Eyes In Darkness

Chapter 15

A creature dropped out of the rain and landed in front of us, its wings slick and hissing in the blue light.

"Keep going!" I shouted, pulling my shiv free.

I circled the thing, forcing it to follow me so the others could run for the skiff. The moment its head turned, Imam and Jack sprinted. Fry hesitated, clutching the dying glow-worm jar, then ran after them.

I kept the creatures busy—one, then two, then three. The air filled with shrieks and the stench of burning flesh as I slashed through the dark. I roared and charged, blades flashing silver in the rain.

⸻

Your POV

Riddick had gone back for them.
I sat in the skiff with Ali tucked against me, both of us bathed in the harsh blue light. The creatures screeched outside, scraping claws over metal. Ali was shaking so badly I could feel it through my arms.

Then the door burst open. Imam stumbled in first, Jack right behind him—soaked, terrified.
But no Riddick.

Before I could ask, a roar rolled through the storm—low, furious, and unmistakably his.

"Where's Riddick?" I demanded.

"He told us to run!" Imam panted.

"He's still out there." I grabbed the emergency lights from the wall and looped them over my shoulders until I glowed.

"It's not safe!" Imam warned.

"I'm not leaving him!"

Fry's voice came from the corner. "I'll go with you."

We stepped out together into the rain. The glow from our cords threw thin halos around us, barely cutting through the dark. The wind howled, carrying the distant sound of wings.

Then Riddick appeared—staggering from the shadows, blood down his arm, his goggles hanging loose around his neck.

"Riddick!" I ran to him. He collapsed against me, his weight heavy but alive. I braced him, half carrying, half dragging him toward the skiff. Fry followed a few paces behind, the glow-worm bottle flickering weakly in her hands.

We were only a few yards from the door when something slammed into my back, knocking the air from my lungs. I hit the ground hard, lights scattering across the mud.

"Jade!" Riddick shouted.

I twisted, expecting to see claws and teeth—
but the face above me wasn't a creature's.