Chapter 6
The night lit up in an explosion of fire and raining wood as the missile hit the main hall. Riddick picked himself up off the ground and kept running. The hall was in flames and the screams of people trapped inside could be heard over the roar of the fire as Riddick yelled Carolyn's name on the outside. Turning his head to protect his face from the heat, he heard a child crying above the din of the fire. Moving towards it he recognized Carolyn's red coat on the ground Grayson sitting next to her in tears.
"Daddy!" The boy cried seeing Riddick, raising his hands to be picked up. Riddick scooped the boy holding him tightly as he knelt to roll Carolyn over. Blood covered the side of her head where she had been hit with flying debris. Setting Grayson on his feet, Riddick hauled Carolyn over his shoulder before scooping Grayson back up into his arms.
He could now hear the sounds of vehicles intermixed with gunfire throughout the settlement as he made his way home. Carolyn came awake halfway there hitting him with her fists to get his attention. Slowly lowering her to the ground, she swayed for a moment leaning against him. "We have to go Carolyn." He said quietly looking around him. She nodded as he lead them home, quickly and quietly.
There were a dozen children huddled together in the living area of their home, crying and scared. Having taken Grayson from Riddick, Carolyn tried to calm the children as best she could. "Have them start gathering bedding or anything warm." Riddick told her quietly. Handing Grayson to Greg, the oldest in the group, Carolyn followed Riddick to their bedroom.
"Riddick! What is it? What's going on?"
"Mercs. They're here for me."
"But why? You're supposed to be dead." she asked as she watched him strip the bed and gather blankets out of the cabinet.
"I'm worth a lot of money, Carolyn. Alive or Dead." He said going around her and passing blankets out to the kids. Turning back to Carolyn he grabbed her shoulders. "You need to get these kids out of the settlement. Is there somewhere you can go without being seen?"
As Carolyn stood looking into Riddick's face, Greg spoke up. "The culverts, Widow Fry."
"That's right, Greg. Thank you."
"Where?"
"A half mile due west, just at the edge of the tree line. There's a sloped area to the left. The culverts are under that. You can't see the opening unless you're standing right in front of it."
"Take them and go."
"But Riddick." Carolyn whispered, tears in her eyes.
"Go." He said placing a gun in her hands. Opening the door he made sure the area around the house was empty before signaling them out the door.
Stopping to look at him one last time, Carolyn ushered the children out of the house. Letting Greg take the lead, she fell in behind as they made a silent, single file line into the cold darkness.