Elevated (Book 1): Elevated Read Online Free

front room is a long hallway with metallic arches extending high above my head. In the center of the room, a pool of rushing water shimmers with a radiant blue light. The entrance leads to a grand atrium where large sculptures of GEMO Laser Emitters, or ‘blasters’ as most call them, sit atop three white cylinders arranged like a triangle. They shoot jets of luminous water towards a tall statue of a teenage boy. His muscular arms stretch outwards, embracing the rushing blast with confidence.
    “Inspiring, isn’t it?” Shelly says, noticing my gaze on the sculpture. “Gives me chills every time.”
    A chill of my own sweeps my body as I stare at it. This is the closest I’ve come to seeing blasters in person. Based on the large size of the boy, it’s not to scale, but it must be terrifying to sit in a room and face one of them in person.
    “Are we really doing this?” asks Lillia behind me.
    Am I? I don’t know.
    “Of course we are,” says a handsome boy next to me. He wears a chocolate-colored fedora.
    A digital display pops up in front of the statue, projected on a mist screen of water. It’s a phoenix holding a sign.
    A525-A555 — East Hallway
    The boy leans over and startles me. “What’s your number? Just curious. I woke up first thing and still got A537.”
    I can’t seem to find the number in my head. Thankfully, Mom remembered to print out my paperwork, which I’m holding.
    “A536.”
    “Nice, right before me,” he says as we head down the East hallway.
    Just like Mom. Obsessed with being first, another Elevation Day zombie.
    Everything in the East Hallway is white. The walls, ceiling, carpet, furniture, all glow with a pristine shine. Too pristine. The radiant sheen coming from everywhere is a marvel of technology, but to me it’s a sign of the government rejoicing at the purge of imperfection. It gives me the creeps.
    We reach a row of chairs facing a large screen. Currently, the screen shows A529. I notice Zach, Shelly, and Lillia sitting down next to us. I take a seat on the far end, hoping to get away from everyone, but the boy follows me over. Fantastic.
    The screen flashes and a phoenix flies by, transforming the number to “A530.” A mechanical voice blasts from the overhead speakers. “Now serving A530, that’s A530, thank you.”
    “So what do you think you’ll get?” the boy asks. “Dad got the ability of breathing underwater and Mom got amazing agility.”
    “How should I know? Genetics can’t—”
    “Genetics can’t predict abilities. Right. Had an uncle whose father could regenerate limbs. All he got was the ability to spit really far. Took him years to figure out too. Not something that would come up in testing.” The boy flashes a detestable smirk. Is he mocking his poor uncle? “Elevation Day. Finally here. Always dreamed of it, Rose.”
    Rose? I recoil at the sound of my name from a complete stranger.
    “It’s on your paperwork,” he says and reaches his hand out. “I’m Elliott.”
    I force my hand out and shake. His firm hand tries to steady my trembling fingers. “You okay? You don’t seem excited,” he asks.
    “Yeah, I’m fine.”
    An electronic voice interrupts us. “Now serving A531, that’s A531, thank you.”
    Another boy stands up and marches towards the doors to the treatment room. I sit there, swinging my feet, trying not to think about what lies beyond those doors.
    “I can’t do this.”
    Elliott smiles. “You’re just nervous.”
    “No, I really can’t go through with it.”
    His voice deepens. “What are you saying?”
    “I just—I just don’t understand. Why are we doing this?” I stumble.
    “We’re unlocking—”
    “Our full potential,” I say, shuddering over the words now haunting me. “Yeah. I’ve seen the videos. They’re ridiculous. ‘Humanity going further than ever before.’ Blah blah blah. What’s so bad about plain old humanity? People reaching their full potential without becoming mutants!”
    “Excuse