The Adventures of Tintin - The Secret of the Vivace Code [EDITING]

Chapter 22 - Deadlines

"Ow that's my foot!"

"Watch it!"

"Thundering Typhoons!"

"Put your hand there again and I swear..."

"Ow! Jesus Christ!"

"Turn left when you get to the end," Tintin says, his voice is muffled somewhat as we squeeze through the increasingly narrow passageway we leapt into "No, your other left!"

We burst through the end of the ginnel wheezing and rubbing our injuries to try and numb the pain.

The music has died out. The only sound now other than our own ragged breaths are worried voices and hurried staggering.

I stand up a little taller and straighten my blouse, I briefly scan the area as I do so. The tiny backstreet is deserted, the only other living thing in my sights is a stray cat sauntering lazily past us.

"Now where do we go?" I ask as I look up and down the street, "I don't recognise this place at all,"

"Thankfully I do," Tintin states as he adjusts his coat collar. "Remember when I went out to the Post Office to send a letter?"

"Yes," reply the Captain and I together.

"Well, I took a wrong turn and ended up here,"

"So what you're saying is you got lost?" I say with a mocking tone to try and lighten the mood.

"No..." Tintin says slowly, "I just..." Tintin pauses picking his words carefully, "Miscalculated,"

"He got lost." I whisper to Captain Haddock. He smirks a little and murmurs something that sounds like: "Typical land lubber, no sense of direction,"

"This way!" Tintin calls as he strides down the street.

The Captain and I jog up to him and trail behind him slightly, following his lead. We continue down the narrow, cobbled street for quite some time until we reach a fork in the road.

The noises of the people from the festival are now practically nonexistent, I notice as we walk that there are barely any lights on in any of the houses we pass. Everyone must be trying to stay out of the way and lie low after the evenings events.

Tintin directs us down the left hand fork, the road here is much steeper than expected. It flows down the hillside in a slight curve so that we end up traveling further left. When we reach the roads end we find ourselves standing at the edge of the courtyard.

"If we turn left and walk up a bit we should find the little road that leads us back to our chalet," Tintin whispers.

"Okay," I reply, "but if we get spotted we're dead,"

"Well," mutters the Captain. "We best not get spotted then,"

Cautiously we edge ourselves out into the courtyard, the shadows blanket us in impenetrable darkness. There is no way on earth the thugs will see us. After a short pause Tintin signals and the three of us

"I'm going to get in the shower," I grumble, now that the adrenaline is wearing off my injuries are starting to throb again and the prospect of soothing warm water is rather welcome.

"Be quick, we have things to discuss!" calls Tintin as he tries to calm Snowy (who evidently is chuffed that we have all returned safely.)

I walk over to the small bathroom just opposite the rickety spiral staircase and lock the door behind me.

I examine my face in the small circular mirror hanging above the sink. The skin around my eye is already turning a purplish hue, I have five small cuts surrounded by equally purple splotches where The Count dug his nails into my cheek.