Chapter 3: Where will you go

Evanescence

(Edited by deletion)

You're too important for anyone
You play the role of all you want to be

Riddick and Kyra were back on New Mecca. Lajjun had welcomed them into their home, though it felt empty to them all without Imam. Kyra put on an act for Lajjun's sake, and for the sake of young Ziza. She put on, once more, the familiar mask she had worn as a child of twelve and pasted on the required expressions; pretending everything was alright.


But I, I know who you really are
You're the one who cries before the dawn

The nightly ritual of nightmares still plagued her, and Riddick continued to come to her room and comfort her when she would begin tremble and moan from the horror of it. Kyra never knew of his visits or that he saw the terror that still plagued her.

Riddick also saw Kyra's eyes flit more and more often towards the space hangers. He felt the barely concealed panic vibrating under her skin. He knew what it meant.

But where will you go
With no one left to save you from yourself
You can't escape, you can't escape

Day after day he watched as she edged closer and closer to leaving. He knew she wouldn't survive if she left. Not yet. She would tear herself apart in her inner turmoil without someone to save her from herself. The demons of the Underverse still haunted her every moment.

You think I can't see right through your eyes
Scared to death to face reality
No one seems to hear your hidden cries
You're left to face yourself alone

Riddick knew she had no idea that he saw her; that he knew her. That every move she made and every breath she took, he understood. She felt alone and nothing he could do would make her realize the truth that he was here for her, living for her. She was completely lost in herself.


But where will you go
With no one left to save you from yourself
You can't escape the truth
I realize you're afraid
But you can't abandon everyone
You can't escape, you don't want to escape

He heard the soft sound of footfalls on the old wooden stairs in the darkness. His heart plummeted. She was leaving. With a fluid grace he left his room and followed her outside. He knew the exact moment when she sensed him: Her back tensed and she stopped but didn't turn towards him.

I am so sick of speaking words that no one understands
Is it clear enough that you can't live your whole life all alone
I can hear you when you whisper
But you can't even hear me screaming

Walking softly, Riddick came up behind Kyra and gently turned her around to face him. Their eyes met. Everything he could say to keep her there left him. Nothing he could say would keep her. Nothing he could do would keep her there. He could easily succeed in keeping her physically in his presence, but she would be gone, soul and mind.

A great feeling of failure swept over him. He couldn't save her, it was too late. With a slight nod, he stepped back and watched as she turned and walked away. Away from safety, away from salvation. Away from him.

The heart that only one person believed he had, the person who was now leaving him, bled.

Where will you go
With no one left to save you from yourself
You can't escape the truth
I realize you're afraid
But you can't reject the whole world
You can't escape, you won't escape
You can't escape, you don't want to escape