Story Notes: Some of the next few chapters may be a little bit shorter than the first few chapters as I wanted to add a bit of tension to those parts. I'm hoping that they will still be over 1,000 words at least. I want to give enough to add suspense and have readers waiting for the next update. Please follow, favourite and Review. The chapter begins with Antonin's perspective then moves to Tintin. I decided not to write from the Antagonist's perspective for this story, after a bit of advice from a friend. Anyways, please enjoy.

Chapter Summary: Akass relies on an unplanned escape but he has no idea of what's about to happen. In the meantime, Antonin struggles to find his son.

Suggested Music

1. Rivelazioni - Franco Piersanti

2. La Verità Finale - Franco Piersanti

3. Moresca - Franco Piersanti

Chapter 4

As Antonin rushed back into the room, Haddock's pacing ceased and his gaze immediately shifted to him.

I won't stop until I find him.

Antonin quickly recalled the last time he crossed paths with Rastapopulous; 3 years ago in Russia. They had him cornered in his bolt hole but an agent left their station and he got away. He was still convinced the whole operation had been leaked as Ras seemed to know exactly where to hit them. The whole team had ended up down, except him and he went after Rastapopoulos alone. It didn't end well, leaving him with a near-lethal gunshot wound to the shoulder.

You will never catch me Agent Antonin La Roux, You're too weak.

Those words still haunted him.

Now Rastapopulous had Augustin.

Antonin's jaw tightened as his hands rubbed together. Being told to stand down drove him crazy.

I can't just sit here and wait for back up, my son's in danger!

I need to be out there, but we need a lead.

Just one thing, please!

"Agents are patrolling the area, they'll contact us if they see or hear anything,"

Antonin then turned to Bianca.

"Castafiore, is there anywhere Ras... I mean Akass would go?"

"I don't know, he was always very secretive,"

"We need to find him quickly, If he hurts Augustin I'll.. "

Antonin's voice trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

The Emir and Bianca glanced at each other then at Antonin. Their eyebrows furrowed as a question passed her lips.

"Who is Augustin?" Bianca asked.

"Augustin is Tintin's real name. He's my son,"

Bianca and the Emir stared at him in awe.

"My goodness," The Emir vocalised with a gasp.

"Rastapopoulos wants him dead. He won't just let him go when he gets what he wants. Is there anyone else who might know where he is?" Antonin pleaded, clinging to any hope possible in the dire situation.

A period of silence followed. Then a soft voice broke the silence.

"I may be able to help you,"

Everyone immediately turned to face the voice.

"Mr Nash?" Antonin questioned his eyes widening at the sight of the artist. "What do you know?"

"I saw Akass leave in his car this morning. He seemed in a hurry. I watched the car, he headed inland, there's a stone house up the road. I've only been there once. It's where he meets with two men,"

"My Son, was he in the car?"

Nash nodded.

Antonin's chest violently heaved.

"Show me,"

x

As Tintin's eyes flickered opened his head pounded with an ache fit to burst. He tried to raise his hand to nurse his head but couldn't move his arms. As he attempted the same action again the same occurred.

Great Snakes, what happened?

As Tintin's vision cleared he gained sight of the thick rope wrapped around his hands.

This can't be good.

He took the opportunity to survey his surroundings. He could only register the four stone walls surrounding him. Judging by the size it appeared to be a small stone shelter. As he spotted Akass speaking to Tom and Jian, he tried his best not to attract their attention.

Why does Akass want me dead so badly?

Fraud isn't on the same level as murder.

Tintin still couldn't work out why Haddock hadn't got his message but it was too late now.

As he straightened up Akass' voice bellowed into the room.

"Finally, took you long enough,"

"Where am I?"

"Somewhere where no one is going to find you,"

Jian and Tom sneered, obviously enjoying his predicament.

"What are you going to do with me?"

Akass just smiled.

Tintin's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the smile.

Akass examined Tintin, as if he was waiting for a reaction.

Tintin still stared at him before briefly looking away.

"I'm rather disappointed. I thought you would have worked it out by now,"

Worked what out?

What are you talking about?

As his dizziness faded his unrelenting defiance returned, determined to work out the entire situation once and for all.

If I am to die today, I'm not going down without a fight.

"You seem to have won Akass, but tell me, why all this fuss? A forgery racket isn't on the same level as a murder!"

Akass turned to him with a smirk.

"For someone supposedly intelligent, you still haven't figured it out." Akass gloated. "I'll give you a clue," He finished, raising his hand to his face.

With one simple movement, Akass' beard slipped off, coming away from his chin.

Tintin could avert his gaze no matter how hard he tried.

As Akass' removed his glasses, Tintin lost all his remaining control.

No... Not you.

That's impossible.

For a brief moment, Tintin couldn't breathe then the dreaded words came to his lips with a choked whisper.

"No .. Rastapopoulos!"

Rastapopoulos chuckled as Tintin regained his voice. He spoke louder despite the impossible situation.

"This is impossible! I saw you go down with your launch in the red sea .. You're... You're dead,"

"That's what I wanted you to think," Rastapopoulos hissed, pointing his finger to his chest.

As Tintin's tightening chest calmed slightly everything finally came into focus.

All this time …

All this time I thought Akass could clear up his situation and he is Rastapopoulos.

How did I miss that?

Why didn't I see it?

As Rastapopoulos started to rant on about an event that Tintin couldn't remember he allowed his mind to take him back to the last time they crossed paths. He could still see the launch boat ploughing the waters of the red sea from his vantage point on the USS Los Angeles. The event flooded back to him, he could even smell the sea water raging beneath the anchored warship. The launch boat slowly ceased to a halt and the sea swallowed the ship. At the time Tinntin had assumed it was an unfortunate accident but at this moment he started to doubt the events that had taken place in front of his eyes. His attention jolted back to reality as Rastapopoulos mentioned Nash.

"I met Nash in Jamaica. I was impressed by his talent. The idea of dealing in forged art emerged. A little plastic surgery, a few accessories and I became Akass. After recruiting a few men to work for me, the project took off very quickly,"

In his state of desperation Tintin's energy started to build again.

I need to escape, or play for time.

Haddock where are you?

"How did you persuade an artist like Nash to .."

Rastapopoulos' voice snapped through his question, not giving him the chance to finish.

"You ask too many questions, young man. But I'm no fool,"

Tom pulled Tintin onto his knees, bringing him even closer to his adversary.

"All of these questions are just a ruse to gain time aren't they?"

Tintin opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.

His mind shut down, unable to find any kind of statement to follow that up.

"Well, game over,"

As Rastapopoulos pulled out a gun from his belt, Tintin's chest muscles reactivated making it incredibly hard to breathe. The click of the ammunition being inserted and the frame being pulled into place only drove his heart to a state he'd never experienced before.

Tintin moved his gaze to look Rastapopoulos in the eye in a bid to demonstrate his defiance.

Rastapopulus moved behind him as he did.

The cold metal brushed against the back of his neck. A chill ran down the length of his spine as he waited.

This was an execution.

"We've wasted enough time. Now I'll finish you,"

Tintin exhaled sharply and squeezed his eye's shut. In seconds death would claim him. He wouldn't feel it. He would even hear the gunshot.

I'm going to die! No!

"SIR!

"For god's sake! WHAT!" Rastapopoulos shouted.

"Police!"

Tintin breathed in relief, feeling a little faint as he regained control of his body. It didn't last long. Tom pulled him onto his feet and threw him in the direction of Rastapopoulos.

"You're coming with me," Rastapopoulos growled.

He grabbed Tintin's bound hands, pushing him towards the door.

Without a word, Rastapopoulos pushed Tintin through the door. At the same moment, police cars skidded to a halt barely metres away. Unable to do anything he remained at the mercy of his adversary.

"Follow me and he dies!"

The police paused but their eyes remained glued to them.

Both of the henchmen had disappeared.

Do the police know they're there?

Biting the bullet, Tintin decided to risk it.

"Careful! He's not alone!" Tintin yelled as he spotted the Thompsons removing themselves from one of the vehicles.

As bullets filled the air like thunder in a storm, a gun crashed against his head.

"SHUT IT!"

Tintin fought hard not to collapse onto the ground. Dazed he didn't have a choice.

Rastapopoulos pulled him across the road and onto the hill.

Within seconds they disappeared, out of sight of everyone.

Please...

Haddock ...

Father... help me.