Chapter Five
Kyra's POV
He did know where you were. All that time. He knew. I want to go back. I want to see him again. At least I think I do.
Imam is a good man, the kind of man that does what he says and keeps his word. A lot like you Riddick, only different. Not a killer. I'm smiling as I remember Imam. Imam, the Holy Man. The only one who wanted me. I couldn't be the daughter he wanted. I was glad when he married and had a child. Zeza. Always thought it was funny, naming her that. He said it was after Zeke and Shazza, so that they would not be forgotten. How touching, Holy Man. The first two to be killed by the creatures.
I'm walking through the ship. Where you hiding Riddick?
"Light's, 41." I can't help it, really.
"40 ," a low voice says directly behind me.
I turn around. You're smiling at me. I get it. You think I heard you behind me, and that's why I said 41. Well, you'd be disappointed if you knew, baldy.
"You still have stubble."
"Humph," you snort still staring me in the eyes.
"I could shave you." You snort again. Animalistic, I know, but you're Riddick and it suits you.
"Shave me or skin me?"
"Both," I shrug, "your choice."
You're laughing now.
Riddick's POV
Skin me? Like you would get that close. But you want to shave me. Interesting. It's not a good idea, giving you a blade. We'll see how good you are close up at using a blade, the animal inside argues. I rub my head. Its been a long time.
"Okay." I head to the bathroom.
"Sit," you command.
I sit on the toilet seat, with the lid down. You pick up the soap and lather my head, face and throat.
"Don't move, Riddick."
Why the fuck would I do that?
"No shit, Kyra."
You start shaving my head first.
"I want to go back."
"To slam?" I'm confused.
"To Imam. I need to see him again. Shit Riddick, I told you not to move."
I'm bleeding a little. You cut me.
"My fault." Now that's definitely new, admitting I was wrong. It came out so fast I couldn't take it back. Not that I would have, not when I was admitting it to her.
"No shit, Riddick."
You continue to shave me. I keep still. This time I'm prepared.
"Can we contact him? I mean, is his home still able to receive calls." She pauses. "I know it's too risky. I want to though. That counts. Guess Jack is still a part of me after –"
You hesitated. That's what this is all about. Jack. Her. You're scared that because Jack is still a part of you, that you're weak. Pick a persona, woman. If you're Jack, be her, if not, be Kyra. You can't be both. I liked Jack, a lot, but I –
I have to tell her now. It can't wait any longer.
"Imam's dead."
Her hands falter, only for a second. It's better that I had said that while she was occupied with something else.
"Keep going, Kyra. You're not finished yet."
There's no emotion in my words. Never let another see you with your guard down. That only breeds weakness, even when that other is you, Kyra. We can't afford to be weak, the animal reinforces.
She's silent. Fuck. Her eyes are teary. New you'd cry over him. Never thought you'd do it in front of me. I know that you're holding back the tears. I like that. Suck it up. Everyone dies eventually. Imam went quickly. A lot of thoughts are going through your mind. I wait.
"Did you…get him?"
"Did I kill Imam? No, you've got the wrong guy." I knew she had to ask. No hatred toward her there. Actually, I was expecting the question. She must have found the anonymous 1.5 payday on my head and knew that it could only have been from Imam.
"No, Riddick. Did you get the guy who killed Imam?"
So, she had that much faith in me to know that I couldn't kill Imam. Couldn't and wouldn't. Interesting. My mind moves in another direction. Of course she would know that Imam was killed by a Necro. They invaded the planet after all. It's the only thing that makes sense.
"I shived him." Let her imagine the details herself. I'm sure she needs no picture. She only nods. More silence as she shaves my face. Her hands are light and her strokes smooth. The blade becomes an extension of her hand. Like me, the animal thinks.
"Good," you say. You're trying to be like me, unemotional. You're failing miserably at it.
"Finish shaving yourself Riddick," you say softly.
"No." I grab your hands as you attempt to move. "Always finish what you start, Kyra."
I won't let you run like that. Not to cry, even if it is for him. You can cry later, for the both of us. I look you in the eyes. There's anger and hate there. Good. That will keep you alive. I can't have you wallowing. I'm being a hardass again.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't save him too." I'm shocked. I hear the words and recognize that I have said them. I'm getting soft, too soft.
I stiffen as you put your arms around me. I don't like hugging. It makes me uncomfortable. I invade other people's personal space, not the other way around. But here you are, hugging me. I put my arms around you, and come to the dim realization that I'm hugging you in a bathroom, with half my face shaved.
"Are you going to finish shaving me now?"
I hear you snort. That's a good sign.
"Yeah Riddick. Have to finish what I started, right?"
Your voice is chocked full of emotion. I sigh as I sit down and tilt my head back, exposing my throat to you. You'll recognize it for what it is, right? A sign of total submission.
Kyra's POV
He's sitting there all calm while I'm a wreck. Imam is dead. Gone. Riddick and I are now the only survivors from the crash. Imam, the perfect Holy Man. You're with your God now, Holy Man. I want to cry, but not in front of you Riddick. I can't unravel, not after trying so hard to perfect Kyra. My hands are a little shaky. I won't cut you again, you'll have to move before I do that.
Later, Imam. I can think about you later. You're gone and nothing is going to change that. Your wife and kid are better off without us. Riddick and I, that is. Later. I'll think about you later. I'll cry for you Imam, but that will come later. I'll cry for both Riddick and I, because I know that he won't.