Chapter 17
We drank in silence.
My fingers were shaking again though. As much as I didn't want to draw attention to myself- I was. I wondered what those last words he's said to me meant. If he was really willing to kill- for me.
It was a terribly disturbing and exciting thought at the same time. I felt disgusted that I saw it that way.
"Riddick?"
Jack appeared, out of nowhere. Dressed in a red ruffle one-shouldered top and a black leather mini, that fell to just below her butt. She was golden all over, thanks to her tan and sparkly golden glitters on her shoulders and face. Golden loops dangled in her ears and her light, almost platinum, waist-length blond hair stood out against her chocolate skin. Her make up was left nude, only a shimmering white eye-shadow and coal black mascara framed her eyes, and a sheer lip gloss decorated her lips. I had to be green with envy. Really green. And she was my friend. I felt like a jealous bitch.
And I was one.
She didn't waste time talking though. Said 'hey, girl' to me, then focused all of her attention on Riddick, who was sitting like me on one of the barstools. She went to stand between his legs, her hands resting on his knees. Then she pressed herself against his crotch, making him a nonverbal offer. No words were needed there.
"Hey, big boy… how 'bout you and me… go for a walk. What do you say, hmm?" She pressed her mouth to his for a short kiss, then leaned back.
I was pretending I didn't hear them. That I didn't know they were there, actually. Just another couple. Like any other. I watched the golden-brown liquid in my glass again. Whisky. I didn't know why I was drinking it when I found it so not good. Probably because drinking away my sorrow seemed like the only alternative to hanging myself. Ok, so I didn't want to hang myself, but watching them wasn't easy. It hurt.
I looked around the packed club. There was a guy sitting on the still next to me, and he was virtually eating me alive. It gave me a much needed confidence boost, especially since he was good-looking, and there was no girlfriend, or whore roped around his waist. He had black jeans on and a white top clung to his shoulder muscles. He wasn't muscular like Riddick, but he wasn't thin either. A silver cross hung around his neck. He looked Spanish. I had to say, I caught him watching me with his caramel eyes earlier, but then Riddick's attention was full on me, so I didn't pay much notice to that. Now when he smiled over at me I simply smiled back at him.
And then I saw some Blonde wrap her arms around his neck and press a kiss to the back of his head. I shuddered. Christ, another player? I scoffed, and downed my second whiskey. Then ordered a third.
"I wanna show you something, Riddick," Jack said.
"Yeah?"
"Uh-hmmm. You'll like it."
"We gonna leave Ivy here alone?"
I jerked my head up when I heard him say my name. Our eyes met. He gave me a flat sort of lopsided smile, and Jack grinned at me, big.
"She's gonna be aright. Right, Ivy? Having fun?"
Tons. "Yeah."
"See, Riddick? She's gonna be fiiiiine. C'mon."
I wasn't actually persuasive, but I didn't have to be. It wouldn't help me anyway. Jack didn't know about my feelings (I hoped) and Riddick didn't give a damn. So there was no point.
I watched her pull Riddick to his feet, take his hand in hers. The moment their attention turned back to me I swallowed, looked back down into my third whiskey.
"See ya, kid."
Jack didn't bother saying anything. I didn't blame her. She was absolutely smitten. Like me. Absolutely absorbed in the presence that was Riddick. I looked up.
But they had already gone.
* * * * *
"You wanna go up into the chairzone?"
His question was so unexpected I flinched. That Spanish boy was standing next to me, smiling at me. Like I were the air he was breathing. I figured he had to have practice with flirting with girls. Especially with his looks. He couldn't compare to Riddick, but I wasn't going to start comparing. I didn't need to make myself more miserable.
He gave me a curious look.
"What's your name?"
"Ivy."
"I'm Miguel. Pleasure to meet you, bella." He held out his hand. After staring at it, I hesitantly took it, grinning a little. Instead of shaking my hand though, he kissed the tips of my fingers. Much to my surprise, I blushed.
"So, whatcha say? Wanna go to the chairzone?"
Blonde was standing next to him again. I raised my eyebrow and gave him a questioning look. 'What, with you girlfriend?' But he was still smiling at me, and so was she. Well, why not. I didn't have other plans for tonight. Other than drinking myself unconscious. I nodded.
"Sure."
Blonde and Miguel climbed the stairs, and I followed them. The chairzone
Blonde slumped down next to another girl, probably a friend of hers, and Miguel made himself comfortable in the armchair. I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Come sit here," he said, grinning, and I did. Much to my surprise I took him up on the offer and sat down into his lap.
He seemed a little surprised that he'd managed to get the girl so fast, but that shocked face of his turned cocky in a split second. He didn't touch me though and he didn't make any cheesy comment. His blue eyes just watched me intently.
"Where ya from, bella?"
"Earth."
"Wow. The cradle of mankind. First time to Morpheus?"
"Yeah."
"Studying?"
"Yeah."
"You're not much of a talker, bella, are you?"
I smiled, and he smiled back. Oddly enough, it felt okay to lean against him and rest my head against his shoulder. I couldn't believe I was the initiator. Probably because my body was begging for some kind of contact. But, once again, Miguel didn't touch me. He didn't rope his arms around my waist. But I heard his breathing hitch, even though he seemed pretty skillful with girls to me.
"You okay with it if I stroke your hair?"
Interesting thing to ask. I nodded against him. "Uh-huh."
I felt him lace his fingers through my hair, gently stroking. "You got real pretty hair, bella."
I laughed softly. "It's not blond."
He laughed back. "Never said I like blond."
Huh? "Then why are you here with Blonde?"
He laughed some more. "We're not a couple, bella. You got it all wrong."
"But-" I was confused. She'd hugged him, hadn't she? Kissed him even. I stole a glance sideways where Blonde and her friend were supposed to be sitting and that was when it hit me, bold and true:
Blonde was sitting in her friend's lap, fondling her breasts in between small-talk.
"Ohhh..," I grinned. "Now I know what you mean."
Miguel smirked, but his hand never once left my hair. It was nice. I sighed, and leaned against him once more.
"Where ya from, Miguel?"
"Here, bella, here. I study psychology on Morpheus."
"You do?" I looked up at him.
"Yeah, I do." He chuckled. "Don't look so surprised, bella. I don't come here often, because no one catches my eye in places like these. But you did. You did."
I wanted to tell him I still was surprised that a psychology student would hang out in here anyway and that he didn't know me well enough to really tell if I struck his fancy, but suddenly, he leaned over to me and kissed me on the lips.
Whoa…
I was shocked, but not paralyzed by it, and I let him kiss me. Slowly at first, then adding a bit more pressure. His hands went to my flanks, then down my bare thighs, and then he slipped his tongue into my mouth for a full-on kiss.
Good God…
He was a good kisser, I can tell you that. And no, he probably never was shy. I'd been wrong before.
I pulled away to breathe, panting. He just studied my face with a smile.
"Bella, lets make love."
My eyes went WIDE! "What, here?" I was so shocked I didn't get out the 'NO' I intended.
"Yes, here."
"No!"
"No?"
"No."
"Aright." He cupped my face in his hands and pressed his lips to mine again. "Fine with me."
And then I felt someone rope his arms around my waist, but I knew it wasn't Miguel. It were big, rough hands, and I let go off Miguel, staring right at him in shock. But his eyes were focused on something behind me. I shrieked when that something dragged me up and away from Miguel's lap.
"Jesus!"
And then I noticed who it was.
Riddick pulled me to my feet, his hands holding my waist, hard. I glared up at him, furious and panting.
Surprisingly, he looked just as angry.
* * * * *
For a full twenty seconds he said nothing. He was completely silent, but his chest heaving and his face angry, ready to explode. Jaw clenched and nostrils flaring, he pointed a finger into my face, evidently to spit out what he thought of me. But instead, he gritted his teeth and let his arm fall limp at his side.
He turned away from me and I just watched in disbelief as he grabbed Miguel by the shoulders and dragged him to his feet.
"C'mon, man, what's your problem?" Miguel managed to get out, but Riddick paid no attention to him. He shoved him up against a wall by the neck and lifted hi off of his feet.
"Jesus Christ, Riddick, let him GO!"
I didn't dare touch him or push him or something though, knowing it would just make things worse.
"Stay out of it, kid."
"You're gonna strangle him!!"
"I said STAY OUT OF IT!"
"Come- come on, man…I didn't- I didn't do nuthin' to her."
"Shut. Up."
"She wanted it, man!"
"Shut the -FUCK- up!"
He tightened the grip on Miguel's neck, an almost vicious sparkle in his eyes. Like he were looking forward to hurting the poor guy. Jesus, I had to do something. I had to stop him. I had to-
"Riddick-"
Riddick spun around then, his hand just barely stopping in front of my jaw. Oh, fuck. Oh, no. Oh, no, no no…
His eyes met mine, and time stood still. I saw the rage in his face being replaced by shock. He was shocked at what he'd almost done. His arms fell limp at his sides, and then he started shaking uncontrollably. Miguel stumbled to his knees, clutching his bruised neck with his hands.
"Oh Jesus… Jesus," he coughed. "You crazy psycho!"
But Riddick wasn't listening. He reached out for me, as if to assure himself that I was okay. I was. I really was. I knew he'd never hit me. And I knew I shouldn't have touched him to stop him before. I knew I'd ignited that survival instinct in him. He'd been in a fight and I'd interrupted him. Even with that mere touch. But I'd grabbed him from behind.
Maybe he thought he was lucky for me to be alive.
His hand never reached my cheek though. He stopped, mid-way, and then he clutched it into a fist.
"FUCK!"
I winced, as his fist shot out, connecting with the wall. I heard a crunching sound- the sound of bones breaking.
"Fuck," he growled, blood dripping from his knuckles. "Fuck…"
"Riddick, watch out!"
He spun around and caught Miguel's arm mid-flight, then punched him in the stomach. I saw the betrayal in Miguel's eyes before he fell to the ground, choking.
And then Riddick turned back to me, caught my hand in his, and led me away from there.
* * * * *
There never came a 'sorry' from him, and I wasn't expecting one, but I knew he was struggling to- he wanted to apologize. A couple of times on that way from the club he paused and opened his mouth to say it, but found he couldn't, and just gazed at me with so much regret and sorrow in his eyes I felt like it was me who was bleeding, not him. Then he just turned away from me and started walking again.
He didn't stop holding my hand though.
Before, I thought he only wanted to make sure I followed him out of that place, but once outside, my hand was still in his. It felt weird. And God, did it feel right. The electric sparks were there and that warm, fuzzy sensation that spread through me whenever we (accidentally) touched was there, too.
He didn't let go of my hand when we reached the spaceport either. There weren't many lamps around and I welcomed the thought that he wanted to know I was still with him and not just being dragged off somewhere by some gang-banger. I had no explanation for the fact that I wasn't angry with him. As much as I hated to admit it, I'd been enjoying myself at the club. Sorta. I didn't have to go celibate, just because the man I wanted didn't want me, right? Right… Like Jerry. Yeah. But why- why did he come back to the club for me?
Lost in thought. Were we in his room again: Whoa… Was Jerry's taken again? Jack did look horny before. I let Riddick lead me to the bed and -oh boy- did a fuzzy feeling spread through me then! I gazed up at him, my whole face flushed (due to the alcohol too, I bet), my cheeks hot and red. If he noticed, he didn't show it.
Immediately after hitting the soft covers I realized how exhausted and sleepy I was. I noticed I didn't have my boots on and I must've been half asleep already, because Riddick was holding them in his hands. He'd taken them off for me.
And then he drew the blanket up, sitting down on the bed next to me. Oh, God. Big silver pools fixed on me. I was struck to the bone in breathless desire. In my perverse mind, we- in fact- were in the same bed.
"Evelyn," he whispered huskily, catching my attention. His voice was so low and a little hoarse from all the shouting. "Ivy, I'm- I've never- shit- I didn't mean to-"
"I know. It's okay." That got his attention.
"What?"
"I know you would never hit me, Riddick. It's okay. Really."
He rubbed a hand over his head, unable to face me for a moment.
"I'm not so sure, kid. I could've-"
"But you didn't. You stopped."
"Yeah, but I could've-"
"But you stopped," I repeated.
He looked at me then, completely bewildered. Like he couldn't believe that I had complete trust in him. It struck me that maybe no one ever had.
"You sure I didn't…"
"Absolutely sure."
And then I had to black out from exhaustion because the next thing I knew he was towering above me, and my head was on the pillow. So tired…My eyes closed- it was easier that way.
"Thanks, kid."
I couldn't tell for sure- but I felt him stroking my hair. Maybe. Second man that night that did it. Feather light touches. "Hmmm…"
I opened my eyes and saw an intense glow in his. Amazement, perhaps. I smiled to myself, but instead found him smiling back at me. It had to be a dream. My vision was blurry and Riddick never looked at me with astonishment. I was just a kid to him. Either I was making him amused, or angry. Not astonished. Had to be a dream. Could I take advantage of it, I wondered? I reached up and cupped the side of his face in my hand.
And then I kissed him on the mouth.
"Good night, Riddick…" I mumbled, and then the darkness took me again and I dreamed another dream.
* * * * *
Sleep had claimed the exhausted girl.
She never heard the "Night, Evelyn," he whispered back.
Chapter 18
It was dark.
I saw only shadows. Outlines of shapes. Heard breathing. Watched faint glow of sweat glistening. Slow, slow measured movements. And then my eyes got used to the dark, and I saw it; saw [U]them[/U]. Two bodies, flinching, convulsing. His mouth on hers, their hips on each other. Steadying her, rocking her. The room was hot, and spinning, my senses on fire, and then everything went still.
It was dark again.
"Uuugh…"
I sat up in bed, sweat dripping down my forehead. Christ… It took me a moment to realize it was just a dream. Just a dream and- and Riddick and Jack were probably doing just that right now. I rubbed a hand down my face, pushed back the sweaty locks. Took a breath.
It was funny how my dreams had changed. Most of the nightmares and bad dreams were centered around the killing, or Thomas. And now- what now? I was dreaming about Jack fucking his brains out. I felt sick.
Water. I needed to get myself a glass of water, and then get the hell out of his bed.
I got up, slowly. Managed to find the door, because it was left slightly opened. Light was coming in.
What the… I could hear something. Voices, maybe.
Angry voices.
" Lucas!"
"No, Jack."
"C'mon, give it to me."
"No. You're fucked up already."
"I don't care! Just fucking give it to me."
"Listen to yourself! You're talking bullshit. I'm NOT gonna give you nothin'."
"You're not? Well, guess I'll have to find someone who's willing to give it then, huh?!"
"No, Jack. You're not gonna hurt yourself more. I'm not gonna let you. Why are you doing it anyway? You've passed all the tests, you're a pilot..you've got loads of mates. Jesus Christ."
"What?"
"I know why. Jesus fuck, I know why you do it. It's 'cause of that son-of-a-bitch, eh?"
"Ah, just stop it."
"Riddick what's-his-name, right?"
"Stop it, Lucas."
"You're doing it 'cause of him, aren't ya? Aren't ya, Jack?!"
"STOP IT!"
"He doesn't give a shit about you, or your life, and that's why you fuck yourself up."
"Shut your FUCKING mouth! You're gonna wake up the whole damned ship!"
"Jesus… Jesus! He don't love you, Jack. He can't. Why can't you just understand that? Why are you so damn fixed on him? He's been messing around with you since your sixteenth birthday!"
"Just- just…."
"No! I won't stop. You need to hear the truth. He's fucking around with you. Why do you let him treat you like that? Why do you let him do it? He only wants to get his dick wet, for God's sake."
"Please… P-please…"
"Christ. Don't cry, Jack. I'm trying to open your eyes! I'm trying to make you seewhat a piece of shit he is."
"But he's- he's…"
"He's what?"
"He's… he's nice to her."
" What?"
"That runaway. Ivy. He's nice to her."
"Ah, c'mon, Jack. He's not nice to anyone. Ever seen the way he treats Jerry when no one's around? He's a selfish bastard."
"Why- why can't he- God, I'm not ugly, am I? Lucas, please-"
"Aw, no, honey. You're not. Shit. He's fucked you up good, hasn't he? You're just a piece of meat to him. No… you're not ugly, Jack. You're beautiful, you hear that? Beau-ti-ful. And if he doesn't see that, then too bad for him. You're gonna find someone who's gonna love you the way you deserve."
"But- but, God, I love him. I- I can't- I'll never love anyone like him. Since the first time I saw him- since then I knew it. I knew he'd be the only man in my life. I love him so much and every time I tell him, or try and tell him, he- he just- he just cuts me off, or walks away, or- or- God…"
"Aw, Jack. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"……….."
"What? What did you say, honey?"
"I-I hate her, Lucas. I hate her. Even though she's so nice… and has nothing… She has nowhere to go and no family. But God- she has him. And that's why I hate her, see? I can't stand her. But- but I'd give anything to be her. Anything."
"Don't say that, Jack. Don't say that."
"No, it's true. The night- the night she barged in on us… You should've seen the look on his face. God. Oh, God. He- he was- he couldn't look at me afterwards. He just pulled himself off of me and didn't look at me. It was- it was the worst day in my life, Lucas. I knew how he felt- he felt disgusted with himself. He felt guilty. Christ, he made it look like I were some- some- some sort of a whore… Why does he do it to me? Why…?"
"Because you're letting him."
"Oh God…"
"Aww, Jack, I know…"
"……………."
"Yeah, honey. Just get it all out, I'm holding you. Just get it all out."
* * * * *
I couldn't breathe. Christ, I couldn't breathe. She- she hated me? She couldn't stand me? It wasn't true. None of it she'd said was true! Riddick didn't care about me- it was her whom he wanted. Couldn't she see that? She was the one in his arms, in his bed. In his heart. And- was she taking drugs? Because of him? Because of me? And she knew I'd seen them? Oh God, oh God, oh God…
I didn't know- I didn't know what to do. I- I had to leave.
* * * * *
It was 3 am.
The subway train made its way deliberately through the dark tunnel.
I watched the doors close, no more people coming in. I was sitting in the back, curled up into my coat. It was cold. Clutching my bag.
An older man sat down in front of me. His hair was white and his skin wrinkled, hanging on him like it were his second. He rolled his sweaty sleeves up. Coughed. Then opened a newspaper.
I shivered. I had no idea what I was doing, or where I was going. I just needed to get away from them. I didn't want to make anyone angry anymore. I didn't want to make her more miserable. Even though she had no reason to be mad at me. Riddick never wanted anything to do with me. Why- why did she think so?
The doors slid open. A young woman stumbled in, cursing under her breath. She seemed drunk. Her mini was rolled up and her heavy make up was smudged. She gave someone in the station the finger, then the doors closed in her face and she leaned against them, lighting a cigarette. Held it between her thumb and index finger. Took a long drag.
When she noticed me staring, she blew the smoke out my way. I tore my eyes away, my heart pounding. I hoped I didn't exasperate her. Through the corner of my eye I watched the smoke disperse in front of her face.
And then I noticed she was a transvestite.
The train was coming to the last stop. I gripped my bag, fearing that someone would steel it the moment I'd look away. And it was my only possession. I looked back up.
The old man was still reading the same page. I don't know why, but it made me feel slightly uneasy. Maybe he was doing something else at the same time, too.
"Change?"
I flinched, looked to the side.
"Got any change, miss?"
I shook my head no. The beggar's eyes were blank and stone-cold. Dead. A dirty, tattered coat was hanging on his thin body. I gritted my teeth, watched him cross the short space to the man opposite me.
"Do you have some change, Sir? For a coffee… it's cold outside… please…?"
I swallowed, my cheeks burning. I didn't want to. Really, I didn't. God, I didn't want to end up like him. I had no money myself. None. I-
The train stopped.
I watched the transvestite scoff my way, then the moment the doors opened he disappeared through them.
The old man stood up and headed for the exit. The beggar left quietly.
I didn't see him leave.
* * * * *
It was cold in the station.
I glanced down at my chrono.
4 am.
It was 4am and I had nowhere to go. And I was so tired- I'd been scared to fall asleep in the train. All the sleep I got were the two hours in his bed…
I slowly made my way to one of the benches on the platform. One was taken. By the beggar in the subway asking me for change. He was stretched out on it, arms and legs hidden underneath a thin threadbare blanket, which he clutched maniacally, and a simple hat shielded his eyes from all the lights. He had no coffee.
No one had given him anything.
I sniffled. My whole body fell numb, and I could feel the starting of a cold. My back ached. My neck hurt. I coughed.
The homeless man shifted on the bench, then went back to sleep.
I slowly climbed on the escalator.
* * * * *
It was drizzling.
The sky was dark and the street was scary.
I dug up the twenty credits I had. My life savings. And now I was willing to spend it all for a cup of hot liquid, or a bed. And I hadn't been on the streets for more than two hours.
I reached back into my pocket and shoved the twenty back. I had to manage somehow. At least tonight. The first night is always the worst. Instead, I reached for a tissue and wiped my nose.
The street was gray and filthy. There was a garbage pile next to a corroded, taken apart vehicle. Just a skeleton left. There were two homeless men at the end of the street, warming their hands above an old oil bin. There was a stash of newspapers and twigs next to it. One of them was standing, his face protected from the chilly air by a shawl. The second was sitting- sitting on what was once a car seat.
No shops were open, none seemed to be open ever. There was an abandoned 'Wu's Noodle shop' and an old 'Prime Time Sex Video Store' and a working 'Donna's Darlings' brothel.
Christ, I needed to get out of here.
* * * * *
"What will it be, sweetheart?"
"Just water, thanks."
"Still, or sparkling, sweetie?"
Shit.
"Um, wait a sec- can I see the menu?" Damn, I didn't want to say 'from the tap' and 'cold, or warm- doesn't matter'.
"Sure, sweetie."
The waitress handed me the menu, labeled 'Breakfast House'. It was the only dina I found open at this hour.
5: 30am.
"I'll be right with you, sweetheart."
Great. I watched as she maneuvered her 200 pounds body through the narrow alley between the tables. A young couple was ordering Real English Breakfast. That was what stood on the menu anyway. Sausages and ham and eggs. Marmalade and toast and honey. Yogurt and fruit and pancakes.
God.
And I couldn't make up my mind if I really was thirsty.
The dina was done in a 20th century style. There was a jukebox by the entrance. Elvis' face decorated the walls. It was warm in there.
I noticed a couple of 'Free-Taste Cookies' on the counter. I was so hungry that I inconspicuously reached in for one and stuffed it into my mouth while the waitress was taking the order. And then another one.
And then another one.
I managed to silence the rumbling sounds in my belly, but I was still hungry and there were no more cookies left.
So I grabbed my coat and bag- and quietly slipped away unnoticed.
* * * * *
"Where to, honey?"
"As far as you can take me."
"Hop in."
I climbed into the truck and sat down next to the driver. He had some kind of country music on, but he turned it off.
I glanced over at him with a crooked smile.
He was about fourty, fourty-five. Had a beard and a green cap on his head. His shirt had dark circles under his armpits, which I didn't understand. It was freezing.
"Travelling all alone, honey?" He shot me a lopsided grin, then glanced in the rear.
"Um- no. I've got some mates waiting for me."
He nodded. "Young people nowadays, eh? Travelling all the time…"
Suddenly I had a bad feeling. This sort of sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Never hitchhike alone…
I stared straight ahead, but through the corner of my eye I watched the trucker's eyes never once leave my face. I swallowed.
Never hitchhike…
We came to a red.
It were the last lights of the city; before a long, long road through the wilderness- through the deserted plains and plateaus of Morpheus.
Never hitchhike…
Suddenly the man reached over and I could already see it. I was sure he was going to touch my thigh, push his hand between my legs and rape me. I was positive he'd already locked the doors when I wasn't looking. I was sure he was going to use me and then brutally get rid off me. Strangle me. Stab me, maybe.
"Hey!"
I was out of there before he had a chance to do any of those things.
"Hey! I just wanted the ciga-"
Through the door and back the alley. To safety.
* * * * *
I woke up ten hours later. It was half past six in the evening and I'd found myself the perfect Squatters Paradise.
It was in a high building; 'TO LET' it said. I hated to admit it, but I broke in through the window. But I also needed somewhere to sleep and I wasn't destroying, or stealing anything, was I? I was just borrowing this place. Just for tonight.
I only needed to 'hang on' there for a week. Till my witness programme started. Seven more days and then I could happily waltz into the police station and finally be safe. Safe from creepy men in the metro. Safe from beggars and sick lorry drivers. Safe from Benny.
He was out there… somewhere. And his sidekick also. And maybe- just maybe they knew about me.
I shuddered.
I needed to think about other things. Like how to make it through the next seven days. Maybe to find a job. Stop thinking about Riddick-
"Hey, Gustavo! I see something, man! Muddy..footsteps!"
"What the-?"
"On the stairs. I'm telling ya, someone's in our place, man."
Fuck. So much for my new resting place.
* * * * *
Never hitchhike…
I'm telling you, someone who thought this up never needed to hitchhike himself. I was walking along the edge of the road to nowhere, my thumb up when someone drove through.
I didn't know what time it was (my chrono broke), but it was getting steadily
darker by the minute. And wind was picking up. The chilly autumn breeze
was bluntly caressing the sides of my face, and I coughed. Shit, I was going
to have a cold. If I was lucky. Otherwise-
pneumonia.
Car lights got my attention. It was going the other way, but so what? I stuck out my thumb.
When it came closer I could already hear the heavy hip-hop music coming out from the stereo. It was a shiny black car and when the smoky windows rolled down I got to see four Asian guys sitting inside. The one behind the steering wheel licked his lips and casually rested one cigar-holding hand against the door.
"Got lost, pretty thing?" he asked, snickering. He glanced ahead, then back at me. "So far, far away from the big, big town?"
Oh, shit. I quickly looked away and abruptly started walking. But he stepped on the gas and the car slowly started following me, along with the sneers and whistling. I felt ill.
"Oooh, not walking all alone, are we?" Another guy asked.
I swallowed down on the lump in my throat, trying to ignore them.
"Hey! She's not responding!"
"Hey, we're talking to you!"
"Maybe she's shy…"
"Maybe she's stupid."
"She looks cold, huh? Are you cold? Wanna let me make you warm?"
"Wanna make me feel good?"
Their laughter boomed through the silence. Oh, shit, shit, shit. I picked up on the speed, my heart drumming in my chest.
Then the car stopped. It felt like someone had just kicked me in the gut.
I started running.
* * * * *
"No, please…"
"Oh yeah, baby, you'll like it…"
"N-no…please…please!"
"Come on!"
"Please….!"
I was on my front, bent over the hood. All of them- all four of them- they were forcing my pants down over my hips. I was crying.
And then he appeared.
Just like that.
Out of the darkness. Emerged. Angry. Armed. Deadly.
"LET- HER- GO!! "
They drew back. Let me go. Lunged at him. Everything was happening so fast- so fast and there was so much blood. Faces, bodies, coming all blurry and fuzzy to me I couldn't make them out. And all I could concentrate was the hot tears trickling down my face. My jeans ripped.
Too close.
It had been too close.
* * * * *
"What were you THINKING?!"
"Nothing, Riddick."
"NOTHING? They almost fuckin' RAPED YOU, Evelyn!"
"I know."
"You know. Well, that's just fuckin' perfect. You know. And do you know how fuckin' hard it was to track you down? Know that? I came home in the morning and found you gone. Just like fuckin' that! And know what I was thinking? 'Oh yeah, she's gone shopping with Jack. She knows how dangerous it is out there on the streets at night.' Fuck," he growled.
I watched him move his left hand from the steering wheel and hook it on the door. He licked his lower lip and glanced in the rear, then at me, before focusing on the road again. His brows were deeply furrowed and the vein in his forehead looked about to explode.
He hadn't killed them. Knew if he did, he'd be the one whom the Brigade would transfer from Morpheus, not them. And I could still feel some of the killing rage in him. I knew how he hated rapists.
"Fuck, kid. Why did you do it anyway?"
He got no answer.
"I ASKED you a question."
Yes, Riddick. I know. She hates me, see? Jack hates me. And I don't want to be the one responsible for that. I want her to be happy. Kind of like sacrificing myself, huh? Well, my life is fucked up enough as it is. I don't want to ruin someone else's, too.
The car abruptly stopped, straining my body against the seatbelt. Almost knocking the breath out of my lungs. What the…?
He cut the engine.
"WHY?!"
My throat was burning. I couldn't tell him the truth. And I couldn't lie to him either.
"Well?" The roughness of his voice shocked me and at that moment, the heavy burden I was carrying on my back fell on top of me.
And I started crying.