Chapter 2: Just one more target.

5 years later

The planet Malaca. Riddick.

Riddick walked along the alley under the protection of the darkness, sheltered by the security that this element provided him. The night. This was the only place where he felt safe, the only place in which he could give free rein to his instincts. Pitch black.

As usual, Riddick had arrived early. He surveyed his surroundings and later, inside the wreck of a building, he lodged himself into a corner with his gaze intent on the one entrance and waited for The Firm's man. He exhaled slowly and deliberately through his nose, the man was late. His mind went blank as he was kept waiting for the other man to arrive. He then closed his eyes and heaved a deep sigh, at that very moment, memories came up without warning and Riddick was dragged back into the past.

Flash back.

"Hey, big guy!" Jack yelled from the top of the stairs with a big smile plastered on her face.

Riddick dropped his coat and looked at her. God, how can someone smile so easily, he thought. The thing that amazed him was that she did actually smile at him. Riddick couldn't help but return the favor. "Hi, kid", he grinned.

"Jack", she corrected him descending the stairs two steps at a time. "It's Jack. Riddick", she jumped the last four steps landing right in front of him. She glared at him and uttered one letter at time, slowly, "J….. A…… C….. K", she said as if she was speaking with a little child.

Riddick raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Whatever, kid", he answered and turned to leave.

Jack jumped him from behind making them both fall to the floor as she grasped Riddick's arm and put it against his back. Riddick grinned and waited for her next move, pretending to be overpowered. Jack bent her head and whispered, "Say my name, big evil", in a low menacing voice, trying to sound as threatening as possible.

Riddick went still, his breathing even. "Say it, Riddick", she pressed his arm with the weight of her body waiting for an answer. There was still no reaction from Riddick.

After a couple of seconds he asked her "Let me think, yeah. Audrey Jacqueline?" he mocked. Jack hated that name and he knew that but he simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to fuck with her mind. Jack growled. One minute she was on top, next she was underneath, and he had straddled her hips, held her arms with his legs, and tilted his head. "I bet you think you're ready to win, huh, kid? Maybe I should introduce myself, Audrey" he teased her.

Jack twisted under him trying to move her arms. Riddick watched her and smirked. "Tsk, Tsk, Tsk ... You don't know who you're fucking with, kid", he growled. "Didn't I show you anything? ... Audrey?" he asked in a sarcastic tone.

"Fuck, Riddick! Let me go!" she retorted and then remained still.

"Oh, come on, baby. Show me what you got", he said still with that growling voice, and then he moved forward and set some of his weight on her stomach.

Jack let out a small "umpfh" and then stayed still, closing her eyes as she tried to control her breathing. A few seconds later she opened them and smiling, locked her eyes with his. Her expression was calm and her eyes sparkled. Riddick knit his brow and turned his head looking down to his side. He realized that his own shiv was softly pressed against his skin. "What's my name, Riddick?" she asked looking up at him innocently.

"Jack, Jack, Jack …..", he said and exploded with raspy laughter. "That's my girl!" he then stood and offered his hand to her.

Jack's smile widened, and accepting his hand she stood as she extended her own hand to give the shiv back to Riddick. He took the shiv and inspected it for a few seconds. Then he took Jack's hand and placing the shiv it, he said, "You keep it, Jackie girl", while staring into her eyes.

Jack stared at the shiv in her hand. Her eyes blurred with unshed tears and her throat closed. After a moment, she tried to talk. "You want to know something, Riddick?" she asked trying to find her voice. "Never had a gift", she whispered with a teary voice. Riddick took off his goggles and went silent. She raised her head and locked eyes with his. He watched as tears spilled down her cheeks. "Thank you, Riddick", without thinking about it twice she pulled herself into his arms and hugged him tightly.

When he felt her tiny arms hug him, his heart stuttered for a second, overwhelmed by her show of affection. He thought about his own life and realization dawned. So different and yet so similar. Riddick hugged her back. He wouldn't let her go. She'll never be alone again, he though to himself. "It's nothing Jack", he said as he stroked her back trying to comfort her. My kid. My Jack, he thought as he tightened his embrace.

End flash back

Riddick's heart was beating faster and breathing was suddenly difficult. Then, hearing hurried steps coming from the alley, he opened his eyes and covered them with his goggles. He growled as he gripped the handle of his shiv, waiting. Just one more target, he thought to himself, and then I'll be free, free to disappear.

The little man walked in his direction. He hated to do business with Riddick. The last time he went to find him, he ended up almost pissing in his pants. The man was more than frightened he was terrified. Riddick smelled his fear and smiled, sliding only his eyes in the direction of the man, careful not to disturb the airflow around him. Oh, what great fucking fun this little man is, he thought to himself. He was ready to fuck with this poor guy, and determined to make him sweat with fear. Riddick rushed him from behind placing his shiv on the man's neck, holding the blade almost reverently in one large palm and pressing against the skin with even pressure. The little man instantly went still, Riddick would have sworn the man was dead if it wasn't for the sound of his strained breathing.

"You're late", he grunted, "I do hate to be kept waiting." This was said in a low, menacing voice, as he continued to press the shiv into the man's neck.

The man tensed his body and shut his eyes. "Mr. Ri …. Ri", he began stuttering, but Riddick didn't let him finish.

"No fucking names, you piece of shit!" he growled cutting upon the skin. "Now, give me the fucking chip!", he hissed.

Covered in sweat and shaking, the man moved his hand. Riddick narrowed his eyes and pressed the shiv a little harder. "It's in m, my …p, p, pocket …. th, the r, r, right one", he stuttered, screwing up his face and trying to find his voice. Riddick was enjoying every second of this, but the little man was cursing himself for being here with him.

While staring menacingly into his eyes, Riddick pulled a silver chip, about the size of a credit card, out of the pocket. The man was now shaking uncontrollably. Letting up a little on the shiv, Riddick looked at the card and smirked. In those few seconds the man fell to his hands and knees. When he finally turned his head to look up at Riddick, there was no sign of him. The man carried one hand to his neck and touched the skin. He felt a wet liquid where the shiv had been no less than two minutes before. It was blood, shocked, he stood and staggered. "Jesus, I hate this job", he said and went out of the building running to the main street, looking over his shoulder from time to time, just to confirm that nobody was following him.

Riddick watched him from his spot in the shadows, and a devilish smile spread on his lips. Yeah, he did love this job! Picking the silver card from his pocket he plays with it, turning it in his fingers as the light reflected on it. Let's find out who the hell are you, he said to himself, and walked to return to his ship, following the same direction that the little man took.

Half an hour later, Riddick inserted the card into the terminal to find out who his last target was. A picture turned up on the screen, and under the picture a name was written. Riddick fixed his gaze to the screen. Fuck, he thought. Clutching his hands into fists he pounded the table growling. In front of his face the name of his next victim was blinking……..

AUDREY JACQUELINE TRAVIS …..