Chapter 6
I've dreamt of things so far from the horrors of my life.
Away from tragedy and pain.
The freedom that weeps within this echoless cage that is my heart.
I suppose at times I just want a single moments peace. Something to take away everything that haunts me and let me feel alive again.
How does he do it?
I find myself thinking of his lips pressing against mine, the way his strong arms pull me into his safe embrace. I beg myself to let go, to let myself fall into him.
But I can't do it.
If only he knew what deep secret lives within the darkness of my soul. How I would die if he pushed me away. I know he cares about me, but is it more?
Fucking emotions..
Jack sat at the edge of the bed tying the laces of her dark brown boots. She was focused on today's little adventure. Even thou her thoughts kept drifting back to moments earlier in the bathroom...
The way Riddick kissed her... He actually kissed her!
She couldn't shake the feeling of how she was so close to just giving in.. How close she was to telling him how she really felt.
Jack wasn't ready for that just yet, or for his reaction. It wasn't the right time. Hell she needed to know it was perfect before she make that leap. Sure she would give anything to tell him how much she truly loved him.
But what would that accomplish?
Nothing. Not a god damn thing.
So for now she'll go about the day enjoying his company, maybe they'll find out more about this rock she happened to land on. Jack was a tad bit curious why there was all this equipment lying around and no people.
It was creepy truthfully.
There was enough supplies to last the next forty years.. But where the hell is everyone?
It wasn't like there was going to be an eclipse anytime soon, and she was pretty damn sure there wasn't any hammerheads hiding in the jungle.
Jack hadn't ventured out of her building for a couple months now..
She had a bad feeling that something was out there..
Waiting deep in the jungle.. Watching her..
There was no way in hell she was going to be stupid enough to find out. Not alone anyway, but then Riddick showed up.
Jack doesn't need to worry about anyone fucking with her when he's around. As long as it's human...
If it's what she fears it is, the Hammerheads would seem more appealing..
Riddick stood at the window fully dressed in all his black attire. Except for the two shinning blades on each hip.
He was looking over the vast landscape of more buildings and abandoned equipment.
Something didn't feel right... Too many similarities here, too much like the last time..
Sevorion seemed like a huge Earth. Fucker was massive when he first approached. At least this one has water on it.. Damn thing was practically glowing blue when he saw it in orbit.
He wasn't sure how the hell he was going to find Jack, but then he remembered how much she hated the desert..
Going on a hunch, he set down near the Western Ocean. Low and behold she was in a building about a mile away from the beach.
He had contacted the holy man to find out where she'd be. Imam explained that she fled to the Trinity System. Basically a whole two galaxies away from New Mecca.
Riddick had a big enough ship, and enough fuel to last that trip and back. So he wasn't really concerned on how to get there, the real problem is what part of the planet she'd be on.
The holy man, being so good at giving advice, instructed Riddick that Jack had spoke of living by the beach, where she could watch the sunset over the ocean.
Bingo.
Riddick finally came down when the sun drifted behind him, much easier in the dark. He found his way through the old camp, pretty impressive actually. What unnerved him was the fact that he didn't see anything remotely Human.
No noises, no trash, zip.
He was getting anxious when he couldn't find Jack.. Until the breeze picked up.
Her scent swam over him putting his mind at ease. It was that slight hint of lavender mixed with femininity that made him smile. At that moment he bolted towards the last building furthest from the jungle.
Riddick had a feeling he wouldn't find her sleeping. Knowing Jack, she was more then likely wide awake.
Waiting in the darkness...
Jack stood up and stretched, letting out a loud yawn in the process. Today was going to be good, it was slightly warm with a cool sea breeze.
A great day to go hunting.
"Riddick you ready?" Jack asked as she placed her hands on her hips.
A pair of goggles peered in her direction as he slowly canted his head to the side. His hand reaching to his chin thoughtfully.
He looked her over, and damn did she look good!
A tight blood red tank top tucked into black loose fitting pants. Dark brown combat boots laced to her knee's while a pair of nasty looking shiv's criss crossed on her lower back. Her hair pulled back into a long whip of a braid swinging at her hips.
"Mmm Nice." He purred in deep breath.
Jack rolled her eyes and headed out the door. "C'mon big guy, it's time to go play outside."
Riddick watched her hips sway back and forth as she walked out and grinned.
'I could play with that all night.' The beast chimed licking it's hungry jaws.
"So could I." He replied to himself and walked out.
Jack stood in the sunlight, her eyes closed, her head back as she welcomed the warm rays of the sun. It had been a long time since she stepped foot out of that building. Damn it felt good to be outside again.
"Man it feels good out here." She murmured with a smile.
Riddick walked up to Jack and stopped. His face turning about checking the perimeter for any signs of movement.
Content in his quick view of the landscape he let a rush of cool fresh air into his powerful lungs. He held it for a moment and then let out a refreshed sigh.
"Playtime." He announced while looking to Jack with half a smile.
Jack grinned, "Indeed."
The jungle sang with life, while bird like animals soared effortlessly in the sky. It was so much like Earth, the way the jungle whispered and howled into the night.
Small creatures that resembled prehistoric birds perched themselves in high branches of looming trees. It felt like she was walking through a land of the lost.
Jack had read about Earth's ancient animals. About great lizards that roamed the land with grace and power. She was always completely fascinated by these reptilian giants. Jack had dreamed that she'd be able to see a creature like that on some uncharted planet somewhere in the universe.
That maybe there was a similar planet to Earth that had such magnificent beasts. A young child's fantasy...
Or was it?
"Damn Jack, you're actin' like you been in a cage." Riddick chuckled sarcastically as Jack sped in front of him.
"Don't start Riddick. I've been locked up in that fucking building for over three months. How would you act?" She replied while her steps slowed down so he could catch up.
Riddick stood at her side and crossed his arms. " You're askin' me? An escaped con that was locked up for the majority of his life?"
"Well then stop being an ass monkey about it and lets continue." Jack put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes, "Or am I too fast for you? Need me to slow down old man?"
Jack was clearly being a smart ass, which in turn made Riddick smile.
"Kid you seriously need to work on your communication skills." He chimed nudging her gently on the shoulder.
She shook her head and let out a soft sigh of annoyance, "You're one to talk Mister ANTI-SOCIAL himself."
A look of pure astonishment and shock fell over his face as he threw his hands dramatically to his chest.
"Oh Jack! How could you! I'm so hurt!" Riddick mused in his best corny actor impression.
Unable to control the fumes of amusement they both burst into laughter. It was just too much to see big bad act like a complete dork. Jack leaned over holding her stomach as she choked with giggles.
"God Riddick you're suck a dork."
A cheesy grin ripped at his lips, "I learn from the best." With that said he patted her mockingly on her head.
Jack's hand came up and flicked him on the nose. "Butt Munch!"
"Butt Munch???" Riddick raised both brows.
"Damn straight, Butt Munch.." Jack giggled.
"You're a trip Jack.." He laughed shaking his head.
Jack smiled up at him in the goofiest "I'm a cute little ferret" smile she could muster which caused another boom of laughter to flow passed his lips.
"Alright enough with screwing around." Jack choked through laughs, "Lets keep going and see what we kind find."
Riddick grinned while raising his arm out in front of her, "Lead the way... Butt Munch."
"Shut up!" Jack retorted with a laugh and continued walking, "Dork."
"I heard that!"
Jack walked forward ignoring him, instead of her usual back talk she merely flipped him the birdie.
"Anytime babe." Riddick cracked following close.
Jack rolled her eyes smiling as she made her way along the broken path.
Riddick smirked as he kept close behind his sexy little vixen. It was a true visual treat to watch her hips sway as she walked.
Damn that girl has got some serious curves!
He noticed how her body seemed to move through the tangle of broken branches and low shrubs as if she was preprogrammed. It was interesting how she danced along twisted paths and tight areas filled with equipment.
It was like watching a Panther prowl through the jungle.
Jack was working on pure instinct, jumping bushes and fallen timber. Graceful and powerful with little to no noise following her careful footsteps. Riddick was very impressed.
"I have to admit you got a knack for keeping me on my toes kid."
"Well I learned from the best." She smiled in his direction as they found themselves in front of a rather large shelter.
"Whoa this place is.. Fuckin' huge!"
Jack gaped while her wide eyes gazed at the massive structure. It was over three stories tall and two stories wide. This place must have held a great deal of importance at some point.
The building looked as thou it had cost a large amount of time and effort.
So why is abandoned? It could easily hold more than a hundred workers at one time. How the fuck does that many people just vanish?
"Riddick I don't like this.. There should be at least Someone still around this place." Jack spoke thoughtfully with a hint of fear in her words.
"It doesn't add up."
"You got a point." He replied as they both scanned the building for any movement. No surprise when they didn't detect anything.
"I think we she keep our eyes open. Just incase someone is still alive." She murmured taking a step forward, only to be stopped short by a hand to her shoulder.
"Not yet."
Riddick kept his eyes on the building, "Lets check out the site first before we head into that place. We don't know what's out here."
CRASH!
The jungle suddenly went quiet..
Too quiet...
Riddick felt the fine hairs of his back rise in unison. He turned his covered eyes to Jack and saw she was having the same reaction.
Not good...
There were no need for words to see the unspoken understanding towards each other. Something was out there, and there was no way in hell they were going to stand there waiting for it to show itself.
In a flash Jack pulled Riddick to a nearby tree. He almost had a hard time keeping up with the little wildcat as she flew up the tangled branches. Her body whipped back and forth through threatening arms of the massive tree.
Riddick kept close behind her until she found a good hiding spot within the safety of drooping leaves.
Every muscle, every fiber of their adrenaline charged bodies pulsed with anticipation as they sat in silence. Blood ignited with liquid fire as their hearts pounded in a fury of power. It was as thou they had become one deadly predator, sitting a good forty feet above the ground.
'Where the fuck is it?' Jack growled impatiently as her hands unconsciously gripped the holsters of her shiv's.
'C'mon lets see how big you really are.' Riddick's beast cackled excitedly.
Nothing moved, not a single creature stirred as if an unknown presence threatened to erase their very existence. This wasn't helping Jack or Riddick while they continued to sit in silent anticipation.
ROAR!
"Fuck." They uttered in unison.
A blood curdling roar echoed passed the other side of the building.. It's strength alone shook the very branches of the tree that held Jack and Riddick.
Slowly two huge talon clawed feet slipped into view. As if emerging from the very mouth of hell, it appeared in all it's deadly glory.
It took its time prowling its way passed the edge of the huge structure that seemed to dwarf in comparison.
Jack held back the gasp of excitement and horror as she recognized the giant predator.
She watched in utter amazement as it towered seventeen feet above the ground. A head filled with nine inch long bone crushing teeth turned slowly about it's forty-three foot long body.
Seven tons of pure unbridled strength on two powerful hind legs.
Riddick narrowed his eyes at the beast and turned his curious gaze to Jack. She was completely lit up! It looked as thou she had morphed into an excited little kid left to run rampant in a candy store.
'Oh my god!' She thought as a huge smile took over her intense eyes. 'A DINOSAUR!'
"Fuckin awesome!" Jack whispered excitedly to Riddick who continued looking at her as if a giant question mark was floating above his head.
"You're what hurts?" His voice a soft growl of sarcasm.
"You know those big flesh eating lizards that roamed Earth?"
"You sayin' this thing is a fuckin' dinosaur?"
"Yes!" She squeaked nearly giving away their position. "You've heard of a Tyrannosaurus Rex right?"
Riddick just gave her that look of, 'Do I look like an idiot?'
"So this thing is a T Rex?"
"No.. It's bigger and nastier.. It's a Giganotosaurus.. It basically has three more feet in length and in height. And out weighs the Tyrannosaurus by about a ton."
Riddick found himself once again... Speechless.
"That must mean there's more around here." Riddick whispered thoughtfully.
"I doubt it, these carnivores are solitary hunters. And if there's this kind of meat eater then that means.." Jack trailed off as a look of horror devoured her face.
"What is it Ja.." Riddick was cut off by a chorus of roar like howls coming from the jungle beneath them.
They watched in amazement as a pack of smaller feathered meat eaters flew out from the confines of the canopy. Communicating in a mixture of clicks and guttural sounds the strange bird like creatures swarmed around the Giant dinosaur.
It lowered it's massive head and let out a spine chilling roar of rage, causing Riddick and Jack to cover their ears.
Suddenly the branch that held them safely above the brutal scene gave way...
Branches swung out towards them softening their fall as they tumbled helplessly to the earth.
Finally they hit the ground with a loud THUD.
Dazed and out of sorts Jack stood up only to have Riddick's hand cover her mouth from the scream that threatened to escape.
The smaller predators had stopped in their tracks and turned towards the noise. Leaving an opening of attack for the larger dinosaur.
A howl of pain bellowed out of one of the smaller creatures as the Giganotosaurus clamped its bone crushing jaws around its body and brought it into the air.
Like a Killer Whale playing with its food it whipped it's head back and forth. Streams of blood spilled out like crimson rain as it ripped the screaming Raptor to a heap of dangling flesh and feathers.
The snarling beast dropped the lifeless carcass to the ground. Bringing it's head up slowly, it glared with sadistic pleasure as ripples of blood oozed passed its menacing grin.
Without warning, the twenty enraged smaller dinosaurs lunged at the beast, taking it by surprise.
Riddick and Jack stood back and watched the bloody battle between the Pack and the huge killer. It was thrilling to be so dangerously close.
A true honor to bare witness to pure instinct at it's finest.
"Beautiful.." Riddick murmured with a delightful expression on his face. Meanwhile Jack's eyes nearly fell out of her head as the Pack tore the living shit out of the larger dinosaur.
Avenging the death of their pack mate, they showed no mercy as they left gaping wounds throughout it's bleeding form.
Tendons and soft tissue dangled from shredded flesh as razor sharp claws and dagger like teeth slashed away at the Giganotosaurus.
Riddick noticed the deadly fourteen inch razor like claw that set high on each hind leg, as they continued to overwhelm the beast in a swarm of rage.
Within moments the Giganotosaurus let out a howl of defeat and collapsed to the earth. A loud boom followed as a small quake caused the ground to tremble beneath them.
Triumphant clicks and roars echoed into the silent jungle as the pack claimed their prize.
Before Riddick could pull Jack away from the gory scene he was stopped short.
The largest Raptor of the pack jumped forward. It's large emerald eyes peering curiously at these strange creatures that stood a mere twelve feet away.
"Don't move." Jack instructed in a low voice.
"It's a Mega Raptor.... Very intelligent.. Whatever you do, don't run."
Riddick nodded slowly and kept his eyes on the approaching dinosaur.
'Stay calm Jack... Don't fuck this up.' Her mind trembled as the ten foot tall raptor stood before them.
It bobbed it's brilliantly colored head at Jack and then turned its gaze to Riddick.
Deep green and blue fur like feathers blended beautifully throughout it's well defined body. A single blood red stripe engulfed it's inquisitive face as it leaned towards Jack. It pressed it's nose against her face taking deep breaths.
It was taking in her scent...
To Riddick's surprise Jack stayed completely still, allowing this extremely deadly predator take it's time checking her out. It found it's way to her wrists and stopped only to inhale deeply.
Suddenly it shot up and let out a low clicking growl.
'Shit it knows she's wounded.' Riddick growled inside letting his hands slip unnoticed to his shiv's.
"No.." Jack whispered never leaving the raptors gaze.
Riddick wasn't going to let Jack get ripped apart by this oversized chicken.
It did NOT know who it was fucking with.
But Jack sensed something he hadn't.. She showed no fear as the Mega-Raptor seemed to be speaking to her...
Riddick turned his eyes quickly as Jack mimicked the raptors growling clicks. And watched dumbfounded as the raptor took one look at her and walked off...
"Lets go." Jack announced pulling Riddick into the jungle.
No words were spoken until they reached the safety of mining camp.
Jack let out a sigh of relief.
"Oh my god you should see the look on your face!" She laughed nearly falling over.
"I'm glad you find this amusing." Riddick growled.
"Oh come on big guy. We just ran into dinosaurs! Doesn't that excite you?"
Bringing a hand to his face he wiped away some small traces of dirt from their fall. "Not when it comes to life or death."
Jack raised an inquisitive brow.
"Why so concerned Riddick? I thought you got off on that kind of shit."
"You're right Jack, most days I would. But just then? No, that thing got too close to you. And I'm not going to risk having one of those fucking oversized birds trying to hurt you."
"Not without one hell of a fight." Jack chimed crossing her arms.
Riddick growled impatiently, "Were you even paying attention to what happened back there? Those things, mega.. Chickens took down that fucker in a matter of minutes."
"Your point?" She snapped tilting her head to the side as if bored.
Riddick clenched his teeth and sighed. His steel like patience now a wavering thread. Jack was seriously getting on his last nerve and he wasn't about to try talking any sense into her.
Damn woman has the hide of a stubborn bull.
Jack waited for an answer while tapping a nervous foot on the ground.
"I'm not wasting another breath on this." He grumbled, turned on his heel and headed towards the front of the building.
"What the fuck Riddick?" Jack was letting some of her anger slip as she grabbed the side of his massive arm.
"Don't walk away from me."
Slowly his body shifted, his head turning towards her. Glancing down at her hand and then back to her eyes.
"Let go." A low growl slithering through his teeth.
"No." Her small hand squeezed his tensed muscle to make her point.
Reaching over with his free hand, he took her wrist and with no effort pushed it away.
"Don't test me."
Jack didn't know what was going through his head. All she could do was get a reaction out of him, at least is was some indication of what he might be thinking.
"I'm not testing you." She stated calmly looking up at him, "Why are you acting weird?."
"Acting weird?" He repeated turning his body into her.
"Yea." She responded while crossing her arms once more.
Annoyed Riddick smirked and walked away, he wasn't about to let her pester him to the point of no return. She was his girl but damn did she pick him a part.
"God damn it Riddick!" Jack shouted as she leapt forward cutting him off at the door.
"Don't fucking ignore me."
Cool and silent he passed her with ease, leaving a dumbfounded Jack at the doorway.
"Son-of-a-bitch!"
Extremely pissed she slammed the door so hard just about anything within two miles could hear it. Jack was not about to be treated like she was invisible.
No way in hell. If he thought he could just shut her out he had another thing coming.
Making her way swiftly through the house she found herself at her bedroom door. It was wide open, leaving small streams of light to dance into the shadow filled room. Hands held in tight fists, small beads of sweat slid down her cheeks.
Jack stepped in darkness to find Riddick waiting for her....
He sat on the edge of the bed with his hands held firmly on his thighs. His piercing gaze followed her every move as she carefully inched her way back into the room. Not a single word whispered from his calm lips. Just an eerie silence that seemed to choke any humor from the cool air.
Jack shivered at the feeling of his cold eyes peering into her like a thousand hissing snakes ready to strike. If it wasn't bad enough he was waiting for her, without his shirt.
"Come here."
His low growl filled the silence and danced in her mind. Taking a deep breath she made her way to the bed and stopped a foot in front of him.
Riddick could see the fire burning behind her eyes, he could smell the anger that flowed from her pores. He knew she was pissed, and damn was it sweet.
"Closer." His come hither voice continued to pull her forward.
Jack knew he was going to try something, what exactly? She had no fucking clue. She just knew that it was going to end with some well earned bruises.
As soon as she inched one step closer he had her snatched in his powerful grasp. A meek growl escaped her as he tossed her onto the bed. Jack squirmed under his massive weight while he pinned her firmly underneath him.
"Don't fight, you know you want to submit baby."
"Let go of me." She snapped.
"You keep actin' up, the more I restrain you. Unless you're into that kind of kink." Riddick purred brushing his lips along her chin.
A deep pounding flooded her veins with liquid fire. Burning through every muscle, seeping into every inch of her skin, begging for that moment of release. That intoxicating need to let go.
Jack whipped her head forward, slamming her forehead like a battering ram into his skull. Dazed he fell to the side, blinking in disbelief.
Seeing an opening for escape she slipped away from him and rolled onto the floor with a THUD. Every joint ached as she struggled to push herself onto her feet.
But to her dismay a very pissed off Riddick had jumped off the bed and landed hard on top of her, causing her to fall back onto the hard floor. Rage wasn't even close to what was boiling through his body.
He was ready to kill.
"GET OFF!" Jack screamed with everything she had.
Riddick ripped his goggles off and flashed a gaze of liquid insanity. Taking both arms in his hands he lifted her up only to send her crashing into the wooden floor.
Jack's head fell back with a sick crack while a small trickle of blood began to seep from the back of her skull.
A look of pure shock filled her half closed eyes as she slipped into sweet unconsciousness. Surrounded in gentle darkness she welcomed the empty dreams that would follow.
A hot wire snapped in the back of Riddick's mind bringing him back to humanity. He could feel a knot of disgust and overwhelming guilt fill his soul at the realization of what he'd done.
"Jack! Jack!" He roared in desperation as he shook her now lifeless body.
"FUCK! No Jack! Not like this!"
Scooping her into his arms he brought her to the bed and grabbed his bag from the floor. His gaze fell to the spot she had been lying at and felt his heart scream in agony at the small pool of blood that shined crimson against the old wood.
Riddick didn't hesitate to close the small rip at the back of her head. His hands swiftly bandaged the threatening river of blood that begged to be released.
"Jack, c'mon baby wake up." He pleaded wiping her face with his hand. Her breathing was soft and steady, but she wasn't responding.
"Damn it woman wake up!" Riddick could feel the fear welding up in his spine, he wasn't about to lose her.
Suddenly her lids began to flutter open. Dazed eyes looked into his worried face.
He didn't speak, he let the waves of relief calm his mind as he pulled her closer.
"Jack.. I'm so sorry baby."
Jack felt groggy, until the tremendous pain echoed in the edge of her mind causing her snap wide awake.
"What...?" She trailed off in a weak voice.
Her mind began to replay the moments from before. In a fit of rage she shot up and back handed him across the face with every ounce of strength she could summon.
"Get the fuck away from me!" Jack was fuming as she punched into his massive chest.
Riddick didn't budge, he held onto her as she continued to pound into his strong muscles. After a five minutes of relentless anger Jack finally gave up and leaned unto his embrace panting.
No matter how angry she got, there was no way she was going to win. But Jack would be damned if she didn't at least try.
"You asshole." She growled in a frustrated voice defeat.
"You have to stop pulling that shit Jack." Gentle words came from his full lips.
"You need to fucking control that temper Riddick!"
A deep sigh escaped his lips as he looked down into her sparkling gaze. Yes she was a wildcat and he was going to have to adjust to it.
Or he would end up killing the very thing that gave him the need to live.
If there was one thing in this fucked up life worth living for, it was her.
"Riddick.." Jack grumbled softly while shifting herself into a sitting position.
"Hey kid." Soothing words enveloped themselves around her soul causing all worries to vanish into thin air.
Sighing softly she put a hand to his cheek, "How are we going to stay side by side if we end up killing each other first?"
She looked tenderly into his luminescent gaze with a sweetness that could hush the wildest of storms.
Something about the way she sat there, the way her hand gently brushed against his smooth skin.
It felt... Good.
As if it was meant to happen, as if they were supposed to end up in this moment.
Just Riddick and Jack, alone in the farthest galaxy away from anything that could pull them a part.
They were finally free...
