As Jason sat in his parents' living room, surrounded by the familiar trappings of his childhood home, the doorbell's sudden ring cut through the tense atmosphere.
His mother excused herself to answer, her footsteps echoing in the hallway.
Moments later, her voice called out, tinged with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Jason, honey? There are two men here to see you."
Jason frowned, his enhanced senses immediately on alert. He hadn't been expecting anyone, and given the recent extraordinary events in his life, any unexpected visitors set him on edge.
Rising from his seat, he made his way to the front door, his newly graceful movements at odds with the growing tension in his body.
As he reached the entrance, Jason found himself face-to-face with two men dressed in impeccable black suits, their eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses despite the fading afternoon light. Their posture and demeanor screamed 'government agents' or something equally official and potentially dangerous.
One of the men, his face covered in an impassive mask, addressed Jason directly. "Are you Mr. Jason Angwin?"
"Yes," Jason replied cautiously, his mind racing. Had they somehow found out about the alien artifact? About his transformation?
The agent's next words were not a request but a thinly veiled command. "We need you to step outside, sir. We have some matters to discuss with you."
Jason's protective instincts flared. "Who are you? What's this about?" he demanded, his voice carrying a new note of authority that surprised even him.
The agents exchanged a quick glance before the second one spoke, his voice low and menacing. "Mr. Angwin, it would be in your best interest—and in the best interest of your family—to cooperate with us."
He frowned deeply. They clearly didn't want to leave him, and Jason didn't see a chance of escape here. Even if he were to escape from them, then there was his family; he had no idea what they would do to them. And the men and their appearance screamed something shady.
The thinly veiled threat sent a chill down Jason's spine. He turned to Monica, who had appeared in the hallway, her face etched with worry. "I'll be back," he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "Don't worry."
As Jason followed the agents out of the house, he felt the nanites within him stirring, as if sensing the potential danger. They approached a sleek, black SUV parked at the curb, its windows tinted to near opacity.
One of the agents opened the rear door, gesturing for Jason to enter. As he slid into the leather seat, the door closed behind him with a soft but final-sounding thud.
Once inside, with the agents taking their places in the front seats, Jason's questions burst forth. "Who are you people? Where are you taking me? What's this all about?"
The agents remained silent, their faces forward, ignoring his demands as the SUV pulled away from the curb.
They drove through the familiar streets of his hometown, now seeming alien and threatening.
While his mind was swirling with the various thoughts, suddenly the metallic voice of the nanite rang in his head.
THREAT DETECTED!
HOSTILE ENTITES APPROACHING!