CH. 5
Stephanie's sleep was now restless. What happened after that moment had been even worse. The horrible sound of those birds, people dying trying to escape.people dying trying to help them, especially Caroline. She'd given her life to ensure their survival. At the end only Imam, Jackie, Riddick and Stephanie had come back. Once they had found the first habitable planet, Riddick without wasting time, had let them off and had left again. However, she was not angry with him, she knew he had to run away, but she hadn't expected it to be so early, and in such this way. From that day, he had not appeared again and maybe it was better that way. For Stephanie and Jackie, life had been hard. They'd had to start again. Stephanie had decided not to leave Jackie alone in such a difficult time of her life. So Stephanie worked hard to earn enough money for both of them. Then, when things were better, she'd started to save money to make her dream come true.
Now Jackie was 18 years old, she was finishing school and had found a good guy who was deeply in love with her: Mark. Stephanie hadn't been able to draw near another man, to begin a new relationship. Her official excuse was she had to work a lot and she didn't have any free time, but the truth was that. she hadn't wanted it no more. All that she'd seen and lived on that planet had been too much for her. All those people died.she knew those people.She couldn't allow herself to be tied to someone else. She felt so sad.
"Ephie? Ephie! It's ok." She felt someone shake her and slowly she opened her eyes. "Jackie? When.when did you arrive?" "10 minutes ago." "What happened," asked Stephanie, trying to sit up. "I'm asking you! You were tossing and turning, murmuring something and.you're crying." Jackie stared worriedly at her. Stephanie touched her face; it was wet. She'd cried without realizing it. "You had it once again, the same nightmare," asked Jackie. "Yes." "It has been a long time since you had it," observed Jackie, thinking aloud. After their return to normal life, for a few months, she'd had terrible nightmares, waking up during the night shouting and crying, sweaty. "Maybe it's because I was tired. Last night I didn't sleep, and this morning I've been busy," Stephanie said, more to convince herself of the fact. Jackie caressed her hair in a comforting way. For once Jackie played the mom and Stephanie the daughter. But she had to be strong. She had to. "That's ok. I'm fine. Really," Stephanie said to reassure Jackie. "What time is it?" she asked as she looked at her watch. "But it's late! I'm late, I've got to go." She tried to stand up, but Jackie stopped her. "Ephie? Ephie! Wait! I already opened the shop, don't worry. Guy is with me outside. Take your time," Jackie said trying to calm Stephanie down. "Ok. Give me five minutes and I'll be there," replied Stephanie.
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"Stephanie? Will you see to the panther pets? It's time for them to eat," Guy said. "Yep. I'm going," answered Stephanie. This was what she preferred to do. Jackie and Guy knew it. Stephanie truly loved felines; she felt at ease with them and it seemed that the animals could feel her love. So it had been a blessing that she'd been able to start to collaborate with the local zoo to deal with those animals. She prepared an external cage to let the two pets run and have fun for a little bit. She sat nearby them to play with the two black panther pets. She was quiet with them, she'd no more reservations, all barriers fell down with them, and she was simply herself. She looked at them. Bageera, the livelier of the two pets, wallowed on the floor happily. "Ephie?" Jackie called quietly, knowing that in this case the tone of her voice was important near the animals. "Yes? Tell me." "We received four invitations for the Town Hall party. They're for next week," she told her, trying to hide her excitement. "Again! Every year it is the same. Tomorrow I'll send them my regrets," said Stephanie, bored. "No! This time you won't turn it down! It's time for you to meet new people, have a social life again.you can't go on like this!" "No!" "I knew you'd say that.and that's why me and Guy did confirm the invitation in your place. We also bought you a pretty dress. You, as well as Guy, will represent our shop and the zoo. I'm sorry, but this time you cannot go back on it," Jackie ended, with a satisfied look in her eyes. Stephanie was speechless. Everything was already done. "But why? You know I hate these kind of things!" she said, exasperated. "I bet that Guy sent you here to tell me because he knows I can't tell you no, am I wrong?" "Guy did nothing. You can't go on like you have. I saw you crying while you were sleeping before. You deserve happiness as much as other people. So please Ephie, come!! I'm begging you: Please," she said gently to Stephanie, pleading with her eyes. "I.I." She looked back at Jackie. She couldn't say no to her. "You're terrible! Ok, I'll come!" she said it like it was the biggest effort of her life. Jackie embraced her happily: "Thanks! Thanks a lot! You'll see it'll be fun!" Stephanie grimaced, but then she smiled. When Jackie got something in her head, she wasn't able to change her mind. "How are Bageera and Kelly today," asked Jackie, changing the subject. Stephanie smiled proudly. "Fine. They grow up a little more each day." She tenderly caressed her pets. She stared at them, they were so sweet, so beautiful. her mind ran back to the dream she'd had before, and her smile disappeared. "What's happened?" asked Jackie. "Nothing," she replied defensively. "What were you thinking about?" insisted Jackie. "They have beautiful eyes," Stephanie said softly, caressing Kelly. "Are you thinking what I suppose you're thinking?" "It depends." "You see Riddick in their eyes." Stephanie lifted her head up and looked at Jackie in astonishment. "How." she started to say. "How do I know? I think I've always known it, but never had the courage to ask you. It's personal," said Jackie, feeling uneasy. "Yes," was Stephanie's only reply. Why was it so damn difficult to admit it? Jackie embraced her to give her strength. Meanwhile the shop doorbell rang. "Let me see who it is," Jackie said and went back to the shop. Stephanie remained there, alone, playing with her pets. It was time for them to eat, so she stood up and prepared the necessary items. She was leaning over the two pets, giving them what they wanted when.that strong sensation hit her again! It was so strong, like. She didn't have the time to look around her, when a male strong hand captured her wrist, stopping her. A husky, low, deep voice near her ear murmured, "Need any help?" Stephanie gave a start. She tried to scream in shock of the intruder, but suddenly his other hand covered her mouth, muffling her cries. "Hush," he whispered in her ear. She shuddered. She looked at the hand that was holding her and she trembled. She turned immediately."Riddick!" He'd released her mouth, staring at her with a mysterious smile. A strong electric current passed between them. Stephanie's hand, with the pet's food, was still hanging in space when suddenly Bageera, hungry, with a fast movement reacted to Stephanie's shout, and attempted to claw the food down to the floor, but she hit Riddick's forearm instead, which was still hanging onto Stephanie's wrist. He immediately let go of Stephanie, who let the food finally fall. The two panthers pounced on it. "She hurt you," a worried Stephanie said, looking at his bleeding forearm. "They're your bodyguards," he answered sardonically. "Follow me. Let's see what can I do for you." He followed her to the veterinary clinic. Fortunately, Guy wasn't there, thought Stephanie. She'd rather avoid his questions. Riddick sat on the edge of her writing desk, feeling completely at ease. "They didn't mean to hurt you."she started hesitantly. "I know." Tension between them was high, the room looked so small, filled with his imposing body. Being so near to him made her feel stunned. She examined his forearm. "I'm sorry for your torn clothes, tell me the amount and I'll pay you back for them." He didn't look interested in the offer and didn't answer. "The scratch is large, but not deep". She was uneasy. He didn't speak just continued to look at her. For just a second her mind ran to the first time they'd met, for the same reason. "Every time I meet you, I must take care of you!" it was meant to be a quip, to lighten the atmosphere between them, but didn't have the desired result. "Looks like every time I meet you, you're scared of me Stephanie. Am I right?" Riddick countered with a strange light in his eyes. Stephanie looked away from him and stared to tend to him. "So why are you here Riddick?" "No. I'm Mr. Ripley now." "Oh." She was surprised. She shouldn't be, she thought, it was natural that he'd start a new life. "How is your life," she surprised herself by asking him. "I've my own business now. Got an airline company," he answered with an amused look. She watched him trying to imagine him as a businessman, without much success. "Surprised," he suddenly asked, lifting an eyebrow. "Uh? Ehm.well, no. it's your life." she blushed, because he'd read her thoughts. The best defense is to attack, she thought. "So, ehm.why are you here? You didn't answer. Wanted to be sure we didn't say anything about you to the mercs?" She gulped in a breath and continued, "It's a bit late. Don't you think? How much time has passed now? It's been a few years." she kept a sharp tone in her voice. She didn't look at him and continued to work frantically. "Ooh! How did we get all this energy inside, Stephanie? After all these years! What is that exactly? Rage? Fear?" He was looking at her with an insolent gaze and an ironic smile on his lips, his head tilted to one side. He was like a panther observing his prey. He was still fascinating to her. Be cool. Stephanie, be careful! Stephanie laughed bitterly and stared into his eyes. "See Riddick? Rage, like fear, are feelings, they're emotions. I don't think it's worth it to waste them on you. No, I can definitely say that it's more like.indifference. Yes, indifference," she ended these words with a provoking smile. She hoped he didn't notice her anxiety. She looked back at him. He was smiling at her. This new provoking game amused him immensely. He slipped his arm from Stephanie's hold and grabbed her wrist with his hand, clasping it tightly. He placed his finger on her vein. She lifted her eyes up to him, astonished and scared. He was staring at her. Stephanie tried to struggle, to wrench her wrist from his hold, without success. "Your heart beats much too fast for it to be indifference," he taunted her maliciously amused. Then he relaxed his hold to become a seductive caress, his finger skimming along her vein. She looked at him dumbfounded. Damn Riddick! How was it possible that she was no longer able to maintain control of her body? He lazily smiled at her, in a provoking way. It seemed he found it amusing to torment her and make her feel uneasy. Stephanie didn't answer, slipped her wrist from his hold abruptly and started again to treat his injury, avoiding his eyes. "Well, what you want? Why are you back," she asked him. "How are you Ephie?" He ignored her questions and followed his thoughts. She looked with astonishment at him, only Jackie called her by this nickname! How did he know it? She shook her head. "Fine! Don't you see I'm fine," she responded, with an exasperated tone. Why do you torture me with your gaze? "The kid." "You mean Jackie, I suppose." Losing her control, she snapped, "She's fine. She grew up, she's studying and met a good guy, if you must know." His gaze was indecipherable. "You realized your dreams, I see." he was referring to the clinic. "Yep," Stephanie said simply. How much it had cost her, he'd never know. That conversation, being so polite with him, made her uneasy. She thought it was all a farce. "You live with someone," he asked her. "This is no concern of yours." "That is not an answer," he insisted. "Why does it matter to you, Riddick?" She looked at him. She was near the edge of losing her control. He looked at her, but dropped the subject. "What brought you here," asked Stephanie. "Have to settle a score.old matters." he said with a determined voice, attempting to look casual. "Do I know this person? Are they here?" she asked, almost without thinking of it. "Yes.it's you." She immediately brought her head up and stared at him, shocked. "You're finished," he said, looking at his bandaging. "Good job. Thank you" He slipped his forearm from her hands. "I've gotta go now. I'll send you the bill for my suit, Stephanie". He jumped down from the desk, took his coat, and vanished.
Stephanie's sleep was now restless. What happened after that moment had been even worse. The horrible sound of those birds, people dying trying to escape.people dying trying to help them, especially Caroline. She'd given her life to ensure their survival. At the end only Imam, Jackie, Riddick and Stephanie had come back. Once they had found the first habitable planet, Riddick without wasting time, had let them off and had left again. However, she was not angry with him, she knew he had to run away, but she hadn't expected it to be so early, and in such this way. From that day, he had not appeared again and maybe it was better that way. For Stephanie and Jackie, life had been hard. They'd had to start again. Stephanie had decided not to leave Jackie alone in such a difficult time of her life. So Stephanie worked hard to earn enough money for both of them. Then, when things were better, she'd started to save money to make her dream come true.
Now Jackie was 18 years old, she was finishing school and had found a good guy who was deeply in love with her: Mark. Stephanie hadn't been able to draw near another man, to begin a new relationship. Her official excuse was she had to work a lot and she didn't have any free time, but the truth was that. she hadn't wanted it no more. All that she'd seen and lived on that planet had been too much for her. All those people died.she knew those people.She couldn't allow herself to be tied to someone else. She felt so sad.
"Ephie? Ephie! It's ok." She felt someone shake her and slowly she opened her eyes. "Jackie? When.when did you arrive?" "10 minutes ago." "What happened," asked Stephanie, trying to sit up. "I'm asking you! You were tossing and turning, murmuring something and.you're crying." Jackie stared worriedly at her. Stephanie touched her face; it was wet. She'd cried without realizing it. "You had it once again, the same nightmare," asked Jackie. "Yes." "It has been a long time since you had it," observed Jackie, thinking aloud. After their return to normal life, for a few months, she'd had terrible nightmares, waking up during the night shouting and crying, sweaty. "Maybe it's because I was tired. Last night I didn't sleep, and this morning I've been busy," Stephanie said, more to convince herself of the fact. Jackie caressed her hair in a comforting way. For once Jackie played the mom and Stephanie the daughter. But she had to be strong. She had to. "That's ok. I'm fine. Really," Stephanie said to reassure Jackie. "What time is it?" she asked as she looked at her watch. "But it's late! I'm late, I've got to go." She tried to stand up, but Jackie stopped her. "Ephie? Ephie! Wait! I already opened the shop, don't worry. Guy is with me outside. Take your time," Jackie said trying to calm Stephanie down. "Ok. Give me five minutes and I'll be there," replied Stephanie.
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"Stephanie? Will you see to the panther pets? It's time for them to eat," Guy said. "Yep. I'm going," answered Stephanie. This was what she preferred to do. Jackie and Guy knew it. Stephanie truly loved felines; she felt at ease with them and it seemed that the animals could feel her love. So it had been a blessing that she'd been able to start to collaborate with the local zoo to deal with those animals. She prepared an external cage to let the two pets run and have fun for a little bit. She sat nearby them to play with the two black panther pets. She was quiet with them, she'd no more reservations, all barriers fell down with them, and she was simply herself. She looked at them. Bageera, the livelier of the two pets, wallowed on the floor happily. "Ephie?" Jackie called quietly, knowing that in this case the tone of her voice was important near the animals. "Yes? Tell me." "We received four invitations for the Town Hall party. They're for next week," she told her, trying to hide her excitement. "Again! Every year it is the same. Tomorrow I'll send them my regrets," said Stephanie, bored. "No! This time you won't turn it down! It's time for you to meet new people, have a social life again.you can't go on like this!" "No!" "I knew you'd say that.and that's why me and Guy did confirm the invitation in your place. We also bought you a pretty dress. You, as well as Guy, will represent our shop and the zoo. I'm sorry, but this time you cannot go back on it," Jackie ended, with a satisfied look in her eyes. Stephanie was speechless. Everything was already done. "But why? You know I hate these kind of things!" she said, exasperated. "I bet that Guy sent you here to tell me because he knows I can't tell you no, am I wrong?" "Guy did nothing. You can't go on like you have. I saw you crying while you were sleeping before. You deserve happiness as much as other people. So please Ephie, come!! I'm begging you: Please," she said gently to Stephanie, pleading with her eyes. "I.I." She looked back at Jackie. She couldn't say no to her. "You're terrible! Ok, I'll come!" she said it like it was the biggest effort of her life. Jackie embraced her happily: "Thanks! Thanks a lot! You'll see it'll be fun!" Stephanie grimaced, but then she smiled. When Jackie got something in her head, she wasn't able to change her mind. "How are Bageera and Kelly today," asked Jackie, changing the subject. Stephanie smiled proudly. "Fine. They grow up a little more each day." She tenderly caressed her pets. She stared at them, they were so sweet, so beautiful. her mind ran back to the dream she'd had before, and her smile disappeared. "What's happened?" asked Jackie. "Nothing," she replied defensively. "What were you thinking about?" insisted Jackie. "They have beautiful eyes," Stephanie said softly, caressing Kelly. "Are you thinking what I suppose you're thinking?" "It depends." "You see Riddick in their eyes." Stephanie lifted her head up and looked at Jackie in astonishment. "How." she started to say. "How do I know? I think I've always known it, but never had the courage to ask you. It's personal," said Jackie, feeling uneasy. "Yes," was Stephanie's only reply. Why was it so damn difficult to admit it? Jackie embraced her to give her strength. Meanwhile the shop doorbell rang. "Let me see who it is," Jackie said and went back to the shop. Stephanie remained there, alone, playing with her pets. It was time for them to eat, so she stood up and prepared the necessary items. She was leaning over the two pets, giving them what they wanted when.that strong sensation hit her again! It was so strong, like. She didn't have the time to look around her, when a male strong hand captured her wrist, stopping her. A husky, low, deep voice near her ear murmured, "Need any help?" Stephanie gave a start. She tried to scream in shock of the intruder, but suddenly his other hand covered her mouth, muffling her cries. "Hush," he whispered in her ear. She shuddered. She looked at the hand that was holding her and she trembled. She turned immediately."Riddick!" He'd released her mouth, staring at her with a mysterious smile. A strong electric current passed between them. Stephanie's hand, with the pet's food, was still hanging in space when suddenly Bageera, hungry, with a fast movement reacted to Stephanie's shout, and attempted to claw the food down to the floor, but she hit Riddick's forearm instead, which was still hanging onto Stephanie's wrist. He immediately let go of Stephanie, who let the food finally fall. The two panthers pounced on it. "She hurt you," a worried Stephanie said, looking at his bleeding forearm. "They're your bodyguards," he answered sardonically. "Follow me. Let's see what can I do for you." He followed her to the veterinary clinic. Fortunately, Guy wasn't there, thought Stephanie. She'd rather avoid his questions. Riddick sat on the edge of her writing desk, feeling completely at ease. "They didn't mean to hurt you."she started hesitantly. "I know." Tension between them was high, the room looked so small, filled with his imposing body. Being so near to him made her feel stunned. She examined his forearm. "I'm sorry for your torn clothes, tell me the amount and I'll pay you back for them." He didn't look interested in the offer and didn't answer. "The scratch is large, but not deep". She was uneasy. He didn't speak just continued to look at her. For just a second her mind ran to the first time they'd met, for the same reason. "Every time I meet you, I must take care of you!" it was meant to be a quip, to lighten the atmosphere between them, but didn't have the desired result. "Looks like every time I meet you, you're scared of me Stephanie. Am I right?" Riddick countered with a strange light in his eyes. Stephanie looked away from him and stared to tend to him. "So why are you here Riddick?" "No. I'm Mr. Ripley now." "Oh." She was surprised. She shouldn't be, she thought, it was natural that he'd start a new life. "How is your life," she surprised herself by asking him. "I've my own business now. Got an airline company," he answered with an amused look. She watched him trying to imagine him as a businessman, without much success. "Surprised," he suddenly asked, lifting an eyebrow. "Uh? Ehm.well, no. it's your life." she blushed, because he'd read her thoughts. The best defense is to attack, she thought. "So, ehm.why are you here? You didn't answer. Wanted to be sure we didn't say anything about you to the mercs?" She gulped in a breath and continued, "It's a bit late. Don't you think? How much time has passed now? It's been a few years." she kept a sharp tone in her voice. She didn't look at him and continued to work frantically. "Ooh! How did we get all this energy inside, Stephanie? After all these years! What is that exactly? Rage? Fear?" He was looking at her with an insolent gaze and an ironic smile on his lips, his head tilted to one side. He was like a panther observing his prey. He was still fascinating to her. Be cool. Stephanie, be careful! Stephanie laughed bitterly and stared into his eyes. "See Riddick? Rage, like fear, are feelings, they're emotions. I don't think it's worth it to waste them on you. No, I can definitely say that it's more like.indifference. Yes, indifference," she ended these words with a provoking smile. She hoped he didn't notice her anxiety. She looked back at him. He was smiling at her. This new provoking game amused him immensely. He slipped his arm from Stephanie's hold and grabbed her wrist with his hand, clasping it tightly. He placed his finger on her vein. She lifted her eyes up to him, astonished and scared. He was staring at her. Stephanie tried to struggle, to wrench her wrist from his hold, without success. "Your heart beats much too fast for it to be indifference," he taunted her maliciously amused. Then he relaxed his hold to become a seductive caress, his finger skimming along her vein. She looked at him dumbfounded. Damn Riddick! How was it possible that she was no longer able to maintain control of her body? He lazily smiled at her, in a provoking way. It seemed he found it amusing to torment her and make her feel uneasy. Stephanie didn't answer, slipped her wrist from his hold abruptly and started again to treat his injury, avoiding his eyes. "Well, what you want? Why are you back," she asked him. "How are you Ephie?" He ignored her questions and followed his thoughts. She looked with astonishment at him, only Jackie called her by this nickname! How did he know it? She shook her head. "Fine! Don't you see I'm fine," she responded, with an exasperated tone. Why do you torture me with your gaze? "The kid." "You mean Jackie, I suppose." Losing her control, she snapped, "She's fine. She grew up, she's studying and met a good guy, if you must know." His gaze was indecipherable. "You realized your dreams, I see." he was referring to the clinic. "Yep," Stephanie said simply. How much it had cost her, he'd never know. That conversation, being so polite with him, made her uneasy. She thought it was all a farce. "You live with someone," he asked her. "This is no concern of yours." "That is not an answer," he insisted. "Why does it matter to you, Riddick?" She looked at him. She was near the edge of losing her control. He looked at her, but dropped the subject. "What brought you here," asked Stephanie. "Have to settle a score.old matters." he said with a determined voice, attempting to look casual. "Do I know this person? Are they here?" she asked, almost without thinking of it. "Yes.it's you." She immediately brought her head up and stared at him, shocked. "You're finished," he said, looking at his bandaging. "Good job. Thank you" He slipped his forearm from her hands. "I've gotta go now. I'll send you the bill for my suit, Stephanie". He jumped down from the desk, took his coat, and vanished.