Chapter 13 – Samantha
After a short while they arrive opposite an apartment building still hiding in the shadows. Lina hesitates to move in.
"What's the problem?" Riddick asks.
"What if they've gotten to her?" She replies suddenly doubtful and unsure.
Riddick remains silent uncertain of how to answer.
A man laughs which is followed by a small girl's giggle. Lina straightens out and looks around the corner.
A sense of joy fills her heart and she steps out into the open calling out, "Sam!"
The little girl looks and sees her mommy holding out her arms.
The girl lets go of her dad's hand and runs up to Lina.
They embrace and Lina retracts them back into the shadows but not before giving the other man an acknowledging glance.
Riddick watches the other man as he continues on into the apartment - alone.
"What's that all about?" Riddick enquires. Lina stands holding Sam who gives a small wave in Riddicks direction before burring her head in her mother's shoulder.
"I'll explain later." She replies. "Let's go. Don't want to cause him any more grief by leading the company here."
"Back to the Skiv?" Riddick enquires.
"No. I have a hanger nearby. This day has been forthcoming."
Lina accesses the hanger with her unique code and orders the lights on. She heads straight for a small crate and sits down.
Just as I left it.
"Samantha sweetie." She begins and the girl looks up.
"It's okay mommy, daddy told me." She quaintly replies. "And I won't cry, promise." She continues.
Lina hugs Sam and brushes the girl's long curly dark hair back. "You're very brave." She states.
In the meantime, Riddick opens the craft and steps in.
So what's stopping me from just leaving. Well maintained craft, stocked for a long journey. You got what you wanted…
Riddick looks back at Lina grooming her daughter and cringes before holding out his hand.
"You coming or what." He growls.
Sam clings to her mother as they board the ship. Lina seats herself down on the co-pilot seat and straps herself and Sam in.
Riddicks starts the engines and checks that all cells are online and okay. He hits the remote button for the hanger doors to open but it shorts and the words 'malfunction' flash on the screen.
"Hello." He comments. Nice to know they checked the craft now and again but did they ever think to check the doors.
Riddick powers down and exits the ship. He examines the manual override which is so rusted, that it refuses to budge.
Lina and Sam soon join him as he tries to slide them open himself.
"Stand back Riddick." Lina orders and looks to Sam who is still clenched in her mother's arms. "Let's open those doors shall we?"
Riddick backs away and watches with intrigue. Sam nestles her cheek against her mother's chest and stares without blinking at the doors. Lina raises her hand and the doors begin to open.
Once fully open, Riddick walks past them on his way back to the craft and comments, "Nice trick."
Never questioned before but now I'm being to get freaked out – and it takes a lot to freak me out. Alone she was an uncanny force I could handle if it came to that. Who knows what they're capable of together.