Act 1 - First Steps and a Date

---

Ethan exhaled softly, stepping outside the internet café and into the cool night air. The city was still alive, but the rush of people had slowed. Streetlights buzzed overhead, their glow casting long shadows on the pavement.

He needed a breather.

The weight of everything—the research, the encounter with Skye, the sheer reality of his situation—pressed against his thoughts. He leaned against a streetlamp, watching the occasional car pass by.

His mind drifted back to their brief conversation.

She was sharp, curious. The kind of person who didn't just accept things at face value. That could be useful… or dangerous.

But when he asked her to meet for coffee tomorrow, she had agreed without hesitation.

Ethan smirked slightly. Maybe fate had a strange sense of humor after all.

He pushed off the pole and made his way back inside, heading toward his rented booth. It wasn't much—just a reclining chair, a small desk, and a side space with a curtain for a makeshift shower. Bare essentials, but for now, it would do.

Sitting down, he ran a hand through his hair, letting out a slow breath. Tomorrow, he'd meet with Skye. If she agreed to help, she could be the key to establishing a real identity. A place in this world.

For now, he needed rest.

---

The Next Morning

Ethan adjusted his collar as he stepped into the coffee shop. It was a small, local place—not too crowded, but still lively. The rich aroma of roasted beans filled the air, blending with the quiet hum of conversation and the occasional clatter of mugs.

He spotted Skye near the back, casually dressed in a dark hoodie and jeans, her laptop open in front of her.

She glanced up as he approached, flashing a smirk. "Didn't think you'd actually show."

Ethan chuckled, sliding into the seat across from her. "And miss out on coffee with the only person I know in this city? Unthinkable."

Skye huffed a small laugh, closing her laptop. "Alright, so what's your deal, mystery guy?"

Ethan hesitated. He had rehearsed a dozen ways to approach this, but none of them felt right. In the end, honesty—at least partially—was the best approach.

"I need help," he admitted. "A fresh start. Something clean."

Her brows lifted slightly, intrigue flickering in her eyes. "Clean, huh? Sounds like you're either running from something or you don't exist."

Ethan smiled faintly. "Let's just say I don't exist. Yet."

Skye leaned back, studying him. "Alright. Say I believe you. Why come to me?"

"Because you're good at what you do," Ethan said simply. "And… I have a feeling we can help each other."

She tilted her head. "Oh? And what exactly can you help me with?"

Ethan hesitated for half a second before leaning in slightly, lowering his voice. "You're looking for something. Answers. And soon, the world is going to change in ways you won't expect."

Skye's smirk faded, replaced with cautious curiosity. "That sounds cryptic."

"Because it is," Ethan said. "But if you help me, I'll help you. I promise."

She studied him for a long moment before exhaling, a slow grin creeping back onto her lips. "You're weird."

Ethan chuckled. "You have no idea."

Skye tapped her fingers against the table, considering. Then she nodded. "Alright, mystery guy. Let's see what I can do."

A sense of relief washed over Ethan.

This was the first step.

And he had a feeling it was going to be the start of something much bigger.

---

Ethan leaned back in his chair, fingers idly tracing the rim of his coffee cup. Across from him, Skye sipped at her drink, her sharp eyes studying him over the rim.

"So," she drawled, setting her cup down with a quiet clink. "Mysterious guy with no past, looking for a fresh start. Gotta admit, that usually screams 'witness protection' or 'runaway spy'—should I be worried?"

Ethan smirked. "Depends. Do I look like a spy to you?"

Skye tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly as she gave him an exaggerated once-over. "Mm. You are a little too put together. Not homeless, but also not corporate. Definitely not military—your posture's too relaxed. If I had to guess…" she drummed her fingers against the table, "you're some kind of rich recluse who got tired of the high life and decided to go off-grid."

Ethan chuckled. "Creative. A little off the mark, but I'll give you points for effort."

Skye smirked, taking another sip. "Alright, mystery guy, how about you drop me a breadcrumb? Something real. No vague 'I need a fresh start'—what's your deal?"

Ethan hesitated for half a second. He couldn't tell her the full truth, not yet. But something genuine…

"I lost everything," he admitted. "Not in a financial sense, but… in every way that matters. My entire life—gone, just like that."

Something flickered in Skye's expression. It was subtle, but he caught it. Understanding.

"That why you're so cagey about your past?" she asked, her voice softer now.

"More or less," Ethan said, offering a small shrug. "Let's just say going back isn't an option. So, I figured… why not start over somewhere new?"

Skye studied him for a moment before nodding. "Fair enough. I get it."

Ethan arched a brow. "Do you?"

She gave him a lopsided grin. "Let's just say I know what it's like to be… unanchored. To not really belong anywhere. Sometimes, starting fresh is the only option."

Their eyes met for a brief moment, something unspoken passing between them.

Then Skye leaned back, shaking off the serious tone with an easy smirk. "Alright, enough heavy stuff. Let's talk about something important."

Ethan raised a brow. "Like?"

Skye grinned. "Movies. You a Star Wars guy or a Star Trek guy?"

Ethan huffed a laugh. "That's a dangerous question."

"Oh, absolutely," Skye said, grinning. "Answer carefully, or I will judge you forever."

Ethan took a slow sip of his coffee, drawing out the suspense before finally saying, "Lord of the Rings."

Skye gasped in mock offense. "Oh, come on! That wasn't even an option!"

"It's the superior answer," Ethan said, smirking.

"You can't just sidestep the question with an even nerdier answer!"

Ethan leaned forward slightly, his smirk widening. "Why not? You never said I had to pick between just those two."

Skye squinted at him. "That's so unfair, but fine. I'll allow it. Barely."

They both laughed, the tension from earlier easing into something more comfortable.

"Okay, okay," Skye said, shaking her head. "Next question. If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?"

Ethan thought about it for a moment. "Somewhere quiet. Peaceful. Maybe a forest. A place where the air is clean and time moves slower."

Skye tilted her head. "Huh. That's… not what I expected."

Ethan smirked. "What, were you thinking I'd say a penthouse in Dubai?"

Skye grinned. "I was picturing something more high-tech billionaire retreat, yeah."

"Not really my style," Ethan admitted. "What about you?"

Skye tapped her chin. "Hmm… I dunno. I've always liked the idea of just packing up and going. Road trip, no plan, just… driving. See where I end up."

Ethan nodded. "No destination, just the journey."

"Exactly."

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence.

Then Skye's smirk returned. "Alright, mystery guy, I'll help you. Set you up with a new ID, a clean slate. But I will expect payment."

Ethan chuckled. "And what's the price?"

Skye leaned in slightly, her eyes glinting with mischief. "A second date."

Ethan blinked, then grinned. "That's it?"

"For now," she said, teasing.

He chuckled. "Deal."

---