The Time Hunters and the Box of Eternity by Carl Ashmore

the words.
    ‘ Now let ’ s go and purchase a
painting. ’ Uncle Percy pressed the Invisiblator button on his key fob and Beryl instantly
vanished. Then he turned to Becky and Joe. ‘ Follow me... ’
    As they approached what looked like a trap door set into the roof,
Becky caught sight of a rectangular piece of cherry-red card; flapping wildly,
it appeared to be nailed to the door. Confused, she glanced over at Uncle
Percy, and her blood turned to ice. He had stopped dead in his tracks, his
entire body rigid.
    ‘ What ’ s is it? ’ Joe asked.
    ‘ I ’ m not sure, ’ Uncle Percy replied
flatly. He marched over and ripped the card from its nail. Becky saw it was an
envelope. Then her stomach reeled. Written on its face in elaborate handwriting
were four words:

 
    To Rebecca, with love …

 
    ‘ T-that ’ s my name, ’ Becky panted. ‘ U-Uncle Percy, that ’ s my name! ’
    Enraged, Uncle Percy tore it open pulled out a red card. The words Happy
Valentine ’ s Day to a Special Girl glinted silver
in his eyes. ‘ How dare you, ’ he growled.
    Becky ’ s head was spinning. ‘ Uncle Percy, why has it got my name on it? ’
    Uncle Percy didn ’ t reply.
    ‘ Should we depart? ’ Will asked Uncle
Percy.
    ‘ Not yet, William, ’ Uncle Percy replied.
    ‘ What ’ s going on? ’ Becky asked, her
voice rising. ‘ Pass it to me! ’
    Uncle Percy gave a heavy sigh. Then he handed it over.
    Her fingers trembling, Becky took it. And when she turned the page,
it felt like time itself had stopped.

 
    Dearest Rebecca,

 
    Roses are Red
    Violets are Blue
    Daddy is bleeding
    And it ’ s all down to you

 
    Oh, and Percy, you continue to astound me. You are either supremely
stupid or supremely brave. My money, as always, is on the former. Infact, I
always thought you were a something of a Moran. Anyway, I know you ’ re going to have fun.
I have, after all, read tomorrow ’ s newspaper .
      Regards,
    Emerson

 
    Becky shivered with rage, every muscle in her body tightening. She
stared at the card again and again until anger blurred the words beyond
recognition.
    ‘ This is just one of
Drake ’ s
cruel little games, ’ Uncle Percy said softly to Becky. ‘ You mustn ’ t take his words to heart. ’
    ‘ Why not? ’ Becky replied
quietly. ‘ He ’ s right. Dad is
suffering because of me. ’
    ‘ He ’ s not right. ’
    Becky ’ s lip quivered as she held back the tears that once started would
never stop. ‘ But if I had persuaded dad to give Drake the information he needs
then –’
    ‘ Then neither of you
would be alive now, ’ Uncle Percy said plainly. ‘ Drake wouldn ’ t let you go, and he would certainly know
better than to release John. No, whatever it is your father knows, it ’ s important enough to
Drake to keep him alive. And as long as he is, there ’ s hope. Never forget
that. ’
    Joe looked baffled. ‘ Let ’ s have a gander, Becks, ’ he said, reaching out for the card.
    Before he could grab it, however, Becky had torn it into tiny shreds
and pitched them in the air.
    Joe watched as the pieces soared like confetti towards Lake
Michigan. ‘ What did it say? ’
    ‘ It doesn ’ t matter, ’ Becky replied. She
looked at Uncle Percy. ‘ What did Drake mean: ‘ I ’ ve read tomorrow ’ s newspaper? ’ Oh, and I know you say he ’ s clever but he must be something of a moron
himself if he can ’ t spell ‘ moron. ’
    Uncle Percy opened his mouth as if to reply but closed it
immediately. He sank into deep contemplation. Then his face drained of colour and
he scooped up the suitcase. ‘ We ‘ re going, come on… ’ Swiftly, he marched over to Beryl. ‘ Chop chop, everyone… ’
    ‘ What? ’ Becky said. ‘ Why? ’
    ‘ This was a big
mistake. In the time machine, please. ’
    Becky didn ’ t budge. ‘ We ’ re not going anywhere. I ’ m not letting Emerson Drake ’ s stupid card put me off. ’
    ‘ Me neither, ’ Joe added.
    ‘ It ’ s not the