"What do you mean?"I called out.
"I'm going to have to get as big as the Bruiser to take it out," he said.
"Seriously?"
"We're about to Kaiju through this mall," he said."You better saddle up."
10.
Nagisa had dressedin that cashmere sweater from earlier.It was maroon.Somehow, it just worked, even with a pair of mustard-colored corduroys.It was revolting—like looking at a ketchup and mustard themed color scheme.And yet, the bastard pulled it off.
"Troops!Are you in position?"he thundered.
There were cries of assent.
"This battle will be hard.It will be difficult.It will be a pain in the ass.These deadies are relentless.They will eat whatever they can get ahold of.That means you, your loved ones, and your children.If you do not stay inside our circle of protection, you will get eaten and messily devoured.Your entrails will be pulled from your still-pulsating sphincters.Your limbs will be pulled from their dripping sockets.Your skulls cracked, the delicious—"
Methuselah grabbed him and whispered in his ear.
"Perhaps a bit much, sir."
"Sorry," Nagisa said."Point is.This will be dangerous.If you do not listen to us, you may lose your life.If the Food Court falls, you will escape to the upper levels of the Penny's and await reinforcements."
"What reinforcements?"a man asked."Who's coming to rescue us?"
"Possibly no one," Nagisa said.
The crowd booed.Someone threw a soda.It splashed all over Nagi's face.He blinked, shocked, wiping the dripping liquid from his air and gasping like a fish.
"This is cashmere," was all he said.
"I can still see the price tag!"someone else snapped.
"Just be careful out there," Nagi said."Stick together, no matter what!"
"Who is this fruit loop?"someone in the crowd asked.
Joey stepped forward, uzi over one arm, and let off a barrage of gunfire into the roof.Humans screamed in the crowd.
"Listen up," Joey hollered."This man is insane, but he's our only chance at making it out of here in-tact.You would do well to listen to him."
The crowd looked angry.
"I thought our worst enemy would be the dead people, not the living," Tamara said."They do not look happy.Some of them are saying they're going to take weapons and run."
"Morons," I said.
"You can't blame them," Tamara said."This is a weird situation, and nothing feels safe."
"I guess you're right," I said."I still don't like this."
"Let's just hope the Bruiser gets here before they bolt," Tamara said."I'd rather things go crazy with everyone here than everyone get scattered."
There was an air of concern over everyone as we waited for our fate.
Nagi was chewing his nails.
"He should be here by now," he said."Ugh.Look at my cuticles."
