DISCLAIMER: I do not, have not, and will not ever, never, never, ever own The Adventures of Tintin. The stories and characters are purely owned by Herge :)

"I just don't understand this captain". Tintin's overly curious mind just couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something more to the grubby looking necklace that he was currently twirling in his hands.

Captain Haddock sighed as he reluctantly turned away from his newspaper to roll his eyes at the ginger-haired journalist who was frantically pacing the living room. They were back at Marlinspike Hall sitting in the front lounge near an impressive fireplace. The captain placed his newspaper on the coffee table in front of him as he prepared himself for another pointless attempt at preventing Tintin from overthinking something insignificant.

"So what? Some yellow-belly airheads wanted an old, ugly artefact. That's no reason to stick your ironically small nose into something not worth getting killed for!" Captain Haddock snapped. "I would just give it to them the next time they start to cause trouble. Maybe they're just a bunch of loony antique collectors". He suggested.

"Ok first of all, my nose is not that small!" Tintin retaliated, subconsciously touching his nose. "And second of all, I almost was killed for it! And I'm going to find out whatever it is, whether you like it or not!" he argued back hotly.

The Captain let out a small groan of defeat. He knew that nothing short of an army would stop his young reporter friend when his mind was set on something. And by the look on Tintin's face as he studied every square millimetre of the necklace, Haddock knew that this time would be no different.

"Ugh, there's an inscription but, I can't quite make it out. I think it's French. Captain I don't suppose you have a single magnifying glass in this entire mansion do you?".

"Sorry, can't say I do m'boy. Never had the need for one" the Captain replied apologetically.

"That's ok, I have one back at my place, and I think I also have a book about olden day antiques somewhere. It's not too dark out, mind if I leave Snowy here whilst I pop over to get them? Then I'll join you for dinner?"

"I would suggest you wait til morning lad, there's a storm a brewin' just off the coast that could be here any minute, but I doubt there's any point is there?" Tintin shook his head with a somewhat cheeky grin. "Right well try not to get murdered on the way would you?" the Captain replied, being half humorous, half serious.

"Ha ha, very funny" replied Tintin rolling his eyes. "I promise to watch my step. See you in a bit. Bye Snowy". And with a quick pet of his canine companion's soft head, Tintin was out the door still puzzling over the mysterious antique.

"You know Snowy, I really wonder about that boy sometimes. I really do". Captain Haddock returned to his newspaper, as Snowy trotted over to the hearth near the fireplace ready to take a well-earned doggy nap.

The promised rain had really started to pick up by the time Tintin reached the long alleyway around the corner from his flat. The pavement was still damp and nothing besides Tintin himself moved a muscle. Remembering the Captain's request, he ran his eyes over the entire lane before taking his first step. The young reporter knew that his exceptional observation skills can fail him at the most inconvenient of times, but he gave himself the all clear and continued. The eerie feel of the alley would've made the hair stand up on the back of any ordinary man's neck, but it didn't phase Tintin as he strode through the lengthy, narrow path.

Swinging his flashlight around by the cord, he started to gather all the facts that he already knew and tried to come up with a conclusion.

Ok, so I know that the artefact doesn't appear to hold any value. But then why were those thugs so eager to take it from me? Was there something I missed?

Tintin placed his flashlight on a nearby dumpster and removed the curious necklace from around his neck and examined it carefully. Turning it around in his fingers, as he continued to pace between the two buildings. Tintin was at a complete loss as to why anybody would want this seemingly worthless piece of junk!

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

"Gah!" Tintin let out a yell of surprise when a car at the other end of the alleyway honked its horn as it zoomed by. He lost his footing and fell flat on his back, the necklace flying out of his hand and hitting the wall behind him.

"Great snakes, I wonder if they even care about crashing into another car or getting wrapped around a telegraph pole!" Tintin exclaimed as he rose to his feet, subconsciously looking down to his right side, expecting a bark of agreement from his loyal companion.

Blushing a little Tintin realised that he had indeed been talking to himself. Normally he had Snowy to converse with on his investigations but the little fox terrier was most likely sleeping in front of the grand fireplace in Marlinspike Hall's large sitting room right now.

Suddenly realising how cold he himself was, Tintin pulled his coat closer around him as he searched for where the necklace had fell. But to his surprise he didn't have to look very far. For emitting a faint, bluish glow, standing out from the dark surroundings of the alleyway was the necklace. Tintin picked it up, getting a little excited that he might have at least one answer to his many questions. As he examined the antique he saw that the metal outer-casing of the necklace was almost completely cracked open, revealing a shiny, blue gem.

"Whoa!" Tintin exclaimed clearing mud off the precious stone. "This must be why everyone was making a fuss about the necklace. This gem is a rare Lapis Lazuli. It must be worth a fortune!".

"Too right you are Mr Tintin. Too right for your own good."

A rough voice from behind him made Tintin jump, but before he could catch a glimpse at his unwelcomed company a large arm was around the boy's chest, pinning his arms to his side and slowly dragging him backwards.

"No! Hel-mmmfm" Tintin's cry for help was cut short as a giant hand holding a white cloth clasped over his mouth. The familiar, sickly sweet essence of chloroform entered Tintin's mouth and nostrils as he felt himself getting weaker and weaker by the second. As Tintin struggled against his attacker the only thought that crossed his mind was: Why is it always me?

When Tintin finally gave in, the last thing he felt before darkness took over was his feet leave the ground as he was hoisted over the assailants shoulder and carried off. Here we go again Tintin thought dully to himself, then blackness clouded his mind as he fell unconscious and the two disappeared into the fog.

Uh-oh! Looks like Tintin has gotten himself into another mess! Stay tuned to find out what happens next and please please please R&R :)

Caitlyn