I tried kids, I really did. But Carolyn insists on turning into a girl and Riddick's a pushover EVERY SINGLE TIME.I like the dark badass Riddick as much as everyone else but just can't do it. Who else besides me can't wait for the new movie?!

Not mine, blah, blah, blah.

Pillars and Pyres: The Fall of Demeter

Chapter 1

"Ms. Fry? It's time for us to go."

"Already? I thought I'd have a few more hours at least."

The woman looked at the new mother, not unkindly, as she fussed over the infant in her arms.

"Are you sure this is what you want? We can call everything off." She said ready to activate a two-way radio that connected her to her associates.

"No, no," Carolyn whispered as she brought the babes forehead to her lips, closing her eyes as she took in her child's scent one last time. "You have everything?"

"Yes, right here." The woman answered pulling the items out which included a photo, a single claw on a cord, the same claw that had been pulled out of her back and an envelope for the child's soon to be guardian.

Carolyn nodded and stepped forward to place the child in the carrier that the woman had brought with her. With a kiss she laid the sleeping baby down, pulling the blankets up around it. "I love you." She whispered one last time before stepping away as the woman, taking the carrier, walked out of the house taking Carolyn's life with her.

Twenty-four hours earlier~

Carolyn sat in a chair staring between the paper on the desk in front of her and the sleeping newborn in the bassinet beside her. She had finally shooed away the field medic that had helped her deliver, promising her that she would go to bed and stay there for the next twelve hours as soon as she had done this one last thing.

In the months since her rescue, questions had been asked, and threats had been made, all concerning the father of her child. Carolyn had no doubts once the news leaked that she had delivered, that their child would be taken forcibly from her in the blink of an eye and she refused to let that happen. There was only one more headline she was willing to fuel.

Plans had been in place for weeks now. Carolyn Fry and her newborn would be dead by tomorrow night.

Picking up a pen she began to write.

Imam,

I was so happy to hear about your escape from that planet I can only refer to as Hell.

I was rescued a few days after. My injuries were life threatening and I apologize for having not sought you out before now, but I desperately need your help.

I have a daughter. She was born just a few hours ago and she is in danger.

There have been questions raised as to her parentage. Threats have been made. People are watching. I would give my life for my child, but it won't mean much if she's already dead, and I fear that's what would happen if she were to remain with me.

I beg of you to do what I cannot and to give this child the safety and stability that she deserves, away from those who wish her harm. No one can ever know who her father is and living with me there will always be suspicion.

I shall be as Demeter from this day forward as my grief is unbearable, for I will always mourn this child's loss, my daughter, my precious Persephone.

May Allah be with you always,

Carolyn Fry

The knocking on the door jarred Carolyn out of her memories. Answering it, she let the two men in. "We just saw the medic off, are you ready to go?"

"Yes," she replied grabbing a small bag from the bed. She led the way to the back door where their vehicle was waiting. Holding the door open for them, she watched as they carried in a single body bag.

Emerging from her bedroom, the older man took her by the elbow. "It's time to go." He said as he escorted her out, helping her in the back seat before getting in the drivers side. They waited a few minutes for the younger man to emerge.

"Go!" the young man said breathlessly as he climbed in the passenger side.

They were barely to the end of the block when Carolyn's small home exploded in a fireball, lighting up the night sky.

Taking her to the space dock they pulled into a parking space and helped her into the waiting area. The older man sat beside her as the younger stood keeping watch.

Reaching into his jacket, the man whose name she had never been told, reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope.

"That has everything you need in it. One message and one message only will be broadcast when the child has been safely delivered. The medic is the only one who knows her destination." He held out his hand and Carolyn took it. "Good luck to you."

"Thank you." Carolyn answered.

With a nod he and his companion disappeared into the crowd.

Pulling the items out of the envelope she tucked everything but the ticket and her identification card away. Opening her travel papers she stared at her new name. Demeter Richards.

When her flight was called, Carolyn stepped on board finding a seat near the back. Away from the rest of passengers she pulled out the picture of her daughter taken just a few hours ago along with the lock of brown hair she had snipped off at the last moment tying it with a small pink ribbon. Carolyn bowed her head and prayed that she had done the right thing.

Imam hastily pulled on his robe, tying the belt as he stumbled down the stairs situating his glasses on his nose. Throwing open the door, the person who had rung his bell for the last five minutes was gone. Shaking his head with a tired sigh he just happened to look down as he was shutting the door. Stepping outside he looked up and down the street seeing no one. Turning back around, he picked the sleeping child up off his doorstep. Cradling the babe in his arms he took one last look around before stepping into his home closing the door behind him, frantically calling for his wife Lajjun.

Down the street in the shadows, a woman stood watching. When the door was shut and the child safely ensconced inside, she sent a short wave burst concerning the safe delivery of the child and then disappeared.

Inside Imams home, he and his wife were discussing what to do as Imam searched through the bag that had been setting next to the child. Pulling out a photo he sank down in a chair running a hand over his face.

"What? What is it?" Lajjun asked as she rocked the child in her arms.

"Take her upstairs and put her in the crib. We'll buy another tomorrow." He said handing her a still warm bottle.

"But Imam! We cannot keep this child; we have our own on the way."

"Please Lajjun. I'll explain later."

Lajjun eyed her husband with displeasure but did as he asked.

Rummaging through the bag he discovered a necklace much like his own that he fingered even now and an envelope. Opening the letter he read the short note from a woman he had known for so brief a time but was bound to by their mutual experience along with two other survivors. Placing the letter aside he read over the accompanying documents, which with his signature would make him the adoptive father of one Persephone Amelia Riddick. Without a second thought he picked up his pen and signed. It was the very least he could do for two people he considered friends.

Putting everything back into the bag he took a deep breath and headed up the stairs to explain to his wife why they would be raising two girls instead of just one.

Carolyn crawled into her bed holding her daughters picture to her heart when the message came through that she had safely arrived on New Mecca and even now was with Imam.

Years later, when word spread throughout the galaxy about the Necromongers and the destruction of New Mecca along with word that Imam and his daughter had both perished, Carolyn once again packed a small bag, left the keys on the counter and walked out the door without looking back, cold and heartbroken.

Setting up shop on one of the seedier planets she started a transport business ferrying those fine folks, along with their cargo, who, for whatever reason couldn't be seen or didn't want to be seen. She worked hard to blend into the background making contacts of Mercs and killers alike, many using her services multiple times over the years. It was pure bad luck when she ended up on Mericore IV for a pickup at the same time the Necromongers decided they wanted to invade. Damn bad luck indeed.