Time Travel Agency

Chapter 9

September 30, 2032 - Downtown Canterbury, UK

     THEY ALL came back to their same ex-restaurant where they had been before. Anthony was asleep. "Nice," Bill said, "now we can question him." "I will question him," Nigel said, "You all can go back to your times. If any of you need help getting back, I can help." "Aww, so no good cop bad cop action?" Bill asked. "Sorry, but no," Nigel replied. "Darnit. Ok," Bill said, disheartened.

     One by one, they went back home. David, Eddie, and Jessica went home via their time car. Christian went home via his time watch. Jarodson went home via his time car. Bill struggled with his watch for a bit. "You need help getting home?" Nigel asked, noticing his struggle. "No, I got it," Bill laughed, warping out. Now only Josiah and Nigel remained. "Well, I'm in my native time, so I'll stay here," Josiah said, leaning against the back wall.

December 4, 2020 - Suburbs of Lime Junction City, Alabama

     "Bye, Eddie," David said as he and Jessica walked back. "It was a pleasure to fight alongside you two," Eddie said. Before David got too far away, Eddie saw David's briefcase still in the car. "David, wait! Your briefcase!" Eddie shouted. David turned around, walked back to the car, and grabbed his suitcase. "I can't believe I forgot," David laughed and went back to where he was and where Jessica was standing also, and Eddie warped out.

     "Hey Jessica," David said, nervousness creeping into his voice, "Are you free to hang out sometime?" Jessica was shocked by the words she just heard. She had feelings for him since she moved here (In case you're wondering, David's wife had died a good while before she moved in). She smiled and said, "Sure. I'm free tomorrow. Where are we going?" "How about the Dairy King downtown?" David suggested. "I like that," Jessica replied, "It's a date."

     That night, David was unloading his briefcase when he saw a wedding photo inside. Did Eddie put this in here? David thought. He scanned the photo front and back, then took a better look at the photo itself. It was him and Jessica with the text on the corner saying, "Photo taken by Ryan Flint - June 9, 2022" I feel like I've seen too much, he thought. He then put the photo on his nightstand and tried to forget it.

December 5, 2020 - Dairy King in Downtown LJC, Alabama

     Jessica hitched a ride with David because she was without a vehicle. They pulled up in the parking lot to the right of the restaurant. When they exited the vehicle, they held hands up until they reached the door of the restaurant. David then let go so he could open the door for Jessica. They went inside and went to the counter.

     "Welcome to Dairy King. How may I take your order?" the clerk asked. The clerk looked middle aged and rather depressed. However, he recognized Jessica and David, and when he did his eyes lit up. "You look like two of those three people that were here like 20 years ago," he said. This shocked David to his core. "R-really?" he said, staggering his words. "Yeah, yeah!" the clerk said, "You, Blondie, were talking to me about how the Christmas spirit should be celebrated all year 'round." "What?" Jessica asked, acting confused. "You started a movement around here with that kind of talk. There's now a national program to spread Christmas spirit year-round." "Wow," Jessica replied, speechless, "Whoever started that should be proud."

     "Yeah, so what can I get you two?" the clerk asked, getting back on topic and seeing the line building up behind them. The two got their orders and sat down with their food. "What'd you think about our little adventure?" David asked between bites. "It was a lot," Jessica replied, thinking, "but that was some exciting action!" "Shh, Shh!" David said, laughing, "keep it down. 'Glad you're excited, but We don't need all of Lime Junction to hear that." They laughed and continued eating for a minute. Then, Jessica spoke up. "So, David, what was it like? Ya know, training?" David took a pause to think and remember how it went, "It was rigorous. Comparable to police, firefighter, and FBI training combined." The comparison made Jessica laugh. David continued, "Really, it's manageable as long as you stay on top of it. It's how I was able to pass but my friend wasn't." Jessica leaned in a little bit, interested in the story, "Who was your friend?" "His name is Anthony Charles. I say he was my friend because when I made it and he didn't, he got really bitter. He left town and I haven't seen him in 3 years." Jessica was shocked. "Anthony? THE Anthony that we captured?" she said, "This is quite the twist. I wonder if Nigel knows about this."

October 1, 2032 - Downtown Canterbury, UK

     Nigel sat Anthony down at one of the tables and began his questioning. "So, Anthony, what can you tell us about your little terrorist cult?" Nigel asked. Already, Anthony was mad at this labeling, "It's not a terrorist cult. It's a movement named Regnare Tempore. It comes from a Latin saying that means 'Reign in Time,' or at least that's what Google Translate says." Nigel laughed at that last bit, then asked his next question, "What is this movement's endgame goal and why are you doing it?" Anthony smirked, "No one's asked me that ever. The endgame goal is a domination over something for sure, but like I'd tell you, man of muddy mystery." "The name's Nigel," Nigel replied, "and you're talking about dominating the agency?" "Well," Anthony started in his cryptic manner, "As a riddle will say, what I want is something more than the agency that has been around since the first day." "World domination? Really?" Nigel said, "I thought you could time travel. Don't you know your history AT ALL?" "How'd you figure my riddle so fast?! No matter... but yes I do know my history. I just think I can pull it off."

     Nigel chuckled, "Now to tell you why I'm here. I'm not from 2032. Joe has provided me this place to stay while this is sorted out. You see, I'm from 2140, ahead of everyone's time. I saw the effects of your doing and you are kept from world domination by the world, destroying the world. History repeats not just because people don't know their history. Some in fact think they can pull it off." "Wait so you're from 2140?!" Anthony exclaimed, shocked. Nigel sarcastically blinked and said, "... Yes." Anthony's mind was blown by that which was odd to Nigel. "Back on the topic, are there any outside associates you work with?" Nigel said, attempting to― well― get back on topic. "There is one," Anthony said reluctantly, "I don't know his name or what he wants, but we call him Vengeance because that's what he wants. And he is adamant about what he wants our help for." "What is it he wants? What vengeance is he after?" Nigel asked.

December 5, 2020 - Dairy King in Downtown LJC, Alabama

     The date was overall pleasant. They got to talk about life and things of that sort, and especially they got to talk about (albeit quietly) how the agency operates. They also talked about David's deceased wife, which went like this:

"So, how long has she been dead?"

"When she died, I prayed to God for the first time. I asked why He did this to her and me."

"Did you get an answer?"

"Well, I went to Agent Christian about it because at that time, he was an agent."

"Did he retire or something?"

"Yeah. Not too long ago actually. About a month ago."

"So what did he say?"

"He told me all he knew about the topic using quotes and verses from his Bible. He told me to move forward and not dwell on the past, and that the Lord will provide if you ask Him to."

"How did you react?"

"I was bitter at first but when I thought about it, I began to think he was right. So, I was convicted by the Lord and I got saved. After the initial euphoric explosion, I then remembered that I couldn't tell my wife and was disheartened again."

"You got saved? That's great! So what did you do about your loss?"

"I asked the Lord that if He be willing, that he'd send someone into my life to give me a companion in my home because it was lonely."

"Did He send someone?"

"Yes, actually. About a week after I prayed that, you moved in."

     When Jessica heard David say that, she blushed because she made the connection that David implied. She was the one God sent for him. So amidst the time travel, God's still working, she thought. Then, she thought of a question that if answered no, would be very bad, "Was your wife saved?" David thought about it. "You know what? I'm not sure. I think she was. She had a Bible on her nightstand and went to church, but that's all I know." After some solemn silence, they changed the subject.

     When they went outside and were on the way to the car, a man, who looked exactly like the associate of Anthony, seized Jessica and proceeded to kidnap her. Jessica struggled but to no avail. The man was too strong. David tried to attack the man, but he was overpowered and knocked out. When he awoke, the man and Jessica were gone. Surrounding him were people who were nearby. The clerk that served him was there also.