Genetic Broken Uprising

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| Unexpected company |
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A wet substance nudged at Boom's cheek, and a soft groan escaped his lips as his face scrunched in confusion. His body felt heavy, as though he'd been sleeping for hours, and he struggled to open his eyes. Slowly, his lashes fluttered as he blinked at the dim glow of the ceiling above him.

Where was he?

He turned his head slightly, feeling something soft and warm against his skin. His gaze drifted to the source of light in the otherwise shadowy room—a fireplace crackling with lively flames, casting an amber glow across the walls. The flickering fire was the only illumination in the space, its warm light playing off the rustic decor of the room. Boom could hear the crackling wood, the soft pop and hiss as it burned, creating a soothing ambiance.

His thoughts were still muddled as he tried to process where he was. Was this a living room? A cabin? The furniture was sparse, but there was a sense of comfort in the simplicity. Everything felt inviting—the soft blue blanket draped over him, the warmth that enveloped him like a protective cocoon.

Boom blinked again, trying to shake off the grogginess that clung to him like a heavy fog. The more he stirred, the sharper the ache in his head became, a dull throb at first, then a stabbing pain that pulsed behind his eyes. He winced, bringing a hand to his temple, gently massaging as if it could chase away the pressure building there.

What the hell happened?

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to dig through the haze of his memory, but it was like grasping at smoke—elusive and fading. Vague images flickered through his mind—flashes of movement, scattered voices, the sensation of cold air biting at his skin. He could almost remember... something. But the harder he tried to focus, the more the pounding in his head intensified, clouding his thoughts like a relentless storm.

Boom groaned softly and lowered his hand, feeling the weight of exhaustion in his bones. His mind was a jumbled mess, but one thought broke through the fog with startling clarity.

His brothers.

Where were they?

Panic stirred in his chest as his heart quickened. His thoughts raced—had they been with him before?

A sudden shift beneath Boom's head startled him, and his eyes flew wide open, shock coursing through his veins. His brow furrowed in confusion, heart racing in his chest. What was that?

The soft cushion he'd been resting on seemed to move, and for a moment, he lay frozen, staring up at the ceiling in disbelief. His breath came out in a shaky rush as he hesitantly raised his hands above his head, expecting the familiar plushness of a pillow.

But instead of fabric, his fingers sunk into something... soft and warm. Fur?

Boom's breath hitched, and his fingers tensed as they ran through the silky, long strands of what could only be fur. His heart stuttered in his chest as he slowly, cautiously, wove his fingers through the thick, velvety texture. The fur was soft, almost luxurious, like it belonged to a creature of size and stature. Boom's pulse quickened as his mind raced—was it an animal? Was he lying on something... alive?

Swallowing hard, Boom slowly brought his trembling hands down to his sides, his chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. Every nerve in his body screamed at him to move, to get away from whatever strange creature he had unknowingly used as a pillow.

With the firelight casting a flickering glow over the room, his muscles tensed as he gingerly shifted his body, trying to slide away without drawing attention.