I take it back, you can have him Shella.
Jack couldn't help but be sickened and repulsed by the disgusting display of affection Riddick was sharing with his slut.
She's been slipping silently down the stairs when the fake blonde walked in the front door. And wouldn't ya know it, right off he kissed her. Not a real kiss, like in the movies, but one of those horribly overdone half-kisses that supposedly only the super rich and famous participate in. Then, he went on to proclaiming how he'd missed her so so so so so very much while they'd been apart during the day. And then, worst of all, there was the dog...
Jack typically liked dogs. If they'd been allowed at the complex where she and Imam had lived she would've gotten herself a Doberman long ago and named it Riddick. She probably would've bought it a spiked collar and everything. However, this was not a guard dog. It wasn't even a companion dog or a lap dog. No, it was something only Old Horny herself would desire to own. It was a yappy little bitch of a miniature poodle. The damn thing even had a ribbon bow on its head.
Shella was carrying the frilly fur ball under one arm when she walked in, and Riddick took it from her while she removed her light jacket.
"Oh Rick, you wouldn't believe the line I had to wait in to get Pooky in for her appointment. I'm just going to have to find a new groomer because Ms. Charlene's has absolutely gone to the dogs!" She laughed at her own joke, a high, nasally laugh that made Jack cringe. "And the worst part is that when I finally did get in, the woman who trimmed Pooker's nails cut them to the quick. I swear, they'll just hire anyone there these days..."
"Ah, poor baby!" Riddick crooned to Pooky, softly patting her head as he held her gently in the crook of his arm.
"No fucking way," Jack said in honest horror, slowly shaking her head with disbelief.
Shella, who'd been all set to further baby the dog even while Riddick held it snapped her head around sharply.
"Who're you?" she asked rather abruptly, fiercely.
Jack turned an annoyed look in Riddick's direction, cocking her head slightly. "You didn't tell her I was coming? That's fucking great. Do the honors Ricky, cause you ain't gonna like it if I've got to do it."
Riddick immediately cleared his throat. "Um, oh, I'm so sorry baby. With all the pressure to get that new project done at work I forgot to tell you that..."
"You went and picked Jack up from the spaceport? We talked about this Rick, you agreed to leave her there so she would go back to New Mecca. We can't have her in our house!"
"Yeah, um, I'm right here Shella, I can hear everything you're saying," Jack broke in before their lover's quarrel could really get rolling. "And if it makes you feel any better, the dickwad made me wait for over two hours before deciding to grace me with his presence; and when he finally did he just about scared the living shit outta me! More importantly, I am here now, and if you think for one second that you're gonna..."
"You watch your language young lady!" Old Horny snapped, pointing an accusatory finger in Jack's direction as she began to glare. "There will be no swearing in my house, do you understand that? Now go to your room, I will deal with YOU later!"
Jack's jaw dropped. No one had spoken to her with such disrespect, such malice, since before the Hunter-Grazner crashed. In Imam's house, it never would've happened.
"Listen," Riddick began weakly, but Jack was just sure he wouldn't let that one slide. No way did Shella wear the pants in this house, no fucking way!
"Jack, maybe you could go to your room for a little bit, and Shelly and I will talk about if you can stay..."
"IF I can stay? You told Imam you'd take care of me until I turn eighteen! If you don't I won't have anywhere to go! You made a promise Ricky, and a man is only as good as his promises!"
Shella crossed her arms over her chest, huffing as she rolled her eyes. "Honestly, am I really going to have to put up with the religious ramblings put in your head by that holy man? Cut out the dramatic act, Jack. You don't belong here and you know it..." she concluded, studying her fake nails intently.
After a hard moment of silence during which no one made eye contact with anyone else Jack finally spoke, her voice soft. "Rick taught me that a man who has nothing to give but his word is only as good as the promises he keeps. There was one time when all Rick had was his word, and even though he never lied, I was the only one who believed him. And I guess...that means now no one believes him." After shooting a long and hard stare in Riddick's direction Jack slowly turned, walking back up the stairs as she fought the tears burning hot in her eyes.
Riddick watched Jack ascend the stairs, her pain obvious in her slow step, the way she hung her head. He felt terrible. Old feelings that he'd long since forgotten stirred up within him when she reminded him of that time, when Johns had poisoned everyone against him. Everyone but Jack.
If not for her total and unshakable trust in him she would've died, he would've died. He'd made it to the skiff, powered it up, told himself not to look back. He still wondered if he would've taken off, left them there.
The look on Shella's face was one of utter disgust. "Seriously Rick, you've got to get rid of her. Call the holy man and tell him he's got to take her back!"
Impending argument. Oh how much he wished to avoid it. Whenever that happened his mind went oddly blank, like he just couldn't think of anything to say. So he didn't say anything. Avoidance maybe, maybe that was why a decision like this usually would've been made at his girlfriend's whim.
"I—I can't baby," he said softly, somehow almost afraid of her impending wrath.
Shelly pursed her lips, her arms crossing over her chest once again. "And just why would that be?" She was a demanding bitch at times, that much was for sure.
Riddick licked his lips, as they suddenly seemed far too dry. "Because, I owe her," he replied simply before walking to the kitchen, suddenly feeling the need to have a drink.
He'd gone too long without the Hydrite today, forgot to take it with him to the spaceport. Probably got dehydrated or something, that was why his hands would've been shaking had he not been holding the dog.
Riddick wasn't one to dwell on the past, but from deep within his memories and the haze they were locked in he heard her screams like it was yesterday.
Riddick! Riddick, I'm not leaving without you, please come back! Please! I need you!
He got up after Carolyn was torn away from him only because she'd called for him so desperately, because she'd needed him. Someone had actually needed HIM. Her cries had been his light in the darkness, and no matter how scattered his mind became, that fact he would NEVER forget.
