*Fanfare Music* Presenting Chapter 4! (Just a warning that the pace may seem a little bit faster in this chapter. Don't worry, it's all part of my plan! *MWAH HA HA* Uhhh…)

We book a flight for Wadesdah a few days later with the Captain insisting on accompanying us, much to my disappointment.

Fortunately, the flight itself is short and uneventful, during which I am able to sleep, putting me in a really good mood.

But that soon changes when we arrive at Wadesdah's "airport", which turns out to be a small tent-like structure that swarms with people like bees in a hive.

The crowds push, threatening to trample a relatively short person like me and the rapid Arabic being spoken makes my head spin.

Tintin seems to be able to tell that I'm not impressed.

"I never said that it was a well-developed city," he shouts above the noise.

"Just be quiet and get us to that friend of yours before I change my mind and get back on that plane," I say, half-joking.

Tintin chuckles and holds my gaze for a good twelve seconds before I stumble into a pile of crates.

Smooth move, Katrina. Even for you. I cringe.

The Captain rolls his eyes and mutters something under his breath. Tintin laughs even louder, but helps me to my feet anyway.

As he and the Captain run ahead, I can hear something whimpering in one particular crate.

"Who's there? Are you okay?" I want to know.

A little girl with straight coal black hair climbs out; her eyes as big as saucers.

"I-I'm so sorry, miss. P-P-Please don't hurt me." The girl stammers, visibly shaking.

I feel my expression soften.

"Don't worry about it. Are you all right?"I say, extending a hand to help her up.

She accepts it and responds to my question.

"I'm fine. Thank you, miss."

"What were you doing in a crate? Are you lost?" I inquire as the girl dusts off her clothes.

"I was hiding from the police. And no, I am not lost."

"I see. What's your name anyway? I'm Katrina."

"Elizabeth, miss."

"Barnacles, girl! If we want to get to the Senhor's house before dark, we need to get a move on!" The Captain calls as he and Tintin get further and further away.

"Coming!" I respond and turn back to Elizabeth.

"I have to go now, but it was nice meeting you!"

"Good-bye, miss."


I really am shocked at the crudity of the so called "city" here, but considering that this is my first time in a third-world country and the fact that I grew up in New York City, I suppose that's to be expected.

"Sehnor Olivera?" Tintin abruptly stops at a door on a street corner and begins knocking on it.

The door immediately opens revealing a middle aged man with fuzzy black hair and animate eyes. His eyes widen at the sight of the ginger-haired reporter.

"Tintin! Captain! This truly is the land of wonders! Quick! Quick! Do come in!"

He quickly corrals us inside the house and shuts the door behind him.

"This is truly wonderful! How long it has been since I saw you both last!" The Sehnor goes on and on. "And this time you've brought a lovely lady!"

He gently kisses my hand.

"Katrina Fleming, Sehnor." I say, blushing madly.

"She's a fellow reporter, Sehnor. We're working on a story for the paper at the moment." Tintin explains and gently puts his hand on my shoulder. I can feel myself stiffen in surprise at his touch.

Yet deep down inside, I can feel fireworks going off in my stomach.

Fortunately, most of the others don't seem to notice, except for Snowy who lets out a low growl at the sight of Tintin's.

Meanwhile, Tintin explains the case for the umpteenth time to the Sehnor.

"I figured you would know if anyone was headed for Brussels since you're the main shopkeeper around here."

The Sehnor scratches his head and looks up at the ceiling.

"I do recall someone saying he was headed to Brussels for a holiday. In fact, he returned a few days ago."

"Did you see him when he did return? What did he say? Any idea where he is now?" I ask before I can bite my tongue.

The Sehnor looks at me in surprise.

"By the beard of the prophet! And I thought Tintin asked a lot of questions!" he laughs.

He winks at the trench coat clad reporter.

"You made a good choice there, sahib,"

Firecrackers! If I blush any more today, my face is going to stay red!

I look over at Tintin and his expression isn't any different from mine.

"Oh no, he's just my mentor at the paper, Sehnor…" My voice trails off.

"Whatever you say, madam." The Sehnor winks again.

I can't help noticing the extremely uncomfortable look on Tintin's face. He almost looks…crushed.

Goodness! What's wrong with him? I've known him for what, three months and a half and this is what he gives me? He usually is one to keep his act together.

"Anyway, I did see the man again. He went by the name of Sponsz…"

Tintin immediately cuts him off.

"Sponsz?"

"Yes, Sponsz. The strange thing though, was that he was constantly buying the most outrageous things. Hair ribbons, dancing shoes and the like. He did mention that he was headed for Khemikhal as well."

"I see. Well, thank you for your time, Sehnor. You really have been a help." Tintin's smile returns as he shakes the Sehnor's hand.

"Think nothing of it, my dear friend. I'm glad I was able to see you both again, and able to meet this lovely lady." The Sehnor winks over at me one last time.

"Yes, thank you, friend." The Captain jumps in, before I can say anything.

What is the Captain's problem? What did I ever do to him? I find myself thinking.

Stay calm, Katrina. It's just an interruption. You can overlook that.

I'm so wrapped up in my thoughts that I don't even notice that Tintin and the Captain have left already to find a place to stay.


We're off to Khemikhal the next day at first light and even in the wee hours of morning, it feels hot enough to melt butter within seconds.

Once our camels (I can't believe it) are saddled up, we ride away towards the rising sun.

"When I decided to become a reporter, I never thought I would do something like this," I mutter under my breath, still trying to adjust to how bumpy the ride is.

Tintin laughs.

"You'd be surprised. But you didn't have to come, you know."

"What, and ruin your fun? You were so bored back in Brussels; I wouldn't miss seeing you in action after all you told me about your adventures past."

I stop to think for a moment.

"Do you even know how to get to this Khemikhal place?"

"I think so…" Tintin begins to rub the back of his neck.

Oh, great.

Suddenly, I hear a whimpering sound in the saddle bags under my leg.

Completely puzzled, I get off my camel and open the bag.

A mess of jet black hair and two amber eyes stare back at me.

"Elizabeth!" I exclaim. "What on earth are you doing in there?"

"The police was catching up to me and I had to escape." She tries to climb out of the bag without any luck. "So I just climbed into your saddlebag to wait them out. But then you started moving and I was stuck."

Tintin appears out of nowhere and lifts Elizabeth out.

"Well, what are you going to do now?" He sounds genuinely concerned.

"I don't know. I can't go back to Wadesdah. That's just where the police will be waiting for me." She pauses. "Maybe I could go with you!"

"Sorry, it could be dangerous where we're going." Tintin apologizes.

"I have to go to Khemikhal anyway," Elizabeth looks longingly at Tintin and me. "I know how to get there too."

How did she even know our destination? I wonder.

"She sounds good in my book if she knows where she's going." The Captain suddenly gets involved with the conversation.

"I suppose it would be all right…" Tintin looks cautious.

Elizabeth immediately throws her arms around him.

"Oh thank you, mister! You won't be sorry!"

So what exactly is in store for Tintin, Katrina and everyone else? And just who is Elizabeth exactly? Find out next chapter, which will come soon! (I know that this chapter was a little bit shorter than usual, so I will try to update sooner with the next one.) Again, please review! I love hearing your thoughts and they truly make my day!