A Chance Encounter

Chapter: A Chance Encounter

Inside the bustling tech store, the fluorescent lights hummed, casting a sterile glow over rows of gadgets and accessories. Marcus leaned back in his chair, sipping soda and scrolling aimlessly on his phone, while James pretended to scrutinize a display of phone cases, though his mind was clearly elsewhere.

"You really think you can figure all this out? You still have that brooding face on." Marcus said, swirling his soda in a mock-serious manner.

James sighed, rubbing his temples as frustration bubbled up. "It's not just the powers, Marcus. It's the symbols, the statues, that whole weird cave… None of it makes sense."

Marcus tilted his head, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Maybe there's still more to that place. You think we could find it again?"

James raised an eyebrow. "You mean... the crack? How are we even supposed to find it? It's not like it had GPS coordinates attached."

"Maybe we don't find the crack, bro. Maybe it'll find you—just like it did the first time," Marcus replied, leaning forward with enthusiasm.

James gave a dry laugh. "That's reassuring. What do I do, just wander around until a magical cave randomly sucks me in again?"

"Hey, it worked once," Marcus shrugged. "Just saying—if something gave you these powers, maybe there's a reason it's not done with you yet."

James sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He hated the uncertainty, but Marcus had a point. Whatever had given him these powers wasn't just going to let him walk away without a reason. But where the hell was he supposed to even start?

The soft chime of the bell above the door cut through their conversation, drawing both boys' attention. Rebecca strolled in, her confident stride instantly commanding the room. A familiar spark lit her eyes as she caught sight of them.

"Hey, boys," she greeted, casually dropping her bag onto the counter. "What are you two up to? Plotting world domination?"

James and Marcus exchanged quick glances, scrambling to cover their previous conversation.

"Uh, nah. Just… tech stuff," James stammered, clearly flustered.

"Yeah," Marcus added with a lopsided grin. "Super boring. Like, you don't even wanna know."

Rebecca cocked an eyebrow, amusement dancing on her lips. "Right. Tech stuff at nine in the evening. Because you guys are so dedicated."

James cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to steer the conversation away from their suspicious behavior. "So, uh… what brings you by?"

"Phone battery's dead again," she said dramatically, waving her phone in front of James. "I was hoping you could work your magic and fix it for me."

James took the phone, grateful for the distraction. "Yeah, I'll take a look. Probably just a battery drain issue." As he fiddled with it, his mind raced with thoughts of the cave and the mystery surrounding his powers.

"So," he asked casually, "how's that investigation of yours going? The one with the disappearances?"

Rebecca glanced up, surprised by his sudden interest. "Why do you ask? Since when are you so curious?"

James shrugged, keeping his tone light. "I dunno. Just thought it was weird, is all. You mentioned it last time, and… I guess I was wondering if you found anything new."

Rebecca narrowed her eyes slightly, trying to read between the lines. "Interesting? Or are you just trying to impress me with sudden investigative enthusiasm? Because it seems to be working."

James coughed, feeling heat rise to his face. "No, it's not like that—just, y'know… curious."

Marcus watched the exchange with barely concealed amusement, leaning back with his soda in hand.

Rebecca shook her head, a smirk tugging at her lips, but she let it go. "Well, I talked to a few people—took some convincing, but one of them finally spilled."

James's heart skipped a beat. "And? What did he say?"

She leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "He mentioned a cave. Statues inside. Said he wasn't 'chosen,' whatever that means."

James forced himself to stay calm, though his grip on her phone tightened. "That… sounds really strange."

Rebecca narrowed her eyes, sensing something off in his reaction. "You're taking an awfully sudden interest in all this, Carter."

James coughed, awkwardly dodging the suspicion. "I mean… it's just, you know, unusual. And I like unusual stuff. I guess."

"Right. Well, if I dig up anything else, I'll let you know," she replied, her tone light but her expression still curious.

She glanced toward her phone still in his hands. "Any luck with that battery?"

James fiddled with it a moment longer, grateful for the distraction. "Looks like it's just the power settings. Should be good now." He handed the phone back to her.

Rebecca took it, her fingers brushing against his. "Thanks, Carter. You're a lifesaver."

"Uh… can I, uh… get your number?" James blurted out before he could stop himself. "You know, in case I think of more questions about the case."

Marcus choked on his soda, spraying the counter. "Dude!"

Rebecca blinked, clearly caught off guard. A slow grin spread across her face. "My number, huh?"

James fumbled, his cheeks burning. "For… research. Just in case."

Rebecca chuckled as she pulled a pen from her bag. "Sure thing, Carter." She scribbled her number on a slip of paper and handed it to him, her teasing smile never leaving her face. "But don't get any funny ideas."

James took the paper, feeling a mix of triumph and embarrassment. "Thanks."

Rebecca slung her bag over her shoulder, giving him one last teasing look. "See you around, boys. Try not to blow anything up."

The door jingled shut behind her, leaving James and Marcus in awkward silence.

Marcus was the first to break it, wiping soda from his mouth with a grin. "Wow. That was painful to watch."

James groaned, stuffing the paper into his pocket. "Shut up."

Marcus chuckled. "Hey, at least you got her number. Who knows—maybe next time, you'll ask her out without sounding like you're under interrogation."

James shook his head, feeling both mortified and weirdly optimistic. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't going to be as impossible as he thought.

But as he glanced down at the slip of paper in his pocket, he felt the familiar tug of something deeper—a mystery waiting to be unraveled, one that would lead him back to the cave and whatever lay hidden within.

---

Hello, Dear Readers.

So, I am sure some of you must be getting impatient about the plot not revolving around MCU. Well, wait a few more chapters. After this arc, it's going to be MCU. James Carter is not just a random, wish-fulmillment type of OC. He is a human, with faults.

And he make mistakes, gets emotional, like people do. It will happen in the story too. So, I would advise if you guys don't imagine yourself in his place. I mean, it's fine if you want to, I won't judge.

Peace.