KILL ALL KAIJU

Danika let out a breath as she closed her eyes and counted down internally. Three… Two… One… Snapping open her eyes all at once and flashing her brightest smile she tried again.

“Danika Danvers here in Fairview Tennessee investigating the recent rumors that have been spreading through the countryside like the wildfire that authorities got under control so quickly just a few days ago. A harrowing report from a late night employee at the local Garden Olive has caught people’s imaginations and just isn’t letting go. I’m here with my crew from Channel Seven to…”

Danika tried to keep up her carefully practiced “I want to be here face” but as she reached the next part of her prepped spiel her smile cracked like the mirror she was staring into across from the filthy gas station sink.

“I’m here with my crew from Channel Seven…” She began before heaving a massive sigh, finally putting her hand down that was holding an imaginary microphone as she leaned on the sink for support. Her long brown hair cascading around her face as she kept going. “…To go to a small town nobody cares about and talk to the locals about a monster that doesn’t exist. Sorry, almost got my facts wrong there. A dragon that doesn’t exist. So I can look stupid standing in front of dumpsters it’s scrounged through so my boss has a segment he can play as a pallet cleanser after all the important news has aired.”

Shaking her head and trying to convince herself that her career wasn’t currently in the gutter Danika left the gas station bathroom, very carefully avoiding the mystery stain on the floor as she found her “crew”.

“Mack, how much longer till we get to the motel? We've been driving all day.” Danika asked.

Danika’s one and only camera man pulled out his phone to check the GPS again, a small shock of hair peeking out under the reversed baseball cap he wore on his head at all times. “Maybe ten, fifteen minutes out give or take.” He said stoically.

“We couldn’t have stopped at the motel instead?” Danika asked. Now sounding pained as she joined her camera man to stalk the aisles of the small gas station.

“Gotta resupply.” Mack said simply. Poaching a bag of gummy bears off a shelf, without even a second’s hesitation. “Besides, if I don’t keep the van topped up on gas Chester is gonna have a hissy fit when we get back.”

“Ugh, this whole trip bites.” Danika said annoyed. “Just another wild goose chase for the network to have something to air when nobody’s watching. Aren’t you getting sick of reporting on news like this all the time Mack?”

“Not really.” Mack said honestly. Sniping the last bag of chips on a shelf that was hidden behind other, less important flavors of chips.

“Come on Mack.” Danika said pleadingly. “Don’t you want to report on the big time stuff? Travel the world covering the news that really matters?”

“That’s your thing D. Not everybody wants to be the new hotness.”

“Okay.” Danika said trying a different approach. “But don’t you have something that drives you Mack? That makes you want to reach for the stars? What part of the job helps you get out of bed in the morning?”

“My paycheck.” Mack instantly replied.

“Besides that Mack. What do you dream about accomplishing in your life? What’s more valuable to you than a paycheck?”

“Receiving my paycheck.” Mack said in the exact same tone as before.

“Don’t start with me Mack. I’m asking you what gives your life meaning?” Danika said, stretching out the final word.

Mack turned to Danika, arms full of unhealthy snack options and took a moment to ponder before answering. His response clearly coming from a deep and very heartfelt place.

“Spending my paycheck.”

“Ugh!” Danika said throwing her hands up in defeat. “You’re hopeless!”

Mack stared at his colleague with a single raised eyebrow. “Is it that obvious?”

“Don’t be a downer Mack.” Danika said making her way over to the drinks section and peering through the glass door to search for a drink. In the reflection in the glass, Danika saw Mack chuckle to himself as he looked over the drinks as well. “What?”

“Huh? Oh its nothing.” Mack said. But unfortunately for him Danika was relentless in pursuing any piece of information. Important or not.

“What were you chuckling about?”

“It’s nothing really. Just thinking about something the boss told me when I transferred over to the station a few months back.”

“What did he say?” Danika pressed.

“He basically gave me a warning about working with you.” Mack said sheepishly. “Glad I didn’t listen to it if that makes you feel better.”

“What? I mean, thanks Mack it does. But what did he say about me?” Danika asked perplexed. “I’ve always gotten to the heart of every story I’ve gone after. I never caused any problems.”

“Well…” Mack began. Stalling for time as he chose his words. “It wasn’t anything crazy. He was just telling me that working with you in the field would be a hassle.”

“In what way? I never heard about this.” Danika said a little heated.

“Because I didn’t tell you and you never asked.”

“What did he say after that?”

“Eh, when he was describing you the term ‘Delusions of Grandeur’ came up.” Mack paused before continuing. “I think he said that a few times actually. He also said that if I wanted to go anywhere in my career I should try to get on camera duty for Suzy’s morning show.”

Danika made a disgusted noise, as she physically recoiled. “Do yourself a favor Mack, if you ever get a chance to work on Sunshine Suzy’s morning show. Don’t do it. You’ll thank me later.”

“I’m sensing a bit of a rivalry there.” Mack said jokingly.

“Rivalry? No, no, no, no. No way.” Danika said with conviction. “We’re enemies. Straight up.”

“Enemies.” Mack said flatly with raised brows. “I’d heard you had a bit of beef around the station but don’t you think it’s bad form to get on the bad side of the network’s poster girl?”

“Bad side? Mack just listen alright. I know she may put up a pretty face but underneath that perfect skin and blonde locks is a stone cold viper.” Danika said pointedly. Making a hand wave in front of her as if she were imitating a snake about to strike. “She’ll act all smiles and goody goody until she finds a moment of weakness where you’re vulnerable…” She continued waving her “viper” in the air menacingly. “Then she goes in for the kill!” Danika said. Her imaginary viper poking Mack where his heart would be.

Mack for his part, looked like he was struggling to find the right words to respond to Danika as he stared down at the hand poking his chest. “Were you ah… gonna get anything?” Mack questioned. Looking over to the drinks Danika had been pouring over leadingly.

“Oh right.” Danika said. Popping open the glass door and immediately grabbing an energy drink even though it was after midnight.

“You really gonna take that? Or do you not plan on sleeping tonight?”

“It’s for tomorrow.” Danika said defensively. “The motel probably has shit coffee.”

“Okay, but you know how much caffeine is in those things right?” Mack said concerned, adjusting his arm holding all his candy and sweets.

Frowning Danika turned over the can to read the contents before grimacing. “Ew. A hundred and fifty milligrams of caffeine?”

Mack smiled for a moment as he saw Danika take his advice, hypocritical as it was. It was nice to be listened to-

“Better double up for tomorrow.” Danika said grabbing a second energy drink to add to her first. “Thanks for warning me Mack.”

“I didn’t…” Mack started before letting his words trail off as he watched Danika make her way to the front counter, sighing as he followed after her.

At the counter was a squat middle aged man, clearly bored and not wearing a large enough shirt to hide his protruding pot belly. He swiped Danika’s energy drinks with little fanfare. It was only when Mack spilled his small avalanche of treats that the man looked truly pained as he went through the process of finding each candy’s barcode to scan. Danika hid an amused smile at the sight as she looked around the store again as she waited. It was definitely on the smaller side for a gas station. With none of the niceties she’d come to expect like nice warm sandwiches ready to buy or made to order specialty drinks. There were only three standing aisles in the whole store, and the wall of glass that looked out onto the pumps was covered in so many advertisements you could barely see the gas pumps.

She saw a shadow flicker past the glass, easily the size of a car. Somewhere behind a large and colorful advert for cigarettes of all things. Hadn’t those been outlawed years ago? But before she could question if the shape were a passing car or not Danika returned her gaze to the counter as Mack finished his order.

“Do you have a bag?” Mack asked politely.

“No.” The store clerk said flatly.

Not a store clerk then. Danika deduced. Reassessing the man. The terrible dress code? The pot belly? Combined with that terrible balding spot and attitude? Definitely the owner. Danika mused as she watched Mack try to ask for a bag again.

“Could you check please?” Mack said with a shrug.

“No.” The owner said again. Making the word sound even more blunt somehow.

“But I can see you have an empty bag holder.” Mack said. Pointing towards the empty plastic bag rack next to the counter for customers to place their purchases.

“I don’t have plastic bags.” The owner said gruffly.

“Why not remove the bag holder then?” Mack said plainly. “I mean, since it’s right there, anyone coming up top the counter is gonna assume you have plastic bags and ask you for some. Besides, how am I gonna carry all these without dropping anything?”

“It’s you’re own damn fault for buying so much.” The owner said. Eyes narrowed as he stared up at Mack’s relaxed expression.

There was a beat of silence for a moment as everyone absorbed that last statement before Mack said. “Isn’t it… counterproductive to get mad at customers for buying things from you?”

Danika was almost looking forward to seeing her impossible to ruffle camera man shake off the owner’s snide remarks. Nothing stuck to the man. But as she somewhat reluctantly made her way forwards to end the spat before it could escalate something caught her eye. The monitor behind the counter that displayed all the gas station’s exterior cameras had shapes moving through the cameras field of view. Danika squinted her eyes to make out the shapes. Even on the little monitor they seemed big. One of the shapes was next to the news van that Mack and her had drove in on. Almost equal to it in size.

As a reporter, Danika always trusted her gut when in the field. Where to go for a scoop, who to talk to for the best details about a recent event. Right at that moment. That gut feeling lit up in a way Danika had never felt before.

It was telling her to run.

“Mack.” Danika began, turning towards the glass slowly as the shape- no the dozens of shapes beyond the covered glass moved. Green scales the only detail she could make out through the thin strips of clear glass that let her see through. Her back collided with Mack’s side as she backed up, eyes darting from shape to shape. “Don’t make a sound.” She whispered.

Mack’s head snapped towards Danika, immediately picking up on her tone of voice as he took her in. His eyes followed hers to the covered glass and his hands slipped on a bag of chips as it fell to the floor through limp fingers.

“What the hell are you two on-”

“Quiet!” Danika hissed at the store owner as she looked towards the front in a panic. Seeing the outlines of reptilian heads turn towards the sound of the owner’s voice.

“How dare you!” The owner roared. Pointing a finger at her as if she’d insulted a dear family member.

“No, wait!” Danika hissed again. But before another word could escape her mouth the fist of the monsters outside rammed into the glass doors. Sending a shower of glass across the front entrance as a green snout tried to snake it’s way in through the metal bars that crisscrossed the door frames. The only thing saving all their lives being that the currently unlocked doors were pull to open and the monsters were trying to push them in instead.

“Jesus H. Christ!” The owner yelled. Falling back behind the counter as Danika and Mack backed up all the way to the back wall opposite the monsters.

“What the hell are those?” Mack shouted, candy all but forgotten as he stared horrified at the creatures. The really big creatures as they tried to force their way through the doors. A chorus of reptilian screeches and cries echoed out beyond the doors as more and more monsters tried breaking into the gas station. Shattering glass and ripping apart advertisements as they tried to get in past the security bars that protected them.

“I don’t know!” Danika shouted back, mind racing for a solution as her eyes darted around the entire store. Could they take the back door? No, the monsters could easily circle the building. With nothing else but the surrounding woods, there was no where to run. Not that Danika believed any human could outrun the things she was looking at. Even as alien looking as they were, she could easily see the strength rippling under those scales.

As her eyes landed on the energy drinks she was still holding. Danika took a brave step forward and cocked an arm back. Hurling each of her caffeinated cans of liquid goodness with all the strength she had.

The first missed completely. Arcing through the air too high and bouncing off the ceiling where it knocked a roof tile out of place. Finally falling to the floor as it burst and fizzed on the ground.

The second however…

Spinning through the air like an out of control energy drink hurled by a twenty six year old reporter. The can miraculously slammed right into the bright yellow eye of one of the monsters at the door, causing it to fall back with a cry as it pawed at its eye. Before Danika could feel any kind of elation at her lucky shot the beast slammed into the door with a renewed ferocity. It’s single undamaged eye staring at Danika like it could kill her with its glare.

“Oh shit.” Danika started, arms falling limp to her side as Mack grabbed her and dragged her down behind the counter where the owner was currently hiding.

“Hit the alarm!” Mack shouted at the cowering owner. “The silent alarm! You have one don’t you?”

As the owner mumbled a fearful reply Danika scanned the counter immediately looking for the-

“There!” Danika shouted. Pointing towards a faded red button underneath the cash register. Mack, moved with a speedy grace and slammed a hand on the button. Pressing it repeatedly as if he could make the police arrive faster the more he pressed it.

“I-I-It won’t work.” The owner finally got out. Making both, camera man and reporter turn to look at him in incredulous horror.

“What?!” They both said at the same time.

“It was broken when I bought the place.” The owner said in a numbed voice. “You know how much it costs to fix a-”

The crash of metal sounded over the owner’s words as the first monster managed to finally work its head in through the metal bars. Twisting them aside as it wrenched its head left and right. Widening the gap it made for itself as it tried to get inside.

A strangled cry left the owner’s throat as he fumbled for something hidden behind the back case that displayed all the various flavors of vapes the store offered. Danika watched in horror as the creature worked the gap wider. Getting its upper chest and a single arm inside as it scraped against the floor for further purchase to pull itself inside.

“You damned animals!” The owner shouted out. Finally finding his nerve apparently. Danika turned to see what the owner was up to when he reappeared with a pump action shotgun. Leveling the thing at the monster’s head as he roared. “Get out of my shop!”

With a crack of thunder that left Danika and Mack wishing they’d covered their ears the shotgun bucked in the owner’s hands. The monster that had almost wormed it’s way inside jerking to the side as it slumped half inside the door frame. Blood pouring down in a torrent from the gaping wound the shotgun had torn through its skull. The other monsters roared in protest as one of their own met its end. Their efforts increasing in intensity as other monsters tried to work the monster stuck in the door back out so they could use the hole it had made. The corpse jostling as its flopping arm caught on the frame, firmly stuck in the door.

Before Danika could feel relief that one of the monsters was dead, she jerked as her hands rushed to cover her ears as the owner fired again. Firing shot after shot at every visible hint of green trying to force its way inside.

“Don’t waste your shells!” Danika shouted over the roar of the shotgun as she rushed to pull his aim away from the monsters he was only partially hitting and wounding instead of killing. As she tugged on the man’s arm he swatted Danika away with a glare.

“Don’t tell me what to do!” He said defiantly. Pulling an old looking package of shotgun shells out of a drawer in the counter and racking each shell in with practiced ease.

Mack hovered next to Danika protectively as he pulled out his phone and dialed 911. Giving the man a sour look as he reloaded.

“911 what’s your emergency?”

“We’re at the Quick Stop gas station, just outside of Fairview. The store’s being attacked by a swarm of giant green dragons!” Mack said quickly.

Despite his fervent tone of voice the Operator’s mood clearly took a shift at Mack’s words. And not in the direction they needed right now.

“Dragons attacking the gas station. That’s a new one. Haven’t heard that before.” The Operator said in a bored voice. “Is there an actual emergency at the gas station sir?”

“Yes!” Mack said confused. “I just told you there is!”

“Is there anyone wounded or in need of immediate medical assistance?”

“No.” Mack acquiesced. Brows knitting into a line of worry as he tried to wrap his head around the Operator’s indifference. “But we need help! Send the-”

A roar split the air that made everyone, even the monsters at the doors to flinch. The sheer volume of it causing Mack to stumble in his words and drop his phone. Before Danika or Mack could think any further on what that meant the earsplitting sound of metal groaning and giving way cut through the air as everyone turned to stare at the remains of the double doors as they finally gave in and buckled under the stain of the creatures pressing against them. The doors falling to the floor as the shapes pressed inside.

There was a moment of terror that overwhelmed Danika as the monsters made their way inside. The lights of the store illuminating them and giving her a picture perfect view of the monsters that were about to eat her. They were like living fossils prowling the Earth again long after their first extinction. Many of them almost at a height with Danika at what she guessed was five feet tall, the standouts among them being even larger. Six feet tall at least with one in the back that must have been a staggering seven feet tall.

Even the owner seemed overwhelmed by the amount of targets that had suddenly appeared in front of him. There was a definite tremble in the hands that held the shotgun now. Causing the barrel to sway wildly as he stood wide eyed.

In the brief moment of time Danika had to think thanks to the rush of adrenaline through her small frame, knowing that they’d be overrun any second, she sent up a prayer. Pleading with a higher power for a second chance at life for herself, Mack, and even the rude store owner. Not so much in words as a surge of emotion. One that promised she’d make the world a better place if she was given a chance to leave this stupid store alive.

Despite not having gone to church in years or even having been a believer at all in the cynical world of modern journalism. That higher power, for whatever reason, apparently chose this exact moment in Danika’s life to give her a miracle.

A miracle that threw her news van into the mob of crowded monsters like they were meat filled bowling pins.

Wha… Danika’s mind stammered. Reeling at the sight of her van crashing through the glass wall of the gas station in a earsplitting cacophony of clanging and breaking metal. Fully airborne and sideways as it made a full rotation in the air. The Channel Seven logo bright on the side as it smashed into half a dozen monsters. Crushing them through all three aisles of candy, chips, and other overpriced goods before settling on its side in a pile of broken green bodies against the back wall. Wheels spinning slowly as they turned in the open air.

The remaining monsters that were spared Danika’s flying van of death turned towards the hole in the wall where the van had come through. The exterior lights of the Quick Stop illuminating a figure that stood even taller than the seven foot tall monstrosity that barely fit inside the station. It’s eyes a burning yellow Danika could almost swear were brimming with hatred as it took in the entire scene and remaining monsters.

Then all hell broke loose.

The creatures inside the shop roared just as the giant outside roared over them. Barreling towards the hole it had made. Smashing through the remains of the glass and metal and taking a good chunk of the ceiling with it as it crouched to fit inside a space too small to fit it. It’s massive jaws opened wide and closed around one of the smaller monsters entire head as it ripped it free. A fountain of gore arcing through the air as the monster tore into the other monsters inside the store in a frenzy of claws and fangs.

Danika watched as one of the six foot tall monsters turned towards them and was about to pounce towards them when the giant monster’s tail slammed into it as it spun. Sending the beast hurtling outside and into a gas pump that broke completely under the crashing monster’s weight.

Screaming in fear just as much as outrage at his property being destroyed the owner leveled the shotgun at the head of the giant rampaging through the monsters that had been about to eat them mere moments ago. With her mind racing as it was, taking in every detail of the scene before her, Danika didn’t miss the widening of the giant’s eyes as it took in the gun pointed at its head. Almost as if it...

Right as the shotgun fired another round of buckshot the giant monster had grabbed one of the smaller beasts. Claws digging deep into its flesh as it raised the beast up in front of it, just as the buckshot hit the beast turned meat shield's chest. Every boom of the shotgun firing ending in rounds that only further pulped the smaller beast as it’s twitching remains were held up protectively in front of the larger monster.

It recognized the threat. Danika’s mind whirred. Knew to protect itself. It’s intelligent. She realized. Heart stopping cold at the thought.

The idea of something being so large, strong, and violent was already enough to terrify Danika to the bone. But the idea of a beast like that being intelligent enough to protect itself from gunfire?

As the beast dropped the remains of the smaller monster, now much more red than green. Danika looked at it head on as it stared the owner down as his shotgun clicked, completely emptied. It loomed above them, head brushing the ceiling tiles as it looked down on them. All primal strength and muscle. Claws covered in gore that dripped red bits of meat to the floor. Blood spatter covering its face from the monsters it had killed- No, the monsters it had slaughtered, painting its maw like a terror fresh out of a nightmare. Burning yellow eyes taking them all in. Even as it flicked a tongue out to lap at the bright blood on its snout. It bobbed its head in a manner strikingly similar to a nod as it looked at each of them with… with… was that concern?

Why isn’t it killing us? Danika thought amazed to still be alive in that moment.

The strange moment of peace was broken as the giant monster, Jesus it must have been at least ten feet tall, yelped in pain as the seven foot tall beast sunk its teeth deep into the Giant’s leg. Blood spurting out between its teeth as it took advantage of its distraction. Now thoroughly enraged, the giant monster turned its attention to the largest remaining enemy. Gripping it with both claws as it wrestled with it. Their giant tumble bringing them outside as they rolled over the remaining gas pumps. The few surviving smaller dinosaur looking creatures chasing the brawl outside as they nipped and bit at any exposed scales they could reach on their larger prey.

As the fight continued to rage with the giant monster roaring in pain as it batted aside smaller Danika had a single thought. One that consumed her entire being. More than the fear. More than the terror. More even than the threat of immanent death.

She wasn’t getting this on camera.

“Mack!” Danika cried desperately. “Give me the keys!”

“What?” Mack said. Coming out of his own fight or flight driven fugue as he took in Danika’s panicked features. “We can’t drive the van like that!” He said. Pointing out the obvious as he pulled the van keys out of his pocket. Danika snatched the keys out of his hand in a blink and rushed over to the tipped over van. Almost retching at the gore staining the ground as she nearly slipped in a pool of blood. Shuddering at the feeling of the warm liquid splashing outside her sneakers. With the battle raging on behind her Danika climbed up the underside of the van. Grabbing onto the van’s exposed drive shaft as she pulled herself up top. Awkwardly crouching down on the driver’s side door as she fumbled with the key and worked it into the lock.

Managing to unlock the door Danika heard Mack saying something to the store’s owner as she wrenched the door up and open. Struggling to hold it up as it bumped against the ceiling. With careful steps, Danika moved inside the van, almost slipping on the side of the passenger’s side leather seat as her blood stained sneakers failed to grip onto it. Cursing. Danika worked her way enough inside to reach into the back for the small handheld camera that she’d left readily available to grab in case Mack couldn’t get the bigger camera gear working in time to catch something.

Climbing up and out of the van Danika held onto the camera with the same care a mother would their own child. Finding Mack standing next to the van now, head whipping back and forth between the melee going on outside and Danika.

“Where’s the owner?” Danika asked as Mack helped her down.

“He ran off with the shotgun through the back door.” Mack said heated. Clearly upset the man had left them both behind with the best means of self defense. Then Mack’s eyes caught on the camera Danika was holding and his mouth dropped open. “Seriously?” He hissed. “You went back for the camera?”

“Of course I did!” Danika said. Flipping open the camera and pressing record. Pointing the lens right towards the spectacle going on outside. The entire scene like something out of a major blockbuster.

The giant monster that had attacked all the others was clearly limping now, favoring one leg as it swiped and gnashed its teeth at the smaller monsters accosting it while it kept its main focus on the bigger one. The only one that could put up any kind of fight against the beast.

Even with its reduced movements though it was doing a masterful job of staying ahead of the pack of monsters around it. The giant didn’t lash out in desperation or try to escape, every swipe of its claws and tail was measured. Purposeful even. Holding up its claws in front of its head it was eerily similar to a Mixed Martial Arts fighter in that moment instead of a beast. One of the smaller five foot tall monsters, the ones that were only half the size of the giant they were fighting against, lunged for the giant’s injured leg.

With a grace that was way too smooth for a beast of its size the giant pivoted. Planting its weight on its uninjured leg to strike out with its injured leg, in a move that clearly surprised the smaller monster. Unable to get away the hind claw buried itself into the smaller monster’s neck and chest. The larger claws cutting through the thin scales to cut deep into the flesh below as the claws hooked the monster’s body. Shifting its weight again, clearly pained, the giant brought the monster to the ground in a savage stomp. Caving in the beast’s chest cavity and breaking its neck with a sickening crunch as the giant’s full weight pressed down on it. Even the asphalt beneath seemed to buckle and crack under the immense weight.

Not stopping there, the giant spun in a tight circle. Catching two more small monsters with its tail and sending them reeling as the largest threat danced back. Roaring a challenge at the giant despite how outclassed it seemed. Paying as close attention as she was to the fight Danika started noticing differences between the giant monster and its smaller kind other than their size. The giant wasn’t just bigger, it seemed fuller somehow. The green of its scales more vibrant even in the wan glow of the gas station’s remaining lights.

Before Danika could ponder those strange differences further the seven foot tall beast made its move. Roaring as it charged the giant again. Claws outstretched as it tried to score another blow on it. For its part the Giant seemed ready for the charge. Raising one claw high and another low. Almost like it was…

The monsters clashed, only instead of the raw strength versus strength battle Danika had expected she watched, open mouthed as the Giant caught the monster and levered it over its shoulder like a Judo fighter hurling an opponent on the mat. Redirecting its momentum and sending it flying. Literally flying as it impacted the metal supports that held up the awning over the gas station’s pumps. The white artificial lights within it flickering as the whole awning tipped over like an oak felled by a lumberjack. The sound of groaning metal tearing through the night as Danika stared before it crashed into the ground.

“Come on!” Mack shouted. Grabbing Danika and pulling her towards the back door.

Despite her reporter’s instincts telling her to remain at the site of the battle until there was a clear victor, Danika could see the sense in leaving before the monsters realized there were still humans to munch on. Clutching the camera to her chest Danika was right behind Mack as he darted to the back of the station and shouldered the back door open.

The back of the gas station was illuminated only by a single small light above the back door. Casting everything beyond the bulb’s dim light in darkness. To Danika’s great relief there was a truck still parked behind the gas station. Too worn out to care why the owner of the gas station would leave his truck out Danika took a single step forward before fear stopped her dead in her tracks. The truck was just on the edge of the bulb’s limited light. The strange splatter of red paint on the side of the truck revealing itself to be something so much worse as her eyes travelled downwards. There were shapes moving behind the truck. Fighting over something wet as it tore and teeth chewed on the strips that remained. The scarlet stained outline of a human hand lay limp on the ground like a macabre movie prop. The glimmer of a truck’s keys just out of its reach.

“Back!” Mack screamed. Almost hurling Danika back inside as he rushed to shut the door and a shape sprinted out of the darkness towards them. A feral snarl was caught short as Mack closed the door on the snapping head of a monster trying to bite his face as he held the back door shut, straining with all of his effort as he fought to keep the monster from tearing into him. With a scream of her own Danika smashed her camera into the beast’s head as it squawked and let up long enough for Mack to finally close the door. Hearts hammering, Mack and Danika rushed to the front of the store.

“Where do we go?” Mack said fearfully. Gripping Danika’s hand tight as she squeezed back just as hard.

“I don’t know!” Danika panted. “We have to try getting to Fairview.”

“We’ll never make it.” Mack said despairingly.

“It’s the only chance we have.” Danika said. Pulling on Mack’s hand now as they left the ruined front of the gas station. Running outside and turning to find the Giant with its teeth sunk deep into the neck of the seven foot monster from before. The dying monster twitching in spasms as the Giant's head turned towards them, dripping blood from its gaping maw.

“Run!” Mack shouted. Sprinting through the puddle outside the gas station as the Giant monster let out a cry towards them. Sprinting together they ran around the fallen awning of the gas station and had to jump back as one of the smaller creatures rounded the corner. Teeth red from its earlier meal behind the building as it was joined by more monsters.

Time slowed to a crawl as Danika took everything in. The roar of the Giant behind them as it got to its feet and rushed towards them. Claws tearing through the asphalt as every stride ate up the distance between them. In the same moment she saw the smaller creatures make a break for them as well. Illuminated by the spitting sparks of the fallen awning that were falling closer and closer to the puddle on the ground that seemed to cover…

Oh. Danika thought numbly as she stood right next to a giant puddle of gasoline that had been pouring out from the broken gas pumps ever since the first monster had been smashed through it. All at once Danika’s entire life seemed to flash before her eyes. Her own mind desperately looking for a way to survive the end. Calmly, almost clinically. A part of Danika wondered which would kill her first. The Giant, the pack of monsters, or the sparks that were about to ignite an entire gas station’s worth of fuel.

With a terrifying speed the Giant was the first to reach them. She watched in slow motion as its huge claws stretched wide and reached for Danika and Mack. Opening so that the claws passed them both harmlessly by as the Giant encircled them both in its arms as it crouched down low. Pulling them close to its chest. Teeth gritted in a snarl as it shut its eyes tight.

Wait. What is-

Then the world exploded.

In an instant, the errant sparks that had fallen from the flickering light ignited the spilled gasoline in a single brilliant instant. Illuminating the entire gas station and surrounding forest in a red orange glow before the flames reached the underground storage tanks. In a roar of light and sound the entire gas station was consumed by a conflagration that turned the night to day. The heat rushing over Ryker and his charges even faster than the blast wave that sent the smaller Kaiju flying like ragdolls and sent his massive body flying across the road to the grass on the other side. Digging a trench with his body for a good dozen feet before stopping, Ryker let out a hiss of pain at his burned and seared scales, tears forming and drying in his eyes at the sheer amount of heat in the air.

Relaxing his arms he let the two stunned civilians slip out of his grasp as he panted for breath. Content to lay on his side as they sprawled out on the grass before him and embers rained down from the sky.

Ow. Ryker thought numbly. Explosions were so much easier to stand when you were encased in a reinforced cockpit inside a dozen feet of carbonite. As a Kaiju he’d definitely taken for granted how easily he could be wounded. Though admittedly, getting blown up by a giant explosion hadn’t been a possibility he’d been considering.

Putting both claws on the ground to push himself up, Ryker hissed as a spike of pain travelled up his bitten leg. One claw covering the wound protectively as he struggled to his knees. Turning his head, he could see the two civilians he’d saved staring at him like deer caught in a pair of headlights. Looking them both over and glad he didn’t see any injuries the three stared each other down. Nobody making the first move as Danika stared at the giant beast in front of her from where she was sitting on the ground. Mack was upright and perfectly still, as if he were worried movement might draw the monster’s ire. Ryker for his part, was just mentally prepping himself for the two people he’d saved to start screaming in fear of him.

When nobody made any moves for an uncomfortable amount of time Ryker was the one who broke first. Gritting his teeth as he rose to his full height. Towering over both people as they only came up to his waist. Looking around Ryker surveyed the devastation wrought by the explosion as the civilians continued to stare at him.

The immediate risk of a forest fire wasn’t as big of a threat here as it had been at the campgrounds. The woods were far enough away from the gas station that the flames didn’t reach them. With the lack of wind tonight and the thriving greenery of the forest providing little kindling to burn, Ryker was grateful for that at least. Maybe the owner could recover and cash in on the insurance?

No… Ryker thought with a pang as he looked at the explosion with a weight settling over his heart. Not finding any sign of the man who had nearly shot him. He had to be dead, then. Must have been with the way the two civilians had ran out the front of the gas station like their lives depended on it. He’d probably tried to sneak out the back and got swarmed where Ryker couldn’t do anything to help him.

Rather than the anger that had driven Ryker for so long he felt a wave of melancholy consume him as he thought about the man who’d died. Even after everything, being sent back in time, getting stuck in this body. He’d had a vain hope that he could stop the Kaiju before they became a threat to anyone. Prevent any innocent lives from being taken by monsters. Save the world without a drop of human blood being spilled.

It was foolish. Naively foolish. Like a children’s fairy tale where everyone gets a happy ending. But this was all too real. There would be more Kaiju being born all over the world that Ryker had no hope of stopping before they killed at least a few people. Even as he grew stronger and faster, developed more and more abilities, he couldn’t teleport from one side of the globe to the other.

“D.” The man Ryker saved whispered warily. Causing Ryker to turn back to face the people he’d saved. “Don’t.”

“It’s alright Mack.” The woman said slowly. Rising to her feet as she stared at Ryker. The glow of the burning gas station splashing her face with orange and red hues. “You…” She began. Swallowing as she, to Ryker’s great surprise, took a step closer to him. “You saved us… didn’t you?”

After seeing the family at the campsite flee from him and the employee at the restaurant. Ryker had almost given up on any kind of meaningful human contact. He’d shied away from those thoughts for his own sake. Knowing the kind of life he’d have to live with the body he was stuck in. But maybe, just maybe…

“Of course.” Ryker tried to say. The words getting getting torn to pieces before they even left his throat as a low warble. Miraculously, the woman didn’t flinch at the sound he made and took another step closer. Raising a hand up as if to touch Ryker. Finding himself consumed by a desperate hope he couldn’t ignore Ryker found his own claw reaching out tentatively. The claw dwarfing the woman’s hand as they were inches away from touching.

The police car that had gone unnoticed by Ryker with the distraction of the woman taking up his attention, had stopped well clear of the blazing remains of the gas station. Officer Langley had left his car stunned at the sight of the blackened ruins, and then was left even more stunned at the sight of the giant monster on the side of the road with its back turned towards him. Covered in a horrifying amount of blood it was reaching out a claw to strike down a helpless woman who was raising her hand in self defense. With shaking hands, Langley did what seemed to be the only good option in the current situation.

He shot the monster.

“Get down!” He shouted towards the woman as he fired. Nine millimeter rounds barking through the night he fired shot after shot at the beast as it flinched back and raised its claws above his head. Letting out a pained cry as it stumbled away from the hail of bullets being fired at it.

“No, stop!” Danika shouted but Mack was right there behind her and pulling her to the ground to avoid any chance of a bullet missing its mark and finding them instead. She stared helplessly as the monster that had saved their lives multiple times that night fled into the thick foliage. Its huge form disappearing all too quickly behind the wild trees and bushes.

Even as the officer raced over to them to make sure they were alright Danika couldn’t tear her eyes away from the spot it had disappeared.

“Are you alright?” The officer said to Mack and Danika as they looked at him with wide eyes. Danika wanted to cuss out the man on the spot for what he’d done. Her fists clenching hard on the camera she still held in one hand. Fortunately for them. Mack was the one who spoke first.

“We have to get out of here!” Mack said to the officer. “There were more of those monsters around the gas station and I don’t know how many survived the explosion.”

Nodding hurriedly the officer helped Mack and Danika to their feet as he scanned the surroundings, clearly frightened. Danika was about to argue but Mack, probably knowing exactly what she was thinking, cut her off as he gripped her arm. “We’re not safe here D.” He said. Eyes bright with adrenaline as he looked into her eyes. “Whatever just happened. Whatever that was. We can think about it more when we’re safe.”

Gritting her teeth, hating how much sense her partner made and how reckless an idea it would be to run into the woods at night to chase down a monster. Danika let herself be led away from the wood line to the waiting police car. Climbing in the back with Mack as the officer got on the radio again and shakily told his station he was coming back with two survivors. As the car peeled away back towards the presumed safety of Fairview Danika watched the woods with an intensity she’d never felt before.

That monster was different somehow. It had only fought the other monsters at the gas station. Thinking back, there wasn’t a single moment the thing had actually tried to harm them. Even when the owner of the gas station had shot at it, it only moved to defend itself. Not even taking the chance to retaliate when the man ran out of shells in his shotgun.

There was a story there. Not just their harrowing tale of survival at the gas station. There was a mystery here that was even bigger than whatever the hell these beasts even were in the first place. Every instinct she’d cultivated as a reporter was practically vibrating at the thought as she cradled her camera.

This story… This story would be hers to tell.

Sunshine Suzy… She thought with a smile. Just itching to tear into the footage she’d recorded.

Eat your heart out.