Heyo!

Note So I re-wrote this chapter. I mixed chapters one and two together, since the first one was too short. They don't seem too good. If you see this, and you've only read my older version, check this out!

And as for the new readers, bonjour, and welcome! It seems that you have stumbled onto this story (or fanfiction, however you call it) and I hope you will have a wonderful journey with Tintin and his crew. Do mind to review, also.

Enjoy.


(This bold paragraph was from the previous original first chapter I wrote, but I wanted to keep it for fun. You guys could skip this part if you want to- it's unnecessary.)

The autumn leaves silently gliding and falling to its destination, the twitters and the jubilation of the birds, flitting from one tree to another, and the distant chattering of the people enjoying their break in exquisite cafés; now who wouldn't want to go to Europe?

But many would think. Why would a naïve girl want to be in Europe? Shouldn't she want to have a car, since she was almost sixteen, or go to the mall and 'hang out' with her friends? No, Winter was different. She wanted to have a concept of what beautiful and elegant art was like; Italy, Paris, Spain… Oh, the wonders! The golden silence as she madly sketched away, walking to one place after another, taking pictures along the way… Now, the reader would think she would have a lead to a dead, monotonous life; but would she?

But she always thought of living an adventurous life. She would daydream about discovering hidden treasure, to go on dangerous expeditions, to have a companion to travel with her; a budgie, perhaps. She already had one, and it was at home in California, priming its sky-blue feathers and squawking away happily. But those thoughts and dreams were hastily waved away by school. All of the homework, tests, and grades kept her busy.

Considering she was lazy, her parents became demanding. "I didn't raise you to become stupid!" They would say. So, trying not to disappoint them, Winter would try to focus on work. But she would eventually dose off and daydream once more.

Little did she know that there would be one day where she would have an expedition of her own...

-x-

Winter Rose Brimnings had recieved everything she wanted for her birthday; well, her early birthday. To travel to the beautiful and famed Europe. She and her family (mother, father, and fellow older sister) conflicted over where to go in that grand continent. They thought of going to France, Paris at first, but Winter mentioned to them again that it was her birthday, and she had the utter right to choose. She then stated that Paris was a city with too many tourists and such, and wanted a more quiet and peaceful place. Winter pointed out on the map and stood certain on her decision; Brussels, Belgium. Her mother and father groaned and moped at that, since they had never heard of it, but she politely begged them to agree, but the old couple finally gave in. Her sister didn't give much attention to it, and was watching soap operas and dramas on television during the wordy war of her family. They had asked for her opinion at one point, but she, with another chorus of moans and groans, said, "As long as there are shopping malls there, I am very happy to say yes."

They caught a plane in economy class, and dragged their luggage to a warm and sunny alley containing rows of apartments snuggled up against each other. Her mother unfolded a piece of paper that was tucked into her pocket and darted her eyes at every door. Winter heard her mumble and caught faint numbers. "Twenty-two, twenty-four… Finally! Twenty-six!"

Winter sighed in relief and dashed to the dark emerald door. "Twenty-six Labradour Road… And to think it would look a bit better!" Her mother said exasperatedly, ringing her hands in the air. "Er, I don't think it's that bad. We've got the whole building to ourselves…" Winter replied, taking the keys from her father who was observing a faraway water fountain. She carefully unlocked the door, as the doorknob looked so delicate because of its old age, and slipped in quietly.

Winter's dark chocolate brown eyes first laid itself on the staircase leading to the upper floor. An entrance to her right had no door, and was seemingly the kitchen. "Seems like they remodeled this place… Nothing looks as old as the door." She said out loud to herself, but was interrupted by her sister's frightening shrill. "MUUUM! A SPIDER! A SPIDER! OH, QUICKLY CATCH IT; IT'S OVER THERE, RIGHT THERE IN THE CORNER…" Winter whipped around to see what had happened, and her sister was cowering behind her mother. She then followed the direction of their gaze and saw a small black daddy long-leg, who was standing innocently still as a rock. "Oh, for crying out loud Michelle, it's harmless." Winter explained, grabbing a nearby broom that was dusty. She walked over to the left corner (causing a high squeak from her sister) and gently scooped it up, bringing it outside to the cement. The thin spider took slow steps with its eight long legs at first, but then quickly scurried away under water drain.

"One day, you're going to get infected by those horrible, retched, things." Michelle said, shivering at the thought of a four inch wide and hairy spider. Winter rolled her eyes as she settled the broom back to its home in the cupboard under the stairs. She noticed a dark black blob hidden between the cracks, and finally realized that it was a mother spider (heaven knows what kind) with dozens of other small creepy-crawly offspring. 'Michelle's going to get a fright when she sees this!' Winter thought, cackling darkly to herself as she pushed back the small door holding the house supplies.

"Winter, help me bring in the luggage and stop standing around!" Her mother yelled, hauling the bags from the entrance.

"I'm coming, mum, I'm coming…" She said, jogging to her father and helping him with a particular heavy one. Winter took one last glance at the soothing sun, exhaled deeply, and heaved the last luggage inside, closing the door behind them.

-x-

"Amazing, Winter, at how you can get sick on our second day of vacation. You haven't even turned sixteen yet!" The woman blared, crossing her arms. Winter was lying in bed, eyes droopy, and an occasional cough or two was produced. Her father nodded in agreement, and her sister Michelle was as ready as ever to go to the nearby mall. Winter eyed them warily and waved a hand. "You guys could go, you know. I could stay at home."

Winter's mother sighed and frowned at her stubborn daughter. "…Fine. If you get hungry, there's bread and canned sausages in the blue luggage. The utensils are in the pocket of the backpack," She rummaged through Winter's worn out bag which was a hand-me-down from her sister. "And keep your phone with you at all times in case there's an emergency. And do NOT go outside. This place is not safe for your age. Do you understand, Winter Rose?" She nodded in reply and flopped over, turning her back to her family indicating that she was going to sleep. Winter heard a low sigh and her father ushering Michelle and her mother down the stairs. The familiar and faint 'thump' of the door was heard, and her eyes slowly closed, not noticing the peculiar air that was visibly warping around her.

Several hours past, and the repeated chimes of the grandfather clock reminded the still objects in the old house that it was precisely two o' clock. Winter woke up and yawned, not minding to put her hand to her mouth (her mother said to do as of manners) and glanced at the time. Muffling a few coughs, she sat up and looked around. 'This must have been the living room for the second floor; this floor also must have been one flat.' She thought, walking out of the bed and to the smaller room on her right. 'And this must have been the workroom.'

Imprints of furniture were scattered around the floor. There was a big rectangle right in front of her feet, indicating that there was once a desk. Around the walls indentations of all shapes and sizes, which were probably picture frames and portraits. A window was right in front of her, showing the blazing orb high and distant in the sky, towering over the aged rooftops. Winter sighed contently, causing another fit of coughs, and she walked out to the stairs. She faced up, looking at the blocked path of the third floor. "Wonder why they blocked this…" Winter thought out loud, running her hand on the wood. She began to walk around the house, observing her surroundings. Winter eventually became bored and sat on the old wooden chair in the kitchen. Laying her head on the table, she sighed once again and suppressed another cough inching up her throat. Winter then had a mischievous thought. 'Should I go explore outside?' She then shook her head furiously, thinking of what her mother would say if she found out.

'Mom already told you not to go outside… But maybe if I only go for a bit! Maybe…'

Winter grabbed her phone lying on the desk next to the bed and dashed down the stairs, not noticing the workroom she had just been in. It was strangely full of furniture, all neat and tidy as if nothing had been moved. Opening the door and locking it with her key, she admired the antique with a faded golden tint and a design of a four leaf clover on top. "How pretty…" She mumbled, stuffing it in her jean pocket.

Winter walked down the cobbled street, bringing her hands into the oversized grey jacket. Winter's long, dark chestnut hair flew restlessly in the soft breeze, each ripple of light in every bounce of the straight strands reappearing in the golden sunlight.

Even though two o'clock was known as the hottest time of the day, (the sun that was shining above proved it) the air was still cold as ever. Winter could see her breath, every one forming a tiny cloud. She coughed a few times and rubbed her palms together, uselessly trying to produce heat. Feeling the cream barrette slowly slipping off her hair, she re-clipped it neatly to the side, preventing any flyaway to fall onto her face.

Distant voices began to echo around the curb, and a small smile appeared. "There's probably a market today… It's a Saturday after all."

Winter trotted happily down the sidewalk, humming a merry tune to herself. Not looking ahead, she accidentally bumped into someone and fell bottom first. Winter groaned, rubbing her behind and looked up. A woman around her mid-thirties patted the front of her grand violet dress and locked her eyes on Winter's. "I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention-"

"You speak English? Wonderful… But are you alright, child? Do stand; you're attracting much attention…" The woman said, offering a gloved hand. Winter then noticed something. She stared at the lady in front of her wide-eyed, mind-boggled. The woman looked like as if from the nineteen-fifties, with a grand dress and fashionable bonnet. "Er, thank you, miss…" Winter answered nervously, taking the hand.

Winter froze, looked around, and her heart stopped. The road, which was empty a few seconds ago, was suddenly bustling with many people. What was more surprising was that everyone was wearing suits and dresses, similar to the woman who she was interacting to.

"Child! Get out of the way!"

A red Microcar honked repetitively, vrooming towards her as fast as lightning. Winter shrieked uncontrollably and jumped out right at the nick of time, falling on her behind once again. "Oh goodness…! Child, are you okay? My, my, French men these days… Here, let me help you." The woman bent down to help her up, causing the white bonnet to slip off. Straight ebony hair tumbled down the lady's back, contrasting to her pale white skin. Winter looked up at her in awe, seeing those grey, stormy eyes. The young teenage girl noted to herself how beautiful the female looked; she had a tall structure and an exaggerated hourglass figure, and the dress hugged her waist tightly, frilling out at the bottom. "I… erm… thank you, miss."

Winter picked up the hat and handed it back to the owner. "Misses, girl. I am a married woman. Are you a tourist here?"

"…Yes, actually. How did you know?" Winter asked, arching an eyebrow. The woman giggled, bringing an elegant hand to her mouth. "You're the only one so far who I know that can speak English; besides my butler…"

A man in a black tailcoat marched next to the lady and puffed out his chest, looking straight ahead. The lady then widened her eyes in remembrance. "Ah! I just remembered. I ask… Where exactly is this place? I was hoping I was in France." She said, bringing a hand up to cup a cheek. "Erm… I think this is Brussels, Mrs."

"Mrs. Lloyd, mind you. Ah! Brussels. I knew we were somewhere in Belgium…" Mrs. Lloyd began to trail off her sentence and observe Winter. "…Winter Rose, are you from Britain?" She nodded her head. "Well, I grew up in London until I was seven, and I moved to America after." Winter arched an eyebrow again. "Is it because of my accent?"

Mrs. Lloyd laughed merrily, waving a hand. "Yes, yes. Well, at least I'm not the only one from Britain. I must go now, child. Farewell." The woman began to walk away, flicking a finger to tell the butler to come along, until Winter yelled back. "Mrs. Lloyd, may I ask what year this is?" The lady glanced back, but kept striding over to a white car.

"It's nineteen forty-six, Winter Rose!"

And with that, the shiny and silver car drove away, leaving Winter dumbfounded. "Nineteen… for… ty… six…" She mumbled, scratching her head in anxiety. Winter gazed at her surroundings in horror. Mrs. Lloyd was right; no phones or similar modern technology were out, the cars were old models that she usually saw at museums, and everyone was dressed strangely. She groaned, moving to a nearby bench to sit on it. 'It can't be, though… How did I get back into time?'


Ugh, I know this took so long to get posted, but don't lose hope guys! I'm off from school this WHOLE week! Woot woot! Let's hope for more chapters!

Anyways, as I always say,

See you on chapter two! ;)