Across the Hall

Chapter 3

The softer side of Riddick

As Riddick came out of his apartment he could already visualize Dayla in her apartment. Knocking on the door he waited patiently until she came to the door. He grinned evilly as he stood there to drink her in. She wore a black one shoulder knit top with a sliver-studded strap across the chest and a stretchy knee length animal print skirt with a black lace trim at the hem. Her hair was in a simple bun. Slapping his wallet into his chest she walks past him down the hall. "Put your eyes back in your head. Let's get to this so I can hurry up and get home, I have someone waiting on me." "Who?" he asks in mock jealousy "Calgon." She answers coolly. He laughs at the comment causing her to smile a bit. "So where are you taking me?" she continues "The purple parrot." "Wow, that's fancy! And you're going like that?" she says with a frown. "Like what?" he said. He wore black pants with a black button down shirt. "I think I look nice." "I wasn't talking about that. I was talking about the goggles. Why do you wear them?" he slows down his pace pulling her close to him he turns to her so they're eye to eye. Lifting his goggles she gasps a little at what she sees. "Who did that to you?" "A guy in slam" "Did you piss him off?" Laughing he begins to walk again. Running next to him. "What did you do to him?" she says with enthusiasm "Nothing. I paid him in cigarettes." "You mean you wanted him to do that? Why?!!" "So I can sneak up on people in the dark. Plus it's a great scare tactic." He says in a low voice. Trying to smile makes him laugh more.



The dinner was by candlelight, making Riddick's attraction for Dayla heightened. Her skin took on a whole new hue. Normally it was a buttery creamy color. Now it was a golden honey like her eyes. It wasn't much conversation at first, but Dayla soon broke the silence. "Why are you doing this?" she asks. He takes a sip of his drink then breathes in slowly. "I'm not sure really. It's just something about you." She raises her eyebrows "Is that right? A broke, paroled, petty thief?" She questioned. He smiles slightly before he speaks, "That's not a problem to me. Everyone has demons." Riddick whispers. "What are your demons?" she asks Looking at her momentarily he says, "They're too legion to mention. Atleast not right now." Throwing her napkin on the table she slumps back in her chair in a huff. "You know you're no fun at all." "Oh?" "Yeah, You know everything about me and I don't even know you're name. I must be real stupid to be on a date with a perfect stranger." Cocking his head slightly to look at her. "Do I make you nervous?" he asks. "Honestly?" "Yes" "Yes, you can be very intimidating at times. Like the first time I saw you, and then that little episode today in the alley. What tha hell was that?" "Sorry, force of habit" "That's a bad fuckin habit!" Riddick snorts at the comment. "Don't pretend you didn't like it." He rumbles. "So are you gonna tell me your name or not." She says annoyingly. "It's Richard." Shaking her head. "That's a start, you got a last name?" "Yes" "Do I get to know?" Riddick shakes his head. She sighs deeply, "So, Richard, what do you do for a living?" "I work for myself. I do what I want and when I want. It's the only way to work." Picking up her drink in a toasting manner she laughs, "You got that shit right!" They clink their glasses together.

After dinner they walk home together, slowly they walk to their apartment doors. "So what now?" He asks as he pins her to her door then leans down to kiss her. She leans into more, while moaning into his mouth. Suddenly she pushes him off. "Nothing happens. All debts are paid buddy." Giggling she opens her door and walks in but before closing the door she quickly pecks him on the cheek. "Meet me tomorrow at my place at 2 p.m." then she slams the door in his face. He stands there for a second before putting a hand on his cheek then on her door. He goes to his place with the greatest feeling he's had in a long while.