I woke up at Dawn, because as I predicted in my journal, my siblings burst into the room to remind me we were leaving town for our new home today. I groaned softly before yawning and sitting up. My two youngest siblings, the twins, Marcus and Amelia were sitting on my legs grinning at me, and my eldest younger sister, Kiko was standing at the door way. The twins had gene mods for wolves and foxes, that they inherited from our grandparent's on either side. Marcus had wolf mods, and Amelia had fox mods. They were both black haired, blue eyed, tan skinned six year olds. Marcus was the taller of the two, due to his wolf characteristics, and had a more fierce disposition, while Amelia was more laid back, yet also more mischievous. Amelia's ears and tali were silver, while Marcus' ears and tail were the same black as his hair. The other differences between the two was that Amelia had a lithe build, and Marcus was slightly more toned. Meanwhile, their older sister, and my eldest younger sister, Kiko was twelve years old and had inherited traits from both sides of our family. She had a pair of black wolf ears on her head, and a black fox tail hanging down behind her. Kiko and Amelia had long, waist length hair, and Marcus had short messy hair. Unlike the twins though, Amelia had inherited mom's light blonde hair. She'd also inherited dad's green eyes, unlike the twin's who inherited mom's baby blues as stated before. Anyway, after they saw I was awake, Marcus, who was currently wearing a sleeveless shirt, and shorts, and Amelia, who was still in her nightgown, poked my cheeks and said, “Big bro, are you ready to move to a new town, and more importantly, do you think you'll finally be able to make friends now that you're going to public school?”

My eye twitched at the reminder I had, few, if any friends, outside the family and said, “Yeah, at least it's not a huge city, and since I'm starting high school, my classmates should be a bit more mature than your average kid.” Kiko burst out laughing at my words and I said, “What's so funny Kiko?”

She giggled and said, “Remember what Kasumi said, big bro? High school was hell for her, and she was a lot less socially awkward than you are. I mean it didn't help she inherited grandma's looks so the girls' were bitches to her, and the boys were enamored with her, but she did warn you before heading back to Japan that you shouldn't get your hopes up about your classmates being mature. Plus big sis Kasumi would know more than you, don't you think?”

I sighed and ran a hand through my dirty blonde hair, nodding as Kiko had a point and asked “Hey, uh, where are Kate and Hikari? They normally would be all for joining you three in waking me up.”

Kiko snorted and said, “You're twins stayed up all night packing, thus they couldn't join us for your early morning wake up call, and are probably going to be out cold till mom starts cooking breakfast and calls us down. You know, it's going to be weird living in a regular house, rather than living in a house on Genetech lab property, while you are experimented on, and poked and prodded. Speaking of, mom and dad said, that you have a few tests before we set out today, so be prepared to have your blood drawn, dad to check your physical capabilities again, and mom to test your mental acumen. Oh and all your “important stuff” that the family keeps out of your room is packed up, you just need to finish packing your clothes, games, and grab your laptop then we'll load up the moving van the rest of the way and set out.”

I nodded and stretched then asked “Our crazy uncles moving to this new town with us, or is it just you, me, my twin sisters, and these two?”

I ruffled Amelia and Marcus' hair as I asked Kiko that and she said, “Pretty much since Kasumi will be staying in Japan until winter, big sis Maria is currently in Europe studying abroad, and big bro Michael is currently assigned to stay here since mom and dad were reassigned.”

I nodded slowly and said, “Man mom and dad were really promiscuous over the years. Michael is the first born, Kasumi and Maria were the second born and are twins, which man our family has a lot of, Kate, Hikari, and I were the triplets, though something happened to fuck up my genetics at birth, you and Alan are twins, though Alan is currently staying and studying in Japan with Grandma Ahri and Grandpa Hitoshi, and finally Jordan, the boy born between you and the twins, who is what, eleven or twelve now? Lives with Grandpa Jack and Grandma Irene.”

Kiko nodded and said, “You do know why that is, right?” I nodded feeling slightly downcast as I thought about the reason my family was spread all across the world. It was all due to my body being way to mutable up until a year ago when it started to stabilize in preparation of puberty, but the company suggested, and my parents agreed, that I should have as few people around me as possible, other than those checking my DNA, then they gave me some weird glowing shot when I was five, and things became even more strict. It was supposed to make my DNA more stable, but instead it seemed to make it even more prone to mutation, which is when Mom and Dad finally had to send some of the kids away. They still visit them every other week, the company having chartered a private plane for their use, and other than my sisters, Kiko, and the twins, most of my family doesn't even know how to handle me. Hell, the only reason Hikari and Kate are still in the house, was that they wouldn't let go of me as a kid, and for some reason their presence kept my DNA somewhat stable. Of course, that also led to the three of us bonding, a lot.

As for Kiko, Marcus, and Amelia, those three were allowed to stay because of their disposition at first, then later when it was proven familial DNA was unlikely to mutate me, the rest of the family was allowed to visit and I finally got to spend time with my more distant family. Thinking back, I'm kinda glad most of them didn't hate me because of my circumstances, and rather were just happy I was ok. I mean Alan and Jordan could have been jealous of me, but rather they were just happy I was ok. Meanwhile big bro Mike, and my big sisters Kasumi and Maria were just happy to see me happy and healthy, As for the twins, Kiko and my twin sisters, who were both younger than me by only a few minutes, they grew up with me, but due to the restrictions placed on me both by the family, Genetech, and my doctor's, they always thought I was rather fragile until I turned eight. When I turned eight, they found out the hard way, that while my DNA may have been susceptible to mutation, that didn't mean that I was an invalid or a weakling.

I quickly shook my head to get back on track and said, “I know, but at least next year the entire family except those who graduated will be home together, and we can finally actually act like a family. That said, last I heard everyone else changed up their style and stuff, as well as Jordan growing out his hair according to Grandpa. There any truth to that rumor?”

Kiko giggled and said, “Yup, Jordan's grown his hair out like a girl, and everyone else has changed their styles since their last visit. Anyway, we'll let you get ready for the day, I need to get changed into proper clothes, as do the brats.”

Marcus and Amelia groaned and Marcus said, “I am dressed though.” I snickered knowing Kiko wasn't going to let that slide, and Marcus turned to me as if seeking my support on this. I snorted and shook my head, saying it was between him and our sisters. His ears wilted and he said, “Come on Kiko, Amelia, I am dressed. Just cause I wore this stuff last night, doesn't mean it doesn't count as day clothes.”

I snorted and muttered under my breath about him just having dug his grave as Kiko said, “Marcus, you are going to go to your room, change into proper clothes, and get ready for the day, or I'm telling mom because you and I both know that we do not wear our night clothes during the day, even big bro plans on changing, right?”

I blinked and glanced down at myself, before saying “Of course? I mean I'm just wearing a pair of shorts under my blankets, that said, you guys need to start preparing for the day while I get up, grab some clothes, and take a shower. I'll meet you guys down at the kitchen table, and either I'll start on breakfast, or mom and dad may have it started by the time my shower is over.” Marcus and Amelia groaned, Marcus at the thought of changing, Amelia at the realization that after my shower, which would last half an hour at most, the bathroom would end up being fought over, cause my twins had a habit of knowing when I showered, and always wanted to go right after me. It was weird, but who was I too complain about my younger twin sisters wanting to shower after their big brother. I pushed Amelia and Marcus off me, then got up and walked to my dresser to grab a clean pair of boxers, before motioning the three, I hesitate to call them brats but what the hell, the three brats out of my room. After they left, Kiko shutting the door behind her, I grabbed a shirt, jeans, socks, and the aforementioned boxers, then walked to the bathroom, snagging a towel from the hall closet on the way.

I entered the bathroom and looked at myself in the full body mirror on the back of the bathroom door. I was, average I want to say, for someone with a human physique? I had a lean build, though some would call me a bit scrawny if they saw me in my usual baggy shirts and jeans, my eyes were silver, unlike the rest of my family whose eyes were green or blue like my parents, my hair was dirty blonde, with black tips, a weird meshing of my parents hair colors, I had scars crisscrossing my shoulders, and upper thighs, all of them from different sparring matches, or fights I'd gotten into over the years since being allowed to go outside. I also had a few needle marks in my upper arms where I'd been injected over and over. My skin was tan, because I made sure to get sun, rather than being a Hikimori, or shut in, despite my inability to leave Genetech's properties. My grandparents told me what the term meant, and I couldn't help but feel for those who'd become such due to their circumstances. I shook my head to get back on track, and noticed my hair was a bit longer than I'd like, and reminded myself to ask mom to give it a trim after we moved into the new house.

I deliberately avoiding looking at my groin, my sisters having teased me about my obsession with the size of my genitalia enough times throughout the last few years, that I didn't want to think about it. Though according to my doctor's I was on the larger side for most humans, and may have been on the low end for equine anthros or those with equine gene mods. My doctor joked I'd make a lot of women happy if I learned how to use my equipment downstairs, or cause them a lot of pain if used improperly. I had a thin layer of body hair on my arms, legs, groin, and just above my pubic bone, that my sister's called a treasure trail for some reason. All said, I like to think I'm pretty average in looks, aside from my eyes, cause like I said, they're silver which, I'm pretty sure isn't a completely normal human eye color. I flexed my arms, my biceps rising slightly, as my muscles hardened, and checked to see if I finally developed the six pack I'd been working on. I sighed when I realized that my stomach was still flat, with no definition of abs, and stepped into the shower deciding that was enough examining myself in the mirror.

I took a quick fifteen minute shower, hopped out, dried off, and shaved the slight stubble growing on my face, sparse as it was, then dressed in my clothes and walked back to my room to grab my black and read sneakers. As I walked back to my room I noticed Hikari and Kate coming out of their rooms, and rubbing their eyes. Hikari, like me, had some mutations that weren't normal. Her hair was a rich royal blue color, her eyes were green like my parents, and her figure was rather toned, but she had enough body fat to hide her muscles, making her look like a pinup model rather than the athlete she was. She was currently wearing a black negligee with her hair loose from its usual ponytail going down to her ass. Not sure why she grew it that long, though come to think of it, she started growing it out after asking me what kind of hair I liked on girls. Kate on the other hand had her blonde hair trailing down to her mid-waist with her bangs framing her cerulean blue eyes, and her heart shaped face and poutty lips, mom's words not mine, covered in a thin layer of gloss. She had slightly more Asian shaped almond eyes, which contrasted nicely with her American features, and her body was even more voluptuous than our twin. I mean, where Hikari's body had a small layer of fat hiding her muscles, and you could tell she was athletic, Kate, again according to others, was sex on legs.

I nodded at them as I walked past, noticing Kate was in a pair of flannel pajamas, her usual sleep wear, and that she and Hikari were starting to glare at each other as their yawn ended, showing they were about to race to use the bathroom next. I patted both their heads as I passed saying “Have fun little sisters,” before walking into my room and shutting the door behind me. As I walked over my desk to put my shoes on, I thought about the fact that Hikari's ass had become even more toned, and Kate's ass was filling out further. I wondered if that was good genetics, or residue from the genetic changes given to the three of us at birth. I knew Hikari's hair was a result of said, changes, because when we were about four years old, mom injected her with something that she thought would help her stabilize my DNA, and instead it gave her an an immunity to the cold, a fascination with the snow, and changed her hair to the aforementioned blue color. Though, it was a lighter blue when we were kids.

As for Kate, I'm pretty sure her advanced puberty is the result of another experiment, this time one made by dad, that was supposed to help her stabilize my DNA too. The reason I believe this is the case is that Kate started to develop a b cup bust when we were 8, after receiving the shot, and she has been more, sexual in action, albeit not in word or mind, since then. I shook my head to rid it of such thoughts and packed up the rest of my stuff, that the family hadn't gotten to yet, then grabbed my messenger bag, put my laptop inside, and put it on my shoulder, while picking up the last boxes of my stuff, and carrying them downstairs. The boxes I was carrying mainly consisted of the clothes I had yet to pack before today, and a few odds and ends that I'd been holding off on putting into boxes.

I walked into the kitchen and my dad, who I assume was behind some of his paperwork, said, “Hey sport, why don't you take that stuff out to the moving van, then come join your mom and me for breakfast? I know you're siblings are going to be a while, but you and I can eat real quick, then start organizing the trailer.” I gave him a thumbs up, supporting my boxes with one hand, then walked out to the moving truck and trailer, and put my boxes inside before walking back into the house. When I entered the kitchen I took in my parent's appearance, curious if they'd done any experiments that caused their physical features to temporarily change, again. I started with Dad, taking in his build, hair, and eyes first. He was still the same 6'5 if my estimates were accurate, his hair was the same deep black, and looked as fluffy as ever, as for his eyes they were the same old green, hidden behind his glasses as he mumbled to himself over the papers he was reading. Content that he hadn't done anything extreme to himself, again, I turned to mom who was working at the stove.

Mom was odd for a Japanese woman. Her hair was platinum blonde, all natural mind you, and went down to her mid-back, making me think that dad and I both had a love of long hair, her figure was filled out in all the right places, according to dad and his buddies, and she was wearing a t shirts, and jeans, with an apron tied around her waist and neck, appeared to be the same as ever from behind. I waited until she turned around to give dad his plate of bacon and eggs, to check her front. I noticed that she had the same almond shaped eyes eyes as Kate, and I could see where my sister got her cerulean blues from. Her face and hands were covered in tiny bits of batter from making pancake batter for my younger siblings, and she had the same mischievous foxy smirk she was known for. Assured that my parent's were themselves, without any changes, and mom was still her classic height of five foot nine, not an inch less as she would always say, I sat down across from dad and said, “How's your morning going Mom?”

She smiled and said, “Well, my morning started off fine, though had to wake up your father before dawn to get the last of our packing done. We should be ready to set out in about an hour or two, after your siblings get cleaned up and dressed, then it's off to New Haven for our new jobs, and you kids' new schools. Speaking of school, you ready for your first day of public education? Also, you do remember the rules your father and I laid out for you, right?”

I nodded and said, “I remember mom. Also I guess I'm ready, even if school doesn't start until the second week of July, which I guess gives us time to get settled in, but as for the rules, I believe they were 1. Don't start fights with the other kids. 2. If I somehow get dragged into a fight, hold back so I don't accidentally kill anyone, 3. Look out for my younger siblings if anyone starts shit, 4. Try to make friends, but make sure not to fall in with a bad crowd, and finally 5. Be as vague as possible when talking about my condition with anyone, outside the company's staff who know my condition, and explain that the reason I was home schooled was I needed treatment for a genetic problem. I'll try not to tell anyone my DNA was very mutable when I was a kid, mama, but no promises cause you know I suck at reading a room due to growing up in the lab.”

She sighed softly at my words and said, “I know kiddo, but please, for your own sake, try to stick to the rules, ok?” I nodded and she asked “Speaking of holding back, your dad and I wanted to get an exam of your mental, physical, and emotional state today, and Your dad said, something about wanting to see if you can still bench 500 kilograms. You up for it?” I nodded and she said, “Excellent, we'll do it after I feed your siblings, then we can finish packing the truck and set out, sound good?” I nodded again and she smiled then said, “Glad to see your in agreement kiddo. I know you already washed up, so just wait patiently while I get you a plate, ok? Also toast or pancakes?”

I grinned and said, “You know I'd never deny your pancakes mama. That said, I really should probably get used to calling you mom, at least in public, because a fourteen going on fifteen year old calling his mom, mama, just doesn't fit right.” She giggled at my words and walked back to the stove then I said, “Can I have sausage with my bacon, mom? I'm really craving protein this morning, and if dad plans on making me lift five hundred kilos again, then I'd like to be well fed for it.”

She turned to me and smiled before saying “Sure kiddo. Also, I have to ask, you do realize talking about lifting 500 kilos like its nothing is not normal, right?” I nodded blushing and she said, “Glad to know you do have some understanding of human norms, kiddo. Try not to show off your physical ability, and try to increase your sprinting ability over the next few months, kay? Also, you should think about joining some kind of sports team when high school starts, they're a good way to socialize.” I nodded humming and she said, “I can't believe all the treatments, and 'that' have led to your body being so much stronger than most people, but you cant' even build that much physical muscle. Also, has your metabolism been increasing?” I blushed and nodded so she said, “Alright, I'll make you double your usual portions, so just sit tight, kay Jake?” I nodded as my stomach rumbled loudly and she smiled again before getting back to cooking.

Dad looked up from his papers and said, “So, guessing you stayed up late writing in your journal again?” I nodded and he said, “I figured, you have slight bags under your eyes.” I blushed and he said, “Don't worry bout it kiddo, I did the same thing when I was your age, albeit I was more reading or training rather than using a journal. Anyway, your siblings are awake, right?” I nodded and he said, “Your twin sisters fought over the bathroom again I take it?” I nodded yet again, and he said, “Thank god the house is mostly sound proof, or we'd probably have heard them yelling from down here.” I smirked at that, remember back when the house wasn't sound proofed, and dad had to get the company to do so, for everyone's sake of mind. Dad probably read my thoughts on my face cause he said, “Yeah, sound proofing is paying for itself.” I nodded at that and mom set a huge plate of food in front of me. It had a dozen pancakes, four sausages, two eggs, a dozen strips of bacon, and four waffles.

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I smiled at her and said, “Thanks mom, this should keep me fed for a few hours at least.”

She chuckled and said, “It better, otherwise I'm going to have to have the doctor's at the labs take another examination of you, since that much food used to feed you for eight to ten hours, all the way until dinner.” I nodded at that and dug in while she and dad conversed as my siblings entered the room and joined us at the kitchen table. Kate and Hikari grabbed the seats on either side of me, while Kiko took the seat next to mom's usual spot, and the twins sat across from her. Mom quickly served them, telling them I had some tests I'd have to take before we could leave, and to get the rest of their packing done while I went through them, then while everyone dug in, Hikari and Kate started asking mom and dad why I had yet more examinations that had to be done, when my DNA was supposed to be stable. Mom explained that it was just a simple examination to check on my physique, mental ability, and cognitive function, since it'd been a few months. She also promised the girls they'd only happen once every two or three months going forward.

Of course, I only noticed all of this subconsciously while I dug into my food, enjoying every bite. I took my time savoring my breakfast, when Kate tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to glance at her and she asked “You going to be ok taking these tests for mom and dad?” I nodded and gave her a thumbs up. She sighed and asked “Your mouth is full, isn't it?” I nodded again before swallowing and she said, “So, after your tests, and before we set off, can Hikari, you and I hang out like old times?”

I swallowed and let out a soft chuckle before saying “Of course Kate, I'd hate to deny my precious little sister anything that I can provide. That said, you should dig in, you know how mom gets when we let our food get cold.” Kate let out a cute eep noise and quickly started eating while I snickered under my breath.

I shook my head slowly, trying to get out of my funk, cause I knew that it was what had brought on Kate's question, and promised myself to try and keep from letting myself become “Test Subject Wolf,” as some of my doctor's would call me, at least for the rest of the day. I dug back into my food after that, deciding to take my own words to heart, and not let it get cold. Of course, while I was eating I noticed Hikari had let some of the tenseness out of her shoulders after my conversation with Kate, and realized she must have been having similar thoughts to Kate, about me going full test subject again. I reached over and ruffled her hair with my left hand, still shoveling food in my mouth with my right, and she gave me a mock glare for messing up her hair.

She pouted and said, “Big bro, you know it takes forever to straighten out my hair when you do that, also if you're going to tease a girl, at least have the decency to focus on her rather than stuffing your face.” I swallowed the bite of food in my mouth and prepared to argue that it would be more indecent to let my food go to waste when she swiped a piece of bacon off my plate and took a large bite out of it, before saying “Bacon tax. You ruffle my hair, I steal your food.”

I glared at her and said, “You realize, this means war, correct?” She just smirked at me and I set my fork on my plate then quickly wrapped my left arm around her neck and started giving her a noogie. She struggled in my arms and I said, “You want to steal my bacon, I'll give you a proper punishment for it!”

She struggled in my arms calling out “Mom, help he's torturing me!”

Mom just chuckled and said, “You should know better than to steal your brother's food, Hikari. Also at least he didn't get syrup in it this time, unlike the last time you two fought at breakfast.”

Hikari gasped at the very thought and I couldn't help but laugh before saying “Don't worry little sis, my hands are syrup free this time. Though you steal any more of my bacon and I may just do something worse than messing up your hair.” I released her with a sigh and said, “My bacon has been avenged, now let me eat in peace, I have those stupid tests after breakfast before I can hang out with you and Kate.”

Hikari pouted at me then dug into her own food, seeming to decide it wasn't worth arguing with me, while mom and dad watched on with slight smiles. On my right Kate was giggling into her hand, between bites of food, over how I had won yet another play fight with Hikari. I glanced at her and raised an eyebrow, causing her to hold up her hands and show she wasn't trying to steal from my plate.

I nodded, as if saying good, then finished eating and waited for everyone else to finish, all the while dreading that my promise to myself might just be canceled due to the stupid tests mom and dad were about to have me go through. I couldn't help but mentally go over the tests while everyone else finished their food, counting them off in my head. First would be the strength test, where dad would have me check to see if my ability to lift 1100 pounds, or 500 kilograms as the machine would read, was still in tact, and he'd ask me how it felt to hold it. Next would be a two hour jog around a track, followed by a quick sprint to see how long I could hold my max speed or. Third would be a test of my manual dexterity, by having me play the knife game, which we only used because my uncles said, it also helped with situational awareness. Fourth, we'd see how far out my eyes could pick up without any sort of help, and the final physical test would be me hitting a machine and seeing how much pressure I could put behind my punches.

After that, would be mom's tests. First would be a study of my long term memory by asking lessons that we hadn't covered in years, second she would check my short term memory, and how much I could remember of random trivia she threw at me. Finally, third, my least favorite test, mom would have me do some huge ass equations and I would be asked to solve them in under ten minutes.

Thankfully when the last test was done, I could hang out with Kate and Hikari for about two hours, while everyone else finished loading up the truck, then we'd head out for New Haven. I hoped I didn't become too robotic during the testing, but since this was rather routine by this point, I had my doubts.

Eventually dad stood up and said, “Alright Sport, time to get the tests underway. Follow me to the training center, and we'll start with you lifting 100 kilos, and work our way to 500, then if that doesn't bother you, we'll just assume it's your new baseline, ok?”

I nodded, with a grimace on my face, and followed him to the training center with my head down. He was humming as we walked and I was fighting the urge to fall back into the mindset of a test subject, knowing that the training center was solely for testing my physical and mental limits. Dad didn't seem to sense my unease, or if he did he didn't comment on it, and eventually he used his keycard to slide the doors open.

He stepped through the humongous, metal, sliding doors, and said, “Alright sport, it's time to get things underway.” I nodded sighing, and taking in my personal hellhole. It was a large metal room, with state of the art exercise equipment, a track, and all sorts of monitoring equipment that I'd grown numb to the uses of throughout the years. Dad coughed to get my attention and I turned to him and said, “Weight machines first, right?”

He smiled and said, “Right kiddo. Let's get this over with so we can get out of here, shall we?” I nodded and walked over to the weight machine, before setting it to 100 kilograms and preparing to start using it. He hummed and said, “So, this shouldn't be anything new to you kiddo. You know the routine by this point, so just do ten reps, increase the machine by fifty kilograms, and repeat until you hit your old limit of 500 kilograms, ok?” I nodded as I felt the world losing all color for a bit, and sat down then started doing the reps. I listened as dad counted them off, then at ten, I increased the weight by the first fifty kilograms, and did another ten. Yet again when he finished the count I repeated the actions, raising the weight and going through the repetitions.

I came back to myself when he said, stop and asked me “So, arms tired after doing ten reps with five hundred kilograms?” I shook my head and he said, “That's great sport, looks like your new baseline is five hundred kilograms, just...don't hit anyone with your full strength, ok?” I nodded humming and he continued “Alright, now let's have you jog around the track until you've been jogging for twenty miles, or you get tired, then I'll have you go to the flat track and we'll check your speed, and how long you can go at max speed for, sound good?”

I sighed and said, “Sure dad, just hope that my sprinting time is finally over twenty seconds.” He chuckled at that and had me get onto the track, then set up a machine to measure the amount of distance I ran, and the amount of time I could run for. He smiled at me and said, “Good luck, sport.” I nodded and he hit a button, causing the sound of a gunshot to go off, and I started jogging around the track, once again falling into the head space of a test subject, with the world losing all color mentally. With every step I sunk deeper and deeper into that colorless void, and my body went into autopilot.

Suddenly a buzzer went off, and I shook my head glancing at dad. He was checking a machine and said, “Alright kiddo, now we gotta test your sprinting ability, then we'll see if your eyes can pick up further distances, and finally we'll test your manual dexterity, You up for it?” I nodded humming and he said, “After that, on to the classroom for your mom's tests, then you can go bug your sisters while I finish up packing the truck.” I smiled slightly at that, even as the world was slightly duller than usual, but that was no surprise. Any time I had to focus on anything to do with the company, or any tests in general, the world would be either dull or monotone. I stretched and dad led me to the flat track.

He looked at me and said, “At the gun, run, got it kiddo?” I nodded and suddenly the sound of a starting gun went off, and I took off down the flat track. In my head I was counting the seconds, and at exactly forty seconds, I had to stop and catch my breath. Dad, who was still at the starting line called down to me “Over fifty miles an hour kiddo! Good job! Get back here, and we'll do the sight and manual dexterity tests than I'll escort you to your mom's classroom.”

I sighed and nodded motioning for him to lead to the observation platform. He nodded and started up it, with me in tow, then said, “We're going to be picking out street signs at a distance of two miles, got it?” I nodded again, and he said, “I'm going to give you a sign, and you tell me the signs around it, as well as any noticeable features of people in the area, and anything that truly stands out, alright?” I nodded again and he told me the street was Aardvark Boulevard, I listed off the streets around it, including Zoo lane, then told him about a group of men in trench coats entering a hotel, and a poster on a wall to the left of the sign. He checked my findings, found I was right, and marked it down then said, “Alright, now for my least favorite of your tests, the knife game.”

I smiled slightly. The knife game was my personal favorite test, it basically had me place my hand down on a table with my fingers close together, but enough of a gap between them to fit a knife blade if I was careful, then dad would start a timer and see how many times I could stab between my fingers in two minutes, without stabbing myself. The object was a mixture of speed and precision. My favorite part was when dad added in things that were supposed to distract me, like loud bangs, balls shot from a pitching machine around my face, etc. Dad sighed and said, “We're changing up things this time, I'm going to be having blanks fired at you, you can only check your hand once every thirty seconds. You can back out if you want kiddo.” I shook my head and he sighed then I watched as the timer appeared over head, and he said, “The timer will let out a buzz every time you can look, now take a look at the position of your hand, and at the first buzzer, you have to look away from your hand and begin, alright?”

I nodded and said, “You got it dad.” He groaned about hating this test, while I stared at my hand, then hit a button and the timer let out the first buzz. My left hand instinctively started stabbing all around my right hand, and between the fingers. I nearly jumped out of my skin when a few blanks went off around my body, but kept up. At the first buzzer I checked my hand and dad called out “Move your hand kiddo!” I nodded quickly shifting it to a new position on the desk mid swing, then continued while watching him my eyes following the muzzle of the gun he'd been using to shoot blanks. At the one minute mark, the buzzer sounded again, and I glanced at my hand then quickly moved my entire body as I noticed the gun was pointed right at me, and a blank hit where I'd been sitting. The last minute was just as hectic, and at a minute and a half dad added explosions going on in my surroundings.

When all was said, and done Dad looked at me and said, “How many times did you cut yourself?” I opened my hand to let him take a look. He walked over and checked between the fingers muttering under his breath then looked at me and said, one word, and only one word, “How?”

I shrugged and said, “No idea, dad. I was running on adrenaline and instinct throughout that, but hey at least it was fun.” He stared at me, and I almost wanted to say 'Oh and the world kept color all throughout the challenge,' but something told me either he wouldn't understand, or if he did, I wouldn't like it, because it would put a certain expression on his face.

He sighed and said, “Alright I'm going to drop you off at your mom's classroom, and afterward I'm going to hand these results over. You did excellent kiddo, so we definitely should be allowed to leave today. Hell I bet I can even make it so we only have to do these tests quarterly, rather than monthly in the future.” I grinned at that and he said, “Thought you'd like that news. Anyway, come on you're mom's waiting. I just hope she doesn't kill me when she reads the test results and the parameters under which this test was undertaken. I know she'll be as interested as everyone else, but she is still your mother.”

I couldn't help but nod at that, as we continued on our way Mom's classroom for me, and he said, “Please, please, please don't tell her what you just went through?” I nodded and gave him a thumbs up making him sigh in relief. He dropped me off at the door to her classroom, muttering about why did his wife have to have multiple degrees, including a degree in neuroscience and neurochemistry then walked off as I entered the room.

As soon as I entered the room, mom smiled at me and said, “Hey Jake, time for the monthly mental tests. Hopefully after this one, we can change these to every six months, maybe even only annually, depending on how you do in school. Wouldn't that be great?” I couldn't help but nod and she said, “Alright, so let's start with tactics, then move on to the memory exams, after which we'll do some math problems, and finally you and I will be talking about current events, starting with why the hell the Korean K Pop band K9F3line broke up!”

I groaned and muttered under my breath, “Oh boy, more boy band trivia.”

Mom pouted at me and said, “Hey I'll have you know that pop culture is a common thing and as such you should be studying it mister!”

I snorted at that then sighed and asked “Do I have to wear the cable helmet and look like a dead plant again?”

Mom just smiled innocently and said, “Nope, since this is a regular monthly checkup you just have to wear the electrodes on your temples and the back of your neck, isn't' that wonderful?” I sighed and let her coat me in the electrodes, then the tests began. Mom started asking me questions, while keeping her eyes focused on the screen showing my brain activity via the electrodes, then changed up the questions, checked my memory, and more. It was all so routine, I've forgotten most of it, though pretty sure the last math problem she asked me to solve was a theoretical physics problem she was publishing her latest thesis on.

After that, mom took the test results further into the lab, while I headed home, barely keeping back the stupid monochrome. I walked to the house, trying to keep my brain in color, and stumbled up to Kate's room, figuring that she'd have already dragged Hikari there while I was getting tested, and I was right. Kate took one look at me and said, “Oh big brother,” then she and Hikari ran over and hugged me. I robotically hugged them back. Hikari and Kate held me close rubbing my back, and burying their faces into my chest, but I was still having trouble making the world go back into color.

Suddenly Hikari leaned up and kissed my cheek then whispered “Come back to us big bro, we need the real you, not the test subject those bastards made.” I let out a gasp and the world suddenly ran with color then she smiled at me while Kate kissed my other cheek and hugged both of us.

Kate sighed and said, “We'll always be here to bring you back, big bro, no matter how long it takes. Just, try not to let the damn robot they tried to turn you into become the real you if something happens to us. Though, even the robot is better than the beast.”

I blinked and asked “The beast?”

She smiled sadly and said, “Can't say, mom and dad promised all of us to not ever bring it up to you no matter how much you asked. I'm already skirting the line just by mentioning it, but it had to be said, right Kari?”

Hikari nodded and said, “Yeah, the beast was...well I don't like to think about it. Anyway, let's just relax together, nap until it's time to head out and load up, and enjoy each other's presence, yeah?” I couldn't help but nod, cause relaxing sounded really good to me. I closed my eyes, and what I didn't know, was at the time, my sisters had shared a look, that promised many things between them, but I wouldn't learn about for years to come. Of course, when I opened my eyes, my sisters were just watching me with smiles and their heads on my chest, even though we were standing.

I sighed in resignation and said, “Since dad needs to load up the furniture, we can cuddle on the couch until he has to load it up. I know he wants bedroom furniture first, anyway. So let's go downstairs.” They nodded and the two of them dragged me down to the living room, each of them holding onto one of my hands, then pushed me onto the couch and curled up on my lap together. I sighed in contentment, and the three of us just vegged out as people started taking stuff to load up the truck, van, and other vehicles we were taking.

We cuddled for at least an hour, maybe two, when dad finally told us it was time to head out. The girls got up pouting, and I couldn't help but laugh, being reminded of when we were kids and mom told them they couldn't share my bed, just in case something happened in the middle of the night. They turned and glared at me, still pouting, causing me to laugh louder.

I calmed down from my laughing fit about ten minutes later, and dad told me the positions everyone would be in during the moving. I'd be with him in the lead truck, the rest of the kids would be with mom in the van, including the girls, and the movers would follow the two of them. I nodded, accepting everything without question, and dad said, “Alright family, let's move out.”

We all nodded and loaded up, then we set out for New Haven. The drive took six hours, and we spent an extra two hours at Mom and Dad's new workplace, before moving into the house. Moving everything in, and unpacking took a further two hours, and we all went to bed at about ten pm. As I fell asleep that night, I hoped that the future would be full of happy moments like the one I shared with Hikari and Kate before us coming to New Haven, rather than full of the dark moments like back before mom and dad took over my testing.

I didn't know why at the time, but some part of me had trouble believing that my hopes would come true, and a deep sense of foreboding settled in my bones. I tried to ignore it as I drifted off, but that night, rather than the pleasant dreams I'd been hoping for, was full of nightmares that blended together the past, my fears, and dangled my hopes in my face, almost as if saying they would never come true. As my dreams progressed, I could only hope that they were wrong until I slipped into a deeper sleep, where the nightmares couldn't reach, and only good dreams lived.