[Country United States, State: San Francisco, North beach]
At midday, the bustling sounds of the seaside market created a familiar and comforting background noise.
Fishmongers hawked their fresh catch, the scent of fried seafood mingling with the salty breeze.
Children chased each other through the stalls, their laughter as bright as the glint of sunshine on the waves.
Nearby, on the sun-drenched beach, families built sandcastles and volleyball players dove for the ball.
But as insidious as a rising tide, a single word rippled through the crowd, shattering the vibrant facade.
"Monster."
Whispers turned to murmurs, murmurs to panicked shouts.
Heads whipped towards handheld screens, faces paling as grainy news footage flickered to life.
The creature wasn't simply enormous; it dwarfed even the tallest skyscrapers.
