This story was originally published under an old alias of mine, Mystique2 7 years ago. I have since decided to update –and hopefully finish the story, the second go around; but because I no longer remember any information associated with the old account including the password to the email account associated with it, it is being republished under my new alias. All chapters are being revised and rewritten, so if by chance you are familiar with the story, please give it a re-read.
Comments are always welcome and appreciated, I am not a writer but occasionally experience a burst of what I consider creative thought.
But really, most of all, thank you for taking the time to read this and any future stories that may arise.
This story is in no way wholly or in part based on actual people, places or events. This is strictly a work of fiction, created from the inner workings of an occasionally deranged and tormented mind – any resemblances to actual people, places, or events is strictly coincidence.
Warning: This story contains adult content, including language, sex, violence, and rape. If you feel you will be offended by such material, I advise you read no further.
For everyone else, Enjoy!
Chapter One: Strange Occurrences
Dawn was breaking, but there were no creatures to embrace the coming warmth – something was coming that kept the forest silent on this night. The woods were dank; the smell of rotting leaves engulfed the senses, making it impossible for predator and prey to locate the other.
A man ran through the forest – quickly, silently – like a shifting shadow in the darkness; his feet blurred by the dense mist that encased the forest floor – the cool night air embraced his body like a long time lover, giving his aching muscles a welcome reprieve.
He was exhausted; he had been running for hours, not stopping even for the shortest rest. Blood trickled from his brow. A slight breeze tickled his bald head, carrying with it the sound of a distant trickling stream and a snapping twig.
He stopped.
Did I hear something?
His muscled tightened then relaxed and with the blink of an eye he was gone. Branches clawed at his clothing, arms, face, as if trying to hold him back or keep him from moving forward? He pushed the thought aside, he had no choice; He couldn't go back, could never go back – He had to escape, to survive.
It was cold; goose bumps covered his bare flesh. Autumn's beauty had ending, leaving death and decay in her passing; the nights getting longer and colder with each rise and fall of Luna.
Eternal Darkness
Something was coming.
A cool drop trickled down his face, then another. Without warning the sky opened up beating his battered body with torrential rain; rivulets of water ran down his flexed biceps, soaking his clothes in their icy grip. Lightning flash, illuminating his form for the briefest instant
That's all they needed.
Footsteps, muffled by the sounds of the rain, carried the pair towards him.
But greed makes men careless.
The sound of snapping twigs alerted his senses, bringing his attention from his thoughts to the present danger 100 meters from him and closing fast. Slowing his gate, he crouched behind a large bolder, waiting patiently. Unconsciously his hand grazed the shiv that lay tucked away in his belt, gripping the end, tightening his hand around it; the cool metal surface gave him a brief sense of comfort.
She gave her life to save me. Why?
The million credit question, for which he would never have closure.
That's when he saw them: a woman: tall, slender, built, and a man of equal stature, together hunting.
Hunting him.
Ironic, how easily the role of predator and prey is reversed
He smiled wryly to himself, placing his goggles protectively over his eyes.
The boys in the slam would love to see me now; running away like bitch, hiding in the fucking weeds
He can't make out their faces, the rain blurring them somehow, but the eyes seem so familiar
Have I met them before?
They were talking to each other as they stalked through the forest ,when they finally stopped 20 meters from his hiding spot.
Shit
The woman was mumbling to the man about something but the rain made it difficult to decipher what was being exchanged.
Closer
They continued talking, when the man finally grunted a response to the other, who started walking perpendicular to the path they were currently on.
Closer
The man stood there for a few minutes, contemplating the way to go. He looked towards the direction of the lone figure hiding in the shadows and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He glanced towards where the woman vanished moments before, and took one step towards it.
Here shit-head, come to daddy,let me skull fuck you with my shiv
The man stopped 2 meters in front of the boulder attempted to peer in to the pitch-black landscape and gave up. He took a step forward, and then another, hesitantly making his way towards his unknown fate.
That's right fuck face. Almost
The bald figure clenched his teeth in an effort to keep from screaming and leapt from his hiding place. An animalistic growl roared in his chest, rose up from his throat, and escaped his gaping mouth. He landed on the man toppling him over. He placed the shiv roughly against the man's neck, drawing blood. The man uttered no sound but stared wide-eyed in terror; leaning close he could smell the man's sweat and fear – but still couldn't make out his face.
Strange
He whispered in his ear, "Are you ready to die for your sins?"
His voice, almost sadistic in nature, caused the man to shake uncontrollably; the man began to beg and plead for mercy.
He sneered evilly and drew the shiv deeper, dragging it slowly across the man's throat.
The man began to shriek, "P-P-P-L-L-E-E-A-S-S-E DON'T K-I-I-L M-M-E! I BEG YOU, P-P-L-E-E-A-A-S-S-E!"
He just shook his head and put his finger to the man's lips, "SSSHHHHHHH."
Riddick started just above a whisper, but his voice steadily rising, "DID YOU SHOW HER ANY MERCY YOU SICK BASTARD! DID YOU GIVE HER A CHANCE TO LIVE! DID Y-O-U SPARE J-A-C-K!"
As he was about to kill the man Riddick felt a twinge of pain in his back. His nervous system felt on fire and he attempted to grab the object that protruded from his spine. He ripped out the feathery dart with a grunt. Riddick mumbled something inaudible under his breath, "I forgot about the woman…"As he tried to lift himself off the man, his vision faded and the forest began to spin. He fell back down and the man's assailant kicked him over.
She stared at him, cold and cruel; her shinning eyes bore a hole in his. She asked in a mocking tone, "Are YOU ready to die for your sins?"
"OH my GOD! CAROLYN!"
The man got up and started laughing, his face too becoming clear.
"Johns?!"
That was all he was able to get out before Carolyn put a bullet between his eyes. His wide-eyed horrific gaze was all that stared back into the endless night, his eternal darkness.
In the distance a bird began to sing, signaling the approaching dawn.