Story Notes: This what-if is a first for me in the comic. It took a long time to figure out something for this. One quick reminder, some of these will feature a character death. This one does, but I'm not saying who. Please read on to find out. I keep forgetting about Snowy, so I hope these are alright.
Title: Under the Sun
Category: Adventures of Tintin
Characters: Tintin, Haddock, Snowy, Abdulla, Dr Muller
Summary: Tintin and Haddock pursue Dr Muller after Abdullah jumps from the vehicle, But Muller will do anything to escape the authorities. Now backed into a corner, he utilises the opportunity, but what will he do?
Genre: Tragedy, Drama, Friendship.
Rating: T
Themes: Death
Suggested Music
1. Faith - Hans Zimmer
2. Come Back Evy - Alan Silvestri
Tintin ran along the sand in a crouched position, trying to stay hidden. Haddock had his back.
As the guns silenced, Tintin inhaled deeply and closed his eyes, listening to the desert in the silence. No anomalies or stimuli attracted his attention. Why is it so quiet? Opening his eyes, he gazed around, hearing nothing but his heartbeat pulsing through his head and throat. Abdullah's familiar tones entered his ears as he paced forward. His muscles tightened as he slowly raised himself from the safety of the dunes.
Tintin frowned as he surveyed the area.
Where is he?
A sudden smack sent Tintin flying to the ground. The pain rapidly spread through his abdomen, making him grimace as he attempted to stand. He turned his hands towards himself to find them both covered in blood. Blood soaked into his shirt, growing in size. As Muller appeared from his position, his lips trembled. He couldn't tell if the pain or his fear were responsible.
Blood danced across his throat, making him cough. He tried his best to control his breathing as he stared at Muller. Even if he wanted to speak, he couldn't.
Tintin's face turned a deadly shade of white as Muller stood over him. His breath hitched as Muller and pointed the gun straight at his head.
"Good Riddance," Muller growled.
Muller's finger moved to the trigger as a smug smile spread across his face.
Tintin's heart pounded through his ears as he braced himself, waiting for the inevitable. Before Muller could pull the trigger, a blue flash of blue appeared in the vision, thumping straight into Muller.
Haddock.
His blood dripped into the sand as he attempted to move. Crawling away drained his energy further.
I can't even move, Tintin thought as he grit his teeth, trying to counteract the pain.
Sounds of punches and grunts filled the air as Tintin tried to utilise the last of his strength to crawl away. He didn't get very far. He manoeuvred his head just in time to see Muller punch Haddock.
Haddock fell to the ground.
No ... no, this can't be happening.
As Muller pointed his gun at Haddock, Tintin's muscles tightened, and a surge of adrenaline rushed through his veins. As he raised himself onto his feet, the pain seamlessly faded.
Tintin focused on the gun as he hurtled into him.
Tintin grabbed the gun. Muller's fingers remained upon it and the trigger. As Haddock stood, Tintin managed to force the gun in another direction as Muller fired. As they wrestled to control the gun, Haddock fell onto his knees.
I can't keep this up, Tintin grimaced. Where are the police!
Tintin momentarily lost his concentration as Muller manoeuvred the gun back towards Haddock, quickly squeezing the trigger. Haddock landed back on the sand with a yelp, clutching his bleeding arm.
Muller pulled the trigger again, missing Haddock by mere inches.
I need the police! Where are they!
Tintin's strength faded as Muller's control increased.
Before Haddock could stand, Muller pushed the gun round even further. As the cold metal brushed against his temple, Tintin squeezed his eyes shut. Using the last of his strength, he frantically tried to force the barrel away from his head.
Muller's finger tightened upon the trigger.
Tintin's strength faded.
As Haddock's scream filled the air, his vision transformed to darkness.
x
"TINTIN!"
As a single gunshot filled the air, Tintin fell to the sand, but he didn't move,
NO!
No, please, you can't be dead! .. No
Haddock grit his teeth, managing to pull himself onto his knees. Muller turned to him, pointing the gun to his chest.
He tried to look Muller straight in the eye, but his gaze kept averting to his friend, lying lifeless a few metres away. Muller sniggered, but as the dust began to rise in the distance, it transformed into a distasteful frown. Haddock pressed his hand to his shoulder to try and stop the bleeding, but weakness had spread through his entire body. He feared he would fall unconscious, and Muller would kill him anyway.
The police are coming! You are trapped!
Without warning, Muller raised the gun to his neck and fired.
Haddock fell back onto his knees in disbelief, unable to take it in.
His gaze inevitably dropped to Tintin. He struggled over on his knees, coming close to collapsing.
It's just a graze .. he can't be ... dead.
Haddock leaned over him, taking his cheeks into his hands. He expected his eyes to open.
They didn't.
A small patch of blood had formed over the bullet wound. His fingers slipped down to Tintin's neck, seeking a pulse.
Nothing.
"Tintin... wake up," Haddock begged, his voice breaking.
No... Not you.
Tears streamed down his cheeks, and even his hands over his face couldn't hide the devastation. Unable to control his body, his head fell onto Tintin's chest.
Haddock wept, unable to comprehend a world without Tintin, a world without his best friend.