A.K.A

    "There he is."

    I look up from the headline in the newspaper I had been staring at for the last few minutes and to the boy, my partner had gestured to. He is dressed in a red hoodie and grey pants with hands unceremoniously shoved in his pockets. He has normal running shoes that looked worn, probably years old, brown hair, black eyes, and an average face. All in all, nothing about this boy was remarkable - except, everything about him was remarkable. I nod to my partner and stand up, taking my time as I approach the boy whom others know as David Collens.

    He looks around, leaning on the wall with ankles crossed. He's waiting for his friend, Arwin Bark (yes, that is his real last name) who isn't coming today due to...an intervention. "David Collens," I call.

    David looks up, brows furrowing as he tries and fails to recognize me. The flash in his eyes says that he knows he's heard my voice before. I have too. "Who are you? How do you know my name?"

I cross my arms. "AKA. It does not matter how we know your name, Collens. You are in danger. If you are smart — which I know you are — come with us quietly, we don't have much time."

    David tenses and stares at my face. I can see the gears turning in his head. His subconscious knows he knows me from somewhere and it is detracting him. He mentally shakes himself and narrows his eyes. "Why would I go with you? I don't know you! For all I know, the danger you're talking about is made up so I'll come with you."

    I smile. I love this part of the job, you get to be all cryptic and eerie. "But you do know me, Collens, and I, you."

"Creepy." David mock shudders. His face hardens and he locks eyes with me. I wonder what he'd do if I'd tell him he'd given me that look before. "Look here....AKA...leave now and never mess with me again and I won't bring the authorities running with my scream. If you don't, I will scream."

    Ha. So like him. "Wise." I say, enjoying being helpfully unhelpful, "but we don't have time for this. We need to leave."

    He huffs. "Fine." He inhales, about to alert everyone and their dog to our presence. Which, by the way, would be very bad.

    Out of the corner of my eye, I see my partner signal. We're out of time. Well, now comes the real fun part. I launch myself forward. David expected my move and twists out of the way, but he's not quick enough. I grab his arm, twist it behind his back, and clap my hand over his mouth. He struggles, but is unable to get out of my grasp. "As much as I'd like to keep talking cryptically," I say with a smirk, dropping my professionalism, "we're out of time. It'd be nice if you'd run with us because I really don't fancy dragging you while running for my life."

    David growls, the sound muffled by my hand, but stops struggling.

    "Better. Now, no screaming if you want to live."

    David nods slowly.

    I grin. Perfect. I let him go but keep a grip on his arm. David glowers at me and my partner who joined us. I nod at my partner. "Let us depart."

    We start walking at a brisk pace, David Collens in between us. We maneuver through the streets, never stopping for more than a few seconds. David keeps looking at me, confusion and frustration flickering in his eyes. Oh, this is fun.

    "In here." My partner ushers us into a full theater. We skirt around the fringes of the crowd, trying to be inconspicuous. Few people notice us as we pass by, and those who do immediately forget us, because... that's how things work.

    My partner and I escort David backstage and into the labyrinth of halls that lie behind. We're the only ones walking the halls now, our footsteps echoing. You know, just the most cliche scene to get ambushed.

    David stops in his tracks, eyes wide with revelation. "OH!" He shouts.

    I stop and look at him. Oh no, here it co-

    "YOU'RE ANDREW!"

    And there you have it, my secret identity echoing down the halls of the theater.

    "Well...so much for undercover."

    Thanks, David.

----

    "What- what are you- why?"

    I huff, crossing my arms. "Because I need to write it all down before the memory wipe pill starts working."

    David, my brother, shakes his head. He sighs, giving me the 'you're making things up again' look. "You have a weird imagination."

    I narrow my eyes but smirk. "I'm only telling the truth." I add under my breath, "Time traveling is fun."