Chapter Eight

Riddick's POV

So that's your story kid. Woman, the animal in me enforces. Womanhood, the age where a girl –

No! Don't you go there, shit for brains. Womanhood. I look at the monitor. Damm. If I read this before I met you Kyra, I don't know if we could ever be family now. I know your Uncle, though I never knew his name. I met him in slam. A Psycho with a Degree is what we called him. I glance back at the monitor. The video screen to my right is blinking with an incoming message. Who would be calling me?

On the Monitors Screen

Dr. Jordan Taylor, who was charged with child molestation, illegal testing of the drug Aquatol and the murder of Carly Torrence, pending the results of a full investigation, was acquitted of all changes yesterday. When asked of his newfound freedom Taylor is quoted as saying: "I never thought I would be here, charged with something as heinous as the charges of child molestation, illegal testing, and murder. I'm a great scientist, a good husband, an important citizen of this community…everything has changed for me. I have changed. I will have to learn to be more careful now, with my patients' welfare, of course. People's attitudes towards me and towards my practice will never be the as they were before this occurrence. My reputation is ruined and I can't get it back. I will have to move on delicately."

The drug Aquatol is an illegal drug because of its affect on the human mind. Aquatol is a water based substance with the unique ability to alter a person's perception and attitudes. It is either injected directly into the blood stream for the full effect, or ingested for a lesser effect. Aquatol affects the part of the brain where free-will occurs, and by doing so, causes free-will to be controlled by another. Aquatol leaves the system within twenty-four hours, so the autopsy of Torrence, who was found just three days after her abduction and murder, could not prove or refute the existence of the drug in her blood stream.

The character witness in the case against Taylor, was discredited as she perjured herself on the stand. The character witness, whose name cannot be disclosed because she is a minor, is the cousin of the murdered girl; she perjured herself by admitting that she did not know for certain if Taylor used Aquatol on her cousin, but strong suspected it. This fact contradicts her previous written statement to authorities that she saw Taylor administer the drug in question to Torrence.

Riddick's POV

I open the channel to the video screen. It's Hayden.

"You overpaid me, you stupid son of a bitch!"

I laugh. Only Hayden would be able to track me down in my own ship and contact me. He got through the defences to quickly. I have to make them stronger.

"What do you want old man?"

"Old Man, humph. Old man he says…" Stay on track Old Man.

"What, specifically, do you want Hayden?"

"You overpaid me."

I'm tired of conversations I don't control or understand. "And?"

"And you overpaid me…and the misses thinks you're a saint…and she wants me to thank your ass…and since I won't do that, thought I'd be pissed at you for what you put me through."

"Thinking only of yourself again, 'Den?"

"You would too if you saw how upset she is for taking you're…hard earned money?" I can hear the laughter in your voice. Hard earned. Never though of it that way.

"Specifics 'Den, what do you need?"

"A favour."

"And it is?"

"I need more money."

I nod. I won't ever ask you what it's for. Never you Hayden. "How much?"

"I need the money to pay for Joannie's flight school. She's going to be a –"

"Don't need those specifics Hayden." I growl out. You're wasting my time Hayden.

"100 large should cover it."

"I'll be there."

"Yo kid, you okay?"

I smirk at the kid comment. 20 years your junior and I'm a kid? I'm thinking on your question. You've never asked me that before. Never. Why now? I just keep staring at the screen, not even bothering to answer.

"Rich, you look even darker than I ever saw you in slam."

Any other day, and that would be a compliment, the animal inside points out.

Do I get you involved? Never came up against this before, but I seem to be doing it a lot. Second-guessing myself is weakening me.

"Hayden, do you remember Psycho with a Degree?"

There's a huge prolonged silence. "Yeah Richard, I remember him."

"He's after me, and her." I don't know why I have to keep your identity a secret Kyra. I just know that I have to always protect you. I smirk, inwardly. Protect you from Hayden.

"Specifics?" Your tone is all together different now, more serious.

"He's her uncle. She thinks we killed him today when some shitty merc ship showed up. It's in pieces now." I know my eyes must be glowing when I say this. Have to be careful, don't have my goggles on. Hayden can actually see me. "You remember how Psycho with a Degree thinks? Like me. There's no way he was on that ship. He's on some planet safely behind his armoured walls." I know I'm growling now.

"You have a problem Riddick, and I know how you want to handle it. What do you need?"

I pause, thinking. "I don't know."

"WHAT? You don't know. Psycho with a Degree is hunting again and you have no plan. Shit. He's hunting, Riddick. He's hunting and it's you he's hunting."

There is more silence. I have to prepare Kyra for him. He'll hunt us down now. I look over and change co-ordinates. Can't simply go to the planet now. He'll find us. He won't come alone. I scowl as I begin to form a plan.

"Riddick, does she care for him?" Does she?

"No." She may, but she won't after we talk.

"Good, that'll make it easier for her."

"Easier for both of us."

"There's an 'us' now?" You dare to chuckle at me? Interesting.

I merely growl at your question. You only laugh louder.

"You going to tell me about her?"

"No."

I know we are thinking about two different topics now. I'm trying to assemble a plan. You're trying to play gossip manager for that wife of yours. You're smart though, Hayden, you'll know to leave it alone.

"Alright Kid, you harbour those dark secrets of yours, once again. When I come calling, I want to hear about her. Kid, when you need me…leave a message. Oh, and Riddick?"

I know what you're going to say.

"I hope to wake up one morning to hear that you're dead." You wink at me while I nod. You always say that. If you hear that I'm dead you'll finally be able to relax. All our past demons will have been silenced and you can live your life without constant fear. That's my promise to you.

Now with Kyra. I look over the article on the monitor again. Psycho with the Degree and his choice of words. No Kyra, I don't think he's dead, but how to tell you that without you wanting revenge. I'm reading between the lines, just like you told us to Psycho, and I'm finding some interesting things. Maybe a conversation with Kyra won't hurt…hurt me to much that is.