Double-Cross

4

My brain was going a million miles a minute, but I was sure of my decision, just like I had been on that plane. I was more impulsive than I was two days ago, so I headed out to the L.A. strip and walked around for a while. The day was relaxing, I wandered L.A. and shopped. I didn't have much money, but I didn't want to buy anything so I survived.
The next morning I woke up in a cold sweat, not because of a dream, but because of my nerves. I was meeting Agent Kenton.
I woke up at 6:00am, and I wasn't meeting Agent Kenton until 10:30am, so I had to entertain myself for 4 and 1/2 hours.
I didn't have any clothes besides the ones I had on, so I headed down the mall across the street.
"Mother, hate to call you so early, but I need your help. I'm broke, and I'll have is the clothes on my back. Can you hook me up with some money, or do you know of anywhere I can go?" I called my mother on the burner cell.
"Of course Colton, head to Third National bank on Third and say you want to open a credit card in your name from your account. They'll have it all set up," she answered.
"Ok thanks, bye." The speedy hang up was required when talking to my mother. She's the kind to talk your ear off.
I followed her instructions and then headed out to the mall down the street. It was only 7:30am by that point, and the mall wasn't wasn't open until 9. So I had to find a find something to do until then. I didn't have a car or anything so I wandered the streets until I found a place that would take a 19 year old kid who was wearing clothes that were too big. Will had given me his extra change of clothes in Nebraska, but they didn't fit well, but it was either that or ripped blood stained jeans and a tattered t-shirt.
The restaurant was crowded, but they let me sit at the bar since it was just me.
The coffee was strong and the food was good. I'm a basic guy, pecan pancakes and bacon, if a restaurant has that, I'm going to get it. My grandmother (mother's mom) used to make the best pecan pancakes. She promised to tell me the recipe when I was 18, but I haven't seen her in four years, so she never got a chance to tell me.
After the breakfast I headed back toward the mall. It was only 8:45 so I went slowly and made a couple extra turns, to prolong the trip.
The mall was like any other mall I'd ever been to.
American Eagle, Macy's, Dillard's, Forever 21, Gap, and Nordstrom were my first stops.
I knew these were the stores to go to because they were a mix of cheap crap and expensive shit. 
I spent about $200 on clothes. 10 shirts, 2 jackets, 5 pairs of jeans, 3 pairs of shorts, 2 pairs of shoes, 10 pairs of socks, and 10 pairs of boxer shorts. 
I was heading out of the hotel when I heard a scream.
A woman was watching a man kidnap her baby. The man punched her and she fell to the ground so he took off.
My instincts kicked in again and I ran to her.
I was going to stop and help her, but I knew if I did the baby would be gone.
I took off at top speed in the direction the man had gone.
He was running through the parking garage while carrying a kid who was no more than a year old.
I had to think fast. How do I stop him without hurting the child to bad. If you tackle him the kid could get seriously injured, but you can't let him get away either. Just go for it Colton, you can save that kid by hurting them a little.
The man didn't realize I was chasing him yet and I used that to my advantage. He turned to go up another level. I didn't know why he was running if he didn't know I was there.
I passed him and he realized I was there. He stopped and faced me.
I kicked hard at his side. He fell backward, landing square on his back, the kid still clutched to his chest.
He groaned as I pulled the baby from his arms.
"Damn kid what the hell?" He winced.
"I wasn't going to let you kidnap this little guy," I said standing over him.
"I wasn't. I have rights to him. His mother is a drunk, drug attic! She was trying to kidnap him!"
"How can I be sure you're telling the truth?"
"Here!" He pulled a piece of paper out of his wallet.
I read it carefully then looked at his drivers license.
"Damn, I'm so sorry man, I'm an idiot," I said.
"It's ok, I would've done the same thing."
I held the baby in one hand and helped him up with the other.
"Are you ok?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'll have a pretty nasty bruise, but I'll be fine," he said.
"Are you sure? Man, I kick hard."
"I'm an EMT, I can tell when I'm really hurt."
"Ok."
"Wait you were on that plane, weren't you?"
"The one that went down in Nebraska?"
"Yeah, I was there helping out, I think I cleared you."
Everything became clear then.
"Yeah you did. What are you doing in L.A.?"
"Well I was seeing my parents in Hastings, and I got a call from my buddy who was on his way there asking if I could come help out, so I left Eric with my parents and headed out there." He said motioning to his son.
"Well thanks for come out to help. I'm going to go see if my shopping bags disappeared or not, I'm sure they probably did."
"Alright."
I started to walk away, but he followed. "Hey, you're the hero aren't you?"
"What?" I stopped.
"The kid who saved everyone on that plane."
"Yeah I am."
"And you are keeping your identity secret."
"Yeah, it's complicated."
"You're the most modest person I've ever met. I don't know anyone who would do that."
"My reasons are actually pretty selfish. I'm not a modest person really."
"Oh. Well never mind then."
We walked side by side in silence.
"Hey kid! I thought he was kidnapping that baby!" A lady yelled at me.
"No ma'am, everything's fine," I called back to her.
"Oh that's weird. Here are your bags!"
"Oh, thank you ma'am," I took the bags from her and walked back over to the EMT.
"Wow looks like your bags didn't go missing," he laughed.
"Shit," I said looking at the time.
"What?" He asked.
"I have to meet a friend at the pier in twenty minutes."
"Come on, I'll drive you."
We raced back to the parking garage and headed to his car.
"Thanks man," I said when he dropped me off at the Santa Monica Pier.
"Taylor," he said extending his hand.
"Colton," I said shaking it. "Thanks again."
"It's the least I could do for a hero. If you ever need anything let me know." He scribbled his number on a napkin and handed it to me.
I took it, smiled, and got out of the car.
I ran to the place I was supposed to meet Agent Kenton and saw him standing there.