DISCLAIMER: I do not, have not, and will not ever, never, never, ever own The Adventures of Tintin. The stories and characters are purely owned by Herge :)
Hi my name is Caitlyn. My hair is ruby red, I come from the land down under (Australia) and I am a HUGE fan of Herge's Adventures of Tintin. The comics, tv show and the movie :) This is my first ever fanfiction so please R&R. Constructive criticism is also appreciated. Enjoy! :D
Storm clouds growled over the docks as disgruntled sea men were rushing to get their imports under cover of the stock houses before the torrential rain hit.
"Blistering barnacles, there's a hell of a storm comin' our way lad; I hope it doesn't ruin all the cargo!" said a bearded man wearing a blue sailor's jacket and a captain's hat as he walked briskly passed the boats, a newspaper already above his head.
"Don't worry Captain; storm's around here don't normally last very long" his younger companion reassured him. The boy of around 17 was wearing a peculiar outfit complete with a blue sweater, golfing pants and a Sherlock Holmes-like overcoat. A small, white fox terrier was trotting happily by his side.
"I don't know Tintin, a sea man like myself has witnessed many storms like this and ill tell ya, they don't let up easily" the Captain replied looking warily at the dark grey clouds.
The rain had just reached the land as the sailors were securing their boats and double-checking their cargo. Tintin and the Captain found shelter under the little row of shops near the dock.
"You still want to hand that report in today lad? The rain's really picking up and to be frank it is two days underdue" the captain asked Tintin.
"Well I like handing my work in early, and besides I know I'll forget to do it later" was the reply.
"Well in all honesty, you are easily distracted" the captain said, smiling at past memories.
"Hey! I am very observant thank you very much, and I'll have you know that- wow Captain, look at this!" Tintin stopped mid-sentence to examine a very fine looking typewriter.
"Yup, nothing can shake your keen focus" the Captain said rolling his eyes as he pulled Tintin away from the silver typing thing. "You have a million of these at your apartment, you don't need another".
"But this one is so shiny!" Tintin said pouting slightly, but he realised that the captain was right. He really didn't need another typewriter.
By now, the two were far into the city which was unusually quiet due to everybody taking cover from the incoming storm. A large roar of thunder was followed by a crack of lightning that lit up the gloomy sky and the first set of raindrops started to fall.
"Thundering typhoons that was loud!" the Captain jumped at the unexpected flash. "Tintin I think I might duck into this liquor store for a brief moment just to, uh, browse the bottles. You and Snowy go on ahead to submit your report and meet me back here".
"Sure thing Captain, I won't be long" Tintin replied as he continued walking, Snowy shook off some raindrops before following his master
"If only he knew what I was put though to get that information, maybe he'd actually respect me a little more" Tintin told Snowy angrily as he walked out of the Le Petit Vingtiéme building, Snowy growled in agreement. He thought back three weeks to his last adventure, subconsciously touching the place on his shoulder where he had been shot.
"Oh well, I'm not in this business for the attention. I'd sooner settle for the excitement and uncovering of the truth and-oof!"
They were walking on the sidewalk near a florist when Tintin felt something solid collide with him and they both tumbled to the ground in a heap. The 'solid something' appeared to be a man; wearing dark clothes and scrambling to his feet. Snowy growled and barked at the stranger as the man dodged around the small dog and immediately took off again.
"Great snakes! Who in the world was that? And why was he in such a hurry?" Tintin asked himself as he rose to his feet just catching a glimpse of the man's black coat as he raced around the corner. "Well whoever he was Snowy, he's gone now. Snowy? Where are you boy?" the little fox terrier was no longer at Tintin's side, but sniffing something on the ground a few metres away.
"What is it boy? What have you found?" Tintin asked Snowy as he walked over to inspect the discovery. It appeared to be some sort of necklace.
The necklace looked old. Very old. The chain was rather long and slightly rusted, and the pendant was very odd indeed. It was large and the edges were flat around a small ball in the middle. The whole pendant was covered in a layer of metal.
"Now why would anybody cover a necklace in metal?" Tintin thought out loud.
"To conceal the beauty and worth hidden inside" said a malicious voice behind Tintin.
Tintin gasped and turned around to see four burly goons. Three of them staring at him but the man who spoke was still glaring at the necklace in his hand. Snowy growled at the unfamiliar men, but Tintin told him the calm.
"Now young Sir" the man spoke again. "I do believe that is my necklace there. I dropped it yesterday, and it's an anniversary gift for my wife. I've been ever so worried about it, and I'd like it back…, uh, please".
Tintin observed the men before him. The man who spoke to him was rather short and plump. He was wearing a light brown tail-coat and had greasy, slicked back hair. The man's evil grin widened as Tintin watched him lie through his teeth. The other men standing behind him were reasonably taller, quite intimidating and appeared to be body guards. .
"This is your necklace is it?" Tintin replied. "And you say you lost it right here, in this very spot?"
"Yes, yes, I dropped it right here" the man said a little more urgently. "Now listen here boy, if you have any doubts that I indeed own this necklace than I'd be more than happy to, er, persuade you" the man replied. Then all four men pulled back their jackets a little to reveal handguns resting in each of their left pockets.
Tintin's eyes widened as one of the guards started to walk towards him, his hand slightly outstretched as if he expected Tintin to hand over the necklace.
"I don't believe you!" Tintin yelled at the portly man as he started to take small steps backwards.
The crooks matched his every step, walking towards him. Tintin didn't see any way out of this; he could run for it, call for help. But he'd get shot for sure. Tintin touched his shoulder again.
"Alright here's the only possible scenarios you stubborn little brat! You co-operate with us, I take the necklace, and we walk away pretending like nothing happened. Or, you don't co-operate with us, we shoot you in the head, I take the necklace and we walk away like nothing ever happened. You choose" the leader of the gang replied.
Tintin kept taking small steps backwards and held the necklace even further away from the advancing crooks.
CRACK! Another flash of lightning lit up the sky, followed by the ear-splitting sound of thunder.
"Last chance boy! Hand over the necklace or we will ensure that you never breathe again!" the man threatened Tintin, pulling out his gun.
CRACK! Another flash of lightning lit up the sky, and the flower store? Flames erupted from inside the shop and spilled onto the street creating a barrier between Tintin and the criminals.
"What's happening? Where did the fire come from? Where's the boy? Quick find him, find the necklace!" Tintin heard the leader scream. He took this window of opportunity to get away from the dangerous gang of goons.
Without sparing a glance behind him, Tintin sprinted through the rain, around the corner and to the liquor store where the Captain was to meet him.
"Captain! Captain we have to go now!" Tintin yelled as he opened the door to the liquor store.
"Tintin…you're drenched. What happened? Why are we in such a hurry?" the Captain asked as Tintin was pulling him out the door.
"I'll explain later. Right now we have to run! Get to Marlinspike as fast as we can!" Tintin said hurriedly.
"Blistering barnacles Tintin, what have gotten yourself into this time?" the Captain yelled as he sprinted after Tintin at the same time trying to hold his hat in place on his head. Snowy barked as he trotted quickly behind his two companions. The three of them turned a corner and ran out of sight in the direction of the Captain's mansion.
"Hmm, Tintin eh? Well, I expect you'll find out exactly what you've gotten yourself into soon". A mysterious, dark figure lurked in the shadows between a restaurant and a drug store. A fire engine rolled past with its bell ringing loudly.
"Very soon". The figure retreated to the alley and disappeared into the shadows.
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeell, what did you think? Please review soon. I'd love to here from my viewers :) take care,
Caitlyn