Chapter 2: Fishing for Trouble

Outside of London England

2006

Jesse Martin laughed, lounging on a giant rock, as he watched his girlfriend, Rachel Myers try her hand at fishing. Rachel gave him a mock-hurt look.

"It would happen faster if you helped!" She said, smiling. Jesse deftly sprang from the rock onto the fall leaves. A sudden wind kicked at the two lovers, making them shiver. Jesse hugged Rachel until the wind subsided.

'Well, what's the problem?" he asked in his clipped, British accent. Rachel stuck her hand in the water, feeling for the line. Jesse saw it taunt of the fishing pole and how it ran right to the bottom, like it was stuck on something.

"It seems to be caught on something," Rachel grunted, trying to pull on the line frantically. Jesse grabbed her to stop her from doing that.

"Don't," he began, jumping into the water. "You'll cut yourself up pretty bad." He was in the water up to his knees and crouched, ramming his hands deep in the water.

"You found anything yet?" Rachel asked, worried.

"Not yet-"he stopped and made a sound of accomplishment. The treasure he held in his hand was not one either of them expected. It was the shape of a bottle, but it was covered in dark mud that reeked of Sulfur. He quickly washed what caked on mud he could off. "It's been down there so long; mud piled on top of it," Jesse said as he sloshed upon the land, Rachel following close behind.

"What is that?" Rachel asked, ducking her head down to get a better look. It was some obviously antique bottle. Some scratches ran down the length of the glass.

Jesse looked closely and saw something folded and yellow. Carefully, he opened the bottle. There was a slight odor of staleness from the bottle. Rachel put her hand up to her mouth.

"It smells like nasty gym socks!" She squealed. Jesse looked up and around at their surrounding real quickly.

"Be careful, if we're caught, we'll be jailed!"

"Sorry," Rachel began, putting her hands in her pockets, "I don't want to the cops to know we've trespassed. What is that thing, anyway?" Jesse lifted the paper out gently and unfolded it. Part in the middle snapped and crumbled away.

"It's some kind of note, written back in the nineteen twenties." Jess spoke, reading the note, "Please help, employer being funny in head, abusive towards me, obviously plotting something!" Jesse had a funny, sinking feeling as he continued; "Anyone who reads this, need safe harbors, fears for life!" he looked up and added, "Oh my god Rach!" he turned quickly and took out his weird cell-phone. He quickly dialed a phone number. "Momm, I think we have big trouble over here."

"What do you mean?" a sharp female voice sounded out.

'That vacation that I decided to take with Rachel, across realities to 2006 of that special reality; well I found out something that we have to help with."

"What is it this time?'

"I am coming back with Rachel. I think it's best if we show you." Jesse got off the phone and saw Rachel glaring at him. "Now what did I do?"

"I think how its swell how you turn our vacation times into missions for the team!" Rachel crossed her arms and pursed her lips. Jess grabbed her by her shoulders, pleading.

"Honey, I'm sorry! I know how much you wanted to do this!"

"Fine, whatever, Jess." She muttered. "Let's just go back home, ok?" nodding, they both want on the big rock and fell asleep.