Fry: Walking in Darkness is a fan-created work. The Riddick Chronicles and all its characters are property of David Twohy. Alou Ackerman and all scenes and lines related to her are property of Rayen Autumn King. Please support the official release.

Rayen: Thank you Fry.

Chapter 14: Dusk

While Riddick spoke with the others, I discussed with Imam how to get me on of the skiff then how to get me down safely. Imam kept insisting he could patch the wings by himself and I needn't risk myself and that sharing my water and trying to save his son from the creatures was more than enough help.

I, however, wanted to help as best as I could, not forced to be sidelined because of my handicap. "If anything Imam, I am probably one of the better choices because I can feel things you can't."

"And how do you propose we get you up safely?"

"I'll throw her up there, and I'll catch her," the convict stated from behind me.

I spun in surprise as Imam agreed. I puffed out my cheeks as I smacked what I think was either his chest or arm. "Don't scare me like that!"

Riddick chuckled. "Sorry, Princess." his large hand gently gripped my own. "But I'll help you up-"

"I am blind, not disabled. I am perfectly capable of climbing the ladder on my own," I snapped.

"Never said you weren't," he said with another deep chested chuckle as I walked myself to the ladder of the skiff,and after leaning my cane against the wall of it, my fingers wrapping around the cool metal as Riddick gently placed his hands on my waist to guide me up. "But humor me, Princess." I felt as if I was doing it by myself, while also knowing I was safe if something happened to cause me to slip and fall.

"Fine…" I sighed, and began my ascent of the ladder, Imam following and guiding me along the wing.

Riddick passed materials to the priest, who would align the fabric for me to sew carefully and securely.

After about two hours, we had the wing patched and flight ready. And after another fifteen minutes of arguing with the convict and priest, I caved, and allowed the holy man to lower me down to Riddick, then I went searching for food while he went into the skiff to speak with Fry.

I went into the buildings cautiously, keeping my eyes, ears and nose open for the creatures. I found mostly canned goods, and in what seemed to be the main house, some large bottles of water.

"Perfect. More water." My bag was loaded up and I walked out. Jack met me, holding my cane, which I left by the door. "I found more water," I said with a smile.

"Sweet!" Jack smiled, and looked in my bag. "And food!"

"It should last a while if we don't get off planet soon—"

"Princess."

My head snapped up, and I squinted slightly trying to focus before I caught Riddick's scent. "Riddick? What is it?"

"They're making a run for the cells…" he said, looking at Jack. "You run ahead. I'll help her."

"But—"

"Shazza, Imam, and Fry will be there. You will be fine," I said. "Go."

Jack hesitated, then ran off, and Riddick stepped closer.

"Princess… Johns isn't gonna survive this… one way or another I'm gonna make sure he doesn't get on that skiff…" He said softly. "I gotta know if you're with me no matter what goes down."

"You're just gonna kill Johns?" I asked slowly.

"As long as no one else tries to kill me," he said. "Now, are you with me, Alou?"

I felt something inside me hum when he said my name with that soft growl. "If you'll have me. I'll always be with you, Riddick."

That seemed to satisfy him, because he then scooped me up and jogged towards the sandcat, easily jumping up with me in his arms, setting me down beside Jack before I heard him haul Johns on.

Riddick sat on the edge of the bed next me, a hand on my shoulder to gently hold me in. Then as I heard the sandcat hit one of the bones, Riddick gently pushed my head down as chunks hit the bed of the cat before we continued on.

The hairs on my arms raised, and I lifted my head as I scented the air… dusk was coming…

The sand-cat reached the crash ship in a skidding of dirt and rocks. Those who could see leapt off, while I made way to the back and started to slip off, until Riddick growled softly.

"I need to go get a couple things from my trunk. I'll have Jack with me," I reassured, instantly knowing he'd rather I be on the vehicle then moving around as we ran out of light.

Only after I said that, did he help me down and guide me to Jack before going to the main ship to help get cells.

With Jack holding my hand, we ran inside the cargo bay to get extra bags and such. I stuffed one of these with the food. If I had to leave it behind I would, but I made sure I kept water in my bag which I was not gonna loose. I also had Jack change her underwear and pad. I wished I had a tampon… I have a feeling that it would be easier on us…

I never let the teen far out of my sensory range, and took her arm to gently guide the disguised girl out of the cargo hold and we both ran to the sandcat as Shazza wheeled it around, getting clearance between it and the ship.

The Chrislams lashed a scrap-metal sled to the sand-cat to help haul the cells. The first of which is dropped to the sled by Riddick, followed closely by the second from Johns. They seemed to be racing each other just as much as the eclipse…

I'm sure Riddick can easily out haul Johns… especially when that merc is shaking from withdrawls… I thought to myself, and then realized something….

I had watched them put those cells on the sled. I stood on the back of the sandcat and turned, facing the horizon, seeing just barely we were losing light…

We came back too late.

As the rings of the planet eclipsed the yellow sun, it's like God just closed a blind: daylight dims. And the change in light brings a slowly growing high-pitched sound... a sort of squealing intermixed with clicks.

Fry chanted as if in prayer. "Don't stop, don't stop..."

Shazza and Jack were trying to keep the sandcat running. Paris was staring at the fading light. My eyes snapped to the spires. The sound seemed to come from there. And I swallowed as I remembered the sounds that came up from when I was pinned beneath Fry, about to be pulled down with her.

As the rings eclipse the red sun, a second darkness sweeps over us. Behind me, I sense they all stop, beholding as something began pouring from the spire-tops. Backlit by coronal light, I first thought it to be smoke or ash—but I can't see that sort of thing, and my eyes widened. These are living things, those hatchlings squealing in delight over their first nightfall.

"Jesus, how many can there..." Johns all but whispered.

They kept coming, filling the sky with thick waves. Mercifully, the hatchlings seem to be moving away. But now one wave cleaves from another—and does a quick about-face. Which then made me stumble back reaching back to try and find my criminal guardian.

"R-Riddick…"

Paris called, farther away than I thought he was. "Just a suggestion, but perhaps we should flee."

"Cargo hold, everyone in the cargo hold. Let's go, let's go, let's go," Fry encouraged quickly. Jack, Fry, Paris, and Johns run and reached the cargo hold.

Riddick grabbed me from the sandcat and held me to his chest as he ran after Shazza. I watched over his shoulder as the squealing wave of newly hatched monsters descended on us.

Riddick and I hit the dirt first, Shazza following ahead of us. Riddick kept me pressed under his body, making sure he was as low as he could be so he could protect me. I felt the rush of wind caused by the hatchings as they flew just inches above us.

It was hard to breathe… like we were underwater. The wind from the wings made the air seem heavier…

Riddick had his head tilted, watching in awe, no more frightened than a kid lying on his back looking up at the stars. To be honest, his lack of concern made me wonder what kind of shit he had to have seen to make this seem like a walk in the park…

Experimenting, he eases a bone-shiv into the hatchlings. What I hear is what could be compared to a grinder on wood or metal. It's like a river of razor blades, and I squint, seeing that the blade is gone, all that is left is the handle, which he throws away.

The hatchlings kept coming.

"There's so many…" I whispered softly, earning a grunt from my willing human shield.

"Tell her to stay there. Stay down. SHAZZA, JUST STAY DOWN!" I heard Jack all but scream, drawing my attention as I turned my head, watching as Shazza started worming toward the cargo hold.

Suddenly the hatchings vanished, and Shazza gets to her feet, and my eyes widen as I heard the wingbeats.

"SHAZZA GET DOWN!" I screamed, trying to get free as Riddick held me tightly around my middle to keep me from moving.

"Princess… be quiet…" he whispered in my ear with a growl, his other hand under my head and pressing it into his shoulder to keep me from watching.

"No, no, NO, NO, NO!" I heard Fry scream out, and I managed to turn my head.

And just like that, the wave was back, enveloping Shazza. The first person in the group to show me a kindness… the woman who saved me from death in a cryo-tube… gone… just like that, lifted up and ripped apart while she still screamed.

Rayen: Thanks for reading