FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Early autumn...the sound of crying parents...the huffing and puffing of young adults as they heave half their possessions towards a small room...

Yep this was the first day of university alright!

At least it is for most when they arrive at orientation, for me though...well...I've been through it all before...long ago.

Let me start at the beginning!

My name is Eric Fulham, I am 33 years old...and I'm about to start as a freshman at Tander Fairbanks University!

I know what a lot of people would say "Man you're starting late" or "OMG there's a creepy old dude in my class!"

Well I would agree and wouldn't even be here if I had any choice.

Well the reason basically is that after 8 years in the business sector I was laid off when they outsourced my job to some far off nation who apparently could do it at half my wage and after months of searching for a new post, a friend hooked me up with an apprenticeship at their parent's law company, which was great despite the severe pay cut.

The big catch for the job is that I attend university for four years to get a relevant degree to get the best knowledge base for my job.

It got even better when they told me about a week before orientation that every pay check for the entire length of the course was going to be used to pay my tuition, accommodation and maintenance as this course was full time, therefore I would have to fund my own food and sundries through other means.

Naturally I flipped out but by this time I had already signed an agreement to attend the course and there was little I could do legally to pull out of this crappy arrangement...and so here I am....walking into orientation for the next four years trying to study and work for my dinner... at least there may be a good party or two with some cheap booze.

"Mr Fulham, is it?" the girl behind the desk asked, consulting a long list on a clipboard "Ahhh here you are, yes"

She reached into a box filled with envelopes and pulled out one bearing my name and placing it with a small stack of papers.

"Here is the key to your room and your welcome pack! Welcome to Tander Fairbanks!"

I thanked her and gave her a smile before heaving my own luggage away to the dorms on the other side of the Quad, I watched all these young students laughing and running around, enjoying their first day of perceived freedom from their old lives.

I smirked to myself

I remember all too well the pleasures of orientation, the parties, the drinking and the boastful comradery of students... and I also remember the late nights, the cramming sessions and all nighters on the approach to the mid-term paper deadline.

I guess when you're young you don't think about it too much but when you're a mature student...well...I suppose you get perspective on it all.

The dorm building already bustling with new freshmen when I arrived and I had to squeeze my way through the tight halls before I finally managed to reach my room.

Unlocking the door, I panted from the effort and dropped my bags onto the floor and slumped against the door frame, why the hell was it so hot.

"Uhhh you ok bro?"

Looking up I saw a young man looking over at me from one of the two beds in the fairly spacious room. He was laid back and shirtless, displaying a figure that had clearly been sculpted from years at the gym.

His firm pectorals stood firm over a well-defined set of washboard abs that flexed with each breath the man took and with one arm behind his head, a perfectly defined bicep flexed as he shifted to stand up, his tight jeans emphasising muscular legs and a thick bulge.

"Err hey there"

I blushed slightly and tried to subtly avert my gaze from this Adonis.

"I'm guessin' you're my new roomie's pops?" smiled the man, holding out a hand to me and smiling "I'm Trent, nice to meet ya".

I felt a sharp sting at the implication that I appeared old enough to be a college student's father, but I shook it off and took Trent's hand, feeling his tight grip as we shook.

"Errr no..." I replied slowly, trying to keep my eyes on his face rather than his hot muscles, "I'm actually your new roomie, I'm Eric"

I saw his eyes widen in surprise for a moment before his face split into a smile.

"No way Bro!" he laughed, clapping his hands together and sitting down on his bed. "Never thought they'd pair me with an older dude, what are ya? Senior?"

"Freshman" I responded, kicking my bag to the second bed and sitting down, "My job's sending me back through school"

"Man, that's a great deal bro" Trent smiled, "I'm a Junior on the uni's research scholarship"

I had heard of the University's research program, it had been quite prominent in some of the legal work I had done when starting my apprenticeship, if I recall it had something to do with the development of Transformative Solutions, strange medicines which altered physical and mental aspects that had become more and more common but were known to have strange side effects on occasion.

"Really, what kind of research?"

Trent smiled, getting up and beginning to flex his muscles showing off his ripped chest and arms.

"I'm on the Jock program Bro!" he announced proudly, turning to show off his toned back muscles although my eyes began to drift down to the outline of his firm cheeks in his tight jeans.

I felt my face grow even redder.

"Like what you see bro?" Trent smirked, looking over his shoulder before sitting back down "Ya should have seen me before bro. Back when I was a freshmen, I had a hell of a gut and looked like a real nerd and now"

He flexed a bicep.

"Now I'm a fuckin' hot jock and one of the stars of the Swim Team and I've never felt better in my life"

My eyes had followed each pose and flex and I found myself smiling at the infectious confidence my new roommate was oozing.

"You do look great man" I admitted, my gaze still locked on his chest, "So what's your major or are you gonna be a competitive swimmer at when you graduate"

Trent's smile seemed to fade slightly and he dropped his flex, "If I make it that far bro" he said wistfully, sitting back on his bed.

I stared at him non plussed, trying to think what he meant as he let out a chuckle.

"Oh yeah, you wouldn't know"

He stretched before leaning forwards, smiling innocently.

"Once you get the solution, you become a jock, body and mind but there's a big catch....Once you get to senior year, there's a high chance that you'll turn into some kinda sporting gear"

I blinked.

"I'm sorry, What?"

Trent laid back on his bed and stared at the ceiling

"You've herd those stories about gym freaks who overdose on the muscle gainers right?"

I nodded, I had heard some stories about how overdosing caused some strange and unique transformations, but it was only in extreme cases.

"Well as this research is still, y'know, experimental, there's a near hundred percent chance in my senior year that I'll start to change into a speedo, or a pair of flippers, I dunno!"

He waved his hand nonchalantly in my direction, as though the prospect of becoming a piece of clothing didn't even phase him

"But it's all worth it Bro! I got my course paid for and full accommodation and I've enjoyed two years of the high life and I ain't gonna stop till I literally cannot move"

He smiled over at me and I just stared back with my mouth open and for a few moments I merely stared at him, at a total loss at what to say until I eventually found my voice.

"H...How can you say it's all worth it if at the end of it you'll be some kind of object?"

He shrugged, putting his arms behind his head and staring again at the ceiling.

"Well, I get to enjoy this hot ass body bro, that's one point and I guess even if I am an object, I'll be free from taxes and all that government mandated shit...and I guess I'll always be a part of the sport"

We were silent for a moment before Trent let out a long whistle before springing to his feet and grabbing a pair of boots and a shirt.

"Woah dude, you only just got here and things got so deep!"

Pulling his clothes on he strode over and grips my shoulder.

"C'mon dude, as I'm your senior I reckon I better show you around and buy you your first drink as a new student"

Pulling me to my feet he led me out of the room and out again into the rush of orientation and I began to feel that slight rush of excitement for the first time, of being a student once again.

"Damn Bro, that was a hell of a night"

It was after midnight when the two of us finally stumbled into the dorm room, both of us completely wasted on the cheap pitchers at the local student bars and using each other as support to remain standing.

The night had been a wonderful evening of drinking, dancing and laughing.

"You can really...really.... Really hold your booze" Trent mumbled, leaning into me in a sort of drunken slump.

Despite being as equally drunk as my roommate I managed to help him across the room and let him flump down on the covers.

Trent moaned happily as he adjusted himself on the sheets, pulling off his shirt and letting it fall to the floor before kicking off his boots.

"That was a great night Bro! First of many...many...many.."

He let out a long yawn and his head slumped on his pillow and he began to snore.

I let out a small chuckle, looking over the sleeping hunk.

Damn he looked so perfect, I was almost tempted to reach out and touch his sculpted body but even in my drunken haze I knew better.

Still, I looked over his perfect figure and small fragments of memory from earlier in the night floated up.

Trent had introduced me to several of his team mates on the swim team, some of them were seniors and a couple were already showing signs of what Trent called 'degeneration'.

I recalled one of his friends who was walking around barefoot as his feet had begun to stretch and thin into a pair of flippers and his eyes were larger than the average humans, leading me to believe he may be turning into multiple items, maybe a snorkelling mask, which apparently was not unheard of.

But what shocked me was how Trent and his friends had been happy and embraced his team mates degeneration, despite knowing he would be going through it in another year or so.

It left me feeling strange, and oddly curious.

Tearing my eyes away from my roommate, I stepped over my unpacked bags and into the small shower room we shared, flicking on the light I stared into the mirror.

The nights events were evident on my clothes, my shirt sticking to my chubby figure from a mixture of sweat and booze that had spilt throughout the night.

I struggled to pull it over my head until finally with a grunt and a wet slap it fell to the floor.

My eyes returned to the mirror, looking over my chubby half naked figure, letting out a long and depressed sigh.

"To have a body like Trent...man that would be a dream" I whispered to myself as I hefted my hanging belly in my hands.

Even if he only had a year left before he changes may begin, Trent had led a happy tenure at the university and he and his teammates seemed to be enjoying it to the max.

My mind cast back earlier to what Trent had said about his fate, he would indeed be part of the sport forever and at the same time he was also free of human commitments and worries, depending on what he became at the end of the program.

I looked at myself in the mirror again and my mind went to my employer and my future prospects once I had completed these courses.

Would I work another near decade before being let go again? What was the prospect of advancement in the business?

Would I be happy in the business?

There were no guarantees and with the world in the state that it was like now, there was no guarantee of a future would be bright.

But if I was an object...

My mind trailed off for a moment, but new thoughts were beginning to form.

I looked down at my belly again before looking through the door into the dorm room and seeing Trent's snoring silhouette by the window.

I pondered for a moment and a single question rose in my head.

"What would I become?"

As soon as I pondered it, I immediately shook my head, which was a serious mistake.

Gripping the sink hard to prevent the sudden rush of dizziness from knocking me flat on my back. Stabilizing myself, I began to consider the question I had pondered.

The prospect of becoming an inanimate piece of sporting equipment was scary, but at the same time it would free me, even if I would become helpless by the end of it.

"Would they even accept me" I muttered aloud, uncertainty plaguing my mind.

Looking again out at my roommate, watching his chest rise and fall with each long snore.

The hypnotic movements seemed to offer me a small degree of clarity.

"I want that" I mumbled, "even if it's only for a short time".

It was then that my resolve was set.

I would speak to Trent tomorrow and see if he could introduce who would consider me for the Jock program.

"You sure you wanna do this bro?"

Trent had looked shocked when I told him what I planned to do and had decided to come along with me as I went to plead my case.

He seemed to be a mixture of anticipation, incredulity and curiosity as we walked across the quad that was bathed in the late summer sun.

"Well...I'm not even sure if they'll accept me for one" I responded, my mind in a state of nervous flux, "But if they do, I want what you have, body and all...even if I'm just an object by the end of it"

I looked at Trent and he seemed to understand my resolve.

"Yeah Bro, I get it" he smiled, "kinda was how I was when I signed up for the program, just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting yourself in for"

I smiled back at him and patted his shoulder.

"Well let's see if I can even get in, I mean I am a mature student so I'm a bit out of the varsity categories"

He nodded and we both continued into the University Administration building where I had the meeting that would determine my suitability for the Jock program.

"Hello Mr Fulham, thank you for coming in today and Mr Abercrombie, I'm glad to see the program is treating you well"

A very stern woman dressed in a suit, large glasses and hair tied up into a tight bun had received us when we arrived. Trent had smiled at her as they entered but now he tapped his foot sheepishly as he tried to avoid the eyes of the second member of the room.

A large heavily muscled man dressed in a tight fitting black shirt, a pair of tight fitting knee length swim shorts and sandals was stood by the office window and was looking at Trent rather sternly.

Trent's voice seemed to fail him and he merely nodded in response to the woman, who turned her attention onto me.

"My name is Mrs Ellory" the woman continued, shifting the papers in front of her, "I will be overseeing your application for the jock program, Coach Anderson is also here as a representative of the sporting department to add his opinion."

The man standing at the window gave a small nod, his eyes still fixed on me.

A small silence lingered awkwardly for a moment.

"So, Mr Fulham" Mrs Ellory chirped up, "You wish to join the jock program, I assume your decision may have been influenced by Mr Abercrombie, a current Junior in the program"

Trent shifted audibly behind next to me.

"It was actually a surprise to me too Miss" he mumbled awkwardly, the Coach's gaze falling on him again and he fell silent.

"I...errr..." I stuttered, trying not to look at the man at the window, "Yeah...I wanna join the Jock program, I was talking to Trent about it all and I met a few of his friends in the program and....well I wanna join for the benefits...even if...I...I..."

"Become an inanimate piece of equipment at the end of it" Mrs Ellory finished succinctly, staring at me with a calculating look, her eyes moving down to a file in front of her which I now realise was my student file.

"I will admit Mr Fulham" she continued, "under normal circumstances, your application would not be considered as our candidates are selected prior to the beginning of the year."

I felt my stomach drop a little.

"That being said, we haven't had a mature student ever apply for the program before" Mrs Ellory continued.

"And we've never needed one too!"

We all turned to look at Coach Anderson whose deep voice had ploughed through Mrs Ellory's monologue, his eyes were fixed on me, and he had a disapproving look on his face.

Letting out a sigh, the coach stood and made his way behind the desk.

"The Jock program was designed for testing on college students who could participate in Varsity events, like Trent" the Coach continued, staring down at me as he gestured to my roommate.

"As a mature student however, even if you take the serum, you'll still be beyond the age that Varsity permits, so why would we need a mature student?"

Mrs Ellory looked up at the Coach and gave him a cold look

"Because, Coach Anderson" she said in a sharp tone, "We are a research university, and when the opportunity presents itself to further the research we should take that opportunity."

Coach Anderson scoffed and turned away.

"And as Mr Fulham is willingly providing his participation" Mrs Ellory continued, "I have been permitted to say that your application is under serious consideration, provided of course that you sign these"

She pushed a folder towards me.

"This is the agreement in principle, it will outline the initial agreement for the Jock program, once your application has been fully processed, we will add in any amendments before the serum is administered"

Picking up the folder and opening it, I glanced at the heavily worded contract and realised that my course would probably help me understand this.

"How long will the process take?" I asked cautiously, trying not to meet the coach's eye.

"About a week" Mrs Ellory replied, "I will make sure to call you the moment we have made a decision and in the meantime..."

She looked over her shoulder at Coach Anderson who rolled his eyes.

"In the meantime, I want you to spend some time with me and the Swim team" the Coach finished, "That will be the team you'll be joining"

I looked at him stunned and out of the corner of my eye I saw Trent do the same.

"W...Why the Swim Team?" I asked,

Mrs Ellory stood up, gathering her papers up.

"Because Mr Fulham, it's the only team with a free placement for this year's program" she replied, placing the papers into a case.

"I trust this won't be an issue?"

My eyes roamed between Mrs Ellory and Coach Anderson who had turned back to face me, his arms crossed and looking sour.

"No, no problem" I replied, my voice a little higher than normal.

"Good" the Coach grunted, "Well then I expect you at the university pool tonight at five, I'm sure Abercrombie will show you where to go, won't you?"

"Yes Coach" Trent replied, "We'll be there"

"Good, see you both then and don't be late"

The Coach marched around the desk and left the office without another word.

Mrs Ellory sighed and closed her case with a snap.

"Well, I wish you luck Mr Fulham" she said giving a small smile, "Please look over those papers and sign them and I will be in touch as soon as I know, good day to you both".

She moved to the door and held it open as both me and Trent rose.

"Thank you, Mrs Ellory," I smiled and walked out, followed quickly by Trent.

"Dude I can't believe you're in" Trent cried in jubilation the moment we had left the administration building and out into the mid-morning light.

"I might be in" I corrected, breathing freely again for the first time since we left the office, "Is the coach really that hard up?"

"Coach Anderson?" Trent smiled, clapping a hand on my shoulder, "Yeah he's a bit of a hard ass, but he's a great coach and he's always got our back when we need it."

Giving me a sympathetic look as he could see I wasn't convinced, I looked down at the wad of papers in my hand and sighed.

"He just needs to warm to you" he said, rubbing my shoulder, "You'll see"

He clapped me on the back and wheeled me around.

"Hey" I cried, letting myself get steered away from the dorms, "Where are we going?"

"Well if you're gonna be on the team bro" Trent smiled, guiding me across the quad, "you may as well see where we practice and meet some of the team, I know some of the bro's like to stick around the pool."

"Err OK" I said uneasily, "What about the coach, I don't think he'll be happy to see me so soon"

Trent rolled his eyes.

"The coach is like that with everyone" he continued as we left the quad, "Don't worry just don't get in his way and you'll be fine, anyway its best I show you around now when it's gonna be quiet"

Sighing deeply, I allowed myself to be steered away, through the campus.

The scent of chlorine was rich in my nostrils as I emerged out onto the edge of the large school pool, the deep blue water of which was churning in the wake of the several men who were swimming lengths with incredible speed.

"Welcome to the university swim centre bro!" Trent smiled, slapping my shoulder.

I was trying to avert my eyes and not blush as Trent had decided on arrival to get in some practice time and was now standing next to me wearing only a pair of blue speedos stamped with a black university logo and a large towel slung over his shoulder, his muscled body on display for all to see and it was clear from the smile on his face that he liked to show off.

I meanwhile was standing barefoot on the tiles wearing a pair of large swim shorts the receptionist had given me and a t-shirt covering my less than athletic chest.

"Yeah, it looks great" I said shyly, still looking anywhere but at my near naked roommate.

Gazing around, I saw a small group of men gathered at the far end of the pool, all dressed like Trent except for one man who looked older and appeared to be wearing a black and blue wetsuit and a pair of knee length shorts.

"C'mon bro lets introduce ya" Trent chuckled and dragged me forwards.

The members of the team all looked around as we approached, a lot of them giving me dark looks.

I felt a blush form in my cheeks as the man in the wetsuit turned, looking up from the clipboard he was holding.

"Yo Trent" the man smiled, "Didn't expect to see you till later, and who's this?"

I looked up at the man and noticed now that he appeared older than the rest of the gathered men, actually closer to my own age, mid to late twenties at most.

His hair was shoulder length and blonde, giving him a strong surfer look which paired with his toned muscular body that was being hugged so tightly by the wetsuit that I could even see his abs.

"I'm...errr...Eric" I mumbled, the blush getting stronger as took the man's proffered hand.

The man's face suddenly brightened and he let out a laugh.

"Ohhh you're the supposed new member" he cried merrily, shaking my hand, "the coach had a word or two to say about you!"

I felt a rush of embarrassment and anger flood through me at these words.

"I bet" I grumbled as Trent looked uncomfortable for a moment.

The man however seemed to take merriment in the coach's folly.

"No offence intended dude" he smiled at me, "I'm Ambrose, the assistant coach for the swim team, nice to meet ya and I hope you get in, we can use more jocks on the program"

I raised an eyebrow and gazed at the other members who were now looking at me with curiosity.

"I hope I do too" I smiled back, "I'll do my best if I get on the team"

"That's the right attitude there bro" Ambrose cheered, "you guys could use that enthusiasm"

The other boys rolled their eyes and let out similar exasperated comments.

"Yeah, whatever bro"

"I got plenty of drive"

"We gonna swim or what?"

Trent suddenly began to stretch, apparently eager to dive into the pool.

"Ok bro, I'm gonna do a couple of laps and then I'll show you around"

Bending over and grabbing his ankles to stretch his back, I marvelled at Trent's flexibility before I noticed Ambrose edge his way behind him and place his bare foot against Trent's ass.

"WOAAAHHH!"

Trent let out a cry before he fell head first into the pool with a loud splash, emerging spluttering and treading water.

"WHAT THE HELL BRO!" he yelled angrily at Ambrose as the rest of the team howled and rolled around with laughter and even I struggled to hold in my mirth when Trent's eye fell on me.

"You wanna do laps Trent" Ambrose grinned, kneeling at the pool edge, "Then you can practice with the rest, I'll show the newbie around"

"But..but I" Trent stuttered before he was doused in a wave as the other team members dived into the pool behind him.

"Get to it Abercrombie!" Ambrose yelled in an authoritative tone, "Fifty Laps, NOW!"

Trent gave me a meaningful look before sighing and flipping around in the water, planting his feet on the pool wall and then pushing himself off into the lanes, surfacing and performing a perfect front crawl.

Watching from the side I was amazed by his speed, his smooth body gliding through the water like a fish and before I knew it, he had already reached the other end of the pool and was now striking his way back through the water.

"He's quick ain't he bro" Ambrose smirked.

"Yeah" I grinned, turning to the assistant coach who was holding a stopwatch.

"If he keeps going the way he is he'll clean up at the Varsity Freestyle this year" Ambrose said cheerily, making a note on his clipboard before turning to me.

"Right let's get this tour on the way, we should be done by the time they're finished"

I nodded and followed the assistant coach back around the pool.

The tour, as he had said, was quick.

He showed me around the locker room again, pointing out the showers and leading me into a storage room that was oddly empty except for a few a few large pool noodles and foam boards.

"I guess the swim team doesn't really need much equipment" I said as Ambrose closed the store room door.

"Nah not really" he replied turning to face me, "but then again most of the team just uses their former team mates"

I looked around at him, an odd sense of foreboding filling me.

"Use their teammates?" I asked confusedly.

Ambrose raised an eyebrow at me.

"Yeah, you know, previous participants in the jock program"

Ambrose chuckled at the shocked look I suddenly gave him.

"What did you think we didn't put our old bro's to use?" he asked, "most of our team speedo's are old teammates"

I blushed, feeling a throb in my shorts at the prospect of wearing an old teammate.

Ambrose seemed to sense my arousal and grinned.

"Hah, you like that idea do you bro" he laughed, sitting on one of the locker room benches, "Maybe you'll get a chance to wear me some day."

I blinked, processing what Ambrose just said.

"Wait...WHAT!" I gasped, staring in amazement at the assistant coach who began laughing loudly.

"Ya mean you never noticed bro?" he gasped amid his laughter, "Here look!"

Standing up, Ambrose dropped the shorts he was wearing over the wetsuit, and I let out a loud gasp.

I had noticed earlier that the wetsuit hugged his toned figure, but now that he dropped his shorts it was all he was wearing, and it perfectly outlined each muscle including a perfectly formed cock and balls.

Them it hit me.

"You...you're becoming a wetsuit!" I cried in absolute shock.

Ambrose chuckled and groped his black dick and balls, proving that they weren't merely hidden by the neoprene.

"Yeah bro" he smiled, a slight blush entering his cheeks, "I'm gonna be wrapped around some dudes naked body someday"

My eyes however were fixed on his groin as the fabric on his cock stretched as he grew erect, my own face now beet red.

"Is it...err...is your skin?" I tried to ask, stuttering in my embarrassment.

"Neoprene?" Ambrose finished, "Yeah bro, everywhere except for my head, hands and feet"

He turned on the spot, showing off his body and flexing and as I looked at his back, I saw the zip that ran from the back of his neck down to above his bubbled ass.

He turned back to face me, his cock now erect and standing out a good seven inches from his body.

"Wanna have a feel bro?" he asked cheekily, placing his hands on his hips and gently thrusting to let it bounce for me.

My blush deepened, if possible, even further as my hand twitched, eager to take up the offer.

"What would it feel like?" I thought madly, breathing deeply as an obvious bulge now formed in my own shorts.

Ambrose smirked, "Go on Bro! I don't mind"

I took a step forwards, my breathing frantic as my hand moved forwards, reaching towards the bouncing black cock.

BANG!

Both of us jumped and wheeled around, staring at the door to the pool which had flown open and now revealed Coach Anderson.

His eyes fell on the two of us and his eyes flashed as Ambrose suddenly dived and pulled up his shorts, looking extremely sheepish.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!" He yelled angrily, storming forwards and looking between me Ambrose.

"Hey Coach" Ambrose whimpered innocently, "I was just showing the potential newbie around"

"AROUND WHAT, YOUR ASS!" the Coach bellowed, his hands balled into fists, "GET BACK OUT THERE AND SEE TO THE TEAM!"

"Yes Sir!" Ambrose responded with a mini salute and dashing towards the door, turning back to smile at me.

"See you round Eric! I hope you join us!"

"OUT!" Coach Anderson yelled and Ambrose shot through the door, leaving me alone with the angry Coach.

He turned to look at me, his eyes just as they were in the office.

"I thought I told you to come at five" he growled, his fierce eyes staring into mine.

"Err..." I stammered, "Trent wanted me to...to get more acquainted with the team"

The Coach's eyes narrowed.

"Yeah, I could tell you were getting really acquainted with Ambrose" he said with a sneer.

The blush rushed back into my cheeks.

"I'm sorry!" I gasped, "I wasn't like that, he was just....just"

"Just egging you on" the Coach finished with a sigh, shaking his head, "the bloody idiot is like that"

He stared at me as I sat down on one of the benches and put my face in my hands.

"I...I'll go" I muttered, feeling the shame beginning to fill me.

I heard the groaning of the bench and looked up to see the coach sitting down next to me.

"Look Fulham, I don't like this situation" the Coach grunted, "But if you're serious about joining this program, there's something you have to see."

Coach Anderson led me out of the Swim Hall and across to another one of the school's sports buildings, passing through a sports hall where several gymnastics students were doing warm ups on pommel horses.

Leading me through a side door, we emerged into a dark corridor, heading towards a pair of large black doors.

My anxiety about what he was about to show me was further raised when he opened the door using a fingerprint scanner.

"Err...where are we Coach?" I asked cautiously as the Coach pushed the door open.

"Your final destination" he responded, flicking on the lights.

I blinked at the dazzling light before looking around and my mouth fell open.

I was standing at the entrance of what appeared to be an enormous equipment shed, with pieces of equipment from every sport lining the walls in frames or on racks.

"Wha...what is this?" I gasped staring around at the menagerie of sportswear.

The coach closed the door and leaned against the wall.

"This is the store room where we keep the former participants of the Jock Program" he replied coolly, "those that haven't been claimed or bequeathed to others anyway or became something too big to store."

My eyes widened as I suddenly realised the meaning in the coaches words, my eyes moving across the frames and racks.

"So...so many" I stammered.

"That's right Fulham" Coach Anderson continued, watching me move along the racks, "If you join the Program, its highly likely you'll end up here at some point."

I moved along the nearest rack and my eyes fell on a hanger containing a red jersey and white football slacks with a pair of football boots tied by their laces to the bottom of the long hanger.

I noticed that each piece of equipment had been stamped with the university logo and the image of a mans torso performing a flex.

"We use that stamp to ensure our boys don't get lost or accidently donated" the Coach added following my gaze, "Every charity and shelter in the state are aware of this and thankfully we've never lost a boy yet but there's been a few close calls"

A rush of cold dread filled me at the thought of being thrown away like trash or donated to a charity shop and sitting there, not knowing who would take me.

Shaking my head, I returned my attention to the hanger and spotted a tag at its top, the writing was small and I had to squint to read it.

"David Pine" I muttered, hearing the coach move up behind me.

"Yeah, from the football team" he said sarcastically, "he's been here for three years now, and he mentored that football over there, he turned two years ago"

He gestured to a shelf above the rack containing a series of footballs and pointed out the one labelled: Connor Chavis.

"It was thanks to that one's year group that Ambrose is with us now" Coach Anderson continued, leading me further in as the equipment moved from Football to Wrestling where large spandex singlets replaced the jerseys.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

Coach Anderson turned to look at me, a look of surprise on his face

"Ambrose is one of the few members of the Jock Program to graduate from the university, him and few others of the program last year" he explained, "Chavis's year group exposed some mutations in the Jock serum which helped stabilise it to a degree."

I nodded, finally understanding why Ambrose looked older than the other students.

"But it doesn't stop the degeneration?" I asked, a hint of hope in my voice.

Coach Anderson shook his head.

"No, not entirely" he sighed, "and it comes with some drawbacks too, but the research teams believe it's a breakthrough to creating a completely stable formula and also a cure for everyone in here"

He gestured around at the racks.

I followed his gaze, finally seeing just how many men were here in this room with them.

"Until that cure's created however" the Coach continued, "these boys will remain here until they are needed for their respective sports."

He gestured around at the shelves and racks before looking me straight in the eye.

"So you see Fulham, are you prepared for this?" he asked, "to be put on a shelf until needed and then replaced when no longer needed?"

It was then that the impact of what the Coach was trying to do hit me and my mind went to Ambrose and to Trent.

How happy they looked, Ambrose especially despite his advanced stage of degeneration and he weighed the consequences in his mind.

I stared back at the Coach.

"Do you have a pen coach?" I asked.

Coach Anderson look confused before handing me a pen from his pocket.

I sat on a bench, my eyes catching sight of the stamp and a name tag as I placed my papers down and signed my name on the dotted line.

Standing up, I held out the papers to the Coach who looked momentarily stunned.

"Does that answer your question Coach?" I responded with all the defiance I could muster.

He looked at the papers as he took them and saw my signature and then he looked at me.

For the first time, he smiled at me.

"CLASS DISMISSED!"

With a long sigh, I began to gather my books and packed away my notes from a particularly gruelling lecture on business law before joining the throng of students leaving the lecture hall for the freedom of the quad.

I stretched my back, my muscles aching from sitting in the same position for two hours and also from the harsh workouts that Coach Anderson had been making me join with the other members of the Swim Team.

The last week had been intense, and I still hadn't heard from Mrs Ellory, I was actually beginning to give up hope on my application being approved but I was happy to actually get the chance to properly exercise for the first time years and the Coach was not merciful in his exercises.

Yawning to myself, I began to make my way towards the cafeteria to grab some lunch when a sudden yell caught my attention.

"BRO! YO ERIC!"

Turning around I saw Trent running full pelt across the field towards me, something clutched tight in his hand.

He skidded to a halt next to me and doubled over, panting hard and gasping for breath.

"Trent, what the hell?" I asked, patting his back as he gulped for air.

It took a few moments for him to regain his composure and stand up but when he did, he was grinning.

"I was looking for ya bro" he cheered, holding out a large envelope, "This just arrived for you from Administration!"

My heart suddenly skipped a beat, and a rush of anticipation filled me as I took the letter from Trent.

"Go on Bro! Open it!" Trent encouraged, patting my shoulder.

"OK, OK" I smiled, tearing the envelope open and unfolding the letter inside, "It's been over a week I was beginning to wonder."

I fell silent, my eyes whizzing across the page while Trent seemed to bounce on his toes, impatient for the result.

"Bro? What's it say?" he asked eagerly, "Are you in?"

I lowered the letter and sighed before looking up and smiling at my roommate.

"I'm In"