A Dark Retreat

Tentative Trust

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Pitch Black, Riddick, and music assets used. I only own any original characters I include.

~ Quinn ~

The silence is broken only by his gravelly voice "Strong survival instincts, I admire that in a woman." 

'Why do I know that voice?’ 

I think back to my walk here and the feeling that I was being stalked. 

'The eye-shine, the voice, the cuffs! I need to be very careful so I don't end up dead. I can't believe Riddick is in front of me… how is this even possible?  Excuse me while I fan-girl quietly for a minute.' 

I feel a heat building in my stomach. I am pinned beneath him and get a raised eyebrow in return. He leans closer and runs his nose along my shoulder and neck; he's scenting me, I know he is. Turning my head, and exposing my throat to him, this submissive/non-threatening action should relax him a little. He leans away and looks at me inquisitively. I can see the wheels in his head turning. The fact that I know how to make myself less of a threat probably makes him even more curious about who I am.

"Who are you? Where are we?" His tone brooks no argument. 

"I'm Quinn, we are in one of the houses I lived in for several years growing up. 
Near Houston, Texas, USA.”

"Quinn what? And what planet?" he demands.

"Umm... Could you please remove my knife from my neck? I won't attempt to jump you again." 

'But yes, who wouldn't want to jump him if he asks? No!! Bad, don't think that, ugh.' 

I close my eyes momentarily while I berate myself.

"I have no wish to leave this building unless it's to cook food and we are fairly isolated out here. In answer to your questions, Quinn McCann and we are on Earth in the year 2023. And who may I ask are you?"

He gets angry at me, thinking I'm lying.

"What planet is this?! Earth is practically inhospitable. This can't be Earth." He growls. 

"I'm afraid it is Earth. If you let me up I can prove it to you" 

He growls at me again, and I immediately understand he's telling me to behave, and then he rolls to his feet. As I rise I notice his cuffs are what looks like his cryopod chains, he is tense and on guard.

I pull out my phone, glance at his eyes, and turn the brightness down. I pull up Google Maps zoom out all the way and show my phone to him. He looks at it carefully and sighs. 

"Who are you? If you don't mind me asking?" 

He looks at me and holds out his hands, one open to shake, and states as I firmly take his hand.

"Richard B. Riddick"

"Nice to meet you, Riddick." He eyes me suspiciously.

While he studies me speculatively I guide him over to the bed, my hand resting lightly on his arm, muscles flexing under my touch. 

"Sit, please Riddick," he grunts at me in reply before warily complying. "I would like to try to pick the lock on these cuffs. Do you mind or would you like to find another way to get them off?” I ask sarcastically as I sit down next to him.

He just nods at me and lifts his hands offering them to me.

Grabbing his chained, rough hands, I move them to my lap, where they rest heavily on my thighs. Slowly I reach to my right thigh and pull a short thin stiletto knife from a hidden sheath.