I am really happy that everyone seems to be enjoying the direction that I am taking the story =) The reviews have been really encouraging. I would like to give special shout outs to divine one (who I am happy to say is now my amazing beta!), lizziebug, Moody Muse, Chibiboku, Sere011, Rachet, and dayzejane. As always, I own nothing, so please don't sue me, this is all for fun.

They all search the wreckage for light sources that will buy them more time. After a few minutes River stops searching and sits in the hallway, knowing that they have found all they will on this side of the crash site. The others do not know this but they soon will. Until them, River just sits there and closes her eyes and listens.

River's POV

The thoughts and fears of the others come pouring into the girl, mixed within the whispers now.

"We can get thru this, we can…"

"…we only need a little more light to…"

"…blood…flesh…crave….wrath…"

"I was supposed to die on France, I never even saw France…"

"What have we done?"

"…another hit, another high would be…"

"…we only meant it for the best…"

…and static.

The static is growing closer now, she can hear it as it draws near. The girl just allows it to wash over her; drown out the other noise.

That's when she feels the cold metal on her throat; feels the pressure ever so slightly on her neck. It burns into her flesh and excites her. Still she does not open her eyes.

"Da chong wu dan."

"You sure about that girl?" His voice is coarse; he wants to give nothing away.

"Affirmative. You find the girl of too much interest to ghost her."

"Only because the others would just get…"

"Negative. You think the girl is shiny." And again the wicked grin is on her face.

There is more pressure on her throat now, the tip of the shiv presses into her flesh enough to draw a pinprick of blood. He growls. "There any use lying to you?"

"Negative. The girl will always know what is in here," she says as she taps the side of his head…

Riddick's POV

Only a small amount a pressure, that's all it would take…Hide the body in the darkness… Only a small amount of pressure…

…But I want to hold her close, her skin pressed against me tight, so lovely it feels so right…

The girl is driving me crazy; all I can do is whisper in her ear "I want to tear you apart…"

River's POV

The sound of his voice sends chills down the girl's spine…and her smile goes wider.

"It is always by way of pain one arrives at pleasure."

He laughs a very guttural laugh at this, leans in closer, "That an invitation?"

Riddick's POV

This girl will be the death of me…She knows it too. The way she smells, the way her body screams at mine, and she knows it, oh does she know it. She is egging me on with that smile, that dangerous smile that promises blood and sex.

I drop the shiv from her throat, and lick the blood that dots the tip of the metal… Taste like cinnamon and vanilla. And I wonder what the rest of her tastes like.

"Soon" is all she says. And I growl in irritation.

"Could take you right now if I gorram wanted to." And I lean into her, pressing my body up against hers. "What's to stop me from that, hmm?"

"Because Orpheus must earn the right to play for the Queen."

This just fuckin' pisses me off more and I momentarily regret lowering the shiv. "And how do you purpose I do that?" I growl.

Before I can react she pushes me away from her and to the other side of the hallway. She's stronger than she looks, and uses my momentary lapse of focus against me. She pulls a shiv from somewhere on her body, and presses it into my throat.

"When the Queen decides you have earned the right."

And with that she turns and walks out of the hallway to where the others are searching. And I chuckle to myself, hmm, she's full of surprises.

The others have gathered all that they could from the containers. Fry says that they may be able to pull the emergency strip lighting out of the cockpit on the other side. There is a moment of silence while they contemplate what that entails.

Silently, they gather everything they have found, which isn't much. Paris's bottle of liquor, a few more flashlights, some rope, and some of the straps from the shipping containers.

Fry slowly opens the container door, sliding it along the track, all the while using the torch to check for the monsters. They begin to move outside, preparing themselves for what feels like the longest 50 yards of their lives.

"Stay close." Fry whispers.

And they slowly inch their way forward, Johns and Riddick bringing up the rear.

"Okay, wait, wait….Riddick." Fry says, calling Riddick to the front to check.

He moves his goggles up his head, scanning the darkness in front of him.

"Looks clear," he says to the others and Johns moves forward now with his shotgun and flashlight aimed at the entrance.

Just as Johns moves to take a step, a monster flies out of the cockpit. Everyone screams and hits the ground.

"You said CLEAR!" Johns hisses still lying flat on his back on the ground.

"I said it looks clear," Riddick corrects.

Johns looks up at the entrance again and asks "Well what's it look like now?"

Riddick perks his head up to look again and replies, "Looks clear."

Once the emergency lighting has been turned on, the group begins to scatter around to look for supplies. Pieces of the emergency rope lighting are pulled down, a piece of scrap metal siding is found to act as a sled, spark plus are collected and used with the rope to make wicks for the liquor, the emergency power generator is disconnected from the ship, the flashlights are fastened to a seat belt for Riddick to wear on his back.

Riddick walks around inspecting everything that has been gathered and giving instructions for the run. "I'll be runnin' at ten paces ahead. I want light on my back but not in my eyes."

River's POV

After her work is done, the girl goes in search of the Riddick. She finds him looking out into the darkness. Studying all that he sees; Chopin's Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor plays in his mind. She approaches him, as silently as she can.

"You may be graceful but I can still hear you girl." He says without turning his back.

She just huffs and walks to stand at his side.

"The static is gone." The girl and Orpheus stand there for a few more moments before he speaks.

"Can't concentrate on planning and keeping you out, takes too much damn effort."

"The girl comprehends." They just stand there for the longest time. They just stand and stare at the vast ocean of blackness in front of them.

"You aren't going to make it easy are you?" And the girl knows he is not talking about the run through the valley of the darkness.

"Affirmative. The girl wishes to test the Riddick as he has been testing the girl. Wishes to play her favorite game." The girl says turning to Riddick.

"What who can be the biggest tease?" He remains staring straight ahead, but can see in his peripheral vision the Cheshire cat like grin forming on her face.

"Negative. Girl's favorite game is who's the better killer." He says nothing for a moment, quietly thinking about what she has just said.

"You sure you can keep up? I play dirty; I am one of the monsters."

"So is the girl." The girl says barely above a sigh.

And with that the girl turns to regard the darkness once again, and they stand there contentedly, him inhaling the scent of lavender, and her listening to the music.

Riddick's POV

As my senses fill with lavender and the desert night, I can't help but stifle a chuckle. Got to give it to the girl, knows how to lure me in; knew to throw just enough out there... damn tease.

"You have a particular mark in mind baby girl?"

Her eyebrow quirks at this, but I am not sure if it is in response to the question or the term of affection.

"Repetition is irksome. It will kill two birds with one stone."

And now it's my turn to arch the eyebrow.

"Orpheus' former employers, the Alliance. They made the Riddick a monster, and made the girl a weapon. The girl meant it when she said they would make them pay." The smile playing at her lips and the smell of cloves fills the air.

"You have a preference?"

"The girl has always liked blades… But minor annoyances must be dealt with first." She motions with her eyes in the direction ol' Billy bad ass went earlier to get his next hit.

"Agreed." I say as I turn and look at the darkness again.

The dangerous glint is back in her eyes, the smirk plays at her lips. Damn, this girl is all kinds of fun.

It's almost time; they have all begun to gear up for the task ahead.

The only one who isn't around is Johns.

"Where is Mr. Johns?" Book asks looking around.

"Upper hallway to the right." River replies.

"I'll go get him."

Fry finds Johns in the upper hallway like River said, fingering a drug cartridge with his fingers.

"Are you ready Johns?" She asks the doped up merc. He doesn't reply. "Look we're just wasting light here…"

"You give him the cells, and a ship, and he will leave all but that moonbrained reader out there to die. They'll both leave all of you behind."

"I don't get it Johns, what is so god-damned valuable in your life that you're so worried about losing… Besides your next spike." She says as she walks away.

And he begins to smile at this, he knows what's valuable on this rock, and he has no intention of letting Riddick make off with her.

They are all milling around the entrance now, waiting for the start of the run.

"Are we actually going to do this?" Paris asks.

"We stay together, we keep the light burning."

"There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle." Book adds sagely.

Riddick pushes the doors open now, "Alright, here we go."

River's POV

The girl is aware of the cacophony around her, briefly listens to the thoughts from all sides.

"…Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me…"

"I hate this, I hate this…"

"I'm going to get through this, if only for Zeke."

"…Blood, smell it….flows….gushes…."

"Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name…"

"Finally found me my big payday…"

"Flesh…starving….need to feed…"

But she focuses on the music of his mind. Chopin continues to play, and it calms the girl, gives her the focus she needs.

Fry, Johns, Book, and Shazza are taking the front of the sled. River, Paris, and Suleiman take the rear. They have wrapped the emergency lighting around their bodies, and placed the emergency generator on top of the cells. It creates a web of light around the group. And although they cannot see them, they know that the monsters are there, just beyond the faint light.

Paris is visibly nervous, the cutting torch has begun to die down and he fumbles for a flare from the sled, but accidently knocks one free. It rolls a short distance into the darkness.

"Wait." Book says as he takes off the rope lighting so he can reach for the flare.

"Book no." Fry says as she watches.

That is when they hear the noise, the echo.

Johns begins firing his shotgun into the air. Hoping to drive back the monsters before they swoop down. Paris is crawling around the floor hoping to avoid the things as everyone feels them fly above their heads.

"This can't be happening."

"Paris get back here!" Fry screams.

Book just has his finger tips on the flare when he feels someone pull him to the side, just as a rush of air is felt to his left. But he also feels immense pain in his leg.

"Are you alright? Shazza asks.

He looks down to see that the beast has left a gash in his lower leg. And blood is beginning to seep out.

"My leg." And as Shazza begins to staunch the bleeding River comes over with extra rope to tie off the wound.

And that's when it happens. The light begins to fade. In the midst of all the confusion Paris had pulled the generator off of the sled.

Fry begins to run around, trying to fix the generator; prop it back up. She is unsuccessfully trying to push the generator back up onto the sled and yelling out at the same time. "Paris! Look at what…"

But that's all she gets out before she feels sharpness in her chest. She looks down at the blood seeping through her shirt, and the spike sticking through her breastbone. And as she starts screaming she is pulled violently upwards into the air.

Riddick's POV

I hear Fry scream as she is pulled off to her death, but I don't really mind. Bitch had it coming anyways for wanting to kill everyone else to save her own ass. Seems only fair she would be one of the one's to go now.

I can hear Johns again firing wildly into the air but the shots somehow seem off. I know ol' Billy isn't that much of a crap shot, and it seems like he's only trying to play the part. I walk back to where the group is now beginning to huddle around the sled.

"Paris what the hell were you thinking!"

"Why did you do that? If you had just fucking listened!"

The others are laying into Paris for his stupidity. All he can do is hang his head in shame. He knows it is his fault. And Fry's death is hanging heavily on his conscience.

"Well, it's good to see you're okay." Johns says to Riddick as he walks into the light of the newly lit flares and alcohol bottles.

"We must move on, before the furies return," River says. She too is irate at Paris, but sees no need to increase the percentage of danger by harping on the fact now.

And with that, I go back to leading the group, while Johns, River, Shazza, and Sulieman shoulder the straps to the sled as Book limps along between Paris and the girl.

After about another hour the questions start to rise.

"Are we gettin' close?"

"Can we pick up the pace?"

And that's when Johns looks down. He sees the ruts in the gravel at their feet.

"You want to tell me what's goin' on? We're crossing our own tracks!"

"Listen." Riddick calmly says.

"Why have we circled?" Shazza asks, anger creeping into her voice. "Are we lost?"

"Listen!" He barks out.

"We're close to the canyon now. I circled once to buy some time to think."

"I think we should go now." Johns says, the edge creeping into his voice.

"I don't know about that….That's death row up there….Especially with the Holy man bleeding. They've been nose-open for him for about an hour... "

"Then I will stay here, give you all more time." Book says as he tries to remain calm.

River's POV

"NO!" The girl screams and all eyes are on her now. Orpheus raising an eyebrow at her outburst.

"The girl will not leave Hermes behind!" She says rather quietly. The others do not seem to notice the name that she has called the shepherd or write it off as her feng-le way of speaking. But Book hears, and his eyes go wide as he realizes what she means by the name.

"So what do we do, go back?" the whelp says, clearly terrified of what he is hearing.

"We're going to have to go back." Shazza says.

"What did you just say?" The girl can feel the blue devil's temper rise at the mere suggestion.

"This isn't going to work. Can we just go back to the ship?" the whelp man timidly replies.

"I don't know…Nice breeze. Wide-open space…I'm startin' to enjoy myself out here!" the blue devil roars.

"Negative, percentage of survival if we return drops to zero. We still have 33.7 percent chance if we continue."

"Are you sure it is the only way?" Shazza asks the girl.

"Affirmative."

"Well, you heard the girl mush on. The canyon's only oh one klick from here, and after that it's shuttle city." There is a pause and no one seems to protest.

"The verdict's in. The light moves forward." The blue devil says as he picks up a strap to the sled, and the others follow suit.

But something is amiss in the blue devils mind. The girl hears calculations running through it. They are calculating how much further they need to go, how hard it would it be to 'dispose' of the woman, Hermes, the boy, and Orpheus, would the girl put up a fight?

And that's when the girl realizes what Johns knows, realizes what his plans are. Silly man, he should know that the best laid plans often go awry. And her own calculations begin in her mind.

Riddick's POV

Seems odd, seems like he is putting more trust in the girl now, something he didn't want to do earlier. Seems like he should be bitching more, putting up more of a fuss over the situation they are in. And then there are those pulled shots earlier, the ones that were for show. Ol' Billy is planning something; can't quite be sure what yet, but he's definitely got something mulling about in that head of his…

They decide to take a break, give Book a chance to rest and clean off some of the blood before the canyon run. They all huddle together in what little light they have.

I stand apart from them, studying the skeleton that happens to lie nearby. After a few moments, I realizes that their eyes are too far apart. Dead center is a…

"Blindspot."

"Shall we pray together?" The Shepherd says from behind me, which surprises me a little, because even with the limp I didn't hear him.

"I have already prayed with the others…It is painless."

"It's pointless…Two of your boys are already dead….How much faith do you have left, Shepherd?"

"I have faith in that girl that you seem to have taken an interest in."

"You don't know what you are talking about old man."

"Please Riddick, I do have eyes."

I sit down near a flare and because he seems hell bent on annoying me he follows suit.

"I see the way the two of you test each other, trying to see who has more skill, discover any possible weakness in the other. I am surprised Johns hasn't figured it out yet, man with his background."

And this surprises me, for a Shepherd to peg Johns as ex-military is something of interest. "You know Johns is ex-military?"

"I wasn't born a Shepherd, Riddick."

"You will have to tell me about how a Shepherd comes to be so observant some time."

"No, I don't." And with that he gets up and hobbles back over to the others. And all I can think is that the girl and I might not be the only things the Alliance has created in this psycho fuck family of ours.

Author's Note: I know some of you may be surprised at some of the plot points in this chapter, but like I said, there is a larger story arc being crafted here ;) As always feedback is appreciated.