alternatehistory.com

October 7th, 2018...London, Huron

A handsome young couple leisurely stroll down the River Thames walkway on a crisp autumn evening.
A young blonde woman in a long coat holds a pumpkin spice latte.
She looks up into the distracted gaze of her companion, a tall light-skinned African-Canadian, dressed impeccably with a high-collared jacket of navy blue and brown leather shoes.
"Did you like the movie?" She asked in a sing-song Southern drawl.
"I did" he responded, struggling to make conversation. "Really thought-provoking". His distinctly Canadian accent contrasted hers.
He looked ahead and tried a different tack.
"I'm so glad I decided to come here for University! Its soooo different from Texas, in a good way."
He chuckled. "I bet."
"And I'm from Austin, it's the hipster part, and people are super liberal there..."
"So I've heard."
"What's it like growing up here?" She was determined.
"Winters are cold, but other than that, I cant really complain. All my friends and family are near by, I guess that's why I decided to stay for Law School. Lots of tradition for us."
A pause in the conversation as they continued to walk.
"How's Law School going? Are you stressed?"
He reflected. "Not really, no...about some things, yes..."
He looked at his watch.
"Do you mind if we stop here?"
"Oh, ok..."
He looked around.
"There! Theres a bench! Let's go over there.."
He took her arm and began to lead her toward the river.
As they turned from the road, a black cube van with tinted windows pulled up on the road behind them.
The driver's window rolled down, revealing the driver, masked by balaclava.
"Alexander Cato Jackson...the third!" The driver yelled.
He stopped dead in his tracks and cracked a smile.
"That's me!" He said as they turned around to face the voice that called him.
"We need to talk to you". The door to the van slid open and two figures dressed in black and also masked emerged from the van.
"Alex what's happening?" Asked the young Texan frantically.
He chuckled.
"You're coming with us!" One of the figures shouted as he approached.
Alex put his hands up.
He continued chuckling softly as he told the young woman smugly;
"I'm being kidnapped."
"WHAT? I'll call the police!"
She immediately reached for her phone in her purse but he grabbed her arm.
"No! Don't call anyone. I'll explain later -"
"What are you talking about? Where are they taking you?"
"Trust me, I can explain later. I'm really sorry, it's like a thing -"
One of the figures grabbed him and Alex feigned resistance as he was led to the van.
The other stopped to talk politely with the young bewildered woman.
"I'm really sorry, ma'am; but we'll have him back safe tonight, alright?"
"Um. Ok...."
"Do you need money for a cab?"
"Uh, no, I'll be alright-"
"Ok then. Ta-ta!"
The figures darted back into the van and it drove off into the night.
She young woman stared at the van as it disappeared in the distance, then back at her pumpkin spice latte.
"Canada is weird" she said to herself as she began her walk home.