The door to their newest home-away-from-home had barely opened when the five year old burst through, feet pitter-pattering as he sprinted from room to room, window to window.
“There’s trees here! … There’s trees here! … This one has trees!” his voice could be heard trailing off in assorted directions as he darted around.
“There’s trees in this one too!” the blond beamed as he stuck his face against the glass. Deep blue eyes seemed to sparkle as he took in the scenery just outside.
There were luscious shades of greens and blues from the abundance of trees and water and assorted plant life that surrounded their dwelling in every direction.
The boy’s parents couldn’t help but chuckle at his excitement. Not every child would appreciate the beautiful locale of Lumumba, Africa. Many would likely complain about being dragged outdoors and away from their toys. Garfield Logan was not one of those children.
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While Garfield had been cowering in fear moments before, fingernails digging into the bark of the tree branch he was crouched upon, knuckles turning white from the tightness of his grip, with a pounding heart and quick shallow breaths, something in him had ignited. It was something primal, something that emanated from his very core and poured into his veins, surging through every fiber of his being.
His mother was in danger.
Deep green eyes snapped open, pupils shrinking as he felt his legs launching him from his perch and towards the ground.
Upon landing, he was no longer a human child, but a mongoose.
It had happened in an instant, but he still felt every motion his body went through; bones reshaping and organs slipping into new positions as fur and whiskers sprouted from beneath his skin. There was no pain, merely a surge of heat throughout his whole form.
This heat burned hotter within him as his four paws carried him out of his clothes to rapidly circle the black mamba threatening his mother.