Chapter V
A Sacrifice for Santa Muerte
-What do you want now, European?- the female asked
-You know exactly what I want.- Tintin replied.
-You will never get it. This place is deserted and nobody will be able to locate you when we finish with both of you.- Adolfo said as he took a gun out of his pocket.
-I'd love to see that.- Captain Haddock responded very sarcastically.
-Wish granted.- The Drug Lord said and shoot the Captain in the chest.
The sea lion fell to the floor.
For the Mexicans' surprise, nothing happened. Haddock got in his feet, showing a smile.
-Oh, you missed.- the Captain replied.- The luck has abandoned you.- He continued as he saw María holding and squeezing a "Santa Muerte" (literally, "Holy Death", alias the Grim Reaper) figurine.- And Santa Mierda won't be protecting you anymore.-
After hearing "Santa Mierda", María, who is devote to it, exploded and attacked the Captain. She was attacking him with her nails and was suffocating him. Adolfo was getting distracted by watching Haddock suffering. This situation gave advantage to Tintin, who happened to have left the building to lock the doors of it.
Adolfo, meanwhile, watched the fight between the sailor and the "gypsy". He was getting excited, in the dirty way, each second. Watching a woman fighting against a man is considered attractive, even if the female is not proportioned or is fat. The Drug Lord was enjoying the moment as Haddock was not able, or at least trying, to defend himself without hurting the female.
After a few seconds, the sea lion decides it's enough and punches her in the chest and later, to her stomach. The Captain recovered and stood in his feet.
Suddenly, he met the floor again.
-Bring me the stupid bugs!- Adolfo exclaimed as he was "taking care of the Captain".- You sick bastard!- He said as he was smashing Haddock's face to the wooden floor.- A man must never hurt a female! Not even with the petal of a rose! It doesn't matter if she screws your organs up! Never break the golden rule!-
Then, the smashing was over.
Adolfo fell down, knocked out by the young reporter.
-Captain? Are you alright?- Tintin asked.
-I'm fine as the butterflies in spring... BLISTERING BARNACLES, OF COURSE I'M NOT ALRIGHT!- The Captain replied as Tintin was helping him to get up.
-The army's on its way.- Tintin said.- When they arrive, go with them. Leave me here with these gangsters.-
-I can't.- The Captain said.
-Why not?-
-I don't want you to get hurt.-
-Don't ignore your condition because of me. I'll be fine.-
-Lad...-
-I. Will. Be. Fine.-
-You missed me?- A female voice said.
Both males turned their heads and saw María with the flesh-eating scarabs. She was now using a "Santa Muerte"-like dress.
-I think not.- She said as she was opening the jar, very slowly.
Tintin got a little scared and remembered Adolfo was still in the floor, knocked out.
-You won't kill your husband, do you?- Tintin asked
-He can take care of himself!- María said.- He's just a lazy-ass. Plus, his mission here is over.-
As she said the last words, she opened the jar and the scarabs flew over the room. Tintin and the Captain were scared as hell as María was laughing, maniacally. A few of those animals stopped in the lad's skin. This gave him a "mini heart-attack" and closed his eyes. He felt nothing. Wondering why, he opened his eyes. Surprisingly, his flesh was still there.
The reporter took the insect with one of his hands and observed it closely.
-Captain, these are not flesh-eating scarabs.- Tintin said.- These are just turquoise scarabs, also known as the "11th plague".-
-That means...- Haddock said with a "recovering-like" voice.
-Exactly.- Tintin nodded.- These scarabs are herbivores. The real flesh-eating ones are sapphire-coloured.-
Suddenly, helicopters, giant tanks, and soldier noises were heard.
The Europeans approached the window and saw the Police Chief, his men, and the army, along with the Thom(p)sons and the dogs. The duo relieves and both search the Mexican couple.
Not a sign of them.
-Thundering Typhoons! They're gone!- The Captain cursed.
Then, a vase was heard.
It came from the second floor.
-Captain, you go with the army.- Tintin said.- I'll take care of these two.-
-Give me a reason why I need to go.- The Captain demanded
-You need medical attention.-
He couldn't defend himself because he knew it was true.
Not wanting to give more time to the gangsters, Captain Haddock leaves the place and Tintin follows the couple.
The second floor was like a temple. A giant Santa Muerte statue, with a little path made by red, lighted candles. In front of each one, there was a little figure of the deity mentioned. All of them had a cloak of different colour: red, blue, green, purple, white, yellow, orange, pink, magenta, gray, and even a rainbow one.
In the feet of the giant statue, whose cloak was a black one, a giant bag of money and 5 different types of knifes were lying.
Great Snakes! This looks like a sacrificing temple! Tintin said in his mind.
And then, the world went black.
.
.
.
Tintin finally opened his eyes.
He felt he was having problems with breathing, and suddenly realized he was tied upside down, in his underwear. He was positioned in a fashion similar to the inverted Christian cross.
-There's nothing to worry, jovencito, it'll soon be over.- A familiar voice said.
Tintin turned his head, just to see Adolfo, dressed in a sacerdotal suit, and María.
-What in the name of Heaven you want to do with me?- Tintin demanded
-We received a message from the messenger. And we like your skills.- Adolfo said.- You're going to be sacrificed to Santa Muerte.-
-What!- Tintin exclaimed.- Are you crazy!-
-No, we aren't.- María said.- You see... we realized we've been having bad luck because we have not brought a good offering.-
-And you, my dear Tintin, are the indicated to be sacrificed.- Adolfo said.- You're smart, you're invaluable... and Santa Muerte loves that, even more than money.-
-You have no idea of what's waiting you! Let me out of here!- Tintin demanded
-Tell me.- Said Adolfo with a calmed voice.- How did you figure out we were in the airport, ready to hijack the plane?-
-It was easy.- Tintin replied.- If your friend didn't asked about thievery in the airport, we'd have never figured you were there. And now, thanks to you, great part of your clan's dead!-
-It's a sacrifice we thought it'd please Santa Muerte.- María said.- Sadly, those idiots were not worth enough for her.-
-And, as I said before...- Adolfo said as he took a knife.- ...Santa Muerte will bless us for a very long time.-
The Mexican gangster then cleared his throat and started to pray to the deity.
-Most Holy Death, the favours that you have granted us have made us overcome all difficulties so that for us nothing is impossible, no obstacles, barriers, no enemies, no harmful people. Everybody's my friend as my wife and I are victorious in all our dealings and things we do. Let my house to be filled with all the good virtues of your protection, as I offer this young soul with no stain.- Adolfo prayed as his wife said the Spanish version of it.- And, I invoke your name in this house and fill us with all that's pure. Santa Muerte, in your name, María and I are going to sacrifice this man in your name.-
As Adolfo was about to stab Tintin in the heart, Snowy jumped out of nowhere and bit the gangster's arm.
-Snowy!- Tintin exclaimed overjoyed.
-You miserable dog!- Adolfo exclaimed as he took the knife to attack Snowy.
-If you kill my dog, I swear I'd hunt you with no remorse!- Tintin said angrily to Adolfo
-But how?- He asked sarcastically.- You'll be dead. You'll follow him later in Hell.-
-And you're going first!- The Captain said as he entered to the room with a few soldiers and knocked out the male gangster.
-Captain?- Tintin asked.- But how...?-
-I got tired of waiting.- The sea lion replied.
-Get me out of here!- He demanded.
Captain Haddock went towards Tintin, but soon, he was stopped by María, who was holding a giant knife.
-One more step and I'll rip him apart.- María threatened.
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-xxx-
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A/N: School, school, school. BTW, for those who don't know, "mierda" is Spanish for "shit" (couldn't resist on using that joke). And, for the Santa Muerte pray... I had to google it to have a reference.
Please Review! If there's something OOC, please tell me so I can fix it!