Pitch Black: The Riddicks
RavenSparrow17
Disclaimer: I still don't own Riddick....
Chapter Three: Monsters and Hope
"Again with the chains?", Ravyn smiled as Johns walked into the room, "All you had to do was ask me out."
"Would it have worked?", Johns asked annoyed.
"You know the answer to that just as well as I do, Dearest", she said stoically.
"Why him?", he growled.
"Why not him?", Ravyn became defensive. She was working him up to shout out anything she could use against him later, if the need came.
"You said you loved me", Johns accused.
"I was working an angle to get off of Crematoria. A relationship with an officer got me discharged to Slam. You know I never meant a word", she answered.
"So everything you told me was a lie?", he was beginning to lose his cool.
"No, not everything. When I said eventually I would spill your weasley black guts out I meant it", Ravyn sneered. She loved playing mind games with people. Especially when she worked her sexual charm on them.
"I should kill you now", Johns pointed the gun between her eyes. He wanted to kill her. He wanted to make Riddick suffer the same loss he felt when he found out she went and married a crook.
"But you won't. I am under your skin. I've made a home there. There is no way you would kill your unrequited love, especially since you think you have a chance. There is no way in hell I will ever love you", she hissed.
Johns left before he completely lost everything. He knew she liked to work his temper. That's how she figured out how to be transferred. He wasn't going to make the same mistake again. No way would he let her leave with Riddick. Everything was going to plan, soon Ravyn would be his. If it was the last thing he did.
Ravyn kept her eyes on Riddick until she sensed he was conscious again. Johns had tied her to a pole right behind him.
"Are you okay?", she whispered.
"I'm fine. What about you?", he turned his head towards her voice. He had been out a while and knew anything could have gone on while he was "away". He knew his wife could handle herself around Johns, he didn't have to worry about her. It was Johns that would find ways to be near her, and he didn't want anyone near HIS wife unless it was him.
"I'm alright. Johns was suppose to be asking me about the free settler, but you know how that always goes. On another subject I swear I'll make the woman settler join her beloved if she touches you again", Ravyn growled.
"Calm down, Tiger. You don't touch her until I get Johns", Riddick laughed.
"Deal", she answered before Fry came barging in, "Where's the body?"
"Well do you wanna tell me about the sounds? Look you told Johns that you heard something", she kept drilling. There still wasn't an answer.
"Fine. Its fine if you don't want to talk to me. But just so you know there's a debate right now as to whether we leave you both here to die", she bit out as she turned to leave.
"You mean the whispers?", Ravyn chimed.
"What whispers?", Fry asked quietly.
'Hook, line, and sink her', Riddick thought. His wife was a pro at getting and keeping people's attention. That's one characteristic that got him snagged, otherwise he would still be an eligible bachelor.
"The ones telling us to go for the sweet spot just to the left of the spine, fourth lumbar down, the adominable aeorta. It's a metallic taste, human blood. Copperish, but if you cut it with a peppermint snap that goes away..", she continued.
"Do you wanna shock me with the truth now?", Fry interrupted.
"All you people are so scared of us. You stay out of our way, which I don't mind, but it ain't us you gotta worry about", Riddick sneered.
"Show me your eyes, Ravyn", Fry turned her attention to Johns' obsession.
"I take it Johns told you", she purred, "You'll have to come a lot closer."
She sensed the nod. Riddick gave the definite signal that he knew what she was up to by his slow controlled breaths, poising himself for what was about to happen.
"Riddick's are the same way", Ravyn hinted. The light footsteps started in the murderer's direction. 'Got her, Captain', Mrs. Riddick sang in her head as her husband took over the little jist.
"Closer", Riddick whispered. He could feel her, but for his scare to work she'd have to be somewhat closer.
Fry came within inches of them when Ravyn's eyes opened. They glowed beautifully in the dark corner she sat in. Riddick took the distraction and lunged forward opening his eyes as well. Fry jumped back almost tripping over her own feet. In unison the Riddicks turned their soul-less eyes to Jack, who stood but a few feet from Ravyn.
"Where the can I get eyes like that?", he smiled.
"You gotta kill a few people", Riddick answered staring at Fry.
"Okay I can do it", Jack said excitedly walking closer to Ravyn.
"Then you gotta get sent to a slam where they tell you, you'll never see daylight again. Then you dig up a doctor and pay him twenty menthol kools to do a surgical shine job on your eyeballs", he continued turning his head toward Jack as his gaze stayed on Fry.
"So you can see who's sneaking up on you in the dark?", Jack smiled.
"Exactly", Ravyn popped in standing up.
"Leave!", Fry ordered. "Leave", she said again more calmly. Ravyn winked at Jack before turning to listen to Riddick.
"Cute kid", he nodded.
"Isn't he though", Ravyn smiled, before she looked to Carolyn.
"Did I kill a few people? Sure. Did I kill Zeke? No. You got the wrong killer. My wife didn't either. She only kills when she has to", Riddick teased.
"He's not in the hole. We looked", Fry glared at Ravyn.
"Look deeper. In fact get Johns in here so he can release me and I'll go down that hole and prove to you all that we had nothing to do with the free settler's disappearance", Ravyn dared.
Five minutes later Johns came in with the keys. As she rubbed her wrists she could sense Riddick's hesitation.
"I'll be back, and when I do I expect my husband to be released as well, Johns", Ravyn hissed.
After putting the utility belt on and grabbing a flashlight Ravyn began to crawl into the hole. She looked back to see Johns and Imam holding the rope. She smiled and continued on. Halfway in she found Zeke's flashlight, covered in blood. 'How the hell did I end up doing this. I hope I'm right', she mused in her head.
She kept crawling until she reached a cave. In the cave were several holes to the surface. The dirt began to stir beneath her feet, and she could make out a shape. Taking off her goggles she moved to a corner, catching the scent of blood and death. Upon a closer inspection she found what was left of Zeke. About a foot above his right ankle down. It was then something knocked the flashlight out of her hand. She backed up to a mound that lead to the surface. Her eyes turned to the wall in front of her. There were three creatures crawling like spiders with ease all along the edges. From what she could make out they had a tail and wings. The gleam off of their sharp claws gave the signal that Ravyn's welcome was long overstayed. Quickly she climbed up the mound to shimmy up the tunnel. A slight tug on her rope gave her the assumption that they had truly spotted her. Mentally she cursed herself as she clawed her way to the light. Ravyn tried to undo her rope but the clip was stuck. Reluctantly she began calling for help while she tried to keep her grip and stay in the light.
Imam leaned down thinking he heard something. Shazza and Jack began to do the same. Fry could barely hear it, but she thought she heard screaming. It was then you could hear Riddick banging his chains trying to get loose. He could sense Ravyn was in trouble. 'Shit, shit, shit, I knew I shouldn't have let her go down there!', Riddick began to chant in his head. It was like a war cry that no matter what he did he could not answer.
Fry ran to each mound trying to hear Ravyn. When she found it she signaled Johns and Imam. They grabbed a pick and began beating a hole in the side.
Ravyn saw their hands and let go of the sides praying they would be strong enough to pull her through. They did. She had never been so happy to see Johns in her life. He carried her bridal style to a rock a few feet away. She was bombarded by questions.
"Did you find Zeke?", Shazza asked hopefully.
"I knew this wasn't a good idea. Just to prove him innocent you would welcome your own death, wouldn't you?", Johns chastised.
"Jesus!", Ravyn yelled, "I am so fucking stupid. I don't know what the fuck is down there. Whatever it is it got Zeke and it nearly got me."
Ravyn was jerked back about five feet and almost completely went into the hole they dug to get her out. Pulling out the knife she had just stole from Johns she cut loose and lunged to the ground.
"Finally found something worse than me?", Riddick smiled, "Where's my wife?"
"She's fine. You know I wouldn't let anything happen to her", Johns assured.
"She's not yours to protect. She's mine", Riddick growled.
"Here's the deal. You work without chains, without bit, and without shivs. You do what I say when I say it", Johns changed the subject.
"For what? So I can get sent to some asshole of a cell and you take Ravyn? Fuck you", Riddick bit out.
"The truth is because I'm tired of chasing you. The both of you", Johns wheezed.
"Are you saying you'd cut us loose?", Riddick became curious. What excuse could a bounty hunter come up with that would look good enough to believe and not ruin his image?
"I'm thinking the both of you could have died in the crash", Johns hinted.
'Maybe he's good for something', Riddick reminded himself, 'But not good enough.'
"My recommendation: do me. I wouldn't take the chance that I could get shiv happy on your wannabe ass", Riddick mumbled.
"Okay. But what about Ravyn?," Johns sneered.
"Ghost me motherfucker. That's what she would do to you" , Riddick growled.
Johns reached for his gun and shot. Riddick moved his head to the side as he pulled his chains loose from the wall. Ravyn came running, praying that neither man was hurt. One she loved, one she found useful when the need came for him. She stopped when she realized nothing was wrong. Johns backed away to reveal what the woman could already sense. No harm had come to either.
"I want you to remember this moment. The way it could have gone and didn't. Here", Johns warned handing Riddick his goggles.
Instead of grabbing the goggles Riddick grabbed the gun. He shoved it into Johns' face and looked to see Ravyn watching. Nothing like showing a woman how weak a man is. A philosophy that made Johns squirm under the eyes of his obsession.
"Fuck you! You let my wife go down into a hell hole without anyone else? Why didn't you send me? A better chance for you to steal her away if something were to happen to me! I should kill you for even looking at her", Riddick yelled.
"Have we got a deal?", Johns tried to calm the situation down. It wasn't working. He could tell not only was he passing over Riddick's temper limits but he had also gone far past Ravyn's. Her glare was enough to kill an immortal.
"You stay away from Ravyn, and we have a deal", Riddick continued dropping the gun and snatching his goggles.
"I want you to remember this moment. Pull another stunt like this and it will be your last", Ravyn warned as she followed after her husband.
The group grabbed provisions for the trip back to the abandoned settlement. Fry got one of the power cells to do a systems check on the skiff. Riddick was to carry it. The sunrise was as intense as the sunset. The heat was enough to make one's blood boil, or so it seemed to Ravyn. She used to the heat but not this kind. She preferred the cold all thanks to that prison Crematoria. Her thoughts were cut short when she heard the conversation taking place a few feet ahead.
"So click your fingers and they're one of us now?", Shazza smarted while they made their way.
"No, I didn't say that. But this way I don't have to worry about ya'll falling asleep and not waking up", Johns kidded.
"So can I talk to them now?", Jack said excitedly.
"No", Johns and Shazza said in unison.
Paris dropped one of his liquor bottles, but Riddick beat him to it. Ravyn wanted to laugh at the look the petrified man kept giving as he stuttered to talk.
"Paris P. Olberby, antiquities dealer and entrepreneur", he said nervously.
"Richard B. Riddick, escaped convict, murderer. This is my wife...", Riddick said shaking Paris's hand.
"Ravyn Alizay Riddick, also escaped convict, hit woman", Ravyn finished, smiling when Paris kissed her hand.
"That's a particularly good Charazze. It's a lovely drop. Its very expensive. By all means help yourself", Paris said defeatedly as Riddick drank half and handed it to Ravyn. She shook her head and offered it back to Paris. He gratefully accepted.
After arriving Imam, Paris, and the two older boys found the machine containing water. Only after it was proven to work did they run and tell the others. Fry, Shazza, and Johns were checking the skiff over. They had just turned it on.
"We are getting there. So we've got enough power for a sys check but we still need more cells", Fry thought aloud as she got up from her position on the floor to look at the screens toward the front.
"How many we talking about?", Johns asked. He wanted to know precisely incase if worst turned to worst and he only survived then there would be no questions later we he took the skiff. It was part of his developing plan to take the skiff and Ravyn and leave all especially Riddick to die. Either way he wanted to be covered.
"Um...lets see. I've got a ninety gig draw...the other ship takes twenty gig cells, that'll be five. Five total to launch", Fry answered continuing her inspection.
"Thirty kilos each, huh?", Johns thought to himself. It would be impossible for one to carry all of those so he decided to let the others do it for him.
"Well, that's pretty heavy. You know that ol' sandcat out there? I might be able to get it going", Shazza explained. She and Zeke use to be miners on Aulitan, their home planet, so she was familiar with the equipment used here.
"Yeah well do it if you can, but if you need any help...where'd Riddick go?", Johns asked looking out the window.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thank you for the tip, Faewen! I thought at first hey what do you know!? But then I looked and I was like wow, they're right. So again thank you and look for revisions of the first two chapters!