from his hand and to the ground. Riddick raised both brows
at this. He was confused and upset now. Her doing this was only leading
her down the same path that he was on. The other man's eyes widened as he
walked to her quickly, his gun still aimed at her. She pulled her hand from
the man's gut, it was a deep red in color now, she pushed his body back
away from herself and watched it fall to the ground. The man stepped up
behind her now and raised his arm, the blunt of his gun aimed at her head.
Riddick took the opportunity and stepped from the shadows, his arms crossed
over his chest. His voice was cool and collected, "Looking for me?" As the
man's arm came down his aim faltered because of Riddick. The blow sent Jack
to stumble forward and nearly trip over the Merc she had killed. Riddick
grinned to the man, he could smell the fear on him. Riddick then stepped
back into the shadows seeming to disappear. A new pain throbbed in her head
now as she held it with a hand, just able to manage and tuck her shiv away.
The other man quickly leveled his gun in the direction where he last saw
Riddick.
Riddick? He was here. Did he come back to help me after all? She silently
hoped he did. But why did he come back for me? The Merc who grabbed her
up by her hair and pulled her to her feet interrupted her thoughts. Jack
yelped loudly as the pain in her head worsened from the yank and the sudden
dizziness she got from standing up so fast. A rattling sound was heard and
the Merc looked about quickly, taking a step back with Jack held close in
front of him. He pushed the gun up under her chin, "C-come out... Now!"
Jack glanced about for Riddick but she didn't see him, then again, Riddick
made it a point to not be seen unless he wanted to be. She closed her eyes
a moment from the dizziness. Hitting her head twice in one day was definitely
something she didn't want to happen again. When she finally opened her eyes
again she saw Riddick halfway out of the shadows. His arm was extended towards
her. He then slowly straightened up to stand at his full height. Jack could
feel something warm running down over her shoulder and back. She didn't
have to look to know what it was...blood. Soon the body behind her thudded
to the ground as she stumbled to the side a bit. Riddick made his way over
to her quickly, pausing a moment to peer at her. She didn't look so good.
He leaned down, grabbed his shiv, and wiped the blood off on the Merc's
clothes. He tucked his shiv away then as he looked back to her. Jack managed
a faint smile to him as her head pounded with pain, her body crying out
for rest. Riddick took slow steps to her. The pain in her head seemed to
get worse as sounds faded out of proportion. The whole alley began to spin
before everything went black.
Chapter 2-3