The Questioner System (Ask Me Anything)

Chapter 7: A Meeting of Shadows

The Cornerstone Diner sat at the edge of downtown, a relic of the 1950s with chrome accents and a neon sign that hummed faintly in the early evening air. Adam arrived fifteen minutes early, the system's warning echoing in his mind.

He pushed open the glass door, the jingling bell above announcing his presence. The smell of grease and coffee enveloped him, and a tired-looking waitress greeted him with a half-hearted smile.

"Grab a seat anywhere," she said, gesturing to the empty booths.

Adam chose a booth near the back, facing the entrance. He wanted to see Jared before Jared saw him. The laminated menu stuck slightly to the tabletop as he picked it up, scanning it without reading. His mind was too preoccupied.

A glass of water arrived, delivered by the same waitress, but Adam barely noticed. His foot tapped anxiously under the table. He whispered to the system, keeping his voice low.

The system's response appeared, bold and unyielding:

Adam exhaled slowly, taking in the advice. He clenched his hands to steady his nerves and forced himself to drink the water.

At precisely 6 PM, the doorbell jingled again. Jared Mercer walked in.

---

Jared was taller than Adam remembered, his shoulders broad and his presence commanding. His face carried a slight smirk, but his eyes betrayed a sharpness that sent a chill down Adam's spine. He was wearing a leather jacket and dark jeans, his hands shoved casually into his pockets as he scanned the room.

When Jared's gaze landed on Adam, the smirk widened. He walked over and slid into the booth across from him without asking.

"You're punctual. I'll give you that," Jared said, leaning back against the cracked vinyl seat.

Adam didn't respond immediately, letting the silence stretch. The system's advice echoed in his head: Let him talk first.

Jared chuckled. "Not much of a talker, huh? Fine. I'll get to the point."

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "You've been sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. That little stunt in the alley? Not smart. But I'm a reasonable guy. I'm giving you a chance to back off."

Adam raised an eyebrow, his voice steady despite the tension. "Back off from what, exactly?"

Jared's smirk faltered for a split second, but he recovered quickly. "Don't play dumb. You think you're some kind of hero? You don't know the first thing about what you're dealing with."

Adam folded his arms, leaning slightly forward. "Enlighten me, then."

---

Jared's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. "I'm not here to explain myself to you. I'm here to make sure you don't make this worse for yourself."

Adam could feel the weight of Jared's words, but he refused to back down. Instead, he decided to follow the system's advice and use Jared's own words against him.

"So, you're saying there's more going on than I realize," Adam said, his tone calm but probing. "Sounds to me like you're the one in over your head."

Jared's smirk returned, but there was no humor in it. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But guts won't protect you if you keep pushing."

Adam tilted his head. "Pushing what, exactly? You keep talking in circles. If you're here to intimidate me, it's not working."

The air between them grew taut, the din of the diner fading into the background. Jared's hand twitched as if he was considering something, but he held himself back.

---

The waitress appeared with a pot of coffee, breaking the tension. "Can I get you two anything?"

"Just the check," Jared said curtly, waving her off.

Adam's mind raced. He had two questions left for the day, and now seemed like the perfect time to use one.

The system responded almost instantly.

Adam felt a spark of confidence. He straightened his posture, locking eyes with Jared. "You know, Jared, people who act tough usually have something to hide. Am I wrong?"

Jared's smirk vanished, replaced by a cold glare. "Watch yourself, kid."

Adam pressed on. "I wonder how many people would be interested in what you've been up to. The cops, for starters. Or maybe someone else? You don't strike me as someone who operates alone."

Jared's hands balled into fists, but he stayed seated. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Maybe not," Adam said, his voice steady. "But I have a feeling it wouldn't take much to find out."

---

Jared leaned back, his expression unreadable. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then he stood abruptly, tossing a few bills onto the table.

"This isn't over," Jared said, his voice low and dangerous. "Stay out of my way, or you'll regret it."

Adam watched him leave, his heart pounding. He waited until Jared was out of sight before letting out a shaky breath.

The system's response was immediate and chilling.

---

As Adam walked home, his thoughts churned. The system had given him the tools to navigate this encounter, but the fight was far from over. Jared was a threat, and neutralizing him would require careful planning.

Adam's resolve hardened. The system wasn't just a guide—it was his greatest weapon. And he intended to wield it wisely.