An Alternate Life AU
Chapter 6 Six National Anthems
Alternate
Jeff looked around, "so where are we anyway?"
Dan flipped open the Omni, "Baltimore, 1814, a red light, and I don't have any idea what's wrong. That's why I need to get back to headquarters. So I can get my guidebook and get rid of you."
"We traveled through time?" Jeff said in a stunned voice.
"Yeah, if you've got any ideas about what needs to be fixed, just let me know," Dan said dejectedly. He shifted position and stood up as Jeff noticed a fluttering out of the corner of his eye.
Jeff stood up too, and together they walked out of the alley. As they reached the street, Dan bent to pick up the paper. He read it to himself.
"What's that?"
"A poem, it's familiar," he paused, then began to read aloud, "Oh Say! Can you see by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed.."
"At the twilight's last gleaming," Jeff finished excitedly, then turned to scan the area. He spied a well-dressed man walking away and reached out for the paper, but Dan wouldn't let it go.
"What's with you?"
"These are the words to our national anthem, that's Francis Scott Key, I have to give them back to him."
Dan let go of the paper and watched Jeff run to the man and exchange a few words as he gave him the paper. "That's impossible," he whispered.
Jeff jogged back as Dan opened the Omni, "it's green," he whispered, "how'd you know what that was?"
"My Dad was a history professor, he taught me about Francis Scott Key. And everybody knows the National Anthem," Jeff answered and smiled.
Dan stared at him in surprise. This was an interesting turn of events. "I know 6 national anthems," he said.
Jeff stared at him uncertainly, "that's a lot," he finally said.
"You feel up to another trip through the cosmos? I really gotta get you back."
Jeff shrugged sadly, he had to admit that he didn't want to go back to his aunt. "I guess."
"All right, let's try again," and Dan once again pushed the button.