I do not own Unnatural History.
(Jasper's Home)
There was a knock heard on the door as Jasper stumbled sleepily down the stairs. It was minutes before dusk and the piddy patter of rain could be heard outside the door. The man swung the door open, not bothering to inquire who his visitor was or what their concern was. His eyes scanned the horizon only to find no one there. He furrowed his brow and began to close the door when something caught his eye. As he took a step out the door his foot came in contact with a medium wooden crate. Curious as he was, he knew from experience that nothing good could come from mysterious cargo. None the less he picked up the crate and brought it inside. He set it gently on his living room floor and began to look it over. He noticed holes along the sides and found no markings indicating it had been through any mailing or shipping process.
"Well…I can either open this and regret it later or put it back where I found it," Jasper reasoned aloud, "Or rather should I say where it found me." He stared at the box as he squat down to its level. He carefully lifted the lid and peered into the box. A pair of dark hazel eyes pierced through the darkness causing Jasper to yelp and fall back. "What was that," he stammered to himself with a hand over his chest. He watched as a child timidly stood out of the crate. Jasper looked at the child in disbelief as he lifted himself off the ground, "Um…hello?"
"You are the man with the brown hair," the little girl said in a small voice.
"What," Jasper asked baffled as he walked closer to the crate, looking down at the child.
"Daddy said not to move and not to speak until I was with the man with the brown hair," the girl spoke clearly as she gripped a letter in her hand.
Jasper blinked and thought I can't believe I'm asking info from a three year old instead of calling the police, "How do you know I'm that man," Jasper asked shaking his head and lifted the child out of the box.
When he placed her on the ground she handed him the letter she had been holding onto and hopped onto his couch. "Make yourself at home," Jasper muttered as he took a seat on the opposite end. He looked over at the child once more then glanced at the letter in his hand. He opened the letter and a picture fell onto his lap. He set the letter to the side and gently picked up the photo. "The picture Henry, Maggie and I took in front of lockers sophomore year," he spoke softly to himself. The little girl bounced over to Jasper and leaned over to point to his image, "The man with the brown hair."
Jasper blinked as his mind rattled with thoughts. He turned to the little girl who smiled up at him. She turned back to the picture, "That is the woman with the brown hair." He watched her point to Maggie then turn back to him, "I am safe with the brown hair people."
Jasper looked down at the picture and then to the child beside him. He swallowed hard and asked, "Henry?"
"Daddy," the girl gave a quiet smile and placed her hand over Henry's face.
"Do I really want to know what's in this letter," Jasper picked up the letter and shifted it in his hands.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, "Dear God." He shakily unfolded the letter and read it in its entirety.
Dear Jasper,
Or rather I say beloved cousin; it seems if too much time has passed since I've dragged you into an adventure. No worries though, for this will be the biggest favor I've asked of you yet. I'm glad you met my Maggie, now please guard her with your life (an entire country depends on it). Enlist the help of your friends and please save my wife. She has been taken to lure me and where I'm found so will she be. Jasper, this entire venture is…so much bigger than all of us. I've always trusted you with my life and I always will.
Henry.
Jasper placed a hand over his eyes and slouched back, "Henry." He slapped down his hand and turned to the girl beside him, "What has your father gotten himself into?"