Pain and Possession

He was out of their lives for the next year and even as she was grateful for his absence in their lives, she missed him too in a way she would never be able to explain to herself.

It was good that he’d left when he did for not thirty minutes after he’d left her a squadron of law enforcement officials were at her door. They had discovered detective Masters and assumed that Riddick would be coming after her next. Caron made no protests when they ushered her to a safe house, she knew already she was safe. She packed whatever she needed for herself and Rick and went along quietly. They would let her go when it became obvious that Riddick was not coming after her.

The fact that Masters had been found at a bar and not a hospital had upset her at first when she realized that Riddick had lied to her but when she had thought about a little longer she gradually realized he’d lied because he didn’t want to upset her. That gave her hope. That told her that it was Richard who did it, maybe she would get her Richard back and maybe the monster he appeared to be now would be banished.

She held onto he hope as the months flew by without any word from him and as the list of murders he committed grew longer and longer. At the discovery of each crime she felt her chance to win Richard from the monster that held him captive was getting slimmer and slimmer and it wasn’t until the murder of another law official she gave up. The murder was brutal, even by Riddick’s standards and it made her wonder, really wonder, if Richard had been yet another victim of Riddick.

There was no way the Richard she knew could have ever willingly taken part in the gruesome killing spree that Riddick was reveling in. From reports he seemed to be killing indiscriminately and more frequently and that bothered her deeply.

Finally making a decision she decided to move. Once her decision was made, she said nothing to anyone; instead she made discreet enquiries about obtaining a new identity for her son and herself. When she had the proper documents she needed to start a new life, she packed up only what she could have carried in a small bag and her lap top and left in the middle of the night with her son.

Caron wasn’t stupid, she knew that changing her identity would deter Riddick for only so long and that he would eventually catch up with her but she told herself she had to try. He would come back to her and Rick, she knew that without a doubt and she knew that she could not deal with the monster that was masquerading as Richard, the monster that had killed him and was now wearing his skin.

After skipping from continent to continent she finally settled on a small island that was far way from civilization and was an exclusive get away for the rich and famous. With her exotic coloring it was easy for her to get a job and soon she was settled in with her son. She enjoyed the peace of the island life for another six months until it, like all good things do, came to and abrupt end.

The day her life changed she woke up early that morning with a sense of disquiet in her spirit. Something was not right she couldn’t seem to put her finger on it. Ordinarily her mind ran to Riddick but she doubted it would be him. She had a friend at the airport that carried Riddick’s description in her head looking out for him. He was her ex-husband intent on killing her, or at least that was what she had told her. Since the tiny airport was the only one on the small island he would have to come through there if he wanted to reach it.

It couldn’t have been Riddick that had her anxious, she would know he was here before he even found out where she was exactly on the island and would have ample time to leave. It had to have been something else. The feeling was strong within her she called in sick to work and kept Rick home, not that he minded. He didn’t seem to care much for the other children anyway, preferring his own and his mother’s company. Sometimes Caron got the feeling that he barely tolerated hers.

All day she was nagged by the discomfiture and found it hard to concentrate on anything. As it turned towards evening she sat outside on the porch with Rick, enjoying the cool night that was approaching steadily. He was playing with himself as kids his age do sometimes, running to and fro and exploring everything he could find, poking lizards and other unfortunate creatures with a stick he held in his hand.

Keeping a casual eye on him she scanned the bushes that surrounded their small house on three sides. Most houses on the island were like that, surrounded by bushes. When she had first arrived she had spent a posh fee to have it all cleared only to watch in horror as it grew back in a few months. After two more battles with it she gave up and settled for sharpening her vigilance.

Suddenly something caught her eye in the approaching dusk. It wasn’t a sudden movement or anything; in fact it was just the opposite. It was Rick, standing as still as a statue, something most three year olds didn’t do. He was gazing enraptured into the bushes, staring at something avidly. Following his enthralled gaze, she scanned the bushes for a glimpse of what he was staring at but saw nothing.

Goose pimples broke out on her arms and a feeling of terror so strong erupted in her she couldn’t move for a full minute. It was as if every muscle in her throat had locked and was frozen in place. When her unexpected wave of terror subsided she weakly called out to Rick.

“Rick honey…” her voice trembled silently, ‘Time to come inside. It’s getting dark” Not that it would have bothered him much. Like his father, he seemed to love the dark showing no fear of it at all.

He stood unmoving for a minute more than turned and ran to her, a smile on his face. Picking him up, she rushed inside and began locking the house down. A small voice inside her told her she knew it was useless but she ignored it. Instead she fed Rick and tried to carry on like it was another normal night at thhoushouse.

The sound of a window in the living room closing loudly as she cleaned up after their meal made her breath caught in her throat and after the first second of icy dread she was galvanized into action. Grabbing Rick by his arm, she half carried, half dragged him into her bedroom, ignoring his displeased cry.

As she closed the door she caught a glimpse of a rapidly moving figure in all black and cried out in fear. It was him. He had finally found them.

She grabbed Rick who seem unusually calm through out it all and backed away fearfully from the door. The knob rattled violently first and then again slowly, It shook violently next and she knew what he was about.

He was testing the door.

Caron knew that there was no way that the door would hold him off and she knew what she had to do.

Running over to the bedside drawer she pulled it open and grabbed it’s single occupant just as he slammed against the door ferociously and she screamesounsound of pure terror. The door was torn viciously off one hinge and she watched as he drew back and slammed himself against the door again. This time they both knew he would break through. She took a deep breath and readied herself.

When he broke through the door he stepped in slowly and stopped short at the sight of a gun in her trembling hands pointing at him. She had bought it when she first came to the island as a measure of protection against him. When she had purchased it she had prayed that the day would never come when she would have to use it. Now she was pointing it at him.

Instead of the look of fear that most men would have worn he only looked slightly amused. Not at all concerned with the fact that she had a loaded gun pointed at his chest.

“Stay back” she whispered moving to stand in front of her son who at first had looked a little frightened at the noisy destruction of the door but now looked pleased to see his fat


“Don’t point that thing at me unless you intend to use it” he smirked at her, convinced she wouldn’t have the nerve to use it.

“Stay back” she warned him again, watching him nervously as he slowly made his way towards her, “God damn it Riddick stay back!” she screamed.

“Ah…” he drawled, grinning at her, “So now I’m Riddick… That tells me a lot” he glanced down at Rick who was peering at him from between his mother’s legs. A look of uncertainty was on the child’s face as he looked from one parent to the other.

He wasn’t sure about what was going on. He knew his mom wasn’t happy and that made him worry, but then on the other hand the man who brought him candy while he was at school on the play ground was smiling. If he was smiling it couldn’t be that bad…

“Hey Rick…come here’ Riddick called to the boy.

“No” Caron said sharply, using the tone of voice Rick knew better than to disobey.

He glanced up at Caron and then back to Riddick whom he associated with fun and candy. Every time he came to the playground he would take him with him for a walk and give him the sweets he love so much. He even knew his name…

“Daddy” Rick said pointed at him, trying to let his mother know that the man was good people and was ok in his eyes. He brought candy and if his mother let him go he would be willing to share with her.

Riddick’s grin widened, ‘That’s right Daddy…” he held out his hand to Rick, ‘Come to daddy.”

Caron felt her son slip from behind her and grabbed his collar with a frantic hand keeping him away from Riddick. ‘Stay the hell away from us!” she screamed at him as he stepped closer.

“He’s my son Caron”

“He doesn’t know you…”

Yes he does.” Riddick contradicted, “Who do you think he spends most of his play time with…his dear old daddy…”

“Daddy!” Rick said again, pulling at Caron’s grip in irritation. He wanted to see if his daddy had any candy; chances were that he did since they were always in his pocket. “Pocket!” he pointed.

“Come here Rick” Riddick called again and this time Caron heard the underlying steel in his voice. He was done playing.

“If you don’t leave right now I will shoot you” she told him in the steadiest voice she could manage.

“Shoot me” he dared and stepped closer. His look said he wouldn’t stop unless he was dead.

The sound of the gunshot was loud in her ears and Rick screamed in fright at the unfamiliar sound.