AN: Thank you all for the Fav's, reviews, and alerts. It makes me happy seeing people like my story. Anyways this is the last chapter. Hope you enjoy.

"I only see one way, that way." Riddick said gesturing straight ahead of us. "it's the only way off this rock." we were all looking around us. The creatures hisses and unbelievable wailing were making my ears ring.

"Here." I gave Jack my flashlight. She gave a weak but grateful smile.

"Won't you need it though?" her voice shook either from fear or exhaustion I really didn't know. My nerves were fried, my hearing was shot, and all I could smell was the sour scent of the creatures.

"Don't worry about me. I got a spirit." I held up the liquor bottle. It's flame making me squint. I lowered my hand again holding it off to the side now. She nodded looking like her hope was renewed.

"Just keep the girl in between you." Riddick began walking to the back of the group.

"What about the cells?" Imam asked watching as Riddick walked to them.

"I'll take those." his voice was quiet, but loud enough for us to hear. Carolyn turned disbelief written all over her face. They all started getting into a tight knit group. I sighed and stood close to the boy, but a little behind because the light was beginning to give me another headache. I hated having my vision right now. "Move." I took a step forward but no one else moved.

"Are you sure you can keep up?" Carolyn asked her voice wavering as adrenaline pumped through her veins.

"MOVE!" and we were running. Running through the canyon that was filled with the creatures. If he was struggling he showed no sign of it. I had to stay close to them to be in the light. My eyes burned.

I heard a familiar swirl of screeching and looked ahead. A swarm of hatchlings were coming our way. We ducked and kept running some of the creatures brushing against the fire and igniting. They screeched their horrible screeches and I almost stopped to cover my ears. It hurt. I looked behind me seeing Riddick having to dodge the flaming ones.

When the brood was gone I heard a loud inhuman wail of pains. Something wet fell on my shoulder. I glanced at it seeing blue. Oh god. I glanced up and saw the creatures attacking each other. The splattering rose in volume the others began getting wet as well. Shit, just great. I looked back in front of me and kept running.

"Do not look up!" Riddick yelled behind us. I glanced at Carolyn as she stopped running.

"Idiotic woman." I muttered still running.

"Do not look up!" Riddick yelled at her against pushing her harshly out of the way before one fell on her.

"They're killing each other." her voice was disgusted. We kept running and dodging the dead creatures that fell towards us. We rounded a corner and the others stopped. I growled my frustration at them. I kept moving but stopped when I felt something land on my back. I shuddered in revulsion and shook whatever it was off me.

"Move! Keep moving!" Riddick yelled at us. I ran to the bones and began moving them so he could get through. I stepped aside when he came barreling past. I went after him unwilling to be the one that was pushing everyone through. I looked back seeing Jack then Carolyn get through. Imam helping everyone in between the ribs.

His son was about to go through when I heard the wail and the son screamed. A creature must of grabbed onto his foot. I didn't stop to see if they could save him I ran up along side Riddick he seemed to be having some trouble getting over the hill. I grabbed the rope and pulled with him. He spared me a glance.

"Guys! Wait!" I heard Jack yell. I didn't dare look back. The screaming had stopped, but I could smell fresh blood. "Riddick!" Jack called again. I let go of the rope and chanced a look back, but didn't stop moving. I heard the wail of a creature and looked up to see it coming straight for Jack. She ran under one of the brittle bones. I stopped walking when it landed on the bone and began pecking at it. Jack was yelling. I saw Jack look helplessly at Riddick and I.

"Why am I doing this?" I muttered to myself dropping the spirit and running down the hill. Without another thought I dived under the bone. Jack clung to me shaking and crying. I couldn't really do anything. I just wrapped my arms around her shoulders and stared up as the creature began breaking through the bone.

"Get off of her!" Carolyn yelled shining the flashlight at it, trying to get it to stop. It wasn't working. The damned bird wanted Jack. It was propelled by starvation. I heard a loud slapping sound, a shattering as the flashlight broke, and the bird was off. There was a loud angry yell. I pushed Jack from under the bone and into Carolyn's protection. I myself crawled out slowly watching Riddick literally wrestle with the thing.

I watched as it reared it's head up to bite off his head, but Riddick was quicker. He swiped the things neck with his blade cleanly cutting it deeply. He twisted against aiming for it's body. It dropped dead within seconds. He was covered in the foul blue blood, his knife held in a ready position. All his muscles tensed ready to attack at a seconds notice. He stood walking almost calmly to the creature and broke it's neck for good measure.

"Did not know who he was fucking with." I swallowed over the dryness in my mouth and stood up finally. He was a true killer, I could see it now. The other worldly glow of his silver eyes, the thick muscles, deadly grace, and silent movements. This man was born to kill. The realization made my stomach clench. I couldn't decipher whether it was fear of him or fear of something entirely different.

We were running in no time. Imam helping his son limp run. Carolyn and Jack were running looking around completely freaked. I was taking up the back, even though I had no light. The spirit I dropped had broke. Goes to say I made sure to run close to Carolyn and Jack. Imam's son fell. They all stopped to help him up. I kept going, but stopped once I felt the slick coolness of rain. I looked up thinking it couldn't get worse then this. Riddick started laughing. I looked at him as he turned. The smile of a man who knew everything was going to shit and found absolute joy in it was what I saw.

"So where the hell's your God now?" he asked Imam as it began to pour. They began making their way towards the walls of the canyon hoping it would stop the rain from dousing the fire. I inched my way closer to Riddick as he scaled a large boulder to look ahead.

"It's bad up ahead isn't it." I didn't ask it as a question. I didn't need to. I could hear it all. The noises of the creatures were enough insight.

"Riddick!" Carolyn yelled. "Are we close?" I saw his jaw muscles flex. He was still looking forward. "Just tell me that the settlement is right there!" Carolyn's voice was hoarse…she was loosing all hope.

"We can't make it." I bowed my head at his words. Then I heard the sounds of choking. I looked back sharply seeing the holy man's last son be dragged up the cliff face. Imam's was yelling his hands thrown to the air. I could hear his total defeat. I huffed a breath ridding myself of the emotions that began swirling in my chest. This was not the time to start getting a heart. I watched as Riddick found a cave. I stayed behind the rest.

"Hide here! Now!" Jack ran in without a second thought, Carolyn and Imam went in as well. I took measured steps toward the cave but stopped when I was a foot from the entrance. I looked Riddick dead in the eye.

"I'm not going in there." I saw realization bleed into his usual stoic face and he nodded. He pushed the rock over the hole of the cave. I knew exactly what he had been thinking the moment he gave up hope on them.

We turned going back to the cells. I stayed close to him. I had no light what so ever. It was getting unbelievably muddy. I hurried ahead to help pull the heavy cells up the muddy hill. Our feet keep slipping as we tried to find purchase. After a short struggle we made it to the top. I sighed out in relief when I saw the settlement.

I glanced back behind me. I told Jack to listen to Riddick…I made her believe that if she listened to him she would be safe. I closed my eyes and kept walking forward with Riddick. Why did I have to start caring now? Out of all times and places I begin to feel human again when I'm in a life or death situation.

We found no creatures when walking to the skiff. It went a little too smoothly. I walked onto the ship without a second glance. I turned around though seeing Riddick looking off where we came from before getting onto the ship. I didn't say anything. I don't think there was anything worth saying at the moment. We hooked up the cells in complete silence. When they were all turned on the skiff's lights blinked to life. Riddick got up to close the door. I made my way to the cockpit. I was about to sit down when I turned and leaned against the door frame heavily. My stomach felt queasy.

"Why does this feel wrong?" I asked him hoping he had the answer. I knew he was thinking the same thing. With a frustrated sigh he swiveled the knob to close the door.

"Because you're letting it." was his only answer. I nodded and turned sitting in the seat next to the captains. I heard a loud crash and series of sparks. Breaking the only light so he can't go back for them. The ship's lights turned blood red. He sat in the captains chair and readied to take off. He began seat belting himself in, but stopped and looked outside. Curiously I looked out and saw Carolyn holding a glowing blue bottle. She was soaked to the bone with water.

Riddick stood up lowering his goggles and walking to the back of the ship. The lights turned white again. I got up and went as far as the door frame and leaned against it. The ramp lowered slowly. Carolyn stood at the end in the mud.

"Strong survival instinct. I admire that in a woman." I could hear his smile.

"I promised them that we would go back with more light." Carolyn looked bone tired.

"Did you?" Riddick stretched his arms out grabbing onto each side of the opening in the ship and cocked his head to the side. "Hmm…"

"What, are you afraid?" Carolyn yelled throwing her glowing bottle. Riddick's laugh was sarcastic.

"Me afraid?"

"Come on Riddick, there's gotta be some part of you that wants to rejoin the human race." my eyebrows rose in surprise. He let go of the opening and crouched down.

"Truthfully I wouldn't know how." I saw Carolyn look up at me. I looked away not wanting to look into her eyes.

"Well then just give me more light for them. I'll go back by myself."

"Ok." Riddick tossed her the set of broken lights. Of course she didn't know that. "There you go."

"Please just come with me." she sounded like she was about to cry.

"I got a better idea." I looked up interested. "Come with us." then I saw it. The complete and utter internal struggle in Carolyn's eyes. I took a step forward my eyes wide with curiosity.

"You're fucking with me, I know you are." she asked trying to sound outraged.

"You know I am?" His voice sounded dead cold. He stood before speaking. "You don't know anything about me. I will leave you here." Carolyn's face contorted her struggle reaching the surface. She looked away towards the darkness. "Step inside." Riddick offered. She slowly fell to her knees shaking her head, sobbing.

"I can't…" she looked completely lost. She was fighting with her morals and her instincts.

"Sure you can. Here, I'll make it easy for you." he held out a hand. She began crying, her body doubling over. "Take my hand…come on." his voice was persuasive. "Look no one's gunna blame you. Save yourself, Carolyn. Come on." he walked down the ramp and began helping her into the ship. He's actually persuaded her. "Good girl." she was in the ship now. A wail of a creature caught Riddick's attention. I was still staring at Carolyn.

She looked almost dead. Her face completely expressionless. Then her eyes glazed over and I knew she wasn't seeing the skiff anymore. I watched as her chest began to heave with her breathing. Her anger built. She was going to explode.

"Riddi-" my warning was cut off by her screaming. She threw herself at him causing him to fall in the mud. She was straddling his waist.

"You listen to me!" she screamed. I took several steps forward, but couldn't bring myself to intervene. Maybe this was the right thing to do…fuck I didn't know anything right now. "I am the captain of this ship! And I am not leaving anyone on this rock with those fucking things." she began to lift her head slightly. "Even if it means-" wrong move. Riddick had her pinned to the ground with the shiv to her neck in a second. "Get that thing off my-"

"Shut up!" I could only see his back. "You'd die for them?" he demanded.

"I would try for them!"

"You didn't answer me."

"Yes, I would, Riddick. I would. I would die for them." why? Why would she die for people she hadn't known until a day or two ago? My eyebrows furrowed as I felt my stomach clench unpleasantly once again. I took in a sharp breath. Why did this affect me so much? Hadn't I locked all my emotions away?

"How interesting." I glanced back at them. Why did I care now? I closed my eyes and took a calming breath. I was almost off this stupid planet. I was almost free.

"Kat?" my eyes snapped open. Carolyn and Riddick stood outside the ship. "You're coming right?" I already knew my option. Riddick wouldn't let me stay.

"Ya." I answered all my body one tense ball of nerves. It was an easy trip back to the others. Riddick moved the rock with only slim trouble. Carolyn poked her head into the cave before moving out of the way. My head was below Riddick's as we looked into the cave. I saw Jack's face light up.

"Never had a doubt." she said confidently. I smiled slightly.

"Anyone not ready for this?" Riddick asked seriously.

"There is my God Mr. Riddick." his words sank deeply in. With an unspoken urgency we began running back to the skiff. I ran in between Riddick and Jack. The blue jars filled with glow worms didn't hurt my eyes as much, but I wasn't going to let anything impair me at the moment. Riddick stopped suddenly making us all stop.

"Fuck." I muttered seeing three large creatures land in front of us, blocking the path to freedom. We backed up behind a rock.

Unconsciously my hands sought out another's. I laced my fingers tightly around the large rough calloused ones of Riddick, and my other hand to the soft hands of Carolyn. Both squeezed back. Two more creatures joined the first three. They started head butting. There was an opening and we went for it. I felt the slight drag of people. We were all holding hands. A chain of humans. Our light scattered them, but only a little. They wailed at us.

"Don't stop! Go!" Imam encouraged us pushing our backs to get up the damned hill.

"Come on! Move! Move!" Riddick urged pulled us forward. I was about to grab his hand to get pulled up when I felt something slick wrap around my ankle. My eyes widened as it felt like my world slowed. It pulled. My body jerked back and I lost my balance. I could make out Riddick backing away quickly.

With a shaky breath I closed my eyes. I palmed the knife into my hand. I forced myself out of my brain allowing my instincts to take over. I twisted around and with my arms lunged myself at the creature. My knife poised ready to cut anything it came in contact with. It flew backwards slamming against the mud. It squealed beneath me, one of it's tongue hand things still wrapped around my ankle. I cut it off hearing it's pained wail made me bare my teeth in a vicious smile. It's other hand shot out and gripped my side. It's claws digging in painfully. I screamed in pain and fury, gripping my knife with both hands and plunged it deep into the body of the creature. I must of hit something vital because it fell limp with one last wail.

I pulled it's claws out of my side and pushed my hand against the profusely bleeding wound. I stood up feeling my legs wobble uncontrollably. I would not die on this fucking planet. I would not die because of some half brained creature. I clenched my jaw painfully and began running. I ignored the pain in my side and the pain running up my right leg every time I put pressure on my ankle. I told myself the liquid coating my hand was rain. I got up the hill with one hand and my feet. I saw the blinking lights of the skiff from far off.

I ran and ran able to see the creatures around me. I saw them all come close to me, but never enough to bite. I kept running trying to ignore them all. I had no light, what was keeping them from harming me? I bit my cheek never slowing my pace. I ran around a corner just in time to see Carolyn be carried off by a creature. Riddick fell to his knees and yelled something I couldn't understand. I didn't have time to try and understand it.

"Riddick!" I gasped still running. I couldn't make out the expression on his face. I saw him get up despite the fact that it seemed he was badly hurt. I gasped the pain in my side never ceasing. He just nodded at me and we were running to the safety of the light. Imam and Jack stood on the ramp looking out. I stopped running when I was in the light.

No one spoke as Riddick prepped the ship. I tiredly sat in one of the cloth chairs and leaned heavily on the ship walls. My hand still pressed firmly into the wound at my side. When the doors closed I closed my eyes trying to will away the pain.

"There's so much pray to make up for, I scarcely know where to begin." Imam's voice was heavy.

"I know where'd I start." that was Jack's voice. I took another deep breath. I heard the engines begin to start then turn completely off. I didn't have enough energy to open my eyes and see what happened. "Riddick what are you doing?" her voice was filled with emotion but so soft. Then I heard scratching and clanging and their terrible wailing. "can we just get the hell out of here now?" she hissed at Riddick.

"We cant leave." I didn't want to open my eyes. I heard a loud scratch and a gasp. There was a hiss. "without saying goodnight." he sounded like a pissed off man on a mission. I heard the engines blast to life. Their pain filled screeching filled my ears. Then there was silence.

"Lot of questions whoever we run into…could even be a merc ship." Jack said quietly. "So what do we tell them about you?" I didn't have the energy to open my eyes and look at her and see who she was talking to.

"Tell them Riddick's dead. He died somewhere on that planet." his voice was so heavy. So filled with emotion. I rested my head on my chest.

We had to of been flying for ten minutes before I started coughing. Each movement sent another wave of pain through my body. I kept coughing I could feel moisture in my mouth. It tasted metallic. My eyes clenched tightly together my arms hugging my sides as my wound throbbed. I coughed one last time before taking in a pain filled breath. I felt someone at my side.

"Oh my god! Kat your bleeding!" Jack gasped. I pushed my hand harder into the wound. My eyes still closed tightly.

"Let me see." Imam's soothing voice said. I felt hands on my arm. I let it be pulled away. There were two gasps now. I coughed once wincing in pain. I opened my eyes slowly. It was dark in the ship but everything was fuzzy. I could barely make out imam's grave face. "I don't know…" he sounded so troubled. I nodded in understanding.

"Jack move." a deep gravely voice made me look up. I couldn't see him very well, but his eyes shone. They looked so beautiful. Jack must of moved. "Lay down." I let out a ragged breath and lowered myself. I closed my eyes my lids growing too heavy to keep them open. "Open your eyes. Turn over." I struggled to open my eyes, but I got it. I felt his hands on my hip and shoulder. I nodded and painfully turned to where my wound was exposed fully. Then I felt gentle probing, when it neared my wound I hissed. "Imam look for a first aid kit. I'm going to have to take your shirt off." I nodded not really caring. Then Jack's face came into view. I saw something shiny slip down her face. I frowned feeling troubled.

"Why are you crying for me?" I asked with a heavy voice. I wanted so badly to close my eyes…I was soo sleepy. I heard a ripping sound and felt the wet fabric be peeled off my skin. I couldn't care less. Jack sniffled.

"Because you're my friend." I felt my chest constrict but not from the pain. I wanted to chuckle, but it would take to much energy.

"you got a fucked up choice for friends." I said it to make her smile. I don't know why but I didn't want to see her sad. She didn't need to be sad. She had already seen far too much death for a girl her age.

"Here…this is what I found." Imam said. I looked to see Riddick kneeling in front of me. He took the white box from Imam and opened it.

"Imam hold her legs down. Jack you're going to hold her shoulders." then he looked at me. "I have to clean the wound." I nodded. "It's going to hurt." I nodded again. I felt Imam hold my legs down and Jack held onto my shoulders. A liquid poured into the wound setting my whole world on fire. A scream tore through my lips my body convulsing.

"Please…please…" I whimpered afterward shaking. It hurt….oh god it hurt so much. I sucked in breaths trying to get a hold of myself, but I couldn't. They let go of me. Then I felt coolness against the wound. I didn't have the energy to look at what Riddick was doing. After my breathing had evened out, and he was still working on my wound I could almost think clearly. I blinked tiredly.

"That's the best I can do." I looked to see Riddick get up. "I did what I can with the shitty first aid kit, you're going to have to hang on until we are picked up by a ship." in his eyes I could finally see an emotion. He doubted I would make it. I nodded in understanding. I wouldn't mind dying in space. I watched him walk back to the cock pit. Jack and Imam sat across from where I lay. It was quiet for a while.

"Imam…" I croaked. In a second I saw Imam in front of me.

"yes Kat?" I closed my eyes.

"Katrina…my name is Katrina." I opened them again. He saw what I thinking. He nodded gravely.

"Katrina." I nodded at the sound of my name. I hadn't heard it without scorn since I was ten. Since I killed my little sister…

"If I die out here-"

"Don't talk like that Kat!" Jack protested. I waved her off silently.

"If I die out here will you promise to do something for me?" Imam nodded. I let out a big breath. "I need you to get a message to someone."

"Go on." I nodded and started to sit up. "You should-" shook my hand at them and sat up biting my lip through the pain.

"her name is Helen Delphi. She lives on the planet Gadx. I need you to tell her I'm sorry." I pursed my lips. "I'm sorry for killing everyone she loved."

"And who is Helen Delphi if you don't mind answering me?" I shook my head and took in a shallow breath.

"She's my mother." I heard Jack's sharp intake of breath. Imam nodded.

"I will get her the message no matter what." I sighed feeling something lift off my chest. I felt less heavy.

"Thank you…thank you." another wave of pain washed through my body. My breathing hitched at the pain. I groaned riding it out. When it was gone I drew in a shaky breath. "I never thought I'd be offed my some freaky bird." I chuckled breathily. "I always expected to be killed by a merc, or some random convict. Even a heart attack seemed more likely then this."

"Why are you just giving up like that!" Jack yelled standing up. I blinked semi bewildered by her outburst. "You're still alive! You're not dead yet so stop talking like you are. Just wait until a ship finds us. You'll go to the med bay and they'll fix you." she huffed angrily tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

"Jack…I'm a wanted convict."

"So is Riddick!" I sighed heavily.

"I'm wanted dead not alive." I saw shock run through Imam's face. Jack sat back down seeming to understand now.

No one spoke for hours. Jack slowly fell asleep exhaustion finally getting the better of her. She was leaning on Imam who was silently praying with his beads. My breathing was the only other noise in the whole ship. I looked down at myself. I had no shirt on…only my bra. I had a gauze pad taped to my side. It was already almost completely soaked in blood. I slowly felt my body become numb. My life was slipping away before my very eyes.

I took a deep breath and dragged my half dead body up into a standing position. Imam looked up but did not tell me to get back down. With an arm against the ship I pushed myself forward to the cock pit. I grabbed onto the empty seat before roughly falling into it. I straightened my self. When I was finished I was panting from the exertion.

"You're shortening your life by moving around." Riddick said. I took a deep breath barely able to feel my body any longer.

"I want to die staring at the stars." was my answer. I stared out at the black abyss dotted with a million lights. "My little sister was a lot like how Jack is with you. She practically worshiped me." I needed to tell someone…I needed to get this off my chest. This was my one regret. I think he understood this. "She was the baby in the family you know. The little princess." I smiled softly remembering her small plastic tiara she loved so dearly. "My mother was a control freak. She needed her family to be absolutely perfect. And my siblings were perfect examples of that. All were athletes of some kind. I wasn't though. I liked sitting at home alone and reading anything I could. I was a genius. I taught myself everything I know." I sagged into the chair talking was so very tiring. I heard a slight stirring from the back of the ship.

"Mmm…" Jack said in her sleep. She must have been having a nightmare.

"I was the most miss treated in the family. My mother tried to constantly get me to do athletic stuff. It never worked. She made my life hell, but my little sister…she accepted me for who I was. The slightly crazy genius of a ten year old. But my mother broke my short control one day. I can barely remember what made me so angry, but I remember the feeling of the rage. A rage so great I lost myself in it and when I was finally freed of it…I was standing in front of my five year old sister. A cleaver wedged deeply into her skull." though I felt the tears they didn't come. I was strangely calm. "And I laughed…I laughed at the pounding in my heart, the rush through my veins, and the sense of power I held. But-" thick wet coughing over took my words. My body grew heavy when the coughs subsided. "But she didn't deserve to die. She never did anything to deserve my rage." I stared out into space. I loved it out here. The darkness…the tranquility of it all. So peaceful, like nothing could harm it. Nothing could disturb it from it's deep slumber. I began to see gray webs at the edges of my vision.

"How did you know?" I blinked heavily.

"What?" my voice was slow.

"Back at the crash ship after you kissed me. You said you didn't want to die without trying it. How did you know you were going to die?" I swallowed still staring out at the stars. My vision was darkening.

"I didn't." my eye were growing heavier. I couldn't feel my body any longer, I was so cold. I felt a prickling at my eyes. A shiver wracked my body. I gasped feeling like I couldn't get enough air any longer. Suddenly I didn't want to die. Fear gripped me in it's cold hands clearing my vision once more. "Riddick…I don't want to die." I whispered feeling my tears spill over. When was the last time I had cried? I couldn't even remember. My jaw trembled the tears slipping down in silent rivers.

"I know." his voice was soft barely even a whisper. I started gasping again, my heart pounding even quicker then it ever had in my life. The stars grew dimmer and dimmer seemingly leaving in my murky thoughts. "But you died free." his voice seemed to echo as everything slipped into darkness.

OOO(Riddick's POV)

I watched her eyes slip closed as I told her what she desperately needed to hear. I usually wasn't the one to be that person. The person who would give someone their last wish. I saw a soft serene smile place itself on her pale face. Her chest rose once more before falling still. I looked away then. She didn't need to be gawked at in death.

I've never seen such a complete transformation in a person as I did just now. She was so cold and aloof on the planet. She reminded me of a younger version of myself, but as I kept watching her I noticed she was a lot more then I thought. The air around her would change almost at random intervals.

No one has ever poured their heart out to me. Never sincerely at least. She was full of darkness…I knew the rage she spoke about. If she hadn't of been caught by Johns I would of given her a year until she changed into a monster like me. A year until she completely lost the humanity she clung so dearly to. I'm surprised she kept it for that long after all she was ten when she first killed someone. I was thirteen when I first killed someone.

I glanced back at her before looking to the stars once more. She wasn't ugly like most female convicts were, or that other worldly beauty the rest of women convicts have. She was an average looking woman. She had shoulder length hair that was all the same length no bangs like Carolyn or Shazza had, an oval shaped face with no fat on her skin. Her nose was slightly crooked probably from being broken and never set properly. She had enough curves to signify she was a woman, but was more thin then anything. She didn't look muscular or even powerful at all, she looked too thin for her height, but I had seen the power she had.

When I had been cleaning out her wound I had seen the pinkish white rivulets of scars scoring her whole back. I would bet they went down to her thighs as well. There were deeper once as well twisted and knotted even. I recognized the type of scars. They were whip marks. Was she a slave at one point? Or just tortured? She was a survivor no matter what. She hadn't been broken by whatever caused those scars, instead she allowed it to keep her strong.

Even when she was dying she still tried to make Jack happy. I noticed her doing that since the kid shaved her head. She looked out for Jack even when she knew she shouldn't. I knew that the fact that Jack reminded her of her sister was only a part of the reason why. Then there was the part with Imam's sons. The second one she tried warning him again after I had, and the third son she had made sure he didn't fall behind. Maybe she had a weak spot for kids. It wouldn't be the first convict I knew with that weakness.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I had to stop thinking about her, now I had to think of a way to dispose of her body…throwing her out of the ship to let the space vacuum crush her didn't seem at all appealing. She deserved a better burial place then that, but if I didn't get the body out soon it would begin to decompose and the gases dead bodies release would fill the ship and literally kill us all. I could always just drop her on her home planet, but no that would take to long. The body needed to go before that.

I all but glared at the vastness of space. I hoped we got picked up by a damn ship and soon. I wouldn't have to explain much if I told them we had crashed landed and were attacked. Especially with her wounds. How she managed to get away from that creature anyways was amazing.

A true fighters spirit. I didn't miss the look she gave me after I killed that monster. It was fear in it's purest form. Her instincts had finally given her insight into what I was. But I noticed something in her fear. It wasn't purely of me. No she feared what she would become. She knew she was like me to a certain extent. I could smell the ever lasting excitement that emanated from her each time things got shittier. I'm not even sure she was aware of it. Ugh…got to stop thinking of her. She is dead just like Carolyn.

Carolyn…she had given up her life for me. Went back for me even after I was so ready to leave them all here to be eaten. She told me she wouldn't die for me, yet she did. She died for a murdering convict that didn't deserve it. Jack and Imam deserved Carolyn's sacrifice not me. But no, Carolyn died trying to get my sorry carcass to stand up and walk and Kat was mauled by a creature in the dark.

I would of laughed at the irony of it all if I wasn't in such a bad fucking mood. Her home was the dark, it was only fitting that she would be dealt a fatal blow in the dark. I narrowed my eyes to keep from yawning. I needed to stay alert now. This was no time to keep rambling off. The body. Deal with the dead body first. Wrap her in some type of cloth and lay her out on one side of the make shift seats and beds in the small skiff.

It wasn't the most sanitary or proper, but it was better then opening the hatch and risking killing everyone on the skiff all because they had to get rid of a dead person. I pursed my lips in frustration. Nothing seemed to be working right now. I rubbed my head tiredly.

I heard rustling and moving, and the thick heady scent of incense came my way. Maybe Imam knew what to do with her…no it. When someone dies their body is not them. There was a quiet few seconds. I heard his murmured prayers in Arabic. He'd pray for a woman who knew God would forsake her.

"I can wrap one of my robes around her…it will keep in the gases more concentrated near the body." Imam's voice was quiet and rough. I nodded and looked to see him shrugging off one of his robes. It was the thicker, heavier one. He carefully wrapped it around her…the slumped body in the chair. "I can not carry her."

I unbuckled my seatbelts and stood. Imam moved out of the cock pit to give me room. I hoisted the surprisingly light woman into my arms before laying her out on one of the bed/seats. It was still warm with life…but too cold to be alive. I went back to the cockpit not wanting to witness how Jack will react. I closed my eyes and willed my body to unconsciousness.

AN: please don't hate me.