CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Blind Training

AN: I have to tell you guys, my eyesight sucks. With my glasses on, I'm fine, but without them vision is pretty much just colors. So I learned ways to get around when I'm at the pool or something. Admittedly, I usually have a friend or my Mum with me who guides me around, but I found this experience useful for writing this chapter.

I also looked up some things on how blind people learn how to get around, but most of it involved seeing-eye dogs and canes and, somehow, I can't see there being an abundance of those on an alien planet. LOL.

ONTO THE STORY:

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LAST TIME: Riddick is going to teach the others how to move around in the darkness...

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"Alright, pup, you first." Riddick said in his low, deep voice. "Everyone else stay where you are, no moving and listen. Stand up, Jack."

His pup was terrified, he could almost see her shaking and watched as his mate hugged the young pre-woman briefly then gently urged her to her feet.

"Go on, sweetie, you know he's not gonna hurt you." His mate murmured softly to their pup.

Jack stood.

Unconsciously, Riddick fell into his 'at-ease' position from his time in the military. "Just because you can't see doesn't mean you can't get around." He instructed them all as well as Jack, repeating what he had already told them incase they hadn't gotten it the first time. "Ears, nose, fingers, you can use them all to navigate around a space."

"Easy for you to say, night-eyes." Johns growled and Riddick moved swiftly and quietly to the still bound merc where he cuffed him over the head, growling.

"HEAH!"

"If you don't want me to knock your idiotic bastard self unconscious you'll shut up." Riddick growled lowly instead of shouting. Surprisingly, Johns shut up.

"Alright, Jack, I'm gonna move ya to the middle of the room. I'm gonna touch your shoulders now." Riddick was pleased when his pup didn't flinch as his big, rough, calloused hands landed on her small shoulders. Very gently, he moved her to the center of the room.

"Stop trying to see so hard, it's not gonna work." The Furyan instructed upon seeing her squinting. "Listen. Use yer ears. Now I'm gonna be moving around you and I want you to turn where you hear me move, go it?"

Jack nodded bravely. "Got it."

There was a light in his pups eyes that was overtaking her fear. She was eager to learn.

Riddick gave a low rumble of approval and briefly embraced the young teen, rubbing his cheek against the top of her head in an instinctive gesture.

"Okay, pup, here I go. Just listen." Using all of his impressive stealth he moved away from his pup then began to walk around her. This time he worked at actually MAKING noise; scuffing his feet where normally he wouldn't, giving his pup something to work with. Sometimes, he breathed a little heavier then usual as he moved, pleased when she managed to turn and follow his progress.

"Good job, pup." He praised, going up to her and taking her to the sidelines and gently pushing her down. "Now stay right in this spot. I want you to do fifty push-ups. Got it?"

Jacks jaw dropped, but she nodded and began.

Then Riddick went to his mate next. "Alright Cassie, your turn."

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RIDDICK

He was impressed.

With all the clumsiness his mate had shown above-ground, he had figured that he was in for a rough time teaching her how to move in the darkness, but the fact was that she seemed to be better moving WITHOUT her eyesight then she ever did WITH it.

She followed his progress around the room easily when he did the same exercise with her as he had done with Jack. Even when he went into his regular method of moving (which was pretty much like stealth mode, predatory and quiet) she managed to track him.

`Interesting…..`

So he decided to up the stakes a little.

"Alright, mate, I'm gonna come at you now." He wasn't very happy when she tensed visibly at his statement. F***k, it wasn't like he WANTED to teach his mate how to fight, but there was no way he was gonna be able to be at her side twenty-four-seven no matter HOW much his animal instincts urged him to. And he would always be a hunted man. She needed to know these things. . . . . at least that's what he kept telling himself. "Put your feet hip width apart….bend your knees a little…not that much….there ya go. Now I'm gonna come at ya, try to block."

The punch he threw was a very easy one. It wouldn't hurt her even if it did connect but, for some reason, the very action was hard for him. He was supposed to be inbetween her and whatever danger there was, not CAUSING the danger.

`Don't be stupid, Riddick.` he chastised himself. `Yer not beat'n her up, yer teachin' her. And what if some mercs ambush her while yer not around. She needs ta be able to defend herself.` …Didn't mean he had to like it.

It was a girly punch that wouldn't even cause a bruise, but when it still connected to her shoulder he winced, glad none of them could see it. "Pay attention to the air." He ordered her. "With practice you should be able to feel it displaced as my fist comes at you."

His voice showed none of his inner turmoil.

He tried again and, again, his fist hit. . . . .he wasn't sure how much more he could take of this at the moment. It wasn't punches he wanted to throw (no matter that there was pretty much NO force behind them) it was soft caresses he wanted to give. Warm touches with just a hint of his strength to show her she was safe with him. He wanted to hold her to him, nuzzle her neck and grip her hips with his hands.

The Furyan shook his head, grateful beyond all measure that none of them could see him. This wasn't going well.

"Alright, mate, I'm gonna lead you to a spot and I want you ta do fifty push ups, got it?"

She winced but didn't hesitate when he led her to a safe area (far away enough from the bars that could still be electrified but not too close to the middle of the room where he was conducting 'lessons'). "Okay, one of Imams pups. You."

Imam softly urged his oldest boy up and Riddick began to teach him the exact same thing.

The Holy Mans pups were scared, but all three (3) of them did pretty well. `They're still pretty young so they'll learn fast.` Riddick recognized with something like relief. Once he had done the same lesson with all three of them he told Imam to tell them about the push ups and urged again that he teach his kids English.

"How am I supposed ta teach them well if they don't understand what I'm saying?" he had growled to Imam. "What if yer not there and I have ta tell'em ta duck? Start teachin' em now, Holy man."

Shazza did very well and when it was Zekes turn, Riddick put him in the middle of the room with something like anticipation, leaning in to whisper in the mans ear.

"I'm not gonna go easy on ya, settler."

"Wouldn't expect less, mate." Was Zekes easy, gruff reply.

Riddick gave a low growl and made his voice even lower so that only Zeke could hear. "You should've never shook my mate, Zeke. Yer gonna pay for that….."