Alou: Ouch... my head fucking hurts still.

Rayen: *hands her some excedrin.* Take two, call me in the morning.

Alou: Bad joke.

Rayen: Thought I'd try.

Alou: Shuddup. *looks at the camera.* Okay everyone, Rayen here doesn't own any of the main characters from the Riddick series. She just created me, and any scenes that did originally exist in either the original script or the movie. Please enjoy.

Rayen: That'll work.

Chapter 21: Canyon

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I growled softly as I pulled the cargo. Alou may have given someone else trouble, but not me. I'd drop the cargo over her if it meant keeping her safe. I glance around at the predators launching, flying around, and fighting. The sounds of hatchlings sounded close before turning away, followed by feral sounds.

"Don't look," I spoke loudly as we were spattered with blue gunk. "Don't look up." I repressed a sigh as Fry looked up and started to freeze, "Keep going, keep going, keep going. I said keep going!" She lowered her eyes and our speed quickened.

Imam's voice was heard in a mantra like tone, "So dark the clouds around my way I cannot see. But through the darkness I believe God leadeth me. I gladly place my and in His when all is dim. And closing my weary eyes, lean hard on him…" I tuned him out as I looked around and saw his son get too close and slice his leg, but I am proud of him as he kept his mouth shut.

Fry then seems to spot something up ahead and I glance and see the choke-point. "Riddick? RIDDICK?!" As we near I smell them before I realize what it is.

Jack tried to figure out what the problem was, "What? What is it?"

I knew we may have trouble should she figure out the truth...not that she wouldn't, but I decided to give her something to imagine. "It's a fucking staircase! Go over it!" A beat passed. "GO OVER IT!" They seemed to listen this time and as soon as Jack figured it out she tensed a bit. One snapped at her and she recoils to the side and tumbles back down.

"Jack!" Fry cried out sliding a few feet down herself.

Predators slammed down as Jack scrambled under the shield. The predator's bone blade pierced the metal. Jack begun to take a thrashing as the predator howls trying to break free. "Riddick!"

I reached her as the predator finally tore clear and pounced blindly right in front of me. I caught the beast under the scythe blade protecting both me and Alou who was still on my back. I clicked madly and I pulled out my shiv and ripped his gut open. Pushing it aside I twisted its neck as straightened up, "Didn't know who he was fucking with."

We regrouped and I saw the holy man count heads twice. I knew he wouldn't be mistaken, we were one man short. He started swiveling and yelling, "Suleiman!"

I didn't want him to see his son dead, I figured it would be best not knowing so I interrupted him, "Get the girl back under! Keep going!" Imam didn't seem to hear me he kept looking and yelling his son's name. I finally grabbed his shoulder, "Keep going or I will!"

There was a thump and I heard bones break and Suleiman was back in our presence, though I have to give him some credit-he was still alive. He tried to reach for his father or anyone but just as fast as he appeared he disappeared. That's what I was trying to avoid.

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We trudged on, Imam prayed for his sons, and I fought my annoyance. We walked into a more open area of the canyon as the torches start spitting. Then it came. Rain. Great…

Fry starts to panic. "Oh no. No, no, no…" She looked around.

Imam held up a hand and then examined it, "Rain." He sounded defeated.

We marched on for a bit. I heard them stop and start to shift. I glance back and see them frantically to light a torch. I let out a deep laugh and I grinned at Imam, "So where the hell's your God now, huh?"

Fry approached me, "Riddick? How close?" I pull off the goggles and look ahead, an idea forming. Fry continued close to hysteria, "Tell me the settlement is right there! RIDDICK, PLEASE!"

I shook my head, "We can't make it." Her shoulders sagged in utter defeat as the familiar awful sounds returned. I found a crevice and moved over to it it motioning it to them. "Here...hide here…" They scooted over and then one by one they started crawling in. "Inside...inside…" Once they were inside I slid the rock shield over the opening as the second torch of theirs went out.

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I made my way to the muddy rise with the cells behind me, Alou still on my back. At the top I peered through the rain hoping she would forgive me, would understand. I highly doubted it, I would take her where she wanted to go and then get out of her hair. I pushed on and made it to the settlement. I climbed on the dark craft and cut straps free so I could gently set Alou on a bench so I could slide the cells in. My stomach churned as the ship came to life. I could go back for the group, but I doubt there would be a chance.

Rayen: Are they gonna leave without Riddick going back? Is Alou gonna wake up before he takes off?

Alou: Quietly please...

Rayen: Okay, you need to sleep it off. *looks at the screen.* Sorry it was so short, but I hope you all enjoyed it anyway.