The climax will be coming soon. Thank you to Blue, for the lovely review for my last chapter. It's lovely to know that my story is being read and enjoyed. I'm trying not to update the story too much, especially now as there is a lot of tension in these final chapters. Please enjoy, Chapter 9 will be coming sometime next week. TR56

Suggested Music

1. Negative - Hans Zimmer

No Seishin - Antti Martikainen

3. Black Widow Unofficial Theme (Marvel) - Samuel Kim

Chapter 8

Tintin rushed from the elevator as the doors opened straight towards room number 107.

The door was slightly ajar.

Tintin breathed as deeply as he possibly could and pushed the door open with the tips of his fingers.

The room was spotless. Both black couches were untouched, as were the curtains. Everything was the same as it was when he'd left the Secret Service to track down the serpents. As he walked further into the room a chill ran down his spine infiltrating every single nerve ending within his arms before encompassing his entire body. He moved over to the bed, raising his eyebrows at the Captain's suitcase, which was open and half full.

"Captain?" he called.

Where are you?

As he walked back into the living area space the sound of scratching and whining drew his attention to the cupboard at the other side of the room. Tintin was quick to open the doors and to his delight, Snowy bounded from the cupboard and straight into his arms.

"Hey boy" Tintin smiled, appreciating the joy spreading throughout him. He held onto Snowy as he affectionately licked him. I'm so pleased to see you Snowy but where are the Captain and Chang?

As Tintin placed Snowy down a muffled sound echoed from the bathroom. Snowy ran ahead, barking as he sniffed the shut door. Tintin immediately opened the door getting a shock at the sight of Chang bound and gagged in the corner of the bathroom.

"Chang!"

Tintin quickly untied him and removed the gag. The second Chang was free of the bonds they immediately embraced.

"I knew you were alive" Chang exclaimed as Tintin helped him onto his feet.

Tintin could sense the fear behind Chang's eyes, even in his joy.

"He ... he was here ... Tintin"

"Who?"

"Mitsuhirato," Chang explained shakily.

Tintin froze.

"He took the Captain"

No.. God no. Tintin couldn't absorb what he was hearing. He couldn't face Mitsuhirato again. Mitsuhirato would kill him without question. Why would he take the Captain? He's got nothing to do with this, Tintin thought. The business with Mitsuhirato occurred before he met the Captain. As they moved into the large living area they both sat down on the couch.

"Where?" Tintin asked.

"I don't know" Chang stammered, his lips barely able to form the sentence.

They both jumped as the phone suddenly erupted into life. After quickly calming his breathing he lifted the phone off the receiver and pressed it to his ear.

"Hello again, Mr Tintin"

What do you want from me? Tintin thought, as Mitsuhirato's foul vocal tone surrounded within his ears.

"Where's the Captain?"

"Aren't you a bold one" Mitsuhirato chuckled.

"Where is the Captain?" Tintin asked again, not hesitating to stress each word in turn. A wave of unfamiliar anger started to rise from his lungs. You will not threaten my friends and use them for your purposes, Tintin thought as the phone shook within his grasp.

"Not to worry, he's safe with me for the time being, provided you do as I say"

Tintin gripped the phone even harder. His teeth clenched to fight the tears that were beginning to slip from his eyes.

"Come to the 10th floor of the Tiang Tower, Alone, or you will never see your 'friend' alive again. You have one hour"

As Mitsuhirato's voice disappeared, replaced by the tones of the phone, he had to fight not to drop the receiver. Is this the choice I was warned about? Tintin thought. He desperately hoped the monk was wrong.

Your journey will not bring you peace, only pain.

The words taunted him, overtaking him so much that his thoughts became lost in a haze. As the phone fell back on the receiver his mind was made up. My friends will never suffer for something that I've done.

"Chang, get to the Director. Make sure they know what they are walking into"

"Tintin Mitsuhirato will kill you" Chang immediately interjected, shaking hard in terror.

Tintin didn't entertain the thought of facing Mitsuhirato again but he wasn't going to talk about it. There would be no talk. The Captain's life was in danger and there was no doubt that Mitsuhirato would follow through with his threat.

"I don't have a choice," Tintin exclaimed, trying to force back his tears.

"Tintin, we need a plan"

"What do you have in mind?"

x

Mitsuhirato chuckled to himself as he placed the receiver down.

It's my turn now and I'm going to enjoy it, Mitsuhirato thought.

Standing up, he walked over to the two men who were holding onto the Captain, who was standing between them. The Captain was bound and gagged with bruises across his face. Kai also had a line of abrasions to his face and knuckles after attempting to subdue the sea captain. He'd proved to be more than a handful that first thought hence why Mitsuhirato had insisted on him remaining tied up.

Mitsuhirato yanked down the gag.

"You leave him alone you .."

Mitsuhirato slammed his fist into the Captain's face without hesitation. How dare you speak to me like that! Mitsuhirato thought.

"Hold your tongue!" Mitsuhirato growled.

The swing immediately silenced him. He wouldn't hesitate to repeat the action if he spoke again.

"Tintin is coming to me, but I will not be letting you go. This is not a negotiation and when he gets here I will thoroughly enjoy killing him"

He wrapped a new gag around the Captain's mouth, patting him hard on the cheek once he had finished.

"Prepare him, take him to the fourth floor," Mitsuhirato ordered.

As the Captain was pulled away he didn't attempt to fight the men surrounding him. Once he was left alone he paced to his desk, gazing at the long black case upon it.

We will break him, Mitsuhirato gloated, inhaling deeply as his fingers grasped the cold steel of the case. Sliding his finger to the sharp clasps he embraced the rush of blood through his veins.

Finally, after years of waiting, I will take my revenge.

I enjoyed writing this chapter. I saw an opportunity when I realised that Mitsuhirato and the Captain never met in the books. It gave me a really good idea for a lure.