Story Notes: When Planning, I didn't have anything for this chapter written. I realised I needed this to bridge the two parts of the story. This Chapter is the end of the first part of the story. Thanks to the guest reviewer who commented on the previous chapters. Please fave, review and follow. The views for this story are already at 296, which I'm quite chuffed about. Thanks, everyone.
Chapter Summary: Tintin struggles to find new leads, then he seizes an opportunity. Is it too good to be true?
Suggested Music
1. Imminence - Eliott Tordo Erhu
2. Lord Shen Theme/Kai's Theme - Samuel Kim
3. Trophy Hunter - Within Temptation
4. Black and Blue - Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL
Tintin snapped awake as a siren blared from the road. Exhaling, he placed his hand on the wound, content the bleeding had ceased. Gently easing off the bandage he inspected the wound, cleaned it and applied a new bandage. As he stood he grimaced, trying to suppress the remaining pain.
"Come on, Boy,"
Tintin managed to walk down the street with Snowy not too far behind, relishing the feel of the wind upon his face. Even the sound of the market sellers relaxed him. He quickly reminded himself the Kanzaki Brotherhood remained at large. They could be anywhere, just waiting to latch onto him. As they walked down to a food seller, he kept turning around, unwilling to let his guard down in his injured state.
I've been lucky this time.
The next bullet might hit something vital...
He spent several hours looking for any leads. After having something to eat he attempted again but got nowhere.
I don't know where to begin.
Pain stabbed through his side, making him stop to lean against a wall. As he regained his composure, he spotted a policeman manoeuvring through the crowd barely metres from him.
What's he doing?
The Policeman, moved from person to person, holding what looked like a piece of paper. He turned towards him and caught his eye. The policeman spoke in Japanese.
"Sorry ... I,"
"That accent, you are .. French?"
"Belgian...How can I help you, officer?"
"I'm not sure if you can help me, but do you know this young boy?" The policeman asked, showing him a picture of a young boy.
Tintin froze and quickly glanced around. Another two officers appeared to be doing the same thing up the street. He still couldn't hide his shock at the face on the paper.
"That ... That's Chang,"
"You know him?" The officer exclaimed.
Is this genuine?
Something isn't right.
"Sir?"
Tintin stepped back a little as he handed back the picture.
"He's just an acquaintance," Tintin replied, narrowing his eyes as the officer stepped closer. "I can't help you,"
Tintin stepped backwards again without looking behind him.
A sharp object pierced his skin through the back of his neck.
What the ...
Tintin jerked slightly at the sudden invasion.
Snowy's barks faded in moments as he slipped into unconsciousness.
x
Shun grasped the reporter as he fell backwards and smirked.
I can't believe he fell for that.
Shun pulled him towards the van. One of the men kicked the noisy mutt to the side as the officer climbed back into his car and started to pull away.
Clambering into the van, the group got to work, binding his hands and feet together.
x
As Tintin's eyes flickered open, he scowled at the pain in the back of his neck.
Where ... where am I?
He tried to raise his hand but failed as thick rope prevented it. It dug into his wrists and ankles, enough to leave bruises, even more so as he kept fighting against it. Japanese men surrounded his vision, at least five of them.
I knew that was too good to be true, Tintin thought. I should have just walked away...
Wait. Where's Snowy?
One of the men approached him, staring at the patch where he'd attached the bandage. He squirmed as the man pulled up his shirt and examined the bandaged wound with his eye's. He smirked until another man strode into the warehouse.
"Nice work! I'm quite glad I have this opportunity!" The man exclaimed, rubbing his hands together.
Hiroko Kanzaki .. that's him.
He stopped about a metre from him and leaned his head into his field of vision.
"Well ... Well. What am I going to do with you?"
Tintin couldn't find the words. He stayed silent, recollecting Hiroko's crimes in his mind.
He'd had Mr Wang killed, abducted his friend. As he recalled the last conversation he'd had with Chang, he fought to remain calm.
"Nothing to say? I'm surprised," Hiroko laughed.
"Where's my friend?" Tintin demanded, trying his best to hold his composure and hide his vulnerability.
"Oh, he speaks," Hiroko mocked, laughing as the others joined in.
"Where is Chang?"
His demand didn't alter the smile on Hiroko's face. If anything the smile grew, transforming into a grotesque grin. As his moist lips moved to his ear, Tintin immediately moved away. A strong hand gripped his chin and pulled him back, leaving him stuck next to a murderer.
"He met the same fate as his father," Hiroko whispered with a chuckle.
Every ounce of Tintin's defiance flooded from his body as those words entered his ear.
No...
His chest heaved as he absorbed the words.
NO!
"You're too late," Hiroko growled, stepping back.
NO! I won't accept this!
I don't believe you! Tintin's mind screamed as tears formed in his eyes.
"I pulled the trigger myself. Your 'friend' is dead,"
I promised ...
I promised I would bring him back...
Tears spread across his cheeks as he realised Mrs Wang and Didi were now without another member of their family.
THIS ISN'T FAIR!
They don't deserve this.
What will they do to me?
He won't let me live...
"This is not the man I have read about! You fell straight into my trap," Hiroko commented, motioning to his men to pull him from the chair. Tintin struggled momentarily but realised it wouldn't be enough. His bindings prevented any movement.
"Tintin, the world-famous reporter, will die by my hand. Enough talking, this ends here,"
With a snap of his fingers, a large hand grabbed his wrists. They pulled him across the pavement, straight towards the harbour.
"NO! get off me!" Tintin screamed, unwilling to go down without a fight.
Unable to kick out he remained helpless as the man lifted him from the safety of the ground and launched him into the water. Tintin didn't have time to scream. The moment he hit the water, monocles pulled him deep, breaking off his vital contact with oxygen. Unable to swim, he hit the bottom quickly. As he struggled, air flooded from his lips. In time water would replace it.
I'm sorry, Chang.
I'm so sorry...
Wow, I like this. I'm loving the music I'm using to aid me to stay in the mood for writing this.