Another heavy chapter ahead, but to make you feel better, it does have some good ol' "Tintinesque" action in it (at least, I hope it meets your expectations…) And as a fair warning, the pace may seem a bit fast in this chapter! I apologize for any inconvenience!

In any case, enjoy!

"Great snakes!" Tintin snaps to attention and runs ahead to our noble guide, Snowy following closely behind.

My stomach churns with dread as the little white fox terrier begins to howl next to Ali's motionless body.

"Well Tintin?" The Captain calls after him, taking his hat off as the young reporter searches for a pulse.

"He's gone," Tintin says solemnly. "There's nothing we can do."

I quickly cover Elizabeth's eyes as the scarlet blood begins to pool around the unfortunate rescuer, trying not to pass out myself as its strong stench begins to possess my nostrils.

He wasn't much older than me... I wipe away a lone tear trickling down my cheek. We didn't even get to thank him for all he did for us…

"He was a good chap," The Captain remarks. "He risked life and limb to save us, by thunder. And he had to pay the price."

"Yes," Tintin agrees, his blue eyes filling with sorrow. "But don't let's waste time. The assassins are clearly nearby and we need to move on."

With that, we try to make our way to the edge of the city inconspicuously, its appearance not being very different from Wadesdah's as it has that same essence that screams "third world country".

Not again…

The scorching sun rays beat down on our already burnt faces as we continue to trudge through the sand.

"I'm thirsty," Elizabeth whines after a while, leaning on me as I continue to limp on my sore ankle.

"We're almost there," I assure her, feeling about ten years older than I am with that statement.

"Quiet, Snowy. Stop growling," Tintin orders. But the little white dog pays his master no heed as his snarls get louder with each step we take.

"I could go for a cigar right about now…" The Captain mumbles wistfully.

Oh come on, Captain! How could you think of smoking at a time like this? Honestly!

I feel my head getting heavier with each passing second, and for a moment, I don't think I can go on anymore. I begin to pant as my vision slowly begins to fade and my legs threaten to give way, especially with my aching ankle.

"You're sure that you're all right, Katrina?" Tintin calls after me right as we enter the city limits.

I don't know what happens, but somehow I come to my senses and I suddenly feel my penned-up rage heating to a boil.

"Well, we've been robbed, arrested, shot at, had one of our partners killed, and worst of all, we haven't come any closer to our goal of finding that so-called Professor friend of yours." I snap at him before I can stop myself. "How do you suppose I am, Mister Tintin Ace Reporter?"

Everyone stops, their eyes dilated and their mouths slightly open; their shock painfully obvious.

"Here now, lass!" The Captain interjects. "Will you stop that? Leave Tintin alone, he hasn't done anything rude to you!"

I glare at the irritated Captain's blue-gray eyes as I hiss a reply.

"You know, I could say the same thing about you with the way you've been treating me."

Tintin turns around in disbelief at my comeback.

I know deep down inside that I had no right to yell at either of them like that, immediately regretting my sudden behavior. And truthfully, I'd give anything to pretend it didn't happen.

But the expression on Tintin's round face reminds me that it's too late to swallow the words back.

His sky blue eyes feel penetrating as his gaze hardens into a glare.

"D'you realize that this situation is not the game you're taking it for, Katrina? Time and time again I've risked my neck on your account! I'm surprised at you!"

"WHAT?" I scream back, my guilt melting away faster than a snowflake would in this heat. "YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE I THINK THIS IS A GAME?" I gesture to my injuries. "I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY I CAME TO THIS GODFORSAKEN LAND IN THE FIRST PLACE! I DON'T KNOW THIS PROFESSOR FRIEND OF YOURS; FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, I'VE NEVER EVEN LAID EYES ON HIM!"

"That's a good question, Katrina." Tintin's voice begins to rise as well. "If you were so against coming here from the start, why did you even bother?"

Don't say it, Katrina! Don't do it!

"BECAUSE I L…"

But before I can finish the forbidden phrase, yet another ominous shot echoes through the air, with a bloodcurdling scream following it as Elizabeth collapses to the ground.

We all rush over to the black-haired girl lying against a nearby brick wall, curled up in a fetal position. She turns over slightly to reveal a ghastly wound on her left arm.

"Oh dear God!" I immediately take out my handkerchief and gently apply it to the trickling blood.

"Who did this to you?" Tintin wants to know, clearly still uptight from the argument.

But Elizabeth is too traumatized to answer; her pupils glassy with delirium.

"Shh." I murmur soothing words as I cradle her head. "You're going to be all right, sweetie. You'll see."

I glance at the ginger-haired reporter, who appears to be gazing at the horizon for the possible attacker.

Without warning, his expression changes from concentrated to alarmed.

"Great snakes!"

The next thing I know, he's pulling me into the nearest alleyway with Elizabeth in my arms.

"What in the…" I manage to say before Tintin claps a hand over my mouth.

"Just get down and don't make a sound," he advises.

I'm so startled by the sharpness in his voice that I immediately do as I'm told.

Shortly after I do so, I can hear shouts, barks and gunshots as a fight ensues between Tintin, Snowy and the Captain against the unknown assailants.

I risk a glance at one attacker as he conks the Captain on the head from behind.

Hmmph. Serves him right.

Tintin on the other hand, is doing considerably well having knocked out two enemies and finishing off a third, swinging his fists remarkably fast, while the little white dog is knocked to the ground in an attempt to bite an attacker's rear end.

Unfortunately, the young journalist does not notice a burly man creeping up behind him with a champagne bottle in his hand.

"NO!" I try to warn him, but Tintin's eyes meet mine for only a second before they close and the young reporter slumps over onto the pavement with shattered glass all around him.

Oops…

The attacker's attention is now on me as he lunges in my direction.

Quickly, I kick him in the stomach before punching him in the nose with all of my might in a weak attempt to defend myself.

With that, I feel a touch of triumph at the sight of him keeling over before I receive a severe blow on the head and I too enter the infamous "dreamland".

Yay! Another cliffhanger! (I'll spare you the song…this time D)

Whoa, once again I am absolutely lost for words… the plot is really coming to a boil right now; it's becoming a pretty tangled web!

So our friends have finally reached Khemikhal! But who are these people that have attacked them? Just what do they want? Could they possibly lead them to the Professor's whereabouts…FINALLY? What about Tintin and Katrina? Will Elizabeth be okay?

Thank you for reading, and a special thank you to all of my reviewers thus far! You truly are awesome and you have really inspired me throughout this story *wipes away a happy tear* THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU! :')

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I will update VERY SOON!

Thank you for being so patient with me, and as always, please review!

Farewell for now! :D