Unforgotten
AN - Wow, I've had some amazing responses to this so far. Thank you to bubzchoc, islandsandstars, JanetM74, LMC25 and Harlow for their reviews on the last chapter, I hope you enjoy this one as much!
Disclaimer - I do not own Thunderbirds
Chapter Twenty One – Prisoners
Tintin was scared.
That morning she and Annie had giggled over mimosas at breakfast, discussing how decadent it was to be having a cocktail at that hour. It had been the final morning in their rental home by the shores of Cape Cod. They had spent the last few days swimming, surfing, diving and lazing on the beach - generally relaxing and having fun. The nights had been spent in quaint little restaurants, heading to local bars or just walking the beach talking. It had been idyllic, lots of fun and very restful.
Now, she longed to be back there.
There had been no sign that anything was wrong as they boarded the plane. True, Tintin had been surprised that her seat allocation was on the back row as she thought she had booked further up, but it didn't concern her as planes often moved passengers around. There was a businessman sat across the aisle, tapping away on his laptop. The row in front held a married couple, bickering about their lateness to the airport. She had stifled a giggle with Annie at that, but there was nothing to suggest the nightmare the day would become.
They first couple of hours of the flight seemed perfectly normal. They'd been given some very bland food, watched a bit of television and generally chatted. It was at that point that things started to change.
Tintin had called for a member of cabin crew to ask for a glass of water. The crew member had duly brought water, but then spilt it over her and Annie! Very helpfully, he started clearing it up, but as he bent down he actually pulled out a gun. He then passed them both breathers to put on, similar to the equipment she wore when she was diving. She was looking around to see if anyone had noticed and could help them, but the couple in front were arguing loudly and covering up any noise.
Reluctantly, she had put the breather in her mouth and indicated to Annie that she should do the same. The crew member had nodded, flicking a signal with his hand behind him. The businessman on the far side of the aisle then pulled a small metal disk out of his bag and slid it down the aisle. A white gas came out of it, sliding across the floor of the plane compartment.
A few of her fellow passengers had noticed what was going on and screamed, but all too soon their screams were silenced. Tintin had looked around, meeting Annie's terrified gaze with her own. The couple in front then stood, both wearing breathing tubes as well, and disappeared into the cockpit where there was the unmistakable sound of gunshots. Tintin had clutched Annie's arm frantically, her friend seemed to be calmer than Tintin felt.
Soon they felt the plane landing, holding on tight as it bounced wildly. Passengers were being thrown around where they weren't buckled in, though they were blissfully unaware. As soon as they were down they were being shepherded off the plane through a rear access hatch via the luggage compartment, leaving the main doors sealed.
Their wrists were tied and they were bundled into the back of a van. Annie had been pushed in after Tintin, hitting her head hard on the floor as she couldn't put her hands out to soften the impact. Tintin could see the blood from where she was sitting with her back against the side, rocking side to side as they were driven along. Annie's eyes were open but slightly unfocused. Tintin couldn't talk to her, they had also shoved a gag in her mouth so she could only try to reassure with her eyes.
They travelled for a long time. Every now and then the van stopped and allowed them something to eat and drink, but almost before she had finished she was bundled back into the van and they drove again. Tintin had no idea how much time had passed, her watch had been taken off her with all of her other jewellery and with her mouth gagged she had no way of calling for help. Even if she had been able to, it would be noticed immediately and she worried what the repercussions would be for Annie. Earlier, Tintin had been too slow to re-enter the van after a break and Annie had been cuffed, hard. They were using her friend to keep her in line and Tintin hated it.
Eventually the motion of the van lulled Tintin into an uneasy sleep.
She woke when the van door slammed open, someone grabbing her roughly by the elbows and pulling her out. She could see Annie being walked ahead of her into a large building. The air was cool, she appreciated the feel of the fresh air on her skin but she hadn't work many layers for the flight and she found herself shivering - although whether it was from the cold or fear, she didn't know.
The building appeared to be an old mansion, with a large doorway into a grand entrance hall. The whole building looked as though it was on the brink of decay, the smell of rot and damp on the air. However, the rooms were spotless and looked recently used, no dust lingered anywhere. Both girls were shoved taken into a room that must once have been a big lounge, large fireplace at one end now empty but still a statement feature. The old curtains were drawn over the windows and much of the furniture was covered in dust sheets, with the exception of two sofas and a coffee table.
Annie fell to her knees, arms still tied behind her. Tintin was stopped from going to her friend by the grip on her arm, she could only watch helplessly while Annie struggled to her feet.
"Now, what do we have here?" A cold voice asked from behind her. "Miss Tintin Kyrano and Miss Annie Doe. The pleasure, I suspect, is all mine."
Tintin felt the gag removed, although her arms were still bound, as a tall man stepped around her to face her. He took her face in one hand, tilting it up to look at her.
"Hm, you're quite the pretty thing, aren't you? Oriental features, dark eyes, that would make you Miss Kyrano." The man then stepped over to Annie, a nod to his man having her hauled upright by her arm and the gag removed. "So you must be Miss Doe. Always a pleasure to have extra guests."
Tintin was walked forwards until she stood next to Annie. The man strolled to one of the sofas and sat down, legs spread wide. He twisted Tintin's watch in his hands.
"Now, I've seen something very like this before. But how do I operate it, hm? I would very much like to have a discussion with your patron, Mr Jeff Tracy. I wonder just what he would give me in return for your safety."
Annie stepped slightly in front of Tintin, eyes now focussing on the man in front. "You won't hurt her."
He barked a short laugh that morphed into chuckles. "Oh how sweet. What exactly do you think you're going to do to stop me?"
"Who are you?" Tintin asked, more bravely than she felt.
"Oh where are my manners? We've never been introduced." The man stood again, walking up to Tintin. "My name is Ethan Grey. I believe you may have heard of me?"
A sharp gasp came from Annie and Tintin realised that her worst fears had been confirmed. This man tortured both Scott and John, trying to steal International Rescue's technology for the highest bidder. Now though it was likely he was after more, given that it was because of John's testimony that he had been put behind bars.
Ethan smiled at Tintin but there was no warmth in it. "I have a small issue of a debt to repay International Rescue. You see, they stole my life. It doesn't matter that I've received another chance due to my generous benefactor, I still need fair recompense. How about a life for a life?"
As if from nowhere he produced a blade, pressing it gently into Tintin's neck. She held completely still, not able to move lest he slip and cut her. After a second or two he withdrew the blade, chuckling.
"You are worth far more alive than dead, Miss Tintin. Your friend, however, is not. So I would do as I say." He walked over to Annie, grasping her jaw and tilting her face up towards him. "Such a beautiful creature, it would be a shame if something was to happen to her, wouldn't it?" He regarded her for a second, bringing his face close to hers as he scrutinised her features.
Annie let out a gasp and seemed to fall inwards, collapsing like a dead weight. Tintin cried out in alarm as her friend rolled to the side, a small trickle of blood draining down the side of her face from her nose. Her eyes had rolled up in her head and she was clearly unconscious. Ethan tutted, displeased.
"How inconvenient. Blood is a nightmare to get out of carpets. You!" This was called to a man in the doorway of the room. "Take our guests up to their accommodation and make sure they have food and drink. Make sure they are guarded." He looked at Annie in disgust. "Find someone who can carry her. Have someone look her over, I don't want her dead. Yet." The last word was directed at Tintin, as though to remind her quite what was at stake if she didn't obey.
Tintin didn't need reminding, she was terrified for both her friend and herself. Someone came in and hoisted Annie up onto their shoulders, whilst a firm hand again took Tintin's elbow and forced her to walk. They headed up the creaking mansion stairs, wide and sweeping. Down a corridor, doors leading off in each direction, until they reached an opening. Tintin could see they were being placed in one of the main bedrooms of the mansion, but nearly all the furniture had been stripped out. There was still a large bed in the middle of the room, made up with bedding, but very little else. Annie was deposited on the floor. Tintin's guide pointed at a door in the corner.
"Bathroom," he grunted, then left them alone. Tintin heard bolts being shot into place on the large door they'd entered by and knew they were being locked in the room.
Tintin's first priority was Annie. She turned her friend over and carefully wiped the blood from her face using a piece of paper she'd found in the small en-suite. She then damped a cloth and gently wiped Annie's brow, concerned when her friend still didn't stir. Annie was clearly unconscious, but Tintin had no idea what had caused it. She helped Annie into the recovery position but didn't have the strength to lift a dead weight into the bed.
Tintin then searched the room. She wasn't sure why, because given how well everything else had been planned out her captors were likely to have made sure the room was secure, but it at least gave her something to do.
As suspected, there were no possibilities for escape. Even the windows were barred from the outside with big old fashioned iron railings, leading Tintin to suspect the room may once have been a nursery. There was no gap to squeeze through, even if she had been prepared to risk the large drop into the shrubs below. Certainly not a possibility with Annie unconscious.
The sound of the bolts moving caused Tintin to leap upright. Ethan entered, a lackey bringing a tray in the background. He looked around pleasantly. "So, does our accommodation suit you?"
"What do you want?" Tintin spat, crouching over Annie protectively.
"Right now? Not much, just a photograph." With a snap of his hand, the lackey deposited the tray on the floor by the door and produced a camera from his pocket. Before Tintin could react the flash had gone off and taken a quick photo of them both. "Excellent," Ethan continued, looking at the photos. "This should convinced Jeff Tracy that we aren't bluffing. Convenient timing for your friend to have a seizure, it adds something to the authenticity."
He waved as he exited the room, pausing in the doorway. "I imagine it will be a few hours until I have need of you again. Do try to get some rest." As Tintin heard the bolts being replaced on the door she sank down, one hand still protectively resting on Annie's shoulder. She began sobbing, unable to stop herself.
"Oh Annie," she cried to her unresponsive friend. "I don't know what to do! I'm not clever like Brains or brave like Scott and Virgil... I don't know what to do! How are we going to get free?"
After a while her sobs subsided and Tintin investigated the tray of food, covered by old fashioned silver cloches as though she was a houseguest and not a prisoner. She knew it was foolish to refuse to eat out of spite, she would need her strength if there was any chance of escape. She was relieved to see the food was plain but unlikely to spoil. She carefully ate half of the ration, leaving the rest in case Annie did wake up. There was a plastic beaker that Tintin filled from the bathroom, frowning slightly at the metallic taste of the water but she didn't have any choice.
Once finished, Tintin placed the rest of the food back under a cloche and put the tray out of the way. She looked thoughtfully at the bed, before removing the pillows and the bedspread. Instead, she pulling the bedding over to where Annie was still lying on the floor. She lay down next to the unconscious girl, wanting to be present when she woke, and pulled the bedding over both of them so that Annie wouldn't get cold.
It took Tintin a long time to get to sleep, lying on the hard floor listening to Annie's breathing, but eventually her eyes closed and she fell into a fitful sleep.