The Questioner System (Ask Me Anything)

Chapter 3: The Ripple Effect

The late-night glow of Austin spread across the skyline as Adam leaned against the railing of his apartment's balcony. The cool breeze carried the faint hum of traffic and the occasional laugh from passersby below. In his hand, a can of soda was slowly warming as his mind churned with the events of the past few days.

The system wasn't just a game-changer—it was a double-edged sword. It gave him the power to influence lives, but every choice came with consequences. Tonight's answer about the attacker recognizing him in the future lingered in his thoughts. He knew he had to be more cautious moving forward.

Turning back to the tiny, cluttered apartment, Adam stared at the glowing interface hovering midair.

"Daily question limit reset: 3 questions available."

It was like waking up with a fresh slate. Adam rubbed his hands together, the excitement of new possibilities washing over him.

---

That morning, Adam decided to take a walk downtown. The buzz of life in the city always helped him think. As he strolled along the streets, passing food trucks and quirky boutiques, he found himself drawn to a small park nestled between towering office buildings.

The park was alive with activity. Kids played on swings, couples strolled hand in hand, and a man in his sixties was busking near the fountain, playing a soulful tune on his saxophone. Adam took a seat on a bench, letting the ambiance wash over him.

He glanced around, noticing a girl sitting on the bench across from him. She was sketching in a notebook, her dark curls falling over her face as her pencil darted across the page. Something about her focus intrigued him.

Before he could dwell on it, a commotion broke out near the fountain. A man, maybe in his late thirties, was arguing loudly with an older woman who was clutching a small dog.

"I told you to keep that mutt away from my kid!" the man shouted, his face red with anger.

"It's a public park!" the woman shot back, holding her ground.

Adam felt the familiar tug of curiosity. He leaned forward, whispering to the system. "What will happen if I intervene in the argument at the park?"

The system responded: "The man will escalate his threats but will leave after you mediate. The woman will express gratitude, and no harm will come to anyone."

---

Adam sighed, standing and walking toward the pair. He didn't like getting involved in petty arguments, but he wasn't about to let the situation spiral.

"Hey, what's going on here?" he asked, keeping his tone neutral.

"This lady's dog scared my kid!" the man barked, glaring at Adam.

"I'm sorry if that happened," the woman interjected. "But he wasn't doing anything wrong!"

Adam raised his hands. "Alright, let's take it down a notch. This is a park. Maybe we can all be a little more understanding?"

The man grumbled, his anger simmering down as he glanced at the gathering crowd. With a final glare at the woman, he stormed off, muttering under his breath.

"Thank you," the woman said, her shoulders relaxing. "Some people just can't handle a little confrontation."

"No problem," Adam replied. He turned to walk away but caught a glimpse of the sketching girl watching him with an amused smile.

"You've got a thing for heroics, don't you?" she called out, her voice light and teasing.

Adam laughed. "Something like that."

---

Later that afternoon, Adam stopped at a small diner to grab lunch. He ordered a burger and fries, the smell of sizzling meat and freshly brewed coffee making his stomach growl.

As he waited for his food, he pulled out his phone and idly scrolled through the news. A headline grabbed his attention: "Teen Escapes Mugging Attempt Thanks to Good Samaritan."

The article was about the boy he'd helped in the alley. It mentioned that the teen had been carrying his laptop and schoolwork, things he couldn't afford to replace. The writer speculated about what might have happened if no one had stepped in.

Adam felt a mix of pride and unease. He was glad the kid was safe, but the reminder of the attacker's potential future confrontation loomed in the back of his mind.

---

By the time he got home, Adam was ready to focus on something bigger. He'd been reacting to situations so far, but now he wanted to take control.

Sitting at his desk, he stared at the glowing interface. Two questions remained for the day.

"What stock will have the largest growth in the next week?"

The system responded: "SolarTech Solutions (SOLT). Expected growth: 45%."

Adam jotted the name down, a grin spreading across his face. This was an opportunity to start building real financial security. With his lottery winnings, he could invest enough to make a substantial profit.

---

The next day, Adam went to a small brokerage office downtown. The place smelled faintly of coffee and paper, with framed stock market graphs decorating the walls. A young advisor greeted him, her polished demeanor slightly taken aback by Adam's casual appearance.

"I'd like to invest in a company," Adam said confidently.

"Of course," she replied. "Do you have a portfolio already?"

"Not yet. I'm starting fresh," Adam said, handing over his identification.

She guided him through the process, and within an hour, Adam had invested a significant chunk of his winnings into SolarTech Solutions.

---

Over the next few days, Adam kept a close eye on the stock. Just as the system predicted, it began to climb rapidly. By the end of the week, he'd nearly doubled his investment.

As Adam celebrated his success with takeout from his favorite taco truck, he felt a growing sense of optimism. For the first time in years, his future didn't seem bleak.

---

That night, Adam whispered his final question of the day. "Who will become my most significant ally in the next year?"

The system replied: "Emily Dawson, an artist and aspiring graphic designer. You will meet her again in two weeks at the Austin Street Art Festival."

Adam's mind flashed back to the girl at the park. The one with the sketchbook.

He leaned back in his chair, a smile tugging at his lips. The system had given him power, but it also seemed to be weaving his fate in unexpected ways.

And Adam was ready to see where the threads would lead.