Disclaimer : I dont own any of the recognisable characters such as Riddick.
This day is turning out to be one of my more boring work days. Looking out at the street in front and what do I see? Nothing. No vehicles, no people, not even a stray animal. If only I were able to close early and go home, there really is no point in keeping this small convenience store open, nobody likes to come to this part of town. Not even me, but it's the only area where I could afford to rent a small flat, as well as find a job where the boss doesn't ask too many questions about my past, so long as I can do an efficient job. Not hard really, seeing as how no one in their right mind would come into this pitiful building…
I look up sharply as the bell over the front door chimes and in walks burly looking man, holding a stack of flyers in one hand and his other hanging loosely at his side near his gun which is strapped to his belt. looks like a Merc to me. Hard to tell really, you never truly know on this planet.
I sit up straighter as he approaches the counter and slaps down a paper in front of me. "Have you seen this man?" I slowly take my time before looking down at the paper.
"Sure. Of course I've seen him. In news clippings and broadcasts." the flyer was a wanted poster for a man named Riddick, it said he was wanted for murder and for escaping a triple max slam. Now that's no easy feat.
"Look here lady-" The Merc started to speak but I really was not in a mood to deal with this creep so I cut him off.
"No, I haven't seen Riddick. Now, unless you plan on buying something, could you kindly leave the premises?" I crossed my arms over my chest and glared.
Click, it sounded like the back door opening, tilting my head slightly and ignoring the Merc I listened for the tell tale footsteps to follow but didn't hear anything else. Hmm, must be imagining things. Or that damn resident mouse that's been stealing things is back. Startled out of my thoughts by the loud static coming from the Merc's radio I look up and realise he must have been saying something to me but was cut off by one of his friends frantic messages.
"..on the loose, was seen heading down-" it cut off. Looks like a pretty cheap radio. "I repeat, Riddick last seen heading down Vale and Hawthorn St."
Without even saying goodbye the Merc took off like a bat out of hell. "Well damn, and I didn't even get his name. Must have been absent on manners day at the Merc academy." I dropped my head down on my arms which were now resting on the counter.
A slow, deep but slightly rough chuckle came from directly behind me, making my head shoot up so fast a loud crack came from my neck. "They don't teach any manners at the Merc school. Just how to be Assholes. Uh uh, don't move." I had just started to turn but instantly stilled. There was something about his voice that made you obey without question.
A hand snaked by me, almost touching my side as he picked up the wanted sheet the Merc must have left. "Not a very good picture, they got my eyes all wrong." my eyes…? oh god… this must be…
"Riddick?" I didn't mean to say it out loud, it just kind of, popped out involuntarily. Didn't matter though, he didn't acknowledge in any way that he had heard. He just reached over to the wall and flicked off the lights, I could still see somewhat, by what little light filtered in through the rather dirty front windows. I really should have washed those… Too late now…
I jump, startled as rough hands grab my shoulders, propelling me away from the counter and towards the back room, but then he stops and drops them too his side. Slowly I turn around and face him, seeing Riddick for the first time in person. His wanted poster really doesn't do him justice, it just doesn't capture the sex appeal…and how truly dangerous he looks. Meeting his eyes i'm startled by the silver shine to them, my own image reflecting back at me, black goggles resting on his forehead.
"Turn the open sign to closed and lock the door. Do not even think of trying to escape. You wont get far." Riddick spoke slowly, but there was an edge to his voice that promised quick and painful retribution for any mistakes on my part. I quickly scurried over to the door and turned the many locks and then unplugged the flashing open sign as well as flipped the small cardboard sign on the door to closed, swiftly moving back towards where Riddick had been standing, but now he was nowhere in sight. Stopping I look around for any clues but am stumped as to how he could disappear so quickly and without any-…
Suddenly I'm Yanked into the dark storage space that was too my side and pressed up against the wall, arm across my chest, effectively pinning me. It was so dark in this small room that I couldn't see anything in front of me, I wasn't even able to catch a shine from his eyes as there was no light to reflect off them.
"Where do you live?" Jolted away from my thoughts, I completely missed the question. "what?" I asked, feeling kind of foolish, wondering why I was in this situation to begin with.
"Where. Do. You. Live." Okay, enunciating every word as if i'm stupid or slow? That's just rude. Even for a criminal like Riddick.
"I'm not telling you where I li-" oh…not good, cant breathe… I grab his arm trying to pull it down away from my throat, not even budging it. Scraping my nails across his skin, but only making small scratches, things were beginning to get a little hazy, trying desperately to get even a hint of air into my deprived lungs…
I must have blacked out for a minute or two, the next thing I remember is waking on the floor, leaning against the wall and breathing in harsh rasping breath's. I could tell he was still there, close by and watching. I try to speak but it hurts, I clear my throat and cough, trying again. "why…why do you.." it hurts to talk, I hadn't realised just how much pressure he had used. This is one scary S.O.B…
"Where?" That's it. that's all he said. Of course, why would he give me an explanation, I must have been dreaming to think I would get an answer.
"Couple Streets down, and a few blocks over." I said it quietly, trying not to strain my voice, my breathing finally evening out a little. There was a rather prominent tremble going through my entire body now, and yet, even though I was scared of what he could do, I still felt tingly all over when I heard his voice again.
"Then that's where we're headed." I heard him move before my wrist was encased in his larger hand, pulling me up and heading out towards the back door.
"Wait.. My bag, I cant leave it, otherwise my boss will realise something is up." then again, maybe I should have kept my mouth shut, you know, just in case something happens and i'm found murdered, or if I just, disappear… I could feel his gaze on me, lifting my head, my gaze slowly travelling from his boots, up his cargo pants, lingering on his middle where his shirt hugged his rather tightly muscled stomach and then rising up and up until reaching his eyes. Yup. Definitely looking at me. Riddick gave a slight tilt of his head, and somehow I interpreted this to mean where was it, so I pointed to the coat rack where a well worn old messenger bag was hanging half hidden under a jacket. He pulled both down and tossed me the jacket. Pulling it on I button it up all the way, it was a long leather trench coat I had stolen… I mean Borrowed from my father years ago.
I watch as Riddick goes to the back door, quietly opening it and looking out, i'm assuming to make sure there are no Merc's waiting around. Taking a deep breath, pulling my shoulders back and mentally bracing myself, I take a step, then another and follow him out, only giving the slightest of twitches when he again grabs my wrist and leads me down the alley, into the steadily darkening evening.