Alex

Training Days

Standing in the middle of the room, my body buzzed with new abilities—strength, speed, agility—all at my fingertips. Dr. Meyers' voice crackled through the speaker overhead. "Okay, Alex, let's begin."

The floor beneath me shifted, walls emerged, and before I knew it, the room had transformed into an obstacle course that stretched across the vast space. "Three—two—one—go!" he commanded.

Without hesitation, I shot forward. My body moved with an effortless grace as I weaved between the pillars. I scaled the cargo net with ease, reaching the platform twenty feet above before leaping across the monkey bars. My hands latched onto each bar, swinging fluidly from one to the next. There was no hesitation, no strain. My muscles simply obeyed.

I avoided the medicine balls with quick, darting movements down the inclined balance beam. As I reached the web of strings, my legs high-stepped through them, not brushing a single thread. The twelve-foot wall loomed ahead. I barely paused before launching myself at it, scaling it in seconds.

Rings hung over a shimmering pool of water, but I navigated them effortlessly, moving hand over hand, not even a tremor in my grip. When I reached the other side, I slid down the sheer drop wall, my feet hitting the floor without a single misstep.

Dr. Meyers' voice came through the speaker again, filled with pride. "Well done. That is the fastest time I've ever seen on this course. How do you feel?"

"Great. Barely broke a sweat," I replied, surprised at how true it was. My breath remained steady, heart rate calm. I was built for this.

"Ready to try it again?"

"You bet."

The course reset, only this time, the difficulty ramped up. Blades now spun between the pillars, the balance beam was broken into erratic, disjointed segments, and the medicine balls bristled with spikes. The pool of water had been replaced with flames, licking at my feet as I swung across the rings.

Each time, the course became more intense, and each time I pushed myself harder, faster. Nine runs, and I felt unstoppable. Stronger. Invincible.

"Amazing," Dr. Meyers said, awe creeping into his voice. "Let's move on to something else."

I returned to the control room, and once again, the straps were tightened around my limbs. The USB cord connected, and I braced myself as the rush of new information flooded my brain. Judo, Muay Thai, Boxing—it all poured in at once. My muscles twitched with the surge of energy, every technique now embedded deep in my subconscious.

When the download stopped, I was unplugged, but an emptiness washed over me. I wanted more.

Back in the training room, I faced virtual opponents. They came at me one by one, and I dismantled them with ease. Each movement was precise, instinctive. As the difficulty increased, so did my focus. Dr. Meyers pushed me further, sending two opponents at me, then three. But I stayed ahead, taking each of them down without faltering.

Eventually, he called for a break. "You need to replenish," Dr. Meyers said as we returned to the control room. The IV was reconnected, a protein-rich solution feeding into my system.

"How long have I been training?" I asked, still brimming with energy.

"Thirteen hours, give or take."

Thirteen hours? I was stunned. I hadn't even felt the passage of time. My body was ready for more, but Dr. Meyers raised a hand. "That's enough for today. You've exceeded expectations."

Reluctantly, I nodded. I wanted to keep going, but I knew he was right. "What's all this training for, though? Why?"

Dr. Meyers stroked his chin thoughtfully. "You're being prepared for an evaluation. The One will decide your fate."

My fate? The words hit hard, and I swallowed the sudden knot in my throat. "What do you mean by that?"

"All will be explained in time. For now, rest. We have plenty of time before your evaluation."

Back in my room, I lay on the sterile bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing with possibilities. I was ready—no, more than ready—to face whatever was ahead. Surely, after all this training, I'd pass any test they put in front of me. Sleep crept in slowly, taking me under in a dreamless slumber.

When the light of day returned, training resumed. The morning was spent in grappling matches, learning Greco-Roman Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Sambo. I mastered each technique quickly, submitting opponents in every form imaginable. Dr. Meyers watched with pride, his approval a silent pat on the back.

The afternoon was a change of pace—meditation, flexibility training, movements that heightened my awareness. Tai Chi, Yoga, breathing exercises that sharpened my senses. I could feel the energy in the room, the vibrations of the air.

That night, I was jolted awake by the creaking door. I kept my eyes closed, pretending to sleep. Someone was in my room, rifling through drawers. Searching for something. But what? I had no possessions, nothing to hide. The intruder eventually left, and I drifted back to sleep, though the unsettling feeling lingered.

Day three was all about stealth and speed. I moved silently through laser grids, incapacitated guards with precision chokeholds, and picked locks as if I had done it for years. Each scenario was more complex than the last, but I handled them all flawlessly.

"Perfect," Dr. Meyers said with admiration. "You are perfect in every way."

My chest swelled with pride. Whatever lay ahead, I knew one thing for sure: I was ready.