A Near Experience

Mark stared at the profile now on his phone screen. Most of the information was easy enough to figure out just by looking at her, but he couldn’t stop thinking about the current location field.

((If this system is so powerful, why is her current location blocked out?))

The system is only as powerful as its user. You have a long way to go to master this ability. You have had only for 2 days.

Well, that was the first thing this system said that actually made sense. Still, he wanted more. Mark knew he should take it slow but he had new abilities at his fingertips and wanted to try them out. He liked Carly though, and he didn’t want to screw anything up if this was still some elaborate practical joke. But the system did say he had the power of suggestion. He decided to see what that meant and how far he could take it with a complete stranger: and he knew just the place.

He drove to the hiking trails at the base of the mountains and sat in his car. He hadn’t been here in a long time but he knew it well. He had hiked these trails for years until he learned about the wonders of computers and he knew there was always someone to talk to along the trails, or in his case to remind him why he was hiking in the first place. It was a gorgeous day for hiking. It was in the mid 80s with cloud cover so everyone was either in shorts and a tee shirt or just a sports bra. Plenty of opportunity for Mark to try this “power of suggestion” thing. He got out of his car and started up the trail. He passed a few groups of people, mostly guys with their girlfriends or tryhards making it look like the trail was hard, but that wasn’t who he was looking for today. He was a patient man, and it didn’t take long for his patience to be rewarded.

Up ahead he saw what he was looking for. About 5’ 9”, dirty blond in short shorts and a sports bra hiking by herself. He approached, taking care to make a little bit of noise as he did so as not to startle her. When he was about 3 feet away and about to say something she swung around and held a large knife at his throat.

“Woah! What the hell?!” Mark yelled.

“What the fuck are you doing coming up on me like that?” She asked, holding the knife steady.

Mark glanced around and realized they were somehow completely alone. Even from this angle of near certain ****, he had to admire her perfectly toned body.

“Well?” She insisted.

“Slow down there lady, I could lie to you and tell you I was trying to go around you but we both know that’s not true.” Mark wasn’t sure where this confidence was coming from, but it may very well just save his life, “I was coming up to talk to you and I even made EXTRA noise to make sure you heard me so I didn’t surprise you. Now will you put that thing down so we can talk?”

“No.”

Mark realized now was not only the best time to test his ability of suggestion but also possibly his last. “Put. The knife. Down.”

Mark was desperately hoping for an immediate response like what happened with Carly instead, he saw her thinking and finally after what felt like forever, she lowered the blade just enough to not kill him if he breathed wrong, but still high enough to do major damage if she wanted to.

“What do you want?” She asked impatiently.

“Well, for you to not kill a random stranger on a hiking trail for one.” Holy shit, at least he wasn’t dead. Yet. “How about we start with names. I’m Mark.”

“Hannah.” She replied sharply.

“OK, Hannah, I’ll be honest, I came up to you hoping to start a conversation and maybe ask you out. That said, I’m really not in the mood to be sliced up for walking loudly up to you” Mark got all of that out in one breath.

At this, Hannah seemed taken aback. She lowered the knife and put it into a specially made sheath.

“Thank you,” Mark said.

“You’re welcome. So tell me, Mark, what the hell makes you think that sneaking up on a woman who is completely alone on a trail with no one around was a good idea, especially just to try to get lucky?”

“Well, I, damn. You make a good point. It seemed like a good idea at the time.” Mark admitted, though he wasn’t about to out himself and the system.

“Well, you’re not a liar like most guys. Maybe I’ll see you around. DON’T follow me.”

With that, she turned and continued up the hill. Mark didn’t need to be told twice. He turned his happy ass around and hiked back to his car. Right before he turned his car on he heard his phone go off. At this point he knew to check and when he did, he was only more confused.

New Chain Link Candidate Added, view profile now?

((yes))

Hannah ?????
Gender: Female
Age: ??
Height: 5’ 9”
Hair: Blonde
Breast size: ???
Occupation: ???
Current Location: ???
Chain Link Level: 0
Benefits:
Will consider any non sexual command given by the Portal user. Note: This does not guarantee obedience.
Requirements for Chain Link Level 1: REDACTED

“Well, shit,” Mark said to no one in particular, “she didn’t kill me so I assume this portal thingy works.”