Hello, my dear friend and fans! Now before you open fire, Let me say this, yes it's really me, not someone else using my profile name. I know I said I was retired but I've just realized that since we face uncertain times, I might as well not spend whatever left being miserable. So, after some deep thinking plus a little unexpected support from both you and my family. I've decided to return to writing. So, to celebrate, I've decided to write my own story of one of my favorite underrated animated movies; Tintin and the secret of the unicorn! So read and enjoy!xxxooo

Sandy Hook, New Jersey USA. 21st February 1942

''Arrr, where be the treasure at, first mate?'' said a small girl with curly red hair and green eyes in a pirate voice.

''The map says it should be four paces to the north and three paces to the west'' answered a small boy around her age with brown eyes, short hair and glasses as he consulted the piece of paper in his hands.

The girl was Eveaginalene Maywood, though she was often called 'Eve' by her mom and dad. Today, she was turning ten years old. That's right, it's her tenth birthday today! The boy playing with her was her best friend from school, Patrick Green. They've been friends ever since kindergarten. Patrick's family was quite wealthy because his father, Vincent Green owns a huge newspaper company in New York City. Earlier when Patrick came to Eve's house, he told her he'd hidden her present somewhere by Nike Pond, just a short stroll from where she lived in a small house with her mother and he made a map for them to follow, turning the day into a scavenger hunt in the afternoon sun, knowing all to well of all people that she was always adventurous and was practically obsessed with exploration and voyaging. Since the day she could walk, Eve would always be off seeking adventure outside the house and come home after sunset for supper, sometimes covered in dirt, mud and twigs, resulting in her mother nagging her into a bath but she didn't care, she was happy.

''Aha!'' Eve cheered when they came across a hand-drawn 'X' on the ground as they reached the marsh by the pond. They both ran over to the 'X' and knelt down ''It's here''

''Ya sure Captain'?'' Patrick turned his head to face her. Eve almost facepalmed ''Of course the first mate, 'X' always marks the spot! Now bring out the shovels and get to digging!'' she ordered.

''Aye Captain!'' Patrick saluted and brought out two yellow plastic spades, handing one to Eve before they starting digging into the dirt. This went on for a moment before Patrick hit something solid with his spade ''Captain, I think I've hit something!'' he informed her. They then cleared away the remaining dirt surrounding the object, revealing a small wooden chest.

''Wow! There must be some great booty inside'' Eve gaped as they lifted it out onto the surface. Eve then noticed the padlock on the lid ''Darn'' she frowned ''It's locked. And we haven't a key''

Patrick then smirked ''Oh, ya mean...this key'' he held up a little silver key. Eve's eyes widened with joy when she saw it in his hands ''Well done first mate. Now, we shall see what treasure awaits us inside''

Patrick handed the key to her which she used to unlock the padlock, allowing it to fall to the ground. Eve then slowly lifted the lid up and peeked inside. She gasped with delight as she reached inside and pulled out a pretty doll in a pirate dress and a shiny brass compass.

''Happy birthday Eve'' Patrick smiled.

''Patrick, these are wonderful'' Eve commented ''Thank you so much!'' she added with a small brief hug.

''Don't mention it, really'' Patrick smiled modestly before they heard a bell in the distance.

''Eve, its time for supper dear!'' The voice of her mother called out. The two children groaned in disappointment.

''I, I guess I'll see you tomorrow at school'' Patrick said ''Happy birthday Eve'' he added before he turned and began walking home

''Thanks for the gifts!'' Eve called back to him before gathering her new toys and dashing back to her house, where her mother was waiting on the front porch. Her mother had the same green eyes as her daughter did but her hair was brown and tied back in a bun, she was also wearing a one-piece floral dress and a white frilly apron.

''Did you have a good time with Patrick sweetheart?'' she asked her with a kind smile.

''Yes mom'' even replied ''He got me these new toys mom! Look she's a pirate'' Eve held it up to her face ''She's a swashbuckling buccaneer! Arrr!'' she added playfully. Her mother just laughed at her daughter's playfulness ''And he also got me this weird doohickey'' Eve gave a puzzling look down at the compass.

''That's called a compass dear'' Her mom explained ''It helps you find your way if you get lost''

''Get lost?'' Eve asked ''But mom, I never get lost''

''Yes, of course Eve'' her mother smiled patting her head lightly ''But sometimes even the greatest of explorers get lost sometimes. They just need one of these to set them back on the right path''

''Okay mom'' Eve nodded before she sniffed the air ''That smells good, what's for dinner mom?'' she asked as she ran past her and into the kitchen. Her mother just rolled her eyes and replied ''Meatloaf with mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy''

''Mmmm yummy!'' Eve chimed as she sat down at the dining table, ready to eat.

''Aha aha ah, not until you've washed your hand's, young lady'' Her mother tutted while waving her finger and pointing to the bathroom with her other hand ''And make sure you get under your nails, you've been mucking around in the dirt all-day''

Eve shrugged and went into the bathroom to wash, she came back after a couple of minutes, with her hands clean as a whistle and sat back down at the table in front of her plate of food. She grabbed her knife and fork eagerly before her mom stopped her again.

''Eve, remember to say grace before we eat'' she reminded her.

''Alright'' Eve slowly sat her fork down, put her hands together and bowed her head with her mother following suit.

''Ohlordforwhatweareabouttorecievemaythelordknowwearetruleythankfulamen'' she said a lightning speed before she picked up her fork and started eating. Her mother just rolled her eyes again ''cheek'' he whispered before starting to eat.

''This is good mom'' Eve complemented halfway through the meal.

''Yes, We'll try to save some for when your father gets home'' Her mother joked with a smile.

Last year, Japan launched a surprise aerial attack on pearl harbor in Hawaii. The attack was devastating, many US navy sailors and civilians were either wounded or killed and many ships either heavily damaged or sunk. The US president declared war on them shortly after the attack and called every able man aged 18 to 35 across America from Maine to Florida for induction into the service, including her father Ben Maywood. After passing his training, Ben was then shipped off to the Philippines. Before he kissed his wife goodbye, he promised Eve he'd be back home for every birthday and christmas until the war was over and his duty to the country was completed. It's now been two months after he left and he seemed to be doing well. In the last telegram they received, it told them he'd been promoted to corporal. That was only last week!

It was then, Eve's mother remembered something ''Oh, Sweetheart! I nearly forgot'' she cried as she got up and ran to the living room and came back holding a large box wrapped in paper ''Happy Birthday Eve'' she said as she set the box down on the table. Eve looked at the box with an enthusiastic smile ''Oh, I wonder what it is!'' she said before ripping off the paper and opening the lid while her mother watched contently. Eve looked inside puzzlingly and pulled out a little brown cubed object. She tilted it in her hands slightly.

''Mom, what's this?'' she asked her with a questionable look.

''That is a camera'' Her mom replied ''It takes pictures''

''Pictures?'' Eve asked with mild interest.

''Why yes'' Mom nodded before she took the camera from her ''Here, I'll show you'' she added as she aimed the camera at her and pressed the button.

''I just took your picture'' Her mom smiled ''Tomorrow, we'll head to the photo store in town and get this printed and framed. That way, whenever you go off on your little adventures, you'll be able to capture everywhere you go'' she explained.

''Ya mean like a portrait?'' Eve asked.

''Certainly'' Her mom nodded ''Only without paint or brushes...Say, how about when dad gets home, Whatta ya say we get a picture of all of us together as a family?'' she suggested.

''That's a great idea mom!'' Eve smiled happily when;

'Ding Dong!'

The doorbell rang. They both turned their heads to the door.

''That must be daddy!'' Eve cheered in excitement as she sat up and ran to the door.

''Oh good, I thought he'd never arrive'' Her mother smiled warmly and followed her daughter to the door and opened to whom she thought was her husband. But instead, she was met with a different older man in a national guard uniform with a solemn expression on his face. He saluted before he spoke ''Miss Maywood?''

''Yes?'' she answered before the man handed her a yellow envelope ''Telegram for you ma'am'' he bowed his hat before turning on his heels and walking away.

Eve and her mother walked back into the living room with the telegram with indifferent expressions.

''They aren't always bad news mom'' Eve assured her mother ''Remember the last one, daddy's doing fine''

Her mother breathed in ''You're right sweetheart'' she patted her head ''We have to be faithful'' she added as she gathered the confidence to open the envelope to read the message inside. Eve saw her mother's smile slowly diminish as she read the letter further. She then fell to her knees and dropped the paper to the floor. Eve then heard her mother begin to cry, tears falling down her eyes ''No'' she whispered ''No, no'' she sniffed ''Why god, why?! she cried up to the ceiling before she went back to sobbing to the floor. After a moment of watching her mother cry, Eve decided to pick up the yellow paper off the floor read the telegram herself over her mothers sobbing;

Dear Mrs Amanda Maywood

The United States army deeply regrets to inform you that yesterday, on the 20th of February 1942, your husband Corporal Ben Maywood of the US Philippines 4th rifle regiment was severely injured in action due to a grenade blast from the enemy and our medics, despite their best efforts, were, unfortunately, unable to save his life.

We are immensely thankful for your husband's patriotism to our war effort and we can assure you that his remains will be sent back to the states for his upcoming funeral.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss and we wish you our best for the foreseeable future.

Signed; Field Marshal Douglas Macarthur

Eve's eyes swelled with tears and her lips began to wobble. Her dad was gone. She'll never see him again. Eve slowly approached her mother and placed her hand on her shoulder, Her mother noticed this and pulled her daughter in for a tight hug.

''Oh Eve!'' she cried as they shared this moment together.

''Daddy!'' Eve cried into her mother's chest.

It was official. This was the worst birthday ever for Eve...but her life was only just going to get tougher.

And that's the first chapter to my Tintin Fanfic. Again, sorry for this not being too long but this is just a prologue and I will continue to work on this story. So, stay tuned and for the first time in months; Cheerio!xxxooo