The Killing Moor

Part 2

***********

Dense fog rolled across the ground, torches were held high flicking in the moist air, creating a arch of dim light. The men searched, calling out, dogs baying in the distance. There was a name, they were calling a name, searching for someone.

"I've found her. She's here." A thick broguish voice called out. The air went silent and still, the heavens and earth holding their breath for this moment.

He was there starring down at the broken body, so delicate, so beautiful. The swan like neck twisted at an ackward angle, bloodless lips pulled back in a lasting scream.

"By god, the demon that did this will pay. Pay with his life, he will." A man near by shouted, rousing the others in a ancient call for blood, a call uttern thn the old tongue.

Wary eyes went back to the body at his feet and he had the urge to touch her, to try and breath life into her. In a blinding flash the cold hand grabbed him pulling him closer, the corpse sitting now cut lusterless eyes to him.

"Why?" Came the melodic sweet voice. "Why did ya not stop him?"

He looked away, looked to the men around him, wondering if they didn't find it odd that the dead was speaking to him. The men were gone, the light was gone, only a full moon above shared its light. Turning back his heart lurched into his throat. Jack's face shoved up to his, whispering, her neck at the same broken angle.

"You don't have much time, Riddick. He's coming for me. You were the only one that could stop him then and your the only one now. Hurry. Hurry, before it's to late."

"Sir? Sir?" A frantic voice broke the dream, calling him back to the waking world.

"Yeah?" He sat up strait in the seat he occupied, glancing to the young face above, to damn young to co-pilot a transport he was sure but he wasn't about to start getting overly curious.

"You said to wake you before we docked. We're entering port now." The younger man explained. Riddick nodded and his eyes blinking in quick sucession behind his dark goggles. When he looked up again the kid was gone, having beet a hasty path back to the cock pit . Stretchiis lis legs as far as he was able in the seat he tried to think about anything, the weather below, the fact he was low on credits, anything except the dream. But inevitably it would come rushing back and when it did his brain interperted it and channled it into raw aggression, taking it out on anyone near.

It just happend that the young co-pilot peeked his head from the doorway of the cockpit no doubt curious about their mysterious passenger, their ONLy passenger.

"What the hell are you looking at? Come here, kid, I'll give you a quick lesson in who I am." He growled, hurling a duffle back near his feet at the man. Routing cable spilled out of the open bag as the youth ducked out of the way.

"Fuckin, kid," he growled, fustrated and more than a little aggitate at the memories of the latest dream.

***************

Jack watched as Jennifer moved easily from one customer to another, assuring herself that her clientele was satisfied. Sneakingind ind the bar and pouring a glass of soda water, she slid it across the surface just as the tall woman slipped onto a barstool and lifted a hand, stilling the projectile and lifting the cool liquid to well-formed, rosy lips.

"You're a saint, lassie," the deep, rich voice spoke. "I'm saying, I dunno know how much longer I can paste this smile on the face, as tired as I am." Pulling back a long, curly red tress, she fastened it in a decorative clip. "And if I were you, I would'na be standing behind the bar when Angus returns." Her playful brogue was lyrical. "He'll flay ya alive." Jack smiled as she rounded the bar and sat beside her friend. "Ah, no worries about me and Angus. We have an understanding."
Jennifer grinned. "The only understanding that old man has is that no one tends bar but himself." Sitting the glass down, she looked at the lass and furrowed her brows. "You all right, then? You're looking a bit peeked."

Jack nodded, running a hand through her own tresses ... shorter than her friends, but silky and glossy looking. "Yeah. I'm fine. I'm just really tired. I haven't been sleeping well, lately." Jennifer nodded. "It's guilt you're feeling."
The younger woman's head snapped up. "Guilt? What have I done that I should feel guilty about?" Musical laughter erupted. "Now, I'm sure I dunno know ... unless it's leaving your friend in the wee hours ... skipping out on him without so much as a by your leave ... causing worry and concern." She shook her head. "I'm telling ya, lassie. Had I known the man's name and residence, I'd contact him meself and let him know you'ore alive."

Jack sighed. "Why do you think I've never told you his name? He'd find a way to locate me for certain ... he'd be here instantly and it would all start over again." She shook her head. "No, Jen. It's better this way." She began shredding a napkin nervously. "I want him to be happy. I want him to find someone to make him happy." Jennifer gently brushed a strand of hair from her friend's face. "Sweet little thing," she began. "He's to be happy with another at the expense of you? It doesn't work that way." She patted Jack's hand. "But you'll come to see in time. You have a brain in that head o' yours!"

The younger woman laughed. "Of course I do. I chose you as a friend, didn't I?"
"Charmer!" Jennifer snapped playfully as she embraced the girl. "Back to work, with ye." Standing, she took one last sip of the soda water and smoothed her green and blue tartan skirt. "Why not spend the night at the house? I could use a bit of girl talk tonight." "I'd love it. I'll see you after work." As Jennifer waved and continued her rounds, Jack watched.

"I'd love it. I'll see you after work." As Jennifer waved and continued her rounds, Jack watched. She smiled. was almost perfect. Almost.

*************

"Most the young folk that show up here bouts end up on the moors. They have this fasination with the castles. Dunno why. There's only but two whos walls are even standin." The old man replied, from the front of the vehical.

"Which two?" Riddick asked from behind him absently, watching the scenery glide by.

"That would be Dovanshire and Ruenmire. They're both well over........"The driver continued, trying to relay some of the history of the area.

Riddick felt a rush of warmth flow through him at the mention of the name. He couldn't breath, couldn't think, could only hear that name echoing in his head. He knew it, instinctually knew it. Donvanshire.

"Take me there." He demanded.

"Oh, but lad. I doubt that young lass your searchin for is ......"

"Just take me there." Riddick growled low and menacing.

"Ay."

Turning from the main road the hovering vehical made it'e way along the low lying marsh like area, Ronnach Moor. The driver remained quite, cutting his eyes to his passenger every few minutes. A strange one for sure. Dunno trust a man when you can't see their eyes.

Riddick felt the eyes on him, curious, full of questions. His attention was rivet on the passing moor and how familiar it all seemed, the dreams began to fill his head again.

"Here we are, lad." The driver said, pointing through the window to the sheer rock walls yards beyond.

"That one be Dovanshire. Ruenmire is down the road a bit but, I'll take if you've a mind to see it."

"No." Riddick replied as he stepped out onto the moist green earth. Walking the distance to the ruins he turned in a complete circled before entering the gapping black hole that could only been the main entrance. As he stepped over the threshold a drunken light headedness over took him. Throwing out a hand he braced it against the wall.

"Riddick." He name was called, child like in a sing song voice, barely audible.

His head snapped upwards, glancing around. The dizziness disappting once he stepped farther into the massive structure. He shook his head, thinking old ghosts were coming back to haunt him. Ghosts that had come to be at the end of his shiv. His eyes went to the open sky above the walls the, darkening, filled with the low rumble of thunder.

"Riddick." Came his name again, more insistante this time but with the same muscial tone.

His eyes shifted to the remains of the stair case, the shadows above, Nothing, no sound , no movement. Riddick could master any surroundings in the matter of minutes and a ancient Scottish castle was a piece of cake compared to most of the places he'd been. Moving into the shadows he waited, removing his goggles he scanned the litted floor of the room around him, still there was nothing.

"You can't hide from me, Richard. Never me." The voice came from right beside him, giggling. There was a glimpse of movement, a brief light, and then it was gone. She was gone.