Morph

Chapter 10: The Real Story


As they reach the building where Saia lives, Jason begins to run towards the elevator. Although it's very old and outdated, he loves to ride on it. Riddick closes the gate and pulls on the lever back to #5. Jason is literally jumping up and down. They reach their floor and at the first step Riddick takes out on the hallway he knows something is off ~ the door is open. Riddick grabs Jason's shoulder instinctively. The child doesn't question him; he's learned to trust Riddick fully by now. Riddick positions himself against the wall ~ no plasma gun. He takes out his shiv, preparing himself for whatever awaits them behind that door.

Kneeling down Riddick looks at Jason attentively "Stay close to me and be very quiet, OK?" Jason smiles and nods. Riddick winks at him and begins towards the door.

****

My eyes are actually watery. Saia knows so many things, private things about Riddick and me. She told me that he always spoke about me, about how much he hated that day he left me on that planet. Maybe I've been wrong, maybe he didn't actually mean to hurt me.

I can hear footsteps coming towards us. I guess Deacon figures it safe to join us now. I'm sitting with my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands looking towards the ground. As the person enters the terrace I can hear low muffled sound, my eyes dart up to see Riddick holding Deacon in a headlock. Deacon's eyes are bulging and full of terror. I stand up abruptly and so does Saia. Riddick gives me ak ofk of disappointment.

With my hands in the air I say, "Riddick, let him go." He grins suspiciously, looks down at Deacon's holster and cuts it. The gun falls on the ground and Saia picks it up.

"Its OK, Riddick. Come, Jason let's show Deacon your room." She takes Jason's hand and points for Deacon to follow her, he hurriedly follows her not even lookbackback. They leave us alone in the terrace. Riddick walks to the banister, giving his back to me.

"Are you here for me or for Jason?" his grips the banister a little tighter waiting for me to answer.
My thoughts keep replaying everything Saia just told me.

"Is it true?" he turns to look at me with a question in his eyes. "Everything Saia just told me, is it true?" my voice is firm, I need to know for sure. He takes my hand and guides me to sit next to him. My whole interest is on him, as his story begins to unfold.

" Jack remember that last job I had, the day we were supposed to leave Nayarit? Well when I got there, that son of a bitch double-crossed me. It was an ambush; I had to fight for my life for the first time since we left that nightmare of a planet. The amount of people I killed that day... Jack I got scared of myself, I've never lost control like that before. Somehow the authorities got a hold of my true identity. I had to run again and this time I wasn't certain if I was going to make it. If you'd have come with me, you'd probably be dead. I couldn't hurt you so I drugged you instead of knocking you out cold or stunning you. You deserved better than running from the law with a murderer. I spent months without food or water. Everything that I've been through Jack, I just couldn't put you through it and I'm truly sorry for leaving you behind.
I ended up in Kyiebu, the only place I felt safe. I never told you, but I had a brother named Ryan. When I arrived he took me in his home, where he lived with his wife Saia and my nephew Jason. He was killed during the invasion from the federation and I promised I'd look after his family. Afterwards I took his identity and tried to make it to the Clarendon systems. Never could make it out of Terzago, they know I'm alive, Jack."

I let out a breath "What? No, they think you're dead, they think you're Ryan." I explain.

He smirks and shakes his head "That's what they told you, Jackie. The truth is they've been on to me since the day I left you on Nayarit. That's why I had to run. They've been lying to you all along."

My frown grows bigger by the moment "But why would they lie to me?" I search the floor for answers.

Riddick brings my chin up to meet his eyes "Because, Jack they know who you are. They know your real name and our history. Why do you think they recruited you or the reason why you were chosen to come after me?"

Realization stabs at me and my eyes begin to sting. The corporation has been using me all these years and I never saw it coming. *Stupid, stupid, stupid! *

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Jack." He smiles then his expression goes blank as Deacon enters the terrace.

"Uhm, sorry for interrupting but headquarters wants an update." he signals to the comm. unit in his hand. I can feel Riddick eyes on me.

With my chin raised I tell Deacon, "Tell them, we haven't found the targets. The search will continue in the morning"

Deacon's smile is wide "Yes ma'am!" he fakes a salute and goes back inside.

Riddick raises and eyebrow, "Your boyfriend?" he asks smiling.

"What's it to you?" I shrug.

His smile softens, "I've missed you, Jack." Plain and simple just like Riddick. I can feel my cheeks redden a little.

I decide to change the subject "So what's with your eyes? You're not wearing any goggles."

He nods and looks at me "I upgraded them." he notices the quizzical look I give him and laughs " After I met up with my brother, he introduced me to this doctor which specialized in surgical shine jobs. He wasn't exactly top notch, as a matter of fact he lost his license because he was Kyie. So he operated on me, leaving my night vision, but also giving me my regular sight back."

I jump in before he finishes "So, you can see colors now?" my eyes wide like a child's.

"Exactly! Not only that, but I'm not sensitive to the light anymore." He says matter of factly.

"Cool." we stay silent for a moment, admiring the fake scenery. "I guess I'm out if a job then, huh?"

Riddick bites his bottom lip then throws his arm around me "Not necessarily, I've been looking for an assistant. Care for the job?"

My heart pounds almost out of my chest, I try to contain my self *Fuck it * I jump on him hugging him tightly. He's surprised at first, but then returns the hug.

"Good to have you back, partner." He whispers in my ear.

"Good to be back." I whisper back.


To be continued...