Chapter VII
Breathing Space
-Beep... Beep... Beep...-
Things were not being the same as Captain Haddock was in the hospital and is in the worst condition anyone (or maybe at his age) could be in. Right now, he was still unconscious, in a bed with a tube on his arm and a machine monitoring his heart rate. I believe he has had near-fatal injuries that almost cost him a broken arm or leg. The damage Adolfo did to him back in the "Hell House" was almost enough to fade him out from the world. The worst part of all this is that the sailor was not answering, and the doctors believed he might have slipped into a coma or something like that after surviving a tremendous fall, "filled with fire and explosions", with the lad in his arms.
Tintin was fine, thank God.
He was sitting by him for the past two days after recovering. The reporter admitted the Captain has risked his life a lot when it happened to save him in the adventures they've had. Even though he felt happy for his friend saving him, Tintin was cursing himself for what "he did to him".
The "burning the house down" was his idea. He thought on the fire "freeing" him instead of what would have happened.
It's my fault. He said in his mind. It's my entire fault.
He then started to meditate the things as he let a few tears out of his eyes and wished to be the one in a severe condition instead of the Captain.
Snowy started to whimper as he felt Tintin's expression.
-Easy, boy.- he said to his dog.- I'm sure he'll wake up soon.-
Many hours have passed and there was not anything new.
It was getting darker outside, and the worrying of the lad was growing. He was starting to wonder why whenever something happened in whatever place of the world, danger rises when he's around. He didn't want anybody to be hurt. Maybe himself, but not one of his best friends. In his eyes, Captain Haddock was like his protector. He even went on the "trips" he said he won't be going on this life.
The lad started then to think what to say in case the Captain was not going to return to Marlinspike. What would the Professor say? What would Nestor think? How would Bianca Castafiore deal with it? Questions like that were circling around his head. He was too depressed to think positively.
-Please, Captain.- Tintin said in a low-like voice.- Don't go. Not now. Not in front of me- said as he started to cry and hugged the sailor.
His last line reminded him of the no-longer-shocking-moment-for-him when Remy died in his arms that night in the park of Paris. That memory replayed in his head one more time, and started to cry in a fashion similar to that moment.
Tintin kept blaming himself for the accident, wishing even to be dead.
The only thing that was calming him a bit down was Haddock's heartbeats. It was a sign of life and opportunity, and the lad's tears were stopping. He then took the Captain's hand and squeezed it.
.
.
And an answer was received.
.
.
-You're not that light like a baby, did you knew that?-
The voice made Tintin to raise his head.
The first thing he saw was the Captain's face, with a smile on it.
-Captain!- He exclaimed with joy.
-Seriously, boy.- The Captain insisted.- You're heavy!-
Tintin then sat on his side.
He saw the sailor was wondering where he was, and why the drawer at his side was full of chocolates, flowers, and even hand-made, "Get well soon" cards.
-Where am I?- he asked
-In the hospital.- Tintin replied.- We've been here for a few days.-
-Who sent me those things?- said the sailor as he pointed to the stuff at the drawer.
-Well...- Tintin replied.-... those are little details given by "our admirers".-
-Admirers?-
-The people of this country have the habit of giving a detail to the hero who saved them... and helped to the police to discover an underground graveyard.-
-What?-
-The Chief told me a lot of people, especially tourists, were reported as missing since five years ago. And those cases were classified as "unresolved". When the fire was extinguished, the police went inside of what remained of the house to search for the gangsters, or for a secret entrance. Then, they found a secret door leading to a basement and, what they saw was something scary, like being inside a horror movie.-
-What happened later?-
-The skeletons found were taken to the labs, and that night, those were identified as the missing people. All of them had scars made by the knives owned by the Aztec Hawks.-
-So that's why...-
-Exactly.- Tintin replied nodding, with a smile.- A great part of those gifts were given to us by their families.-
-Tintin, I see you don't received that much.-
-Maybe because I was eating a few while you were unconscious.-
-Oh, you!- the Captain replied with a laugh.- So, when are we going back to Marlinspike?-
-When the doctor discharges you, Captain.- Tintin replied.
-And how much take to him to let me go?-
-I'm not sure.- Tintin said.- It depends on your condition.-
-I'm as strong as a bull and a rhino combined, so I feel fine.- He said
As he was getting up, Captain Haddock met the floor again. Tintin went to help him to return to bed.
-You might be as strong as the combination of a bull and a rhino, but you are still stubborn as a fish and weak as a barnacle.- Tintin commented as he finished helping Haddock.
The Captain had no option, but to wait until the doctor discharged him.
-xxx-
The days passed, and Haddock recovered all his strength, and felt as fine as new. And, as he wanted, was discharged by the medics.
All they had left was to return to the hotel for their stuff.
Tintin, Captain Haddock, and Snowy saw themselves ready to return to Marlinspike. Because the plane tickets expired because of the "waiting time", they decided to go with the Thom(p)sons on the Interpol's private plane. To evade boredom, the young reporter took his father's black book, much to the Captain's dismay.
-I just hope your old man didn't put more homework for you, lad.- Said the Captain with an annoyed voice.
-Come on, Captain.- Tintin replied.- Why so annoyed?-
The Captain didn't give an answer.
-I supposed.- the lad replied.- By the way, the Mexico thing was written in the page before he was murdered. That means, we might get a long, deserved rest.-
-I hope you're not lying, boy. But, if there's no more "homework" for you, then why are you taking it?-
-There are a few things I want to learn from him. He knew how to communicate with codes. Besides, these might be useful some time later.-
-Like when?-
-In the future, perhaps. Nobody will know what are we saying.-
-You little devil.- the Captain commented, laughing.
-What? We will be having a good recess, won't we?- replied the lad with a smile.
-I suppose... unless Signora Castafiore and company appear in my house. If that happens, I'll take the first plane to Thailand, Switzerland, or Paris.-
Tintin laughed as the plane was leaving the ground.
-What's so funny?- Haddock demanded
-I'll explain you later.- Tintin replied as he was trying to stop laughing.
-xxx-
Meanwhile, somewhere in the world...
A man, possibly in his forties, is seen taking a phone, dialing a number.
-Hello?- The voice of an old man asked from the other line.
-Boss, I didn't send the helicopter as you wanted.- said the man with a very familiar voice.
-I know. The notice was spread worldwide.-
-But they are still alive.-
-I supposed those dark-skinned, donkey-scented, tortilla-eaters were not capable of taking care of this. But don't worry. I have a plan.-
-I'm listening.-
-I need you to take the first plane to Paris. I really need to get out of here.-
-And then, what's next?-
-Take the plane first and come to me. Then I will tell you the rest.-
-xxx-
A/N: I'm happy I finally finished this!
Critiques? Comments?
If there's something OOC, please tell me so I can fix it!
BTW, I suppose you got the little reference made by Tintin and the Captain almost in the end.
I will add the trivia later.
This fic does not count with an epilogue.
Want to know what's next? Then wait and read: The Italian Plot.
Please Read and Review!
P.S. I'm sorry if I offended a Mexican (I'm also one too, so don't say I'm not).