Test out the Remote

Seth sat on the edge of his bed, the apartment silent now that Lina had left, his mind replaying the chaos of the day—from the clinic to Lina's transformed intensity, and then Rita's unexpected shift. His hand slipped into his pocket absently, fingers closing around the remote again, the small device cool and unassuming against his palm.

What else can this thing do? he wondered, turning it over in his hand, the unmarked buttons staring back blankly.

People were one thing, but objects? Worth a shot—better to experiment on something harmless before anything got out of hand.

His gaze landed on the spare shoes by the closet door, a beat-up pair of generic sneakers he'd bought on sale years ago, soles worn thin from campus treks, laces frayed at the ends.

He pointed the remote at them, focusing his thoughts: Make them brand new, like top-of-the-line custom designer sneakers—fancy materials, perfect fit.

He pressed the button, half-expecting nothing.

The air around the shoes wavered slightly, and they began to change—the scuffed rubber soles thickened and reshaped into high-end cushioning with intricate tread patterns, the faded fabric upper transforming into premium leather and mesh in sleek black and gold accents, logos embossed subtly on the sides from some exclusive brand he'd seen hyped online. Laces turned crisp and self-tying, the whole pair gleaming like they'd just come out of a boutique box, customized to his exact foot size with ergonomic insoles that promised ultimate comfort.

Seth picked them up, turning one over in his hands, the irony hitting him hard—he burst out laughing, the sound echoing in the empty room. Designer sneakers? He always thought they were ridiculous, overpriced status symbols for people with more money than sense, yet here he was holding a pair that probably cost more than his monthly rent. "Stupid as hell," he muttered, shaking his head, but slipped them on anyway—the fit hugged his feet perfectly, light and supportive, like walking on air. The remote worked on objects too. No limits.

Emboldened, he scanned the room, pointing the remote at his rickety desk next, the one with wobbly legs and chipped wood from too many late-night study sessions.

Upgrade it—solid oak, modern design, built-in organizers.

Click. The desk steadied instantly, legs thickening into sturdy posts, surface expanding and smoothing into polished hardwood with drawers that slid out silently, stocked with dividers for papers and pens he didn't even own yet.

Next came the sagging couch, fabric stained from spilled drinks—Turn it into a plush sectional, leather, with recliners.

The material shifted under the shimmer, stretching and darkening into soft black leather, cushions plumping up as the frame extended into an L-shape, footrests popping out at the ends. He tested it, sinking in—the support cradled his back perfectly, no more lumps.

The old TV on a wobbly stand caught his eye—Big flat-screen, smart features, wall-mounted.

It grew in size, bezels thinning to near-invisible edges, the stand vanishing as brackets appeared on the wall behind it, cables routing themselves neatly. He flicked it on with the remote that materialized in his hand—crystal-clear picture, apps loading instantly.

Seth aimed the remote at the rickety kitchen table, its surface scarred from years of takeout containers and spilled coffee, legs wobbling under the slightest touch. He pressed the button, envisioning a sleek upgrade, and watched the wood darken and smooth into polished granite, cool and veined with grey streaks that gleamed under the overhead light. The mismatched stools around it reshaped into four sturdy chairs with cushioned seats and high backs, upholstered in soft grey fabric that matched the tabletop perfectly, each one sliding into place with a satisfying click against the floor.

Next, he turned to the fridge, an old white model humming loudly with dents along the door from careless bumps. Click—the exterior shifted to brushed stainless steel, doors doubling into French-style openings that swung wide to reveal organized shelves inside, suddenly stocked with rows of fresh produce: crisp apples in the crisper, cartons of milk on the door racks, packages of cheese and deli meats in the drawers—all items that hadn't existed moments ago, chilling quietly as if they'd always been there.

Even the dingy carpet caught his eye, stained and threadbare from foot traffic, fibres matted down in high-traffic spots. He pointed and clicked, the fabric rippling upward as it hardened into rich hardwood planks, dark oak grains running smooth and even across the room, edges sealing seamlessly at the walls. Plush area rugs materialized beneath key spots—one under the new kitchen table in a neutral weave, another in the living area with subtle patterns that tied the space together, their fibres soft underfoot when he tested them with a step.

Walls followed suit, their faded beige peeling in corners from moisture damage—he focused the remote, and fresh coats of light grey paint rolled on invisibly, drying instantly to a matte finish that brightened the entire room without glare. Overhead lights buzzed once before transforming, bulbs recessing into the ceiling as sleek LED fixtures, emitting a soft, warm glow that cast even illumination across counters and floors, banishing the old shadows in the corners.

Finally, in the bathroom, the small mirror above the sink—cracked at one edge and fogged from age—expanded outward, frame widening into a full vanity setup with integrated lighting strips that flicked on automatically, reflecting a crystal-clear image back at him. Drawers appeared below the sink, stocked with toiletries he recognized from his routine, and the countertop stretched into marble with double basins, faucets upgrading to touchless models that responded to a wave of his hand.

By the time he finished, the apartment looked nothing like the cramped student dump it had been—spacious, modern, everything high-end and functional, like something out of a catalog. Seth flopped onto the new couch, remote in hand, a grin spreading across his face.