Lost & Found

Chapter 15

"The first thing you have to keep in mind is to keep your muscles relaxed. I know it seems counterintuitive, but it's essential to correctly deliver a punch."

"Relaxed. Alright." I take a deep breath and try to clear my mind.

Tintin raises a fist and holds it out to me. "Take your dominant hand and wrap it in a fist. Keep your thumb overlapping the middle and index finger. Your fist is the only part of your body that you want to tense up. Not so much that you cut off circulation, but not so little that it unravels when you hit your target."

I copy the fist and show it to him. "Like this?"

"Exactly like that. Put your other hand in the same arrangement."

I can feel my confidence grow with his approval. Maybe I could handle this.

"Now we need to make sure you have a fighting stance. Keep your fists up here -" he pulls his hands up so they're level to his cheeks "- to guard your face. Tuck your chin in as well."

"Yes, okay." I bring my hands up, still tightly balled into fists.

He breaks his stance and comes over to me. "Yes, that's the correct position. Now make sure that your elbows are slightly bent, and resting by your sides." He gently places his hands on my elbows and moves them into position. I can barely focus on what he's saying, my ears beginning to feel hot. "This way, your ribs and organs should be protected."

"Mm-hm."

"Alright, now break the stance and try to replicate it again."

I nod and do as he says, brightening when he claps in approval. "You're a natural."

"Thank you." Confidence gives me hope as we continue the lesson, Tintin teaching me how to actually throw a punch. I repeat the motion over and over again. Each time the motion is smoother, more flowing, relaxed. Every repetition increases my resolve to find my father's killer and stop Sakharine. I can accomplish this. I will accomplish this.

"I think you're ready to punch something other than the air. After we have a break, of course," Tintin says after about ten minutes.

I can feel the sweat dripping down my face, but I don't want to stop. I place my hands on my hips, slightly bent over, and sigh. "I suppose that would be wise, yes."

He rests a hand on my shoulder and gives a reassuring squeeze. "You're doing quite well for a beginner."

"That's very kind of you to say, but there's so much more I have to learn to fight." We begin walking back towards their operations center as I wipe my forehead.

"Think of it in smaller quests, remember? That's the only way that we can get through this. We're nearly there, though, I can feel it." His eyes brighten again, the gleam becoming familiar after seeing it so often. "Oh, and I don't believe I ever thanked you for rescuing me."

I cast a curious look his way. "How did you know? You were unconscious."

"Considering the fact that you've come to my rescue three times now, it was easy to figure out."

I chuckle. "There is positively no way that I've rescued you that many -"

He takes my arm and we stop walking. His eyes lock with mine, the blue pleading with me to listen and hear him out. "You saved me from the traffic back home, you came for me while I was locked up in the ship, and now you've found me in the desert and saved me from certain death. I'm very grateful to you. I'd most likely be long gone by now if it wasn't for you."

Does he truly mean that? I search his face. Only honesty and an earnest smile are what I see.

"You're very brave and resourceful, whether you know it or not. You're so caring for others and will defend them, as you did with Haddock and Delcourt today. I'm incredibly lucky to have met you and brought you on this journey."

I don't speak. No words can form. Tintin valued me. He truly valued me as a person. Standing there, our gazes still locked, I feel as though things are becoming so much better. The world seems clearer. Brighter.

I open my mouth to speak when Michael walks out of the operations center, casually strolling towards us. I take a step back from Tintin and clear my throat. "Michael. Is anything amiss?"

His eyes dart between Tintin and I before landing to rest on me. "Nope. We're just ready for you two to get set up." He waves us inside, and I hurriedly follow.

"Tintin, you'll be where Haddock was, and Grace, follow me to another area."

I give a small wave to Tintin as I resume walking with Michael. As we walk, I allow my thoughts to drift back to where Tintin and I stood outside a few moments earlier. His words linger in my mind. Brave and resourceful. Caring and willing to defend. He felt lucky to have met me.

"You're smiling a lot. What's up?"

I start and look to Michael. "I'm sorry?"

"You just seem really happy. I was wondering why."

"I'm happy that things are finally going well again, I suppose." I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear to busy my hands.

He doesn't seem convinced, but we reach another area with a woman. Michael motions to her as she looks up from a stack of papers, a single braid of dark brown hair falling over her shoulder. "Grace, this is Amelia, my sister. She'll be giving you a few tips for when you're actually in Bagghar."

Amelia steps from behind her desk and reaches a hand out. "Nice to meet you."

"You as well." Her handshake is firm, yet still welcoming.

She waves her hands at Michael in a dismissive gesture. "Alright, out. She's been surrounded by men for long enough, now let her spend time with me."

Michael rolls his eyes and shoots a playful smile our way. "Fine, fine. I'll leave you to it."

Chapter 15 is done! But I've still got so much more to write. I hope that you're all enjoying it as much as I am. Also, thank you all for helping us get to 150 reads! I never expected the count to get that high. Have a great week, and thank you again for reading!