Chapter 2 – Where's Jack?

"What do you mean she's not HERE?"

"I mean only what I say Mr Riddick, I'm afraid the girl decided long ago to pursue a different path than any New Mecca could provide."

"Spare me your fucking bullshit!" Flecks of angry spittle flew from Riddick's mouth, his face only inches from Imam's."

"I truly am sorry but there is nothing I can do, she would not be contained on this planet and from the moment she arrived she has had nothing on her mind but you and your way of life."

"So where the hell is she then? I swear if she's in some fucking slam I'm going to ghost her mother fucking ass!"

"Please Riddick, I am with family and hold my children dear to my heart, I fear your words may taint their innocence. I am glad of your presence and thank Allah you are safe, you have always been a friend and I pray for you every day, do not allow your anger to stain my view of you. You know I have no reason to judge you; I would not live without guilt knowing that a girl I have come to love as a daughter was in such a place. I have seen the sacrifices you have made for Jack; now please allow me to explain. This is all I ask?"

Imam paused waiting for Riddick to calm himself, instead of speaking he simply nodded cautiously for the holy man to continue.

"For a while she was scared Mr Riddick, brave for you, but inside still only a child. Then she gave up on everything, perhaps if she didn't understand what had been lost for her life she might have given up on living itself,"

At this Riddick growled, the closest to compassion his emotional spectrum came was anger.

"But then came a spark of light from Allah himself and within the girl grew a fire and it seemed as though she had fallen only to land in the sky and fly. Such a remarkable child, worked herself so hard to seek her dreams, and two years ago she was accepted on a scholarship to Tun Si Tiger Academy. Now she returns only for the holidays to see the people she currently calls family,"

At this Imam motioned to the house surrounding them, to confirm he meant his own family.

Jack is a Tun Si Tiger. Impossible. No, wait...Two years; she is still only a student, still an impressive feet for a kid who wasn't raised as a fighter.

"When is the next holiday?"

"Well, that would be the summer months Mr Riddick, I would say around five week's maybe?"

Riddick sighed; he hadn't been planning on staying for even a night let alone over a month. He could go to Tun Si and 'collect' her, but that might raise suspicion. He had to be careful, the five years he had waited to be declared dead were only just settled and he could not afford another five.

"I'll wait to see her, after five years I think she deserves that."

"I would hope that is the only reason you are staying Mr Riddick," Imam said grimly