The ghosts that we knew

Chapter 5

~I NEED A PLACE TO REST MY HEAD
I'VE LOOKED NORTH AND SOUTH, EAST AND WEST
SLEPT IN THE MOST COMFORTABLE BED
WITHOUT YOU HERE I CAN'T GET ANY REST ~

He watched as she pursed her lips together turning to look towards Raines coming closer, his gun aimed at them, the rest of his men still climbing their way out of mounds of snow.

Knowing this is would be the best chance they had, Riddick twisted, throwing a leg out, causing Raines to fall flat on his back, skidding backwards down the ledge.

Grabbing Carolyn's hand, Riddick started running as an automatic weapon let loose behind them.

"Come on, Carolyn!" Riddick bellowed over the wind and snow.

"Where?" she screamed back just as he jumped into the snow caving it in, falling into a crack on the outer edges of the fingerprints. "Riddick!" she screamed dropping to her knees, only to see him standing below her in some kind of tunnel.

He glowered up at her impatiently. "Today, Carolyn!"

Carolyn hesitated looking at the distance between the two of them, but the sound of gunfire behind her provided motivation to drop down confident that Riddick would catch her, which he did, setting her on her feet once again, pulling her along behind him as Raines began to fire into the tunnel causing bullets to ricochet around them. Riddick slammed Carolyn up against a wall, once again covering her body with his. Mercifully, as far as Carolyn was concerned, the firing finally stopped.

Sending Wessel down into the tunnel first, Raines watched as he went tumbling straight through with a scream. The tunnel was simply snow upon more fingerprints.

Carolyn watched horrified as Riddick started propelling her forward once again leading her through the quickly narrowing tunnel.

"This way, walk exactly where I do."

Slightly panicked, Carolyn looked up at him.

"I'll get us back up top soon."

Terrified, she simply squeezed his hand.

A pissed Raines stood on the ridge above them hollering for another of his men.

A few moments later, Riddick moved Carolyn over toward the wall bracing himself over her once again.

"Not again!" he heard her cry out in frustration and fear just as the first round of snow and rock tumbled upon them.

Riddick glanced up as the noise level increased and cursed under his breath. The tunnel behind them was filling in quickly, but even as it slowed and the noise died down he was swept a few feet down the tunnel as Carolyn was quickly buried in the hollow niche where he had placed her. Scrambling his way backwards, he started to dig with his fur-covered hands uncovering her hair, as one of her hands punched through the snow. Getting her uncovered to her shoulders he was able to pull her the rest of the way out.

She tumbled into his arms.

"We have got to get to that ship." She gasped shaking as much from fear as the cold.

"I know. Come on. We're all most out." Riddick said helping her to her feet. They moved forward cautiously, as Carolyn, following in his footsteps just as before, nearly cried with joy when she saw a hole leading to the surface.

Just as they reached the opening an explosion shook the ground, the rumble of the approaching snow unmistakable. "You have got to be fucking kidding me!" Carolyn wailed.

"Move!" Riddick yelled grabbing her hand.

Carolyn didn't have to be told twice. Being buried alive once was more than enough. They moved out onto the ridges, exposed as they attempted to out run the newest round of advancing snow.

Ducking behind a freestanding rock formation out on the open ridge plane, Carolyn clung to Riddick as the snow diverted around them. Letting Carolyn catch her breath, they stayed put for a few minutes as Riddick listened for any of the men following them.

"Just a little bit further, Carolyn. Are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

Riddick looked her over sharply and with a nod of his head they left the cover of their rocks and headed out onto the open ridges. The wind and snow were up and Riddick hoped it would help them, because with Carolyn's shorter legs and injured ankle it was taking longer than he had planned.

Taking cover behind her wrecked hopper, Riddick watched and waited as Carolyn huddled in a ball trying to stay warm. She eventually broke the silence. "The entire five years. Here on this planet, all alone?"

"I had to stay away. I had no choice. There'll always be somebody after me." He responded grimly casting a glance in her direction.

"How much longer?" She asked changing a subject that she realized she simply couldn't deal with right now, her teeth chattering.

"Can you get that ship off the ground?" he asked.

Carolyn nodded. "As you well know it's not the take off or the flying that I have problems with."

"You get us off the ground and I'll handle the landing."

"Deal." She responded.

As the guard stationed outside of the ship moved to the far side, Riddick once again grabbed Carolyn's hand leaping from ridge to ridge to cross the short distance to the Merc vessel. Carolyn's body ached and her chest burned as she stood there holding onto Riddicks hand that was clamped over her mouth to keep her quiet.

"Get ready," he said his warm breath hitting her cheek. "As soon as I get the ramp down, you get this ship off the ground. Understood?"

Carolyn nodded her head, ready to have this whole adventure behind her.

Letting go of her, Riddick eased around her body waiting for the Merc to return to their side of the ship, sliding up behind him wrapping the mans head in his arms.

"Open the hatch" Riddick growled. He watched as the man punched in the code. The ramp slowly lowered onto the ground.

"Carolyn! Get on board!"

Carolyn need no more urging than that, moving around them, propelling herself up the ramp before coming to an abrupt halt as a gun suddenly appeared at the side of her head. She heard Riddick's feet hit the floor as he yelled her name swiftly making his way to her, throwing himself at the man with the gun.

"Get us off the ground now!" she heard him say as she scrambled towards the cockpit trying to stay out of the way of the struggling men. Lifting off, she heard the ramp close and felt his presence next to her as she punched in the coordinates for New Mecca.

Home.

Finally.