Slipping Away

Chapter 11

“What are you doing?!” Was the first thing out of my mouth. Sticky was out cold lying on the ground like he decided to drop and take a nap. Doc grabbed his keys from his coat pocket and looked dead at me. I didn’t even feel the cuffs come off, guess I was to much in shock of what was happening.

“Take the truck, probably got about an hour before anyone and everyone is on to you. It’s all ready to go, just start it up and say ship. You have to get off the planet, the pilot should be easy to convince.” His words fell on deaf ears.

“Do you know what you are doing? You’ll be put away. Why? Why waste this on me, I’m not worth it, never was.”

“I already told you why, I always saw you as a daughter. You have a chance to get away from all this, now question is are you going to use it?”

“Sit down.” I whispered taking the cuffs and putting them on him. With the keys in hand and now gun from sticky, although it was only a tranquilizer, my decision was made.

“I’ll be seeing ya Doc, sorry.” I loaded the gun and put a dart right in his arm.

“I know you will Nova, don’t let them catch you.” He slurred as the drug took effect. Doc slumped to one side next to sticky, making it look like I caused all this. That way Doc wouldn’t be in deep shit. With only one option left I jumped in the truck like I was told and yelled ship. I didn’t think I could get their quick enough.

“Russell that you? Back so soon aren’t we? What the bitch get out of hand again? Hey man I’m talking to you!”

“Sorry but he’s not here right now, I’ll make sure he gets the message.” I bit out as I strolled up the ramp like I had all the time in the world. Problem was I had about five minutes before the docks closed.

“Nova? How the hell- did you kill him? Are you going to kill me? Please don’t kill me all do whatever you want, just please don-”

“Will you shut the hell up a minute. I didn’t even threaten you yet and you’re already begging for you’re life. Pretty pathetic. But to answer your questions, no I didn’t kill him but I will kill you if you don’t get us the fuck off the ground in about 2.5 seconds. Comprende?”

“Yes, right away!” He ran to strap in and I did the same. Course we got a lot of shit for taking off so quickly and not checking it with the control center and hour before hand but I had bigger problems. The only good thing I saw out of that was there was still no alert that I was AWOL. Later that night was a different story.

“Where are we going?” The sissy pilot asked. I un strapped myself from the chair and stood up like I owned the place, yet in a way I did.

“Dunno yet. Put in on autopilot and come with me.” He did as he was told, at least I didn’t have to tell him twice.

“Where’s Russell’s room?” I barked not in the mood for stupid little games.

“Down the hall, third door on the left.”

“Why the hell are you telling me? Show me, now!” My slight push helped him move a little faster. Entering the room I was only interested in one thing, cuffs. And like I thought the closet was filled with them and any other thing you could imagine.

“Grab two of the cuffs and the thin chain between them. Hurry up I don’t have all day.” I led him into another bedroom fear was all you saw on his youthful face.

“On the bed, spread eagle.”

“w-What?” He backed up to the door dropping the essentials.

“You heard me, now get to it.” I picked them up and waited a few seconds until he got situated before cuffing his hands to the top of the bed, his ankles to the bottom, and his midsection to middle with the chain that fit all the way around.

“What’s your name boy?”

“Matt.”

“Age?”

“21, just turned 21.”

“Young aren’t ya to be flying the ship, especially carrying such a prisoner as myself.”

“Yes, this was my first run.”

“Ain’t that a bitch? Well I think it’s safe to say you won’t be hired again, that’s if you make it out of this alive.”

“You don’t know how to pilot.”

“Sure about that?” Yea he was right I didn’t but he didn’t have to know that. Made him easier to scary. I shut the lights off and closed the door but not before whispering,

“Don’t let the bedbugs bite Matty. See you in a few days, if I remember.” With that said, my quest was for a shower, food, a bed , and a place to go, particularly in that order. Then again you can’t always get what you want.


Chapter 12


My whole body ached as I ran it under the scorching hot water, letting it wash away the grime, blood, and pain. But it didn’t wash away the memories, nor the scars nothing could do that, not even time. After 10 minutes of being in their I couldn’t even hold myself up anymore so I sank to the floor letting my eyes shut for what felt like the first time in forever. I didn’t have to keep one eye open anymore, hell I was floating around in the middle of space. My adrenaline rush was hitting rock bottom and I was starting to feel the after effects which aren’t very pretty when you can barely stand.

Shutting off the water with my foot I practically crawled out of the shower landing on the floor with an audible thud. The sink supported me when I stood up snatching a towel. As I went to wrap it around me the mirror found me first, one thing I was never to fond of. My dark brown hair was slightly longer was around my shoulders not no more, my face was clear but pale also a lot thinner. Looking down I saw how thin I’ve become, something I never was. But now I was skin and bones, that wasn’t attractive either but if I started working out and added a little muscle it would look just right. My eyes didn’t have their usual flare in them, they looked dead. Still they held their color, light brown with tiny gold flecks in them, which people always commented on. The color of my skin was also a lot lighter, usually I got pretty tan, but I guess when you’re in darkness it does that. Finally after my self examination I wrapped the towel around me heading to the kitchen.

Food was next and damn did I go at it. The ship had a food prep machine and I think I ordered everything at least once. Ate it to, forgot what a lot of it tasted like. As I munched on a variety of things I pondered on where I was going to go. I knew where I wanted to go, though showing up at Lewis’s front door within days was asking for trouble. Yes that was my ultimate destination but I needed a place to hide out get what was left of my life back into some kind of order. Take a break. Learn how to be a fugitive. Then what to do with Matty, seemed like a nice boy, maybe he could even come in handy. I’d have to sleep on it. And that’s exactly what I did.

Going to the room closest to the control panel incase anything went wrong I could hear it and go get Matt’s ass up. Yanking the towel off I threw myself on the bed and not moving until a few days. Had to catch up on lost time, didn’t know when I would ever get the chance again. As soon as my eyes shut I was out cold, dead to the world, for a while at least.

I must have been a sleep a long time cause when I woke up I noticed there was a vid in the room. Yelling at it to turn on while I stayed wrapped in the covers put a smile on my face but it quickly left it came to life. All that filled the screen was reporters and interviews of my father. Shit!

“This is Carol Jennings reporting from the hospital that started it all. Where the father of Nova Servio lays resting from a bullet to the head, shot by his own daughter. It’s been two days and no sign of her, she is off planet, we think on the ship The Last Stop. If spotted call the local authorities right away, do not I repeat do not approach her she is considered to be armed and dangerous. Please stand by for an exclusive interview with her father, Memo Servio.” The screen went blank but soon flashed back on blinking this time. “This just in, we have just received word that there is a 3 million dollar reward for anyone who brings her back alive. Issued by her worried upset father. Quote ‘I just want my little girl back.’ End Quote. Please stay tuned…” Click I switched the channel to a couple others and they all had the same thing on it. Damnit! 3 million was enough to make everyone have an eye out. So daddy was playing this smart, bout time. One channel made me stop, he was being interviewed and bruises covered his face.

“She was yelling, saying she would kill me just like her sister. Kept hitting me but I couldn’t fight back I was to weak. I can’t bare the hurt I carry day to day. I know if I can get that chip in her I can have her back. I could save so many if given the chance, I just need the support. Nova if you’re watching this please come home, please….” I told it to shut off and it did leaving me pissed. I didn’t lay a hand on him, they were making me out ot be some kind of savage beast who like to hurt people. That wasn’t the case at all. But see the truth doesn’t sell, nah all the bullshit does though. I had to find a planet and quick if there was already 3 mil on my ass everyone will be looking for me. Not to mention the fact that they have about a two day head start, with me sleeping. Time’s a bitch.

I had to get off the ship before they tracked us down especially if there was 3 million up for grabs. Money brings out everyone’s greater evil. Never in a billion years did I think I would be a wanted killer. Quite an accomplishment, if I do say so myself.

Finding my towel and wrapping in snuggly around me, the control panel awaited. Oh and definitely needed some clothes. Padding down the hall and to my destination my voice was a little to loud as I called for the onboard computer.

“What’s are destination?” I yelled flopping in the chair near me.

“None as of yet, would you like to set one?” The almost angelic voice answered me.

“Yes, lock on to the closest thing we’re near.”

“We are about six hours from ULO Station, is that where you wish to go?”

“Yeah, get me some information on it to will ya?”

“One moment please.” It said before it all popped up on the screen now in front of me. “This is all I could find.” It looked big from the picture, which was a good thing. A lot easier to get lost in. Also wanted to know the next transports out of there, always had to be on the move. Sitting there reading informed me about the station a little bit, wasn’t top notch, meaning security and all that wouldn’t be the best. Perfect. Like always, I didn’t finish it and started thinking about the past. And about what I planned on doing now. An idea came to mind and I couldn’t resist.

“Computer! Do a search on a Lewis Kulane.”

“Not enough information, need last known location…”

“Elox” I told the damned machine as a bunch of beeping sounds went off.

“No match.” It shot back and then I had a hunch.

“How about the Lewis Kulane who was Nova Servio’s boyfriend and at the trial on Klixe…”

“Match found, check screen for information.” Yea I had a feeling that would do it. Everyone knew about that especially now that it was all over the Vid. The screen called to me though and my eyes obeyed. Only for an hour did I read what was in front of me. It was mostly about the trail and a couple interviews about the whole mess. Mostly he came across as upset and a little confused but for the most part held it together pretty well. That wasn’t what I was interested in though, no the address where he currently was definitely had appeal. He was currently living on Laygota, a newly found planet that was still getting its bearing. I wondered why he would move out there? It was kind of far and out of the way but then I thought maybe he just wanted a break from everything. Realizing that your girlfriend is a killer isn’t easy to deal with. God did I want to see him again, I wanted him to hold me, protect me, make it all go away like it was some bad dream. But I didn’t know if I would ever see him again…


Chapter 13


“Matty! Get your ass up, you have a shit load of work to do.” Making my self know in the room was first, then I yelled for the lights.

“Aw shit!” He groaned shutting his eyes.

“Sucks don’t it? Don’t worry that aint nothing.” Unlocking the cuffs he rolled into a ball, face down.

“Let’s go, I don’t have time for this. We land in three hours.” I turned to walk out when I stopped.

“Be in the control room in ten minutes or you might end up like all those people in the hospital.” It was a threat but an empty one at that. I couldn’t kill him, didn’t know how to fly or change the ship’s name or any of that. In a way I needed him weather I liked it or not. Problem was if he knew it too. Twirling in the copilots seat I mentally counted down the minutes till he appeared. I was down to three when he came stumbling in with dark sunglasses on and some new clothes on.

“What am I doing?” There was a slight challenge in his voice.

“Landing on ULO Station, changing the ship’s name, and anything else I think of.” He looked at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“Get to it, only have a couple hours.”

“Well what if I don’t want to?” He leaned back in his seat, arms crossed.

“Don’t test me Matty, I will kill you if you get in my way.”

“Bet you don’t even know how to fly the ship, let alone land it.” So the little dip shit figured it out, okay plan B.

“You don’t know shit about me but I do know something about you. Digging through my pant pocket I found a crinkled picture which was probably looked at many times. Found it in one of the rooms while I was looking for clothes, hopefully my guess was right. Holding it up he took a real long look at it. His arms dropped and that’s when I knew I had him.

“She’s a pretty one, shame if I paid her a visit and nicked up her face a little. Don’t you think? Cause it be no problem, could go there right now…”

“Okay okay, I’ll do what you want! Just please don’t hurt her.”

“I’m glad you’ve come to your senses.” I flicked the picture so it landed in front of him and he stuffed it in his pocket before going to work.

Watching him pound away at the keys was working up my appetite. I was still under nourished from the shit at Slam but now with food readily available I would be healthy in no time, I hoped. Sleeping was another big part, hadn’t done a lot of that either. Damn did I have my work cut out for me. My feet carried me to the food prep machine, hit a couple buttons and viola out it comes. Soup and a sandwich popped out and I yelled for Matt to get his ass over here and eat something. Without a word he did as I asked and we ate in silence until his curiosity got the best of him.


“Where you gonna go? No place is safe.”

“No clue. Gee thanks for the update.”

“Sorry. I’ve heard stories about Slam, you go in as a person and then are transformed into a beast. Sick shit.”

“All the stories you heard are probably true Matt. I can’t go back I won’t.”

“If you get caught you will. Besides what the hell can you do now?”

“Now, now all I can do is settle a score, then I’m done.”

“Your not serious are you? He’ll kill you, you won’t get ten feet near the Center. Why bother?”

“He took my life out from under my Matty, time to pay.”

“No, you did when you killed your sister, not hi…” My hands laid flat on the table as I tried to keep control. So hard, so very hard.

“I didn’t kill her! It’s all lies!”

“Okay okay! Damn sorry, I forget sometimes.” Getting up to walk away was pretty tough but he had one last question.

“You were with Riddick weren’t you?” He paused catching my eyes, “Are the things they say about him true?”

“They are and much more. Prey (get it?) you never have the opportunity to meet him, won’t be pretty.” Matt shivered at that and I disappeared through one of the doors.

Chapter 14


“We’re descending and fast, I suggest you get up here and strap in. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.” Matty bellowed through the hunk of metal. Course I didn’t give him any indication that I was feet from him or that I heard him. Stepping from his blind spot, I did as I was instructed preparing for the worst.

“Warning Warning! Approaching on a 95 degree angle, do not land, I repeat do not land!” The automated voice from the station blared through the speakers.

“Do you know what the hell you’re doing?” I yelled now looking at the aerial view of where we were to set down.

“Yes! But you’re making me lose my concentration, you don’t want that.” He was on edge, that was for sure. Some people cracked under pressure, others out performed, I wondered for a long minute on which one he was. From what I was seeing, I didn’t like my final conclusion.

“Five, four, three, two…” He counted off and shut his eyes, damn so much for that. Mine never left the huge station that we were about to crash into. That’s all I remember.

“Oooohhh…” My eyes fluttered open and the pain was instant. Head hurt like hell and I couldn’t feel the whole left side of my body. Something big was lying on top of my leg, though determination kicked in it wasn’t enough I was stuck. If we were lucky we hit one of the docks and not the actually space station, buying me some time before everyone and there mother was out checking the ship. Damn I actually got out of Slam and made it to the station without a problem, but now couldn’t move and they were coming. Shit! What luck! Yet again maybe I didn’t have any at all, maybe that was the problem.

“Get up!”

“Matty what the hell are you still doing here? You should be long gone by now. What’s the matter with you?”

“Get up! You don’t have much time.” He kept looking behind him, had a nice view too with a gaping hole now in the side.

“Just go Matty, I can’t get up even if I wanted to.” But he surprised by lifting the metal control chair and grasping my wrist, pulling me up. I would have fallen right on my ass to if his other hand wasn’t on my back supporting me. We took a few steps but I couldn’t keep up.

“Shit it hurts! I think I broke my leg, arm hurts pretty bad too. Why are you helping me?”

“There isn’t time for questions. Hold on.” He swung me into his arms and picked up the pace to a light run. My head bobbed on his shoulder, I tried to stay awake I really did but I failed, again.

“Goddamn it!” The light was blinding and I quickly shut my eyes. Trying to move wasn’t an option so I didn’t bother. But where was I? I was lying on something soft, probably a bed but until my eyes adjusted only guesses could be made.

It took several minutes before anything came into focus. As I thought, a bed was beneath me. Also my leg was wrapped in what looked to be a sheet, reaching down I felt something hard keeping it straight. Testing my arm I found that it wasn’t ready for any activity any time soon. Light snoring caught my attention making me aware that there was someone else in the room. Matty. He was across from me sprawled across the bed totally oblivious to anything around him. A few cuts lined his faced including a large bump on the side of his head but that was all. The question of why popped into my head again, why did he help me? That spurred a whole bunch, what was I going to do now? How was I going to do it? As I continued to realize of what kind of shit I was in I couldn’t lay there an longer.

“Where do you think you’re going Nova?” Matty rolled over staring at me.

“I’m leaving, it’s not safe.”

“You can’t even walk, you’ll stand out. Besides where are you going to go?”

“Fuck you! I have to go.” Rolling off the bed I was able to stand on my one leg but couldn’t put any weight on the other. Not good.

“Least let me take you to the…”

“You’ve done enough, thanks but no thanks.” I had the door opened and was about to hobble through it when that question came back.

“Why?” My eyes held his trying to figure out what he might say.

“You remind me of her.” He pulled out the picture, “Scared yet strong.”

“Disappear for a while Matty, take her and get the hell away. Oh and don’t fly a ship any time soon.”

“Yea, thanks for the advice. Take care of yourself Nova.”

“Always have.” And that was it I shut the door and was on my own again.
I couldn’t drag him into it, as much as I wanted help, asking wasn’t an option at the time.

Getting around was my most difficult problem. After the hype of the crash calmed down I made a quick visit to the stations small medical ward. It only consisted of a couple doctors and three small rooms but it was enough. Painkillers and bone reformation was what I got out of the whole thing. The Doc was able to practically put my leg back together with this little hand held machine. Wasn’t all better but I could put weight on it though I had to stay off it several days for it to completely heal. Luckily for me the station wasn’t really up to date with all the shit that was going on in the rest of the universe. It was more of a passing through station where pretty much all your needs could be met and no body cared, no one asked questions. Even the crash. Sure it was looked over but they cleaned it up looked around for survivors saw none and continued on their way. Nice and clean cut. The way I liked it.

I was there a month. A whole 30 days before I was strong enough to leave. Matty took up most of my time, must of spent hours watching him all over the station. Many times I caught him eyeing the crinkled picture looking as if he was confused. With my hooded coat I could just sit there and observe him and he didn’t have the slightest clue. To say the least I was surprised he was still there. He should have been long gone by now, why was he still here? The answer was obvious, he wanted to see me again, only problem was he couldn’t find me.
Poor guy. So my last night there I found him sitting in the food court swirling his finger in a cold cup of coffee. The note was already written all it needed was to be dropped off. That’s exactly what I did. My steps were light, quiet so he didn’t hear me coming. Slipping the wipe piece of paper on the table in front of him I walked away catching my ticket to freedom.


- I told you to get out of here. Are you looking for trouble? Go home to her, bet she’s worried. You’ll never truly understand how much you take for granted until its taken from you. Don’t waste it. You saved my ass, which is pretty high in my book and is why I’m writing this. Thanks Matty.

N

P.S. If you ever miss me, just turn the vid on… -