We've spent three days in this shithole. But as far as I'm concerned, three days is already too much time.
The people who kidnapped us are a bunch of "scientists" looking to "advance the human race" using us as prototypes.
And when I say scientists, I of course mean that they're a bunch of lunatics who like torturing kids.
They don't even have the decency to call us by our names. My name here is "Experiment #002." I'd probably demand that they call me Tony, but I'd just get shocked.
I haven't seen any of the others since I got locked in this godforsaken cell. They say we'll see each other after initial experimentation is over.
That is, if we're all still alive by then.
"Experiment #002, we are moving you to a testing chamber."
Tony was snapped out of his internal monologue by the voice on the loudspeaker. He groaned, getting up and following the guards to the chamber.
One of the guards unlocked his collar, and Tony was unceremoniously dropped onto the floor.
The boy shielded his eyes when the lights turned on. "Please look at and describe the object in front of you."
"I think it's an oven. There's pizza inside it."
"Excellent. Now, use your abilities on the oven."
Tony took a deep breath, holding up his hand and focusing on the oven. He closed his eyes, and the clock arrows on his nose began to move clockwise.
As he continued to use his powers, the pizza started to bake faster, until the oven made a beeping sound.
"You may stop now."
"Is that it?" Tony asked. Weirdly enough, I'd rather be in these chambers than in my cell.
Then again, that might just be the boredom talking.
"We are going to test your powers further, but for now, please wait in your cell."
With a disappointed sigh, Tony allowed the guards to place his collar back on his neck and escort him back to his cell.
Hugo nervously picked at his clothes as he walked into the chamber.
The room he was standing in was massive. If he had to guess, he'd say it was the size of a football field.
"Experiment #010, please concentrate and attempt to use your abilities."
The boy flinched at the sound of his designation, but kept his mouth shut.
After what he'd seen them do to Leo, Hugo wasn't taking any chances.
Closing his eyes and pressing his hands together, he found himself standing a considerable distance from the door.
"Good. Now teleport further than 10 feet."
Hugo took a deep breath and tried to follow their instructions. Unfortunately, he realized that he was unable to transport himself more than 10 feet at a time.
"We will begin the next round of initial experimentation tomorrow. Guards, escort Experiment #010 back to its cell."
Leo thrashed wildly against his restraints, cursing and spitting at his captors.
"WHERE THE FUCK ARE MY CLASSMATES?! TELL ME, OR I'LL SPLIT YOUR GODDAMN SKULLS OPEN!"
His tirade was cut off by a scream as his collar sent electricity coursing through him.
"If you do not cooperate with us, you will not be permitted to see them. In fact, you won't even be able to leave your cell."
Leo raised his middle finger at the loudspeaker before kicking one of the guards restraining him in the groin.
"Sir? This is Doctor Axford. We appear to have a particularly troublesome subject."
"Please state the designation of the subject in question."
"Experiment #006, formerly known as Leonidas Zafeiriou. It has shown hostility towards personnel, even going as far as to physically assault some staff. I believe that termination of Experiment #006 may be necessary—not just for the safety of the staff, but to serve as an example for its fellow captives."
By this point, Leo had stopped kicking and screaming, and his eyes were now wide in shock and horror. They're gonna kill me?!
"It seems that #006 can hear this conversation, Sir. Should I hang up, or—"
"Termination request denied. Hopefully, #006 should cease its behavior. Especially now that it knows what the consequences could be."
"Ya heard that, pipsqueak. Better do what we tell you, or you'll be a corpse in the ground," chuckled the guard Leo had kicked in the groin.
Leo, who had previously been trying to fight back, simply stared at the ceiling.
"So, what's it gonna be? Keep fighting and get yourself killed, or listen to us and see your friends again?"
"I pick the second option."
"Good boy. Now, what do we say we start the tests?"
Leo felt his bones ache as he limped into the chamber.
"Greetings, Experiment #006. I'm happy to see that you've finally learned your lesson." Ha. You wish.
"Please create an illusion on the wall."
The boy reluctantly followed their instructions, giving the room the appearance of a child's nursery.
Maybe if I keep training with my powers, I can use them to escape. Then I can free the others, and we can all go home!
"Lovely. Now, please return to your cell."
"Wait. The test's over already?" Leo blurted out.
"We simply needed to see the basics of how your abilities function."
"How did you know what we can do before you started the experiments?"
"You need not concern yourself with that."
That night, Leo's anxiety began to worsen as he kept asking himself questions.
Did they decide what powers we would have before we came here? How do they have the money to afford armored guards and an entire facility? But most importantly, how the hell did these nutjobs create a formula to give normal people superpowers?!
Great. Now I'm asking myself a million questions, none of which I have the answer to. I just hope the others are okay.