Author's note:

HeyHey, so next chapter is up again! I would really appreciate if you guys tell me if you like it or not, because then I can decide how I'm going to continue and if the chapter needs changing, because I had had two alternatives for this one and I wasn't sure which one to post.

Thanks to my reviewers: Rainbor123, rukoitalian65 and KEZZ 1! I Always appreciate reviews! Love y'all ;)

Chapter 20: Death Trap's Anger

I've always loved eclipses, or just darkness in general really. It was the one time that I could see the wonders of the world without any restrictions. I could see colors, faces, body language, animals. I could see everything that belonged to the daily lives of normal people. It's only when you're partially blind that you appreciate the thousands of things that one can see.

Another reason why I loved it was because I was anything but vulnerable in the dark. I was good at fighting during the day, when I was blind. Imagine what I was like in the dark, my attacker fully visible to me. One time a merc had thought he was smart by sneaking up on me when I was alone in the dark. I'd been able to have him begging for mercy within seconds, and believe me when I say that mercs don't easily do so. Right now though my skills and abilities were useless, as these creatures weren't mercs, and I wasn't alone.

Paris still stood entangled in the cords of light that had at first had been his safe haven but now were a death trap. Jack was standing beside him, not having given up on trying to help the guy out of trouble, even when she couldn't see a thing. Johns, who had previously been carrying the portable light sources to the entrance of the tunnel and returning to get more, was halfway to the entrance now.

And I? I was standing right in between them, the creatures that were watching all four of us closely clearly visible to me. They seemed to be contemplating on what their next action would be, and when one of them dared to take a step closer to Paris and Jack, I growled.

Hell no. The growl said to the thing, and it took a step back immediately.

"Johns," I said as calmly as I could with the adrenaline rushing through me, still eyeing that same creature as I did. "I sure as hell hope you're holding some kind of light source." I continued. I finally let my eyes return to the two people over by the sleigh, wanting to make sure they'd be ok right up to the moment there was light again. Not that I could do much if the darkness remained and they got attacked, not with the promise I'd made to Riddick, but I could try right?

I noticed that same creature from before again taking a step closer, right as Johns grumbled something about 'waiting a second'. I eyed the thing and took a step closer myself. It didn't back away however, instead two more creatures dared to take a step closer.

"Johns." I growled. "Now."

A second later I heard a flare being lit behind me, things around me changing slightly in focus. I could still see, as the light wasn't in front of me, but my sight was more muddled. The creatures that had taken a step forward now backed away again, and I didn't give them a chance to change their mind as I hurried towards Jack and Paris.

"Jack, help me." I instructed the girl who was now staring at the edge of light where she had obviously seen the creatures scurrying away from before. "Jack." I hissed and the girl's head snapped up to me, quickly coming over to my side to help me with the cords that were entrapping Paris.

"Paris, stop moving." I practically shouted, just to get the guy's attention. He looked up at me, his eyes wide with fear. It was the exact same look as an animal had right before it got attacked, not entirely sure what was happening but still realizing that it could die in the next few seconds.

I growled in frustration as we couldn't get him out of the tangled mess. "Jack," I said as I still fiddled with the cords. "Get inside." I felt her eyes turn to me, wide with surprise and fear. She didn't move however and I growled again. "Johns, get her the fuck out of here!" I yelled at him. He came my way instantly and grabbed the kid, who was now staring at me in shock instead of fear, pulling her away from us. I wondered what had made her look at me like that, but couldn't think of a reason at the moment as my mind was preoccupied with Paris. He was moving frantically again and I hissed for him to stay still already.

I could feel the obvious anxiety the creatures around us gave off, knowing that eventually the lights would go out again. We'd been lucky before, at the suddenness of the dark. It had given us the element of surprise and it had caused just the right amount of confusion with the creatures to not have them attack us the first chance they got. If it happened again now though, we would be done for. They wouldn't be surprised a second time.

Johns returned to me, having delivered the girl to the rest. "Xia," He said. It must've been the first time he'd ever mentioned my name, and I didn't like the sound of it coming from his mouth, especially not the tone that it had.

"What?" I snapped, pushing away the hand in which he was holding the flare so I could see Paris again. "We need to-"

He was interrupted by a sudden screeching noise that came from above. All three of us looked up, seeing a creature diving down right towards where Johns was standing, despite the light he was holding in his hand. I frowned, hearing the light scorch its flesh and the flapping of wings as he tried to stay away from the light. It didn't fly away though, as if it was waiting for the light to die down so it could attack. It happened again, another creature doing the same, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from the sight, it was-

A low growl from inside the tunnels snapped me back to reality and I focused back on Paris, looking at the mess. "Xia we have to get inside." I heard Johns' words, followed by the denying and scared whimpers of Paris. "We can't." I told him, letting my hands move rapidly as I moved one cable over Paris' hands after the other. They were entangled however, and the frantic movements that Paris had made before had made it even worse than it had been.

Another growl sounded from the tunnels and there was a hissing coming from the flare, signaling it was burning up. "Xia," Johns said again, taking ahold of my arm. "We have to go." He said earnestly. I snatched my arm back, hating the feeling of him touching me and grinding my teeth. I looked at Paris and at Johns. I could feel it, the anger burning in my veins, the anger of not being able to help those I promised to help. I had no choice however, and after one last glance towards Paris, who was shaking his head violently and trying to get loose himself once more, in vain, I followed Johns towards the tunnel entrance.

Johns went inside first and I followed, hearing the creatures dive right onto the person that was now outside, on his own. I heard Fry asking Johns if he was ok and I heard Jack ask what had happened to Paris.

"He's gone." I hissed, stalking past them further into the tunnels. I didn't miss the anger in Riddick's eyes as I passed him but right now I didn't really care. I had my own anger to deal with, and I'd have Riddick much rather comfort me than just be angry with me because of my promise. I clenched my fists, wanting to hit something. The walls weren't fit to hit however, that would ruin the beautiful murals that had been painted on them with great care. And even though I wasn't much of a fan of art, it was still part of this world's history and I wasn't going to destroy it.

I went up front this time, hearing Fry instruct Riddick and Johns to carry the cell. That was a good thing; it meant Riddick couldn't come walking next to me, which would mean that I would have to endure his anger, which I wasn't in the mood for right now. I knew that I was just postponing the whole thing, but for now I had some tranquility at the very least, though it wasn't much.

My mind was occupied with Johns, and what the creatures had done before. They'd willingly gained on the one person holding the light source, that wasn't normal. It was nagging on my mind, I felt like I was missing something and I did not like that fact. It was aggravating and annoying, all at the same time. I had my fists still clenched and my jaw locked as we walked, feeling furious with everything that was happening and everyone around me, even Riddick, for being angry himself. When Fry arrived at my side, obviously wanting to ask me something, trying to keep her light away from me but at the same time needing it to see where she was walking, I couldn't help but snap at her.

"What?" I growled.

Her eyes widened and she seemed taken aback with my hostility, though I saw a hint of understanding in her eyes. "It's not your fault you know." She said then, keeping her voice low so that the others couldn't hear her. She didn't know that Riddick was listening of course, or at least it didn't cross her mind at the moment. "Paris got himself in that mess, and even though-"

"It's fine." I hissed. "I'm over it, ok?"

I didn't even sound convincing to myself, let alone her, but at the very least I'd been able to shut her up. "Now what did you want to ask?"

She was speechless a second but then nodded, realizing I didn't want to talk. How very observant of her, I thought sarcastically. Damn I was being a real bitch right now.

"I was just wondering if you know where we need to go, I mean this place is really big and the tunnels-" She wasn't sure how to continue.

"Reach everywhere?" I offered, trying to sound calmer and more controlled. She nodded slowly and I strained a smile. "Yeah, I know where we have to go."

She nodded and then fell back again, taking up her place next to Jack, who seemed to be scrunching her mind over something herself. I sighed and noticed an intersection we would be coming across in a few seconds. I took a whiff of the air and closed my eyes a second to concentrate. One of the tunnels smelt like green, vegetation, water. Another smelt like dry damp earth. The last one smelt of death. I wanted to head towards the green, but knew that that wouldn't lead to the pile of bones in the coring room. Instead I started heading into the direction of the death scent, which wasn't all that pleasing to my nostrils, but it would get us to where we needed to go and that was all that mattered.

I'd been noticing sighs and grunts coming from behind me for a while now, though they were all trying to hide it. I heard Fry ask Jack what was wrong and her complain about how her feet hurt. At first the thought of taking a break didn't even cross my mind, but when I noticed Imam and his son breathing heavily, Fry and Jack sighing and even Johns gritting his teeth, I changed my mind.

"Maybe we should take a short break." I offered when we arrived at a T-junction of tunnels. "Rest a bit, drink a bit. We'll continue again soon." I said.

I heard Johns starting to protest, despite his own troubles, but Imam, the kid and Jack had already plopped down onto the floor. Fry hesitated but also soon joined the small group. Johns let out a series of profanities as he and Riddick put the cell back down on the ground and he sat himself down about a foot from the group, his back and head resting against the wall. He was obviously tired, but not very happy with us stopping.

I heard Fry tell the others to turn their lights off as that would save batteries for when it was really necessary and soon the tunnels were dark, except for the little worms giving off a little light. I heard the surprised exclamations from Jack and the other kid and for a moment I smiled, though that soon disappeared again when I felt Riddick's mouth near my ear.

"Come with me." He whispered, though it wasn't an option. He was demanding in his Alpha manner and I knew that I had no choice in the matter whatsoever.

Riddick's POV

I had my fists clenched, my jaw locked, much in the same manner as Xia had had before, while leading the group further into the tunnel. I heard her trail behind me almost soundlessly, like a predator. Right now though I was the predator and she was my prey. And I wasn't happy with what she'd pulled off.

We were about halfway into the side tunnel I'd followed when I turned around, waiting for her to arrive with narrowed eyes. She was there within a few seconds, her eyes showing both anger and something else I couldn't quite identify. But I didn't care right now what it was, I was fucking furious and I would let nothing distract me from that feeling at the moment, needing her to see just how bad she fucked me up.

We stood there for a few seconds, just glaring at each other in anger. She was the first to open her mouth, "You promised me you wouldn't do that anymore." She pointed out, her eyes narrowing and her fists clenching. I knew what she meant; I'd given her no choice but to follow me. It was something that a male had over the female in animalistic relationships, and considering we were both close to being animals I held that power over her. However I'd never explicitly promised her to not use it again. I wasn't about to point that out to her though, didn't feel like it.

"Well then, I guess neither of us is too fond of keeping our promises."

This seemed to flare an anger in her I'd seen only once before, when she had been mad at me for literally telling Johns to kill me.

"I didn't break a fucking promise, Richard." She said, using my first name instead of the name most people used when talking to me. That surprised me slightly, but not enough to distract me. I bared my teeth at her and took several steps forward, so that I was right in front of her, grabbing her arm to make sure she wouldn't back away from me.

"So, what?" I hissed close to her face, our eyes locked and battling out their own battle. "Just because you didn't fucking die out there, you didn't break your promise? Now how the fuck does that work?"

She jerked her arm back and growled right in my face, "I knew how far I could go, I knew when-"

"Bullshit." I said as I suddenly grabbed both of her arms and pushed her back against the wall. I wanted full control over her, I wanted her to see just how pissed off she had made me. "You knew full well you had to get out of there, but you still hesitated." I growled. "You know how fucked up that is? I was on the verge of coming after you and dragging you in myself; you know how much control it took me to restrain myself from doing that?"

She didn't answer; instead her eyes were focused on mine with a strangle look in them. "Well?" I growled again, my face close to hers. This time she cast her eyes down, tears forming in the corners of her eye. She snatched her arms back quickly and wiped them away, obviously angry with herself that they had appeared suddenly.

"No, Riddick." She answered, suddenly sounding very far away by using my last name once again. "I don't fucking know." She hissed. "But I do fucking remember Paris' eyes, those of a scared animal knowing they are going to die if something is not done. I couldn't just fucking leave him out there, defenseless! I might not like the guy, but I've seen too many people die because I couldn't do anything and so as long as I can try to do something about it, I will."

"Then what about you?" I growled, slamming my fists against the wall behind her. "What about us? Would you throw my life away to help some fucker who got stuck because of his own damn fault?" I searched her eyes but didn't stop at the shock I found in them. "How would you feel if I sacrificed my life for Paris'? Or Fry's? Or even Johns'?"

She opened her mouth to say something but then closed it again, obviously having no idea what she could possibly answer me. I could see the pain in them, reflecting just a tenth of the pain I had felt. It had been excruciating hearing her out there, not listening to my growls that indicated she had to return. I had wanted to rip something apart; I had wanted to follow her out there. I hadn't however, because I trusted her, even though I wasn't happy about what she had been doing, I'd still trusted her. And now she seemed to realize just how much pain that trust had caused me, the tears returning.