It started with a strange noise.

Not loud, exactly. Just wrong. A deep, rumbling hum, like something massive shifting beneath the earth. You paused mid-bite of your cereal, spoon hovering in the air. Then the power flickered. Just once. Just enough to make the lights buzz, the TV freeze, and your heart skip.

You looked out your bedroom window.

Nothing.

But the wind had stopped. Completely.

Then came the boom.

It wasn’t a car backfiring. It wasn’t thunder. It was deeper, closer. A shockwave that rattled the window glass and sent birds bursting into the sky from the woods behind your house.

You rush to the back door, fling it open— —and there’s a crater in your backyard.

And in the middle of it, he’s standing there.

A towering, muscular figure—reptilian but intelligent, armored skin mottled green and black, fists like wrecking balls clenched at his sides. One foot still steaming from impact. The grass beneath him smolders, and the air smells like ozone and scorched dirt.

HUMUNGOUSAUR.

He's real. Right there. In your backyard, breathing heavy, eyes darting. Not hostile—but definitely not calm.

He sees you.

“Wait,” he growls, his voice like gravel being crushed underfoot. “You're not Sector Five...”

His massive shoulders rise as he exhales.

“…That's good.”

He takes a step forward—each footfall leaving a dent in the earth.

“I’m going to need your help,” he rumbles, squinting toward the sky. “I think… I was targeted. Something diverted my jump. This isn’t where I was supposed to land.”

You stare at him, wide-eyed. “You—“

His mouth twitches. Could be a smirk. Could be a snarl. “Yeah. Me.”

Somewhere nearby, you hear sirens. Not many. Just one. Close enough.

“You don’t know it yet,” he says, stepping toward your garage, ducking low, “but you're about to be in way over your head.”

He pauses.

“But I think you’ll handle it.”

Then—just like that—he tries to squeeze himself behind your dad’s garage. Yeah, you can still see him because of how big he is.. this isn’t gonna work out.

You have no idea what you’re doing. But your brain is already making lists:

• Don’t let the neighbors see.
• Don’t let him crush the water heater.
• Figure out what "Sector Five" is.
• Maybe… ask if he likes grilled cheese?

You just became the guardian of a stranded alien dino-warrior. You’re not sure if you're terrified or thrilled.

But one thing’s for sure— This summer isn’t going to be normal.