Mac looked up at the sky. She'd scavenged farther the usual today and was almost to The Divide, the stretch of land that ran along the border of the wasteland she called home and the slums of the City.

"Damn!"

She snarled as twin forks of lightning split the gray-black sky. It was winter, or what should have been winter, though on Serenity it was pretty much winter all year round. The weather had been the first thing to go.

*Not that anyone was surprised* Mac mused.

*Having countless weapons shoved up your arse and then exploded would have that effect on anything*

That's how the City had got its description. The rain was torrential in its ferocity and it was anyone's guess how long it would last, half an hour? Half a day? Half a year? Another fork of lightning split the sky, followed by the crack of thunder. Mac cursed and took off at a sprint, dodging twisted bits of metal and busted masonry.

Crouched in the entrance of the tunnel Mac seethed; she had just beaten the downfall and cursed her stupidity for having been caught in a situation she could not control. Visibility was less than zero; all that could be seen was a gray-brown wall of pelting water. With a growl she turned and moved deeper into the tunnel systems.

There was a soft beep as the electronic security system accepted her codes. With an impatient sigh Mac pressed her palm to the screen and looked at an invisible spot set at eyelevel on the door. She waited soundlessly as the equipment processed both her fingerprints and retina ID. The door opened soundlessly and Mac stalked across the threshold. She dropped the bag that held her day's pickings and entered the central chamber of the shelter.

Before Mac had moved in this had been a dwelling for sewer workers. It had a main chamber and five anti-chambers, though three had collapsed from explosions above the surface. The two that remained were a sleeping chamber and a small cooking alcove. Mac prowled through all the rooms checking to see if anything had been disturbed.

Satisfied that all was well she settled herself in the central chamber and set about cleaning her knives. With the weather like it was it didn't take long for a blade to rust, and on the streets a damaged weapon could mean the difference between walking away, and leaving in a body bag.

Imam briefly squeezed Jacks shoulder as he stepped onto the boarding ramp of the carrier that would take him to New Mecca. It wasn't a luxury one by anyone's standards, but it would get there. Hopefully in fewer pieces then the last transport Imam was on.

"Good luck."

Jack whispered fighting back tears. Imam smiled and handed her a folded piece of paper.

"On this is the address of a safe place to stay until the skiff is repaired."

Jack turned to go but Imam laid a restraining hand on her shoulder.

"Be careful little one. The universe is a dangerous place." He smiled.

"I trust Mr. Riddick to protect you, but you must also help him, for he has found his humanity after many years adrift and it will be painful for him to face himself and some of the things he has done. You must aid him as much as possible."

And with that he walked into the carrier. Jack backed away as a mechanical voice instructed people in the surrounding area that the carrier was about to take off.

"Hey kid."

Riddick said coming up soundlessly behind her.

"How you holding up?"

"I'm fine. Imam said to give you this, said it was a safe house or something."

She muttered turning to head back to the skiff. For all the brave words that she had said to Riddick, she was scared.

*God I hope I don't have to run from him. 'Cause I don't think I could escape*

A tear rolled silently down her cheek.

*So much for being strong in the face of adversity*

Jack thought with bitter humor.

"We better get back to the skiff, pack up, and then head towards this safe house."

Riddick looked at the address scribbled on the scrap of paper Jack had given him with suspicion.

"The Brothers of Light, Abbey, great, religious freaks, just my luck."

Jack ignored Riddick's obvious lack of enthusiasm.

"Let's go, maybe they'll feed us and,"

Jack shivered through her gore soaked shirts, though they had long since dried

"Give us some clean clothes."

She lifted her arm and smelt the fabric.

"Yuck! Even dead those things are dangerous."