Chapter 2

There was nothing out of the ordinary about 26 Labrador Road. It was a simple apartment complex, one like many of the others that lined the street. It was a quaint place, with its old architecture and healthy green vines climbing the chipped stone. And if one went around to the back, they would find an equally quaint sitting area with a small bench and fountain, although it had long since dried out.

However, if one was quite observant, they would likely notice a small trail leading out from underneath the building, straight into the cellar, littered with countless footprints.

A makeshift door was moved to the side and a body slipped in silently, moving it back into place where it was hidden by bushes.

"Cora? Is that you?"

Cora removed her hat and scarf, and then shrugged off the large jacket, which had done an effective job of hiding the tiny, thin body that it had been warming.

"It's me, Clarence," she said, wandering over to where her brother sat by a fire, cooking… something. Cora had learned it was wise not to ask what she was eating when her brother cooked. I never tasted quite as good afterwards.

She sat herself down beside him and proceeded to warm her hands.

"Ugh. You know, I think I can go a little while without food. I think our next investment should be clothing."

"You don't like my jacket?"

"It's a lovely jacket. It's just not practical."

He sighed, "I'm sorry Cora, but for us food outweighs fashion. Now, have some soup. It's quite good this time if I do say so myself." He reached over to pass her a bowl, and the fire illuminated his brown eyes that looked out from underneath low brows that seemed to always be set in an eternal frown.

"So," he leaned on his clasped hands, "Was she there?"

"That rich lady? I kind of figured that's who you wanted me to go after. After all, there wasn't anyone else outside on this kind of day." Tintin's face flashed through her mind, but she decided it was best not to tell her brother about her misadventure.

"Aye, that's the one. Good for you, sis. It's good to know I have someone to count on."

"No problem, although there was practically nothing in that purse of hers except for some coin thing."

Clarence's eyes suddenly sparked with interest, "So she was carrying it on her. Rather foolish. Come, let me see it."

Cora turned to grab her/her brother's jacket and reached into the pocket, "Huh. I could swear I put it in this pocket." She turned it over and searched the other one, then went back to the first.

She looked up in alarm, "I know it was here. I grabbed it and put it in this pocket and then-"she gasped, "Tintin!"

"Tintin? You mean that reporter kid? What about him?"

"I ran into some… trouble."

He groaned, "Cora!"

"I'm sorry! I accidentally bumped into him and there was this gorilla man and then there was his dog and he kept asking questions and then my name was Elaine and he thought I was someone else and I got panicky and he offered me tea and then he wanted to see the medallion and I let him and then he left and now I have to go get it back, and, oh, please don't be angry Clarence!"

He was standing now, running his hands through his hair.

"We'll never see it again if Tintin has hold of it. He'll return it to that Corbleau woman and we'll have lost out chance forever." Suddenly he was looming over her, the flames illuminating his scowling face in a frightening way. "You just lost us our chance at getting back to dad. Are you happy? Do you enjoy living underneath a building, or wearing clothes that don't fit, or eating the same crap every day? I hope you do, because now that's what we'll be stuck with forever!"

Cora had pressed herself against the dirt wall, managing to look even smaller than she already was.

"I'll get it back, I promise! He said something about a Marlinspike Hall. That's where he lives. I'll go right now!"

He had moved to the other side of the room now, his back facing her as he breathed heavily.

Cora shivered, hoping that his temper had cooled down. Without another word to each other, she put her jacket and scarf back on and crawled out back into the bitter air. With a shiver that wasn't entirely from the cold, she started off to where she had met Tintin.

She was standing at the exact spot now, and was trying to remember which way Tintin had gone when a distant bark caught her attention. She listened, and almost dismissed it until she heard it again. Staring through the fog, she made out a short white blob moving towards her, yapping frantically.

"Snowy? Is that you?"

She leaned over and put her hands on her thighs as the terrier danced at her feet.

"What is it, boy?"

He responded by nipping at her pant leg, then racing off.

"Hey!"

He repeated it once more before she gave in and followed after the dog, breaking into a jog as he pulled further and further away.

When she finally caught up, Snowy was whimpering and looking towards something. She followed his gaze and saw a red vehicle riding the curb in what looked to be an awful parking job. Then she noticed Mr. Gorilla man and the other guy from earlier coming out of the alley, carrying something - something with a tuft of ginger hair.

"Wait a second. Tintin?" She immediately regretted her big mouth when the two men looked up. She turned to run but before she could even take one step she heard a dull thud, and next thing she knew she was falling to the ground, blackness taking over her vision.

Author's Note: Thanks for all the kind words :D Also, I'll be trying to get as much of this story done and written before starts so you don't have to wait an eternity between updates.