Chapter eight

Riddick denied himself rest, he needed to keep his senses alert. The enclosed space, his Bastille, was mental torture. He couldn't walk more than a couple of paces and the beast in him yearned to prowl. He was thankful that the one light he had seemed not to be functioning. He preferred the dark; the fuckers wouldn't see death coming until the Reaper was upon them and then it would be too late.

They knew about Imam and now they know about Karla. What would become of them he wondered idly? The Necha were experts in their field, they would find them soon. Riddick considered their limited options, they would be foolish to fight, the Necha outnumbered them and knew the city intimately they would be safe from no one and would have no place to hide. The people of Solaris Prime feared the Necha almost as much as they feared Riddick and now they had the biggest weapon of all Riddick feared; the Necha had the element of surprise.

Allowing frustration to take hold as he envisioned their bloody deaths Riddick tilted his head upwards to permit a primal roar spill from his twisted, snarling lips. It was agony indeed not knowing their fate, this is why he preferred to travel alone, when you were alone you had no one to worry about except yourself, no one to think about, no one to…care about and as much as he wanted to run from the fire that chased him he could not deny that he cared about their fate. The feeling had hunted him for days and he had almost slipped on its slick surface several times, each time he had managed to pull himself back from the brink but now, with time to think and reflect and prophesise he understood what it was to care, what it was to feel in the pit of your stomach the sudden realisation that it might be too little too late. His internal confession only served his torment and fed his hungry inner demons, his hands were tied literally, all he could do was hope that the fate of his comrades, his friends was swift and painless. Closing his eyes to deny the tears exit he succumbed to the theory that he would never see Imam or Karla alive again.

Gabriel could not get this woman out of his head. Her image was engraved within him, her eyes, how he would love to have those eyes on him, to feel her squirm beneath him as he slipped the handcuffs onto her wrists. She would be a trophy indeed, one to display for all to see. She had spirit but he would break her and she would obey him eventually; he was sure his methods of persuasion would win out. He slowly slipped on a pair on black leather gloves and clenched his fists enjoying the feel of the tight animal skin against his knuckles.

Riddick would know where they were, the thought crossed his mind quickly before he summoned several of the strongest men at the Pit.

"Riddick knows where the girl is, we find the girl we find Sunfussa Delai not to mention a half million credit bounty should we choose to turn them over to this Larendaron guy."

"Why wouldn't we turn them over?" one of the Necha asked.

"Riddick is a fighter, a killer, we could make a handsome profit off his ass if we enter him into the contest. The woman, his mate I presume, also a very talented and able individual though her talents would be best served out of the arena." The men understood only too well what Gabriel was suggesting and offered nods and grins of acknowledgement. "But Sunfussa Delai we break him, tear him apart."

Gabriel smiled a twisted thin lipped smile and bared his teeth "Bring me Riddick. I want to ask him a few…questions."

The Necha guards acted quickly unlocking the cell and leading Riddick out by the chain which was attached to his cuffs. They pushed him forward making him stumble but he managed to keep his footing. He stole Gabriel's gaze defiantly boring a hole through the brash exterior hoping to see what it was that made him tick, what buttons could be pushed what lines would he allow Riddick to cross? But Gabriel guarded himself well against the Furian not letting the faintest glimmer of hope or reasons escape his expression. Gabriel knew that should he falter, if he were to slip he would never be able to claim his prize.

He circled Riddick clasping his hands behind his back and clipping the heel of his boots on the damp concrete.

"Richard B Riddick" He announced. "What does the B stand for?"

Riddick didn't answer; he remained standing perfectly still staring straight ahead.

"Bad Ass maybe, Butcher, Barbarian…which one of those would suit you the best?"

Again Riddick didn't answer; once more his eyes stared straight ahead unblinking.

"Or, could it be Bastard?" Gabriel stood inches away from Riddick his face he dared to move within an inch of Riddicks stony features. Gabriel had hoped to get a rise from his captive; he wanted, no, he needed an excuse to get physical. He could unleash a whole world of pain on Riddick should he choose.

"Because I know you have no father so a Bastard you must be." Gabriel smiled as he heard the faint chinking of the chains which bound Riddick. Slowly he nodded "So, I will refer to you as Bastard and you shall address me as sir, am I understood?" he asked. Riddick shifted his gaze from an imaginary spot on the wall to the face which had invaded his personal space. Gabriel placed an open palm to his right ear. "I can't hear you" he sang in a mocking tone.

Riddick did not consider himself a dancing pony, he was not a circus attraction and did not perform on command. Gabriel watched as Riddick tilted his head to the side slightly almost inquisitively before throwing his whole force behind a head-butt catching Gabriel on his nose. A sickening crunch of bone echoed throughout the large room Gabriel took a step backwards and bent at the waist; blood began to spill from his cupped hands as he held his agony filled face.

A guard used the butt of his rifle on the back of Riddicks knee forcing him to kneel.

Gabriel stood straight, took two long purposeful strides towards a kneeling Riddick before offering all his body weight behind an uppercut sending the cuffed captive sprawling onto his back. Gabriel wiped the blood from his face on the black sleeve of his long coat. Riddick rolled onto his side and in one swift, graceful movement rose to one knee then to a standing position

"You! are in a very precarious position Riddick" Gabriel spat.

Riddick looked down at his feet and rocked back on his heels with a shrug.

"Seems to me that I am exactly where I want to be." He rumbled slowly, keeping the beast in check.

"Do not fuck with me." Gabriel shot back his eyes blazing with fire.

"Gabe, you're really not my type." Riddicks voice dripped with sarcasm pushing Gabriel further and further towards the edge of all reason.

"You will give me the location of your comrades."

"Or?" Riddick challenged.

Gabriel paused, he didn't have an answer; he knew what lay in store for Riddick, he knew that which ever way this escaped convict played it, it was a loose/loose situation. If Sodarn didn't end it Riddick would discover the true meaning of agony in the Pit; either way he would be dead.

"Imam" Karla spoke quietly, he voice drifting lightly within the confines of their dishevelled room and reaching Imam with the tenderness she had intended.

"You're quiet."

"There's nothing to say Karla." He answered with the same softness.

"There's plenty to say" she told him. "I just want you to know that it's okay. I know you did what you had to do and I know that you hate yourself for that." She was trying to make peace, make sense of the situation, gauge his state of mind but he wasn't giving much away. Karla felt her heart pounding uncontrollably as she rose from the bed and made her way towards him. She knelt down at his feet and rested her hands on his knees.

"You have to make peace with yourself Imam. These people, these Necha will slaughter Riddick mercilessly and deep down you know that he doesn't deserve that."

"Did they?" Imam argued "The men that I killed, did they deserve to be slaughtered because I spared them no luxury Karla."

Karla closed her eyes "Slaughtered, no, probably not but die? Probably. If it were me I would have done the same and you know that if the roles were reversed and you were being held and not Riddick, you know he would kick some serious ass to get you back. I'll admit I don't know why, you two have a most peculiar friendship but he would die for you."

"Not for me" Imam whispered his words dragging him back in time to another place, another world, another life.

"Imam?" Karla spoke, fear in her voice.

"It's alright, just a memory." He replied blinking away the tears that had threatened to spill from his eyes.

"Tell me?" she asked, it wasn't a demand it was a gentle request.

Imam cupped Karlas face and stared at her for a moment.

"You would have liked her" he began, his eyes lowering to the floor. "She was bright and vibrant, funny and innocent…and yet she was strong…so strong and brave, braver than I" He swallowed tightly. "She travelled with Riddick for several years trying to find Furia. We would communicate with each other often. She was like my daughter and she regarded me as her father." Karla felt the cold shadow that passed over his face, it affected her too. "One day she didn't call and I knew…I knew something was wrong. Riddick made contact with me a few days later. She had been killed trying to protect him, she loved him Karla, she was just a child but she loved him with everything she had. She wanted eyes like his but he wouldn't allow it, he tried to protect her also you see, he didn't want her to be too much like him." Imam broke off.

"The clothes" Karla whispered "the room on the ship…it was hers?"

Imam nodded.

"Riddick has lost two people that he cared about. He lost Fry on T2 when she tried to save him and Jack died at the hands of mercs. She did not betray him Karla even at the end." Imam drew in a long shaky breath. "And so Riddick puts a barrier up every time he gets close to someone he is convinced that bad things will happen and he is the reason the people he cares about die."
"We have to find him Imam. We have to get him back."

"Would you die for him?" Imam asked.

"Yes, yes I would" she replied

"Then you have already lost him." Imams voice was filled with sorrow, he looked down at the torn face staring back at him and offered her a tired smile.

Riddicks legs gave out as the butt of the laser rifle smacked into the back of them for the third time.

"Your comrades Riddick tell me where they are?" Gabriel asked.

He was met by a wall of silence which prompted him to ball up his fist and punch Riddick catching his left cheek. Riddicks head barely moved he titled it gently to one side and smiled, it was all the reaction Gabriel received.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?" Sodarns voice boomed from the top of the staircase.

"Interrogation" Gabriel replied.

"Gabriel, Gabriel, Gabriel." Sodarn sang as he began to descend. "Do you know anything about animals? First you have to wear them down, tire them out, and starve them if necessary." He stood toe cap to toe cap with Gabriel. "Place him with the general population" he ordered the guards, his eyes never leaving Gabriels.

Riddick didn't fight the guards as the surrounded him. Two of the Necha grabbed his shoulders and one stood a little father back with a stun lance to prod the convict with once a while and keep him in line. The stun lance sent a tiny electrical current though Riddicks back, not enough to cause him pain or immobilise him but just enough to let him know not to try anything. A stun lance had six different settings; he did not want to be on the receiving end of a fully loaded stun lance. For most people it would mean a total brain shutdown and heart failure. You'd be dead before you hit the ground and not feel a thing. Riddick grated his heels and walked in a lazy relaxed fashion towards the area marked with a black and yellow cross.

The huge metal doors grated as they slowly yawned open revealing several rows of barred cells each holding three or four inmates.

Riddick was taken to an empty cell and tossed inside. Loosing his footing he fell landing heavily on his side. He grunted as he felt several layers of skin being scratched off on the hard surface from his shoulder. The stun lance was hitched up two levels and held an inch from his face as two Necha moved to unfasten his handcuffs.

"Good boy" one muttered in Riddicks ear offering a pat on his head as one would a well behaved dog. Riddick turned his head and growled in response ever cautious of the stun lance which did not waver.

The Necha backed away out of the cell and the metal door slammed shut.

"Make yourself at home convict" The Necha holding the stun lance smiled at him.

"I don't understand" Gabriel argued as he walked to Sodarn out into the town.

"There is nothing to understand Gabriel." Sodarn answered not breaking his stride "Riddick is an animal, he should be treated as such and besides the angrier he gets the more damage he'll do in the Pit."

"What of his companions, the girl?" Gabriel asked.

"They will reveal themselves to us soon enough my friend; and when they do…" Sodarn trailed off loosing himself in his thoughts and offering a twisted smile as he thought about the possibilities…they were endless.

"Prepare Riddick for tonight" were the last orders he gave before stepping into his transport and leaving the compound.

Riddick prowled his cell trying to ignore the noise. To any normal person it would be a general din, but to Riddick, with his heightened senses it was nothing short of agony. He couldn't concentrate, couldn't hear himself think, the mess of mangled voices was confusing at best. A couple of times he heard his name mentioned and when he tried to focus in on the conversation he was pushed aside by more yelling and ranting.

"What are you thinking?" a voice came from his left, he looked and saw a man with his face pressed against the bars of his cell. His clothes were torn, he had a number of bruises, some cuts fresh and scabbed over.

"What are you thinking?" he asked again.

"I'm thinking about getting the hell outta here" Riddick replied.

He wasn't shocked to hear the man laugh at him mockingly.

"There's only one way you're getting' outta here man, in a body bag" the man laughed again. Riddick tilted his head curiously.

"You have no idea what they do here have you?" the man asked already knowing the answer. "You an off worlder?" he looked Riddick up and down "You have to be or they'dve brought you here sooner." He nodded slowly "Yeah, they would've played your ass out already."

"Meaning?" Riddick asked.

"This is the Pit man; we're entertainment for the Necha. Some of us are criminals; some were just taken from their homes. Every night a select few get put into the Pit to fight…it's a fight to the death…the Necha put bets on who they think is gonna get ghosted."

Riddick flexed his muscles.

"Lost him?" Karla asked "Just because I would risk my life to save his? Why Imam?"

"Because he will not allow it; it happened twice before and he swore never again." He replied

"Imam" Karla scoffed "He was gonna toss me out the airlock, he's kicked my ass all over the fucking ship he's made it his business to let me know how little he thinks of me."

As she spoke Imam began to shake his head.

"He's pushing you away Karla so that you…so that he doesn't not get hurt."

Karla threw back her head "An animal like Riddick doesn't get hurt Imam."

Imam slapped her hard across her face with his open palm. She stopped laughing and looked at him quizzically while rubbing the stinging palm shaped red blotch that had appeared.

"He does feel, more than you know and now, it would seem more than you care." Imam spat.

"A cold blooded killer with a heart?" Karla spoke the words yet they seemed to come from someone else.

"He has a heart and a soul Karla, though he would deny as much. You didn't see him when she died. You didn't watch as his resolve splintered and shattered into a thousand tiny shards of pain."

There was a tense silence. Karlas face hurt like a sonofabitch.

"Are you telling me we should just abandon him, let fate take it's course…what Imam?"

Imam put his face in his hands "I don't know what to do Karla." He confessed.

Karla reached up tentatively and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Well get him back Imam." She told him gently.

Their plan was a simple one; get back to the ship, arm themselves with whatever weapons they could find. Karlas eyes were no where near perfect, long distances were blurred and fuzzy, movement was hazy and she could still feel the incisions burning. It felt like her eyes wanted to cry all the damned time which didn't help her focus. Hand to hand combat was her only option she could not risk accidentally shooting Imam or Riddick. She slipped two double edged shivs into the back of her pants, a single edged shiv into the belt at her hip, one more tucked into her boot.

Imam carried a shiv and a laser rifle with a spare battery pack. Karla had suggested they meet in the cargo bay when they had finished. As she left her room and walked purposefully down the corridor she past Riddicks room, paused after two more steps then back tracked. She overrode the electronic lock and pushed the door open. Her senses immediately filled with his scent. She walked to his bed and sat on the edge by a table. She stroked her hands across the sheet that was spread over the mattress which still dipped to contour his sleeping form. He liked to sleep on his back, Karla thought as she ran her hand over the shape. Reaching under his pillow she grabbed the handle of the shiv she presumed he kept there. She smiled as she realised that she was right, he did sleep with a shiv under his pillow. She used a strap from his table to strap it to her arm.

Satisfied that she was sufficiently armed she made her way to the cargo bay.

"Are you ready Imam?" she asked.

Imam offered her a nod. He had taken the opportunity to change his soiled clothes, he had opted against his religious attire and donned a pair of black combat pants and a black tank top; simple and effective at night.

"You'll need these" Imam tossed her a pair of goggles like Riddicks. She put them over her head and rested them on her forehead. He was right; she would need them for later when the sun came up.

"How are they…your eyes?" he asked.

"I'm tryin' not to think about it. But they hurt like crazy and I'm no good at long range of quick movement…I'm not so sure this was a good idea." She spoke honestly betraying her weaker side to Imam.

"I won't let anything happen to you Karla" he told her. Karla nodded to him in salute, she trusted him with her life to protect it or take it yet she did not fear him. When he had first told her the ugly truth of his life she had been afraid, felt betrayed even but Imam, above all else was an honourable man. Granted the two dead men in the alley wouldn't think so but needs defined his actions, he had no choice if he wanted to protect Karla, himself and Riddick.

The ramp to the cargo bay opened and the two comrades stepped down each step was filled with purpose. Karla keyed in the security code to lock the ship down as they began their journey.

The door to the cell block swung open and several guards armed with stun lances walked in, the heels of their boots announcing their presence throughout the building.

The man in the cell next to Riddick ran to the farthest, darkest corner of his cell and cowered down.

"They're here, they're coming…who will it be? Who will it be? Not me….not me…" he sang in a idiotic high pitched voice.

Riddick watched the man cower tightly in the corner. His gaze was diverted by the appearance of four guards at his cell door.

"YOU!" one yelled "Step away from the door, turn around and put your hands on your head."

Riddick looked them up and down for a moment before casually taking two steps away from the door, turning round and slowly placing his hands behind his head.

He heard the metal door to his cell open and his hands were bound. Stun lance was pushed within an inch of his face. He could hear the buzz of electricity flowing through to the tip preparing to offer a nasty shock.

Riddick allowed himself to be dragged out of his cell and along to the opposite end of the corridor. The doors opened as they neared and Riddick had his first glimpse of the pit.

They entered the pit and led him towards the middle of a sand covered arena. Looking around he saw jagged cliff walls with viewing areas and balconies carved into the rock. From the ground to about fifty feet was jagged jutting out rocks bearing the remnants of bloody battles, a decaying corpse still hung on the highest point of the highest wall; no one could retrieve him. The stench invaded Riddicks senses, blood, death, violence and fear permeated his skin. Pools of blood had soaked into the sand they walked on

A second man was delivered into the pit; he was somewhat smaller and less built than Riddick. He wore a look of total fear as he was led, hands bound, to stand next to Riddick.

Gabriel walked towards the pair and stood inches away from them grinding the heel of his boot into the sand.

"This is where we see if all that" he motioned towards Riddick and gestured at his build "is just for show."

Riddick felt a dozen pairs of eyes on them as the guards released the ties that bound their hands. Gabriel made his way towards a spectator area with a select few of the guards while the rest of them left the Pit altogether, the door sealed shut behind them with a thud which echoed off the jutting rock walls.

"Gentlemen; in the Pit there is only one rule, there are no rules." Gabriel announced to the applause of the spectators. He opened his arms, palms down in a gesture to silence the eager few.

"Hand to hand combat is the name of the game. You will fight each other to the death."

Riddick began to shake his head.

"You will fight to the death Riddick or suffer mercilessly at the hands of the Necha. I have offered you the chance to die with dignity; if you wish to die like an animal it can be arranged."

Riddick raised his head and eyes Gabriel. How he would love to take him apart slowly. He saw out of the corner of his eyes the man next to him had begun to prepare. Now, Riddick was a killer, he was an animal but he was also intelligent enough to figure out that if he allowed himself to become a punching bag for everything Gabriel threw his way he would die a very painful agonising slow death.

As he turned to face his opponent Riddick caught a smile erupting on Gabriel's face.

Riddick balled his fists wishing he had his familiar shiv to hand.

His opponent waster no time catching Riddick with an uppercut; Riddick stepped backwards and circled the man. Altering his stance the man came forward kicking out trying to make contact. Riddick side stepped and the man flew harmlessly past him, Riddick aimed a punch at the mans lower back. Pain radiated up his opponents back and he held his side for a moment turning with a slight limp on that side.

Lunging forward the man knocked Riddicks goggles off and sent them spinning to the floor. Riddick fell to his knees as the violent light invaded his tender eyes. He felt the mans foot come in contact with his head and rolled to the floor holding his face.

He was blind without his protective eye wear, dead unless he could fight back.

Riddick grabbed a handful of sand as he stood and listened through the cheering and jeering guards, he concentrated on the sounds beneath the voices, listening for the crunching of sand underneath the pressure of a mans feet. Turning sharply following a sound he threw the sand forwards and heard a cry of dismay, several steps of retreat and a gasp. Now his opponent was also blinded albeit temporarily but Riddick hoped to locate his goggles by that time and put an end to this vicious entertainment.

Squinting through painful silver iris' Riddick found his goggles slipping them on just in time. The man came from behind Riddick kicking him in the back repaying the favour he sent Riddick to the floor with a burning agony in his lower back.

Kneeling on the floor Riddick swept the legs of his opponent sending him crashing next to him, before the man could recover Riddick landed a fist in his ribcage winding him. Riddick stood and raised his foot to stamp down hard on the mans stomach. The man rolled out of the way and rose in one swift movement offering an elbow to the back of Riddicks head.

Riddick reached behind him and caught the mans hand twisting it upwards and behind his back. Standing behind him Riddick squeezed his arm pushing it further and further waiting for the inevitable crack as the boned broke.

The man used his weight and stepped back, his free arm grabbing Riddick behind his neck and pulling him over his own shoulder. Riddick landed with a loud thud on the hard surface as his back made contact. Momentarily dazed he saw the man come forward, Riddick moved just in time as a well placed boot aimed a kick at his head. It only just made contact but didn't offer any deterrent. Riddick grabbed the mans leg and lifted his own leg from the floor and placed it squarely in the mans groin. He doubled over in pain and backed away giving Riddick room to stand.

Both men faced each other, sweat beaded on Riddicks forehead. With his head down the man ran forward hitting Riddick full force and pushing him into the wall of the pit, the jagged rocks cut into his back. Riddick roared; the beast had been released.

Gabriel applauded and cried for more.

Riddick picked the man off the floor and held him above his head turning around to face the Necha, making a point to make eye contact with Gabriel before throwing the man against the wall. Dazed, the man was helpless as Riddick dragged him to the centre of the arena by his arm. The man lay stunned and exhausted at Riddicks feet.

"Dead, Dead, Dead, Dead!" the spectators chanted. Gabriel chanted along with his men, balling his fist and pounding it into the balcony.

Riddick looked down at his prey before raising his foot and putting all his weight behind it, stamping it back down on the mans chest. Blood poured from the mans mouth and he slowly suffocated in his own bodily fluids, blood mixed with vomit spewed freely as he died.

The Necha fell silent wondering why Riddick was not parading around the arena, arms aloft celebrating his victory. Riddick stood still watching the last flicker of life leave his sorry assed victim; the beast had had satisfaction though Riddick felt used. He had already lost the battle between himself and the beast that raged within, but the war was still ongoing.

"Bravo!" Gabriel applauded "Bravo!" he laughed.

Riddick growled and ran towards the balcony where Gabriel was stood applauding him. He launched himself at the cliff walls using the jagged rocks to heave himself up. As he reached the balcony he didn't have time to react as a stun lance prodded him full on in the chest. His body went numb, his grip on the face of the wall faltered and he was sent tumbling forty feet to the floor. He landed heavily on his back and lost consciousness.

Karla and Imam re-entered the town. Both concealed under the protection of cloaks. They knew about the Pit, what they needed now was a location. Neither of them had sufficient credits to buy that kind on information.

"You got any ideas how we can find this Pit?" Karla asked casually looking around to see if they were being followed.

"We have nothing to negotiate for information with Karla, and besides I get the impression most people will deny its very existence for fear of repercussions from the Necha.."

"I guess it's gonna be a long ass night" Karla sighed.

"Indeed" Imam replied.

They entered the first bar they came to. The music was obnoxious and half naked females danced on tables while greasy fingered onlookers dropped credits onto the tables hoping for more entertainment and salivated at the prospect of a private show. In the dark corners with Karlas new eyes she could just make out the writhing bodies as men pleasured themselves with the woman while the women picked their pockets and pretended to have a swell time. Cinnamon smoke filled the room making Karla and Imam feel temporarily light headed. Cinnamon was used in cigarettes to freshen the breath and the air hiding the underlying tainted smell of used bodies and month old sweat. Karla felt the floor beneath her feet was spongy with spilled drinks and bar snacks that had been left to decay.

They stood at the bar not sure whether to trust the seats or not.

Imam motioned to the bar man "Two beers" he requested tossing ten credits on the bar.

"Beer Imam, you have changed" Karla smiled almost in a joking fashion and half in disbelief.

"I dislike the foul drink Karla but if there is one thing I have learned it's the necessity to blend in with your surroundings. And besides, do you really think that bar man would know what a Tharmolean Twist was?" Imam offered a slight chuckle.

Karla observed their surroundings resting her eyes on a man sat alone at a table smoking. He blew delicate smoke rings into the air and offered her a brief nod. His eyes reflected the dim light over head; they were the most stunning shade of amber. A million questions raced through her head; who was he, why was he alone, amber eyes, why amber eyes? She was drawn to him, she felt an invisible thread wrap itself around her core and gently tug offering a tease to please her. Leaving Imam at the bar she walked as if in a trance to where the man sat.

She stood at the table touching her hips to the wood. He gestured without speaking for her to take a seat opposite him, without blinking she sat.

"I know who you are and I know why you're here." He leaned forward across the table almost within touching distance as he spoke.

Karla looked at him in disbelief, how could he know? No body knew. Anticipation welled in her stomach.

"You don't know me" she stammered back still looking into his eyes.

He offered her a smile showing his brilliant white teeth which seemed even more brilliant against the deep orange of his eyes.

"My name is Cyrus, I am a seer. As soon as we made eye contact I could read you like a book Karla Dawn of Aldarha or, can I call you Seleka."

His revelation unnerved Karla; she broke eye contact and rose from her chair. He grabbed her wrist forcing her to stop. He rose and leaned into her.

"You walk out of here and you can kiss your friend goodbye." He spoke quickly in a whisper. Karla turned sharply looking at him, studying him for a moment.

"What do you know?" she asked relaxing her stance and sitting back down.

Cyrus dragged his chair closer to hers and placed both hands on her knees. She flinched.

"It's better if we look like we're…friends" He suggested gesturing with his eyes to the faceless crowd. "You never know who is watching."

Karla nodded but adjusted his hands so they were more towards her knee caps than her upper thighs.

"Talk." She ordered trying to sound tough but her underlying tone betrayed her uncertainty and distrust.

Cyrus inhaled deeply before pushing the air out through his nose pursing his lips together considering where to begin.

"Your friend is in danger." He began. "The Necha will use him for sport, fight him, wear him down…he will be killed Karla if you do not go to him. That is…" he trailed off.

"Go on" Karla said slowly.

"If he isn't already dead."

Karla sank back in her chair heavily and rubbed the tiredness out of her face.

"What do I do?" she asked hoping that he would at least have enough information to tell her which direction to head.

Cyrus motioned for Imam to join them. Cautiously he grabbed a chair and set the two beers down on the table. He shot Karla a worried look.

"It's alright Imam, Cyrus is….is a…"

"Friend" Cyrus finished for her giving himself the label that she did not feel ready to adorn him with.

He offered his cinnamon smokes, Imam declined but Karla accepted - they smelled so sweet. She sucked on the tip as he held a lighted match to it and as it was brought to life she coughed. Smoke sputtered into the air. Cyrus laughed.

"They can be a little hot on your throat if you are not accustomed to them" he smiled at her. She took another drag enjoying the taste as it filled her mouth, her lungs felt as though they had caught on fire and her head spun with childish giddiness.

"You need to head south out of the town. The compound is heavily guarded and even if you could get inside no one has lived to give an accurate account of the internal schema."
"Great" Karla muttered exhaling the purple blue smoke as she spoke.

Riddick opened his eyes slowly. He was back in his cell flat on his back on the cold floor. He tried to remember what had happened but to no avail, his memories were fuzzy and it hurt to think. He tried to move. A searing pain shot through his back and along the length of his spine.

"Fuck!" he gasped putting his hands over his face to dim the lights from outside his cell.

He breathed deeply trying to control the pain but breathing itself caused no end of agony. Gritting his teeth he rolled onto his side and pushed himself up into a sitting position.

"Thought you were a ghost" the familiar light singing voice of the guy in the next cell danced through the bars to Riddick. "Thought you were a ghost, thought you were a ghost" he whispered peering through the narrow metal bars pressing his face so close Riddick thought his face might actually push through and become stuck.

The man held out his hand, in it was a small piece of bread.

"Need your strength, take it, take it" he whispered.

Riddick watching him for a moment then reached out slowly and took the bread. The man scurried away on his hands and knees into onto his cot and curled himself into a ball.

"He took it, took it, be strong, fight again" Riddick heard him whisper.

"How long have you been here?" Riddick asked.

The whispering ball shrugged and Riddick could see the top of the mans head shake.

"Long time, very long time, years maybe, not days, not weeks too long, yes, yes, too long" came the reply.

No wonder he was crazy, Riddick thought. Was it being caged twenty four fuckin seven that had turned him into an idiot? Or was he born that way?

Riddick ate the bread, it left his mouth aggravatingly dry and craving liquid. His back ached, he felt like he'd been hit with a sledge hammer.

"It's impossible" Imam spoke the truth where Karla dared not. She would never admit defeat even if it cost her, her life.

"Not impossible Imam just, difficult. You know he would do the same" she argued.

Imam surrendered, her argument was a good one, a damned good one. Imam owed Riddick big time and often he had considered that he would never get the opportunity to repay him. Since Jacks death, Imam had insisted on travelling with Riddick until the debt had been paid in full even though Riddick didn't go in for all that eye for an eye bullshit he knew better than to argue with a man and his principles and if there was one thing Imam had it was principles. It took years of arguing and the death of a girl they both loved before Riddick accepted Imams offer.

Imam lowered his head. "I am not sure I am up to the challenge Karla. I fear that everything I have fought so hard to forget, the life I once lived, I do not wish to go back there, to that dark place where I traded my soul for that of the devils and came off worst." His lips quivered as he inhaled a long breath before sucking down the remainder of his beer. "Having said that, if Riddick were not the monster we knew and loved, we'd both be dead by now and paying for our multitude of sins."

Karla offered Imam a huge pat on the back a "You know it." She told him.

She raised her beer glass "To our multitude of sins, may we be forever repentant." She sank the rest of her drink and both she and Imam rose, pulled their cloaks tightly around them and left the bar.

The sun was beginning to rise but the dusk air carried the chill of death. The two cloaked friends walked the desolate streets each lost in their own thoughts and their own prayers.

"You know Imam; one thing doesn't sit well with me" Karla spoke softly unsure of what lurked in the shadows and alleyways not wanting their conversation to be overheard.

"Cyrus told me he was a seer and yet he couldn't tell me if we were successful."

"Maybe he didn't want you to know the truth." Imam suggested. "Or maybe he did not want to alter the course of events. Did you ever think that maybe by sharing the information we would be cheating fate?"

"What d'you mean?"

"If you knew you were going to die, would you continue?"

Karla considered his question carefully.

"What makes you think were going to die Imam? Are you a seer?" she asked.

"No, though there were times I wished I had the gift of foresight."

"I think everyone feels like that from time to time Imam; but to answer your question; if I knew that I was going to die prior to my death I would use that information to ensure my survival. Imagine knowing the exact moment of your death, imagine being armed with that knowledge, you could turn it around and use it."
"You would cheat death?" Imam challenged.

"Too fuckin' right Imam Death will not see my hand in life's poker game and besides I am an eternal optimist I'll never die" she offered a light laugh to lighten the heavy mood which had descended as they neared the town limits.

"And I believe you Karla, I believe even you could cheat death."

They walked in silence for what seemed like an eternity lost once more in their own thoughts, this time Karla caught herself wondering if they're efforts were in vain; was Riddick already dead, had they used him up and tossed him on the trash pile already?

A gentle breeze caught her cloak and pulled it at the edges opening it out allowing her concealed weapons to catch the first glimmer of the morning's sun. As she reached for her goggles to shield her delicate eyes she used her other hand to pull her cloak around her. She sensed danger around them, could feel eyes burning into her back.

"On your feet convict" Gabriel ordered spitting through the bars of the cell next to Riddicks.

Riddick heard the crazy man whimper with fear as the bars to his cell opened and two Necha walked in taking long strides to where he cowered on his cot.

"I said, on your feet convict" Gabriel ordered again as the two Necha grabbed his arms and roughly dragged him off the cot. The man nearly collapsed, his legs refused to work properly, his knees would not lock and so he landed on the floor.

The Necha glanced at Gabriel who offered a simple nod. With practiced precision one of the Necha pulled a stun lance, Riddick heard the high pitch whine it let out as it was activated and cranked up a level or two before it was jammed into the mans ribcage. He howled as the tip spewed its electric current into his body making him writhe about uncontrollably. He lay panting breathlessly on the floor as the stun lance was pulled away.

"Get up" Gabriel told him.

Slowly the man pushed himself up on shaky legs to stand defiantly in front of the Necha. He knew what was about to unfold, knew that his destiny lay behind the huge metal doors. Yet he silenced his inner weaker voice and stood holding his head high and proud. Were he to die today he wanted to know that he did not die a snivelling idiot.

"Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" Riddick rumbled from his sitting position on the floor. He didn't even look up.

Gabriel wrapped his pulse pistol on the bars "What the fuck did you just say to me?"

Again, without looking up Riddick answered in a slow rumble "You heard."

Gabriel was infuriated. How dare he, how dare this hulk of meat behave with such insolence.

Riddick masked the pain that shot through every nerve in his back as he stood towering over Gabriel and the Necha.

"Bring him" he signalled to the Necha and unlocked Riddicks cage.

"Step away from the door, turn around with your hands on your head." Gabriel ordered.

The routine was already becoming boringly familiar, these guys were just no fun Riddick thought, too anal about protocol but then again he knew that if he were given the chance, and it didn't have to be a large open door kind of a chance, even the slightest chance to escape he would grab onto it with both hands and not stop until he was either a free man or a dead man. Gabriel would prefer the latter of that Riddick was sure but he wasn't about to roll over and give with out a fight, that was not the Riddick way and it certainly was not the way of the beast.

"Your kind Riddick, always far too dumb to learn when to keep their mouths shut; your kind is filth, an abomination…" Gabriel spat as Riddick was led out of the cell, the warm ball of spittle landed on his shoulder. Riddick paused in front of Gabriel and tilted his head to the side to admire the foaming spit ball. As the guards dragged him away he made sure to lean a little further to the right so that his shoulder brushed against Gabriel's jacket smearing his body fluids back at him over the clean pressed material.

"I'm going to enjoy breaking you, Riddick" he whispered before turning hard on his heel and following the group towards the huge doors. Both Riddick and his cell neighbour knew what was about to unfold, they would be escorted into the arena where they would have to fight to the death. Riddick casually weighed up his competition as they stood side by side waiting for the doors to open. The man didn't stand a chance, not that Riddick wanted to perform again for the sick entertainment but seriously if came to it, if it was a question of survival he would survive by whatever means necessary. Once he looked at it that way and not how this man had given him food and spoken to him, showed his weak side, Riddick had no problem; he would even do it quickly and put the poor bastard out of his misery.

The arched gates of the compound slowly came into view. Karla swallowed hard trying to force the metallic tasting ball of rock in her throat disappear.

Imams steps slowed as he took in the vast fences and gates.

There was no obvious way in except through the front gate, Imam didn't like the odds of them being allowed to just walk in to the compound so he began to mentally run through their limited options.

"We should wait until nightfall" he suggested "With the sun coming up we might as well paint our asses bright purple"

"We can't wait Imam; I have a bad feeling about this just like you but Riddick could be in danger…"
"Even dead" Imam interrupted.

"What are you saying Imam? What's going on in that head of yours?"

"Nothing, I just wish we knew for certain if he was still alive. Why risk our lives for nothing Karla, think about it." His voice carried a pleading tone.

"I'm trying not to Imam; besides, even if he is dead he doesn't deserve to rot in there. I promised I'd get him home and if that means in a fucking box then so be it." She made a good argument but Imam still felt they would be better under cover of darkness.

They crouched in a corner by an abandoned building watching the two towers that flanked the front gates. Armed Necha filled both sides watching the outside world with anticipation, alert to all sounds and movement as the town began to stir towards another day.

"We should work our way around the perimeter" Imam suggested. "Maybe there will be a better way in other than using the front door."

Karla nodded and the walked pressing their backs to the building hugging the shadows to remain concealed to the eagle eyes of the Necha.

Imam crawled through a small space offered by a missing wooden panel, Karla followed never once taking her eyes off the guards.

It was dark inside the building, picking their way through the debris was not easy for Imam, his eyes needed a moment to adjust to the dim lighting. Karla took his arm and led the way towards the back of the building, her feet crunching on the bones of rodent carcasses and other things she didn't care to dissect. The pungent aroma was enough to turn both of their stomachs; Imam shielded his mouth and nose with his free hand he heard Karla stifle a few chokes. Karla reached beneath her cloak and pulled a shiv holding the blade upside down close to her wrist concealing it.

She led them to an old fire escape door which had been chained and padlocked shut. Glancing on the ground she picked up a thick wooden pole similar to a chair leg. She stuck it in between a link in the chin and pulled down. The wood splintered.

The link was rusted with age and gave without much more of a fight sending it clattering to the floor. Imam glanced around the room, his eyes almost fully adjusted to the darkness. He felt sure they were not alone, even though had no evidence to back up his theory he felt uneasy.

"I know" Karla whispered almost as though she had read his thoughts.

"Left hand side, balcony" she told him. He began to turn his head.

"Don't look" she told him in a rushed whisper. She read a look of fear in his eyes before it registered on his face. She held up three fingers signalling to him that whatever it was that was up there it wasn't alone; it had brought two buddies along for the ride. She couldn't see what they were her eyes still couldn't focus on long distance but she could see the movement.

Slowly Karla tried the metal push bar to open the door, it had rusted to the point where the hinges had seized up, the bar stuck fast, tiny splinters of rusted metal stuck in her hands as she pushed harder to try and dislodge the hinges. It was no use, they were stuck. Karla detected movement on the ground floor, their level. Not only were they stuck, they were also surrounded.

Imam clicked the safety off his laser rifle.

A figure rose from the floor backlit from the missing wood in the bordered up window. It took two steps towards Imam before he raised his rifle and took a steady aim. The figure chuckled lightly and halted.

"Of all the shitty towns in the whole shitty universe you had to walk into mine" A female voice spoke.

Imams hand began to shake, his aim was faltering. That voice, he knew that voice. His memory ran double time as images jumped to and fro flashing and screaming in his head. When they had ended he was breathless. Karla readied herself for the attack swinging her hips slowly from side to side shiv in hand saliva filling her mouth in anticipation.

"Jack?" Imam whispered.

"Oh fuck" Karla whispered

The figure swung low in a deep bow both arms extended, she was unarmed.

Imam was in shock, Riddick had told him she was dead, he'd seen her killed, he'd broken himself over and over again thinking he'd killed her, and that he was responsible. They had both mourned her, both spent months stricken by grief and yet here she was standing in front of him alive.

"Is this a private party pilgrim, or can anybody dance?" she asked with a slow drawl.

"You're dead" Imam spoke not quite sure if his mouth would cooperate.

Jack stepped further into the ray of light allowing it to light her face. Imam gasped at the face he saw staring back.

"I am dead Imam" she answered. "You see!" she tilted her head "You see what they did to me?" the light reflected off some shiny metallic implants on her forehead and down her left cheek. "They turned me into a fucking monster Imam." She signalled for the people with her to step forward.

"Take them" she ordered.

Before Imam could act he felt his hands being bound behind his back. Two men grabbed Karla by her shoulders taking her shiv. She recognised one immediately.

"Cyrus" she gasped fighting back punching him in the face before he bound her hands. She waited until he of them began to frisk her for weapons; he leaned over her shoulder checking her back with his hands. She turned her head and sank her teeth into his ear ripping it away from his head and spitting it on the floor. Cyrus shrieked and cupped a hand over the side of his head where his ear should have been he now sported an ugly open wound gushing crimson.

"Jack, what madness is this?" Imam asked.

"I knew it wouldn't take long Imam. We're holding Riddick I knew you'd come runnin' Call it payback for abandoning me call it whatever you want, I'm not the Jack you knew Imam; I changed, adapted to a new set of circumstances hell! In not even human anymore." She spat out.

"I had no idea" Imam spoke; still in shock shaking his head.

"I see he has a new toy" Jack smirked as she watched Karla try and fight off the men who were slipping a bit into her mouth.

"Is that necessary?" Imam asked.

"She's a biter Imam; you know what happens to biters." Her question was rhetorical.

Imam and Karla were led out of the building to the front gates of the compound.

Riddick circled his prey watching the pathetic form shaking and cowering in the middle of the arena. On the balcony Gabriel stood watching eagerly waiting for Riddick to execute the man before him. A guard walked forward and whispered into Gabriels ear, a twisted smile crossed his lips.

"At ease Furian" Gabriel yelled.

Riddick stopped circling and looked towards the balcony wondering, waiting for Gabriel to speak. Behind him he heard the huge doors groan as they began to rumble open. Riddick turned to see the doors pull back, first one Necha holding a stun lance then, Riddick focused his attention; Imam came into view flanked by another Necha also holding a stun lance.

Riddick turned angrily grinding his teeth and glared towards Gabriel; standing on the balcony next to Gabriel was Karla. Her hands were bound and she had a bit in her mouth. Her hair hung in loose curls over her sweaty face. They had taken her eye protection; Riddick saw her eyes, her beautiful shined eyes marred with pain and fear.

Riddicks attention turned back towards the door as it finished opening exposing the final player in Sodarns twisted game.

"Jack" Riddick growled.

Jack walked forward leading Imam roughly into the centre of the arena.

"Well, well, well if it isn't the big bad." She sang.