A jolt of awareness slams into me, my eyes snapping open as if I'd been yanked from the depths of unconsciousness. Cold metal presses against my back, sending an unsettling shiver through me. There's something wrong—my body hums with an alien energy, a sensation both exhilarating and terrifying. The laboratory around me is unlike anything I've seen before, sleek, curved surfaces of an iridescent material that seems to shift colors with the light. Three tall, slender figures stand nearby, their skin a pale blue-gray, observing me with large, almond-shaped black eyes.

"Subject 7249 has regained consciousness," one says, its voice melodic yet emotionless. "Power integration appears successful."

I try to sit up, but my wrists and ankles are restrained by translucent bands. Panic flares in my chest. My last memory is my apartment, the dim glow of my TV, a half-eaten meal, then a searing light, and now this. What the hell happened to me?

"What... what did you do to me?" I manage to ask, my voice hoarse.

The alien closest to me approaches. "Your genetic structure has been enhanced, human. You have been chosen for the Elite Program."

Then I feel it, an undercurrent of raw power, thrumming just beneath my skin. It pulses, alive, responding to the storm of emotions churning inside me. The restraints around my wrists begin to vibrate, and then, without me touching them, they snap open. The aliens step back, their expressions unreadable but their body language suggesting alarm.

"Telekinetic manifestation already?" one says. "Unprecedented for this early stage."

I feel strength coursing through my muscles, raw power unlike anything I've ever experienced. I sit up, breaking the ankle restraints with barely a thought.

The laboratory doors slide open as more aliens rush in, carrying what appear to be weapons. But for the first time in my life, I feel untouchable, like nothing in this room, nothing in this universe, could stop me. With a mere thought, I send the nearest equipment flying across the room, creating a barrier between myself and my captors.

The alien who spoke first raises its hands in a placating gesture. "Your power is exceptional, Subject 7249. You are valuable to us. Cooperation will be rewarded."

I hesitate, my mind racing with a mix of fear, rage, and something else—curiosity. If I keep fighting, what happens next? Do they put me down like an experiment gone wrong, or do I get to see just how far this power goes?

No, it's too dangerous. I don't know anything yet. My hands still tremble with the residual energy surging through me. My breath comes in short, measured bursts as I force myself to calm down, to rein in the overwhelming power thrumming inside me. The floating equipment wobbles before clattering to the ground with metallic clangs, the echoes lingering in the sterile air. My fists remain clenched, my muscles tense, the urge to lash out gnawing at the edges of my restraint. I could tear this place apart if I wanted to. But I don't even know who they are, what they want, or why they chose me. Right now, I need answers, I shouldn't act impulsively.

"I'll cooperate," I say, my voice steadier now. "What exactly do you want from me?"

The lead alien's posture relaxes slightly, its large eyes blinking in what might be relief.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"Wise choice, Subject 7249. You have been selected for your genetic compatibility with our enhancement procedures. Your results have exceeded projections."

Two of the aliens approach cautiously, guiding me from the examination table to a circular platform in the center of the room. As I step onto it, a holographic display erupts around me, showing detailed scans of my body with glowing points of energy concentrated in my brain and along my spine.

"The Elite Program seeks to create superior human specimens," the alien explains. "Those who demonstrate exceptional ability advancement, like yourself, are destined for specialized roles."

The platform begins to hum beneath my feet as data streams across the surrounding displays. I feel a strange tingling sensation as invisible scanners assess my newly awakened powers.

"You will undergo a series of trials to measure your capabilities," continues the alien. "Success will bring privileges. Resistance will result in reconditioning."

A door opens on the far side of the laboratory, revealing a large, circular chamber beyond. The walls appear to be made of a reinforced material, and various objects, metal spheres, cubes, and other geometric shapes, are arranged throughout the space.

"This is your first assessment chamber," the alien states. "Demonstrate your telekinetic control. Move the objects as directed by the indicators."

As if on cue, several objects in the room begin to glow with soft blue light.

"After testing, you will meet other subjects. Some, like you, have shown remarkable adaptation. They will become your peers or your rivals, depending on your performance rankings."

The alien gestures toward the chamber. "Your new life begins now, Subject 7249. Your former existence is behind you. Here, you have purpose. Here, you have power."

As I step toward the testing chamber, a single thought hammers in my mind, I don't belong here, but if they think they can control me, they've got another thing coming.

I enter the testing chamber, feeling the energy within me responding to my thoughts. The door seals behind me with a pneumatic hiss, leaving me alone amid the scattered objects glowing with soft blue light.

I focus on a metal sphere about the size of a baseball. Extending my hand, I concentrate on the object. Initially, nothing happens. Then, as I narrow my focus and imagine the sphere rising, it trembles slightly before lifting smoothly into the air.

"Excellent initial control," comes the alien's voice through hidden speakers. "Now direct it to the illuminated platform."

A small pedestal across the room lights up. I guide the floating sphere across the chamber, experiencing the strange sensation of feeling the object's weight and momentum through my mind rather than my hands. When I place it precisely on the platform, a chime sounds.

"Now attempt multiple objects simultaneously."

Three cubes of different sizes begin to glow. I take a deep breath and extend both hands. With concentrated effort, I lift all three, finding that splitting my attention requires significantly more mental strain. Sweat beads on my forehead as I maneuver them through a series of illuminated hoops that appear in the air.

"Testing physical enhancement parameters now."

A section of wall slides open, revealing a mechanical arm that launches projectiles toward me at increasing speeds. Without thinking, my body responds with supernatural reflexes, dodging the first few objects with fluid, impossibly fast movements.

When a projectile comes too quickly to dodge, I instinctively raise my hand, and the object stops in mid-air, caught by my telekinesis. A thrill shoots through me. I actually caught it. The realization that I can combine my abilities sends a surge of exhilaration through my system.

"Impressive reaction time and power synergy," notes the alien observer.

Oh great, now I'm putting on a show for them. I grit my teeth as a heavy cylindrical object emerges from the floor, easily 500 pounds of metal.

"Demonstrate maximum lifting capacity."

I plant my feet, inhaling deeply. The cylinder barely vibrates against the floor at first, resisting my will. My temples throb as I focus harder, my mental grip tightening like an invisible vice. Slowly, the object rises, hovering three feet in the air. The strain is immense, beads of sweat forming at my brow, but I hold it steady through sheer force of will.

The exhilaration mixes with exhaustion, but I can't deny the addictive rush of power.

The door opposite my entrance slides open.

"Assessment phase complete. Proceed to the integration area to meet other subjects."