Dark Shadows

Ch. 5

She nibbled on a piece of toast and watched him scarf down three plates of food. She didn't know what to think of him. Kyra had told her that Riddick was a convict, a murderer, and her savior. She'd also said that he'd abandoned her at the first opportunity. But he seemed to have had genuine feelings for her. Now he was the ruler of an empire. And she didn't know why she was still there.

"That all you're gonna eat?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

She nodded.

"Back to not talking, huh?"

She didn't answer.

"Well," he said, getting up from the table, "I've got some stuff to do, I'll be back in a few hours."

What's this? she thought, he's not kicking me out yet?

He paused when he reached the door.

"And I've taked care of all the blades. So don't bother looking."

Riddick found his thoughts returning to Li throughout the day. He had probably gotten all the information he was going to get from her. So, why hadn't he just thrown her back on the streets? Was it because she had been Kyra's friend? She had been the only person that had ever really meant anything to him, the only person he would have sacrificed himself to save. If only that had been an option.

But Li was nothing like Kyra. Kyra had been strong, always had to have her way. Li was possibly the weakest person he had ever known. She was like the letter in his pocket, worn and without purpose. She was young, couldn't be more than 24, yet she had no will to live. If anything she was leaning in the other direction.

People like that had always disgusted him. You have to look-out for yourself first and foremost. That had to be top priority. But it wasn't with this girl. And somehow he wasn't disgusted.