Arcane Collection Of Stories

Something New Pt 2

*flashback*

It was just another boring day of scrolling through Instagram during online classes when Devin came across a poster for a VR treasure hunt conducted by Strang. It was going to be held in Ispahani centre. "That's nearby and a good excuse to get out of the house" was the first thought that came to mind. Registration was done without any second thought, without reading the fine lines on the poster that said ~ in teams of two.

*before ClueHunt started*

"Are you sure that I can't take part in the event as a solo player? I really love treasure hunts and I don't have anyone to call on such short notice."

"I'm really sorry but this hunt requires two players. Would you mind waiting for a while to see if there's another solo player who is interested?" said the manager.

Defeated, Devin plops on to the couch with a sigh. "I'm sure there's no one who would want to pair up with me"

*scene shifts to inside the VR Arcade, where the ClueHunt is to be held*

"Are you kidding me right? You can't do this to me last minute! You know how excited I was to take part in this! Ugh whatever fine I'll- hello?"

Did he just hang up on me? I should have never asked him to be my partner for this event. I'll have to go talk to the event manager now- were the thoughts going on in this person's mind.

*fast forward to conversation with manager*

"-- like I said to the previous person who asked, I'm really sorry but this game requires two players and you cannot go solo--"

The manager was cut short with "there's another person here who doesn't have a partner?"

The manager points to where Devin was sitting and there was a spark of familiarity and recognition.

"I know that person, he's a friend. Could you please sign us both up? I've already provided my details and he goes by Devin, age 19, lives on KNK road and the insta handle is @devinsangster."

*manager to Devin, seconds before the event starts*

"Excuse me? Yeah- the event is going to start in a few seconds so if you could please make way your seat?"

"I thought you said no solo players?"

"Yeah a friend of yours has registered both of you for the event so we're all good to go. Now if you could follow me please."

Puzzled but excited, Devin put on the VR headset.

*back to where we left off*

"Do you not recognise me?"

Devin racked his brain to come up with an answer but was left with none. "I'm really sorry but I don't really remember"

"Oh..... Well that's alright. I'm Abhi, from 8th grade? We lived in the same apartment and went to school in the same bus and-"

"Wait a minute, you're that Abhi? Damn you've grown even taller and look totally different. In a good way, I mean- wow it's been ages hasn't it? When did you get back here? I thought you were living in Bangalore?"

"Ahahaha yes it's been quite a while. I recently shifted back to Chennai for college. I hope you didn't mind that I signed us up for the event."

"No, not at all. In fact I'm glad you did. And I'm glad that we reconnected. Would you like to catch up over a cup of hot chocolate? Or has your favourite drink changed from last time?"

Smiling widely at this happenstance and the fact that he does remember, Abhi was happy that her partner for the hunt didn't show up as she knew that this was the start of something new, part two.