Chapter VI
Hell's House
-You won't do it!- the Captain said.
-Of course I would... want to see?- the Drug Lady replied.
-No! I believe you!- He said. The sailor was trying to think on what to do.- Let him go!-
-Let me think... No!- She replied.
-Please! What do you want in exchange?- She said
As the Captain was trying to negotiate with the Drug Lady, Snowy approached his master, silently, and tried to break him free. The rope was very resistant, and Tintin saw his pet's jaw was starting to bug him. The lad then saw the robes of the idols, and later, the candles. The reporter then thought on something, but it was risky, and the only option he had in mind.
-Snowy, stop biting that and listen to me.- Tintin said in a low voice.
His white, canine companion obeyed and approached him a little more.
-Listen carefully.- the lad said.- See those candles?-
The dog nodded.
-See those robes in those idols?-
-Of course I can see them.- The animal "replied".- What's with those?-
Thinking he "responded positively", Tintin continued on telling him the instructions.
-Well... I want you to start a massive fire.-
Snowy paralyzed himself after hearing that, and started to whine.
-Shh, shh,shh.- His owner tried to calm him down without the gangsters noticing.- It's the only solution. I will be fine, Snowy. Once the ropes are weakened, I'll break free from this, and we'll return to Marlinspike. I promise.-
Snowy then started to doubt his owner.
From all the things he has done to save him, this was the most risky one. The poor canine was aware part of what Tintin said just to calm him down was a lie. He won't be fine, that's for sure. He'll just have a few low-degree burns.
-Snowy, please.- Tintin insisted.- It's now or never?-
The dog was still thinking.
Because of being upside-down for a long time, the lad was starting to get dizzy. His breathing was getting painful, a headache was being developed, and the consciousness was about to fade in a few minutes.
-Snowy...- the lad said in a weak-like voice.-
His trusted friend hated to see him like that, and chose to follow his orders.
Meanwhile, Haddock and María were still discussing. She didn't want to let Tintin go, as he was now a good offering for Santa Muerte. Her husband was waking up and helped her to defend "their property".
-He is not worthy enough to be your offering to your god!- Haddock said as he was running out of ideas.
-That boy is worthy enough for prosperity, money, fame, and fortune... or at least for forty years.- Adolfo replied. Then, he had an idea.- Lets make a deal you might not regret.-
-Tell me one good reason I should not turn your offer down.- The Captain said
-I am a man of word.- Adolfo replied
The sailor sighed.
-I'm listening.- Haddock replied
-Tell the police to leave. All of them.- The Drug Lord ordered.- I swear I won't harm or offer to Santa Muerte a single drop of blood of Tintin.-
The Captain nodded.
-You have the deal.-said as he turned to the cops and detectives.- All of you, out of the place!-
-Captain Haddock, have you considered it might be...- Thomson said
-I SAID OUT OF THE BUILDING!- The old sailor demanded.
Then they left.
-The police has left.- Haddock said.- Now, make your part of the deal.-
-Oh, of course I'd.- Adolfo replied as he took an insignificant tiny knife and gave it to María, who later cut part of Tintin's chest as the lad tried his best on not to scream.
Haddock got angered as he saw what the female gangster did to his friend.
-You scumbag niggers!- The Captain cursed.- You gave your word! You said you wouldn't harm him!-
-The Aztec Hawks are people of their word.- Adolfo said.- I promised I wouldn't harm or offer to Santa Muerte a single drop of blood of Tintin. And the drop that fell to the floor is the one that our "One and Only" won't receive.-
The Captain then realized the jellyfish was right.
-And the rest of the boy will be sacrificed, by me.- María said.
-You played with my mind!- The Captain angered more
-Oh, we did not.- Adolfo said.- You just didn't took your time to meditate your answer. And I thought you Europeans were smart... and all we see... they're just donkeys, fancy ones, to be precise.-
The Captain didn't know what to say.
-Did the donkey ate your tongue, old man?- María said in a sarcastic tone
Haddock had to admit it. He took his decision before meditating it. He was now ashamed of what he chose. Tintin was bleeding and getting weaker as the seconds were passing. The look the lad shot to him was a disappointing one. Either that or he's too dizzy. He tried to shake his head, possibly to get at least some breathing.
Suddenly, the place turned red and hot.
Smoke was appearing in each corner of the building.
Literally, there was no escape.
Snowy and the Captain were rescued by a few cops as the couple left the place. Haddock tried to evade them, but the men were too strong for him.
-Wait!- Haddock protested.- Let me go back!-
-At this point we cannot let you go.- One of them replied.- You might die!-
-If losing my life to save my friend's necessary, then I'll let it happen!- Haddock said.
-Sir, you're losing your control.- Another one said.
-I'll show you how to lose the control!- The Captain prepared to attack the cops, but failed.- JUST LET ME GO!-
-You cannot go back!- One said.
When they finally made it to the outside, the Captain went back to it.
-Tintin!- He screamed.- Tintin!-
The Captain went immediately to the second floor.
Instead of the "sanctuary", it resembled the Hell itself.
-Tintin!- He said once again, but this time, with a breaking voice.
The heat was getting more hellish as part of the structure of the building was collapsing. Haddock evaded a column, and found the lad, still "in his place". When he went directly to it, he was stabbed in the back by Adolfo.
-No one messes with Santa Muerte, Mr. Whatever-your-real-name-is, but what I'm sure, is that you will give us more prosperity.- the Drug Lord said with a devilish grin.
-You sick bastard!- Haddock replied and attacked the Mexican.
The strength of the sailor was "drowned" because of the stabbing. The young male kept punching him until he finally collapsed to the floor.
-So pathetic.- Adolfo said as he took out his knife.- Europeans are described as being perfect, beautiful, and superior. You know what I see? A drunkard, ugly, and inferior human being. How is it possible to a person with real blood to lose to somebody who represents the mix of all races?-
The Captain didn't respond. He was too weak to get up and keep fighting.
-I know you want it to end.- said the Mexican as he prepared his knife.- Your suffering will end... forever.-
And then, where he was standing, was weakened by the fire, thus, breaking, and making Adolfo to lose his balance. He fell to never be seen again. With the last bit of his strength, Captain Haddock got into his feet and went towards Tintin, who was fainted because of the lack of oxygen.
The rope, as he said before, was now weak.
Haddock freed the boy and tried to search for a safer exit.
The stairs were no more, and the fire was about to claim them.
The Captain searched with his sight, and what he saw, was a window. He preferred to have more scratches than being eaten by the fire. He took one last deep breath and jumped to the window as the building exploded.
Now, the Aztec Hawks ceased to exist.
Then, Snowy approached him.
-He's alive, boy.- Said with a weak voice.- He's still with us.-
And Captain Haddock finally fainted with Tintin in his arms.
-xxx-
A/N:I hope you liked this. I'll submit later the last chapter, epilogue, and possibly trivia of this fanfic.
If there was something OOC, please tell me so I can fix it!