Eyes In Darkness

Chapter 13

Drops of blue liquid splattered across my clothes and skin. The smell was sharp and metallic.
I started to tilt my head up, but Riddick's hand closed around the back of my neck. His breath brushed my ear as he whispered, "Don't look up."

Then, louder for everyone else, he repeated, "Don't look up."

Fry didn't listen. She tilted her head back and almost screamed, "They're killing each other!"

Bodies began to fall.

The dying creatures, shredded by their own kind, rained down through the dark canyon. The wet thuds shook the ground, wings snapping, claws scraping.

"Move!" Riddick barked.

We ran.

We reached the ribcage of some massive beast long since picked clean, using the bony arches as cover. As Hassan squeezed through a gap, one of the dying creatures lashed out, its claw slashing across his leg before it collapsed.

"Hassan!" Imam caught him before he fell, voice tight with fear. "Hold on, my son—hold on." He hauled the boy's arm over his shoulders, helping him limp forward.

Then a screech—one of the creatures darted toward Jack and Ali.

Jack dove under a curved rib, clutching Ali to her chest. The creature slammed into the bone, talons scraping for them.

"Jack!" I screamed.

Riddick set me beside Imam and drew his shivs. In two strides he met the creature head-on, blades flashing. A few brutal seconds later, it hit the ground, twitching.

"It didn't know who it was messing with," he muttered, wiping the blade clean.

My knees gave out; Imam reached for me, but Riddick was faster. He caught me easily and lifted me again. I pulled Ali into my arms, needing to feel him safe against me.

Then another drop hit my arm—clear this time.

It was raining.

We stopped while Imam wrapped Hassan's wound, the rain hissing on metal and bone. For a heartbeat it sounded almost peaceful—until a shadow slid down the canyon wall.

A creature's tail snapped out and coiled around Hassan's waist.

"Father!" Hassan shouted as he was yanked upward.

"Hassan!" Imam's cry tore through the storm. He lunged forward, but it was too late. The boy vanished into the dark above. The scream cut off in an instant.

Imam fell to his knees, rain running down his face like tears. "My son... my boy..." His voice cracked and broke apart.

I buried my face against Riddick's chest, clutching Ali tighter. Riddick's arm came around my shoulders, firm and steady.

But there was no time to stop. The rain thickened, threatening to drown our lights.

"Please tell me the settlement's right there!" Fry shouted.

Riddick's voice came from ahead, grim and certain. "We're not gonna make it."

My head swam; the world tilted.

"Here," Riddick said quickly, spotting a small cave. "Get in there!"

Everyone but Riddick, Ali, and me scrambled inside. He rolled a boulder across the entrance, sealing them in, then ran through the storm with me in his arms and Ali pressed between us.

We didn't stop until the faint outline of the settlement appeared. Riddick kicked open the door of the skiff and rushed us inside.

He set Ali in the front passenger seat—where the light was strongest—and shoved fresh batteries into the lamps. The cabin blazed to life.

He lifted me onto one of the seats, grabbed the first-aid kit, and tore it open. His hands trembled slightly as he pulled out a needle and thread.

"There's no numbing cream," he said quietly. "It's gonna hurt."

"I know," I whispered. "Better than bleeding out."

He met my eyes, then began.

The first stitch burned like fire. I bit my lip hard, holding in the scream. After a few more, the pain settled into a dull throb. When he finished, he wrapped gauze tight around my waist.

That's when I noticed—his hands were still shaking.

I caught them in mine. "You okay?"

Riddick hesitated. "I don't like hurting you," he said, voice low. "Makes me hurt."

He drew me into his arms, resting his head against my neck. I ran my hands slowly over his back until his breathing evened out.

Then—metal scraped outside. Something heavy shifted against the door.

Riddick lifted his head, eyes catching the light—silver and sharp.

And we both looked up to see—