“¿Mi apariencia te hace sentir miserable? Si mi apariencia te hace sentir tan miserable, ¿por qué no te hago un pequeño favor? Benny hizo una pausa para lograr un efecto dramático: "Tony, sácalo de su miseria ".

"¡No! ¡Por favor! ¡No puedes hacer esto! Freddy rugió mientras lo arrastraban lejos del jefe.

"Ah, y Tony..." Benny los detuvo antes de que salieran de la habitación. “Envíale a su esposa un árbol en su honor”.

Tony asintió e ignoró el retorcerse de agonía de Freddy. Afuera de la puerta se escuchó un fuerte "POOM" y se escuchó el golpe de un enorme cadáver mientras Benny encendía un cigarro y contaba un fajo de dinero.

"¡Eso es un envoltorio!" gritó el director.

“¿Cómo estuve?” El actor principal buscó la aprobación de la sala. “Perdón por preguntar, hace tiempo que no trabajo. Podemos volver a hacerlo si cree que podría ser mejor”.

Los actores que interpretaban a Tony y Freddy se rieron entre dientes, preguntándose cómo alguien llamado Benny Danger pudo haber conseguido el papel en primer lugar. Aunque sólo era un nombre artístico, tenía poco que ver con eso. El escritor buscaba un triceratops de su talla para mantenerse fiel a la novela.

“Estuvo bien, Benny. Estamos terminando el día. Tal vez mañana será mejor." respondió el director sombríamente.

Benny salió del escenario con ojos esperanzados de que alguien del equipo o un actor estuviera disponible para discutir la escena. Él estaba solo. Al dinosaurio optimista le daba igual, 2024 era su año.

Antes de abandonar el set, salió al callejón detrás del gran almacén para llamar a su madre y compartir con ella la actuación de su primer día. Sonó sólo una vez antes de que ella respondiera.

“¡Brunón! ¿Cómo fue tu primer día en la gran ciudad, cómo fue tu escena? ¿Cómo...? Ella lo bombardeó sólo para ser interrumpida.

“Mamá, ahora soy Benny Danger. Bruno Digby no es el nombre de un actor. se quejó.

"Sí, tienes razón, lo siento 'Benny'". Benny podía oírla sonreír a través del teléfono, muy orgullosa de sus logros.

Muchos pies grandes se apresuraron hacia Benny antes de que pudiera continuar la conversación. El teléfono se le cayó de la mano por la vibración.

“Pareces duro”. afirmó el líder de una manada de cuatro matones T-Rex que rápidamente rodearon a Benny.

“¿Qué tan duro crees que es?” Otro bromeó.

"Probablemente piensa que es más duro que cualquiera de nosotros". el más grande dijo como ofendido que incluso era una posibilidad.

"Chicos... no soy duro, solo soy un actor... miren... esto es un disfraz". Benny suplicó a la tripulación, mostrándoles el material barato de su traje y su metralleta falsa.

"Oh, entonces él piensa que es mejor que nosotros porque tiene un empleo remunerado".

“No… de verdad, solo estaba hablando por teléfono con mi madre…”

Uno de los T-Rex cogió el teléfono y se escuchó a la madre de Benny gritar antes de que un brazo arrugado aplastara el teléfono.

"No me gusta... creo que deberíamos destrozarlo". afirmó el líder con crueldad. "Di tus oraciones."

Benny pensó para sí mismo que este era su último momento y nunca antes había considerado orar. Mientras los dientes lo atacaban, cerró los ojos y oró en voz alta en su mente: "Si hay algo ahí fuera escuchando, te rezo y acepto tu guía".

"Tú. Son. Digno." Dijo lentamente una voz atronadora, haciendo vibrar a Benny a una velocidad inimaginable.

Benny abrió los ojos y estaba en el mismo callejón, pero los demás ya no estaban. El teléfono no estaba hecho pedazos en el suelo. El edificio a su lado era de un color diferente. Abrió una pequeña puerta y entró. Dentro había criaturas vestidas como él, pero no dinosaurios… eran humanos.

"¿¡Qué es eso!?" Un hombre corpulento se puso de pie y se enfrentó a la criatura prehistórica erguida que había atravesado la pared. Otros cinco hombres se levantaron y apuntaron con armas al reptil gigante.

Benny estaba igual de confundido y tenía suerte de que se hablara inglés dondequiera que estuviera. Esta era su verdadera oportunidad de ser algo. Sabía que un actor no encajaría en esta pandilla. Por suerte para él, había estado estudiando para el papel; pero Benny Danger no iba a ser suficiente.

"El nombre es Gran Dino". Frunció el ceño y caminó hacia adelante. Todos los hombres dejaron caer sus armas y sus mandíbulas. El líder apuntó con su arma a la cabeza del dinosaurio.

“¿Mi cara te hace sentir miserable?” BD preguntó al humano tembloroso y desconcertado, caminando a su alrededor mientras los demás hacían espacio en un círculo lejos de los dos.

“Si mi cara te hace sentir tan miserable… ¿por qué no te hago un pequeño favor?” Big Dino hizo una pausa y vio al hombre arrepentirse de su tontería. "Muchachos, sáquenlo de su miseria ".

Todos los gánsteres se miraron vacilantes y luego se dieron cuenta de lo que debían hacer. Big Dino sonrió, dio un paso atrás y observó a toda la pandilla iluminar a su líder anterior y luego volverse hacia él en busca de aprobación.

La voz atronadora volvió a hablar con Big Dino, la oscuridad envolvió su realidad por un breve momento.

“¡Profanador!”

“Next time, don’t schedule the shipment so late.” Big Dino warned his henchmen.

“Boss, we can’t move our product in the daylight. You know it’s especially difficult to avoid the cops when you’re around. Imagine doing this with pedestrians around, we’d be up at PrisonHead before making a dollar.”

Big Dino growled in response, knowing his man was right, but still feeling inconvenienced. There was a trivia show that night that he was playing along with, though how he framed it to his crew was that he had a ‘score to settle’.

Unloading trucks back at the warehouse, the mobsters were incapacitated. The world went dark for Big Dino and a bright light shone in front of him. He knew what was to come.

“REPENT.” spoke the powerful voice.

“You gonna haunt me like a ghost or something? I don’t owe you anything.” Big Dino was dismissive of the one who brought him to the world of man.

The light disappeared and all the stunned henchmen awoke, discussing briefly and then back to work. It was not over, however.

This time, the men were not taken out. Light filled the hideout, illuminating all the criminal activities taking place. Drugs, weapons, stolen items and money filled the room. Light began to fade to reveal the source. 

A man stood on the air, eyes glowing bright white, with a staff, at the end of which was a luminous, floating orb. His features were obscured by the light, but his face was greatly displeased.

“LOWEST OF ALL LIFE.” the room shook with his voice and light spread from him in a wave across the room. All of the men were knocked back, as the power was clearly not a final measure, more of signaling them for their chance to run.

All the henchmen looked to Big Dino and his steadfast position gave them reason not to take the opportunity. Instead, guns were tossed to each man, and Big Dino smiled.

“Get him outta here.”

With the boss’s command, the being of light was peppered with bullets. He made no effort to stop or even slow any of the barrage. Instead, his facial features lightened up for a moment. It seemed the retaliation was so futile, it was humorous.

Unharmed, the being removed all bullets from his skin and clothing. Metal in a flash turned to even brighter specks of light. Then, with a motion of the staff, they were all sent out, penetrating every single henchman. From their lifeless bodies, light shone through the holes left behind. Big Dino, scowling in the distance, was not touched.

“See that?” he pointed to the wall behind him, which also had holes of light. Curiously, they were in his exact outline. “No wonder you’re trying to convince me to repent. You can’t touch me.” Big Dino menacingly walked towards the man of light. “But I’m willing to put money on this, friend. I can touch YOU.” He dropped to all fours and charged the corner where the being stood. 

Before reaching the corner, it was dark for a moment until the light reappeared behind him.

“REPENT.”

“You’re panicking.” Big Dino charged again.

“REPENT” the building shook violently.

“Name my sin, firefly.” the dinosaur composed himself and returned to two legs, noticing his suit was all torn up.

“MUR-” while speaking, he was interrupted by the horns of Big Dino.

Pinned against the wall, the two locked eyes.

“Under this suit… I’m still a dinosaur, but under all that light, you’re still just a man.”

Big Dino began to press into the being, who was gripping his staff still. His power couldn’t intervene with the dinosaur again, but his body could. He slammed the orb against the side of the mob boss’s head, causing him to stumble and in that moment, teleported away.

“That’s right, altar boy.” Big Dino mocked the fleeing deity. He checked the clock and sat on the couch, just in time for his trivia. He’d worry about staffing back up another time.

A henchman barged into the office, interrupting Big Dino’s mid day nap. He hid his blanket as fast as possible and stood from his massive chair to hear the messenger out.

“Boss, we got a problem.”

“We always got a problem, Ziti.” BD sighed. “What’s goin on?”

“It’s those farmhouses outside of Big City. I’ve sent five guys to collect. Not one has come back.” Ziti replied.

“Who’d you send? Some softies?”

“The last guy I sent was Guzo.”

“Guzo’s missing?”

“Gone.”

“Guzo’s gone, huh?” Big Dino stood tall and put on a jacket over his shirt and vest. “You think someone’s got Guzo?”

“Someone coulda grabbed Guzo… all I know is Guzo’s gone.”

“Come with me Ziti. We’ll deal with this ourselves. You don’t let a guy like Guzo go. Some backwoods farmers think they’re gonna push back on us?”

“No way, boss.”

“No way.” Big Dino repeated.

“We gotta get Guzo.” Ziti added.

“That’s enough. You always do one too many.”

“Sorry, boss.”

Big Dino and Ziti hopped in the car outside, which awaited the mob boss at all times. They departed Big City and made for the rural areas to the north where the guys had gone missing. Where Guzo might have been.

“Stop here.” Big Dino told the driver. He and Ziti stepped out of the vehicle and stared down the first of many large farm houses. “This one’s yours.”

“Alright, boss.” Ziti walked up to the door of the home and knocked hard three times.

It took a while to hear anyone coming to answer the door. Ziti looked around and noticed the nearest farm house was completely burned down. He was unsettled seeing the charred ground which seemed to have been sitting there untouched for some time.

“I already paid ‘em. Get on now.” the frail voice of an older man came from behind the rickety door.

“We’re not collecting. Open up.” Ziti kindly demanded.

“Just a moment.” he sighed. The door began to open, revealing a shrunken elderly farmer. “What’re ya here for?”

“My guys.” Dino stated loudly from beside the car.

“WHOA. What’s that?” the farmer removed his glasses to squint at the literal triceratops standing in his street.

“That is of no concern to you, so long as you answer my questions.” Ziti reigned in the man. “My last five guys haven’t come back from this street.”

“Maybe someone got tired of the intimidation.” the farmer replied bluntly.

“Intimidation? You mean protection?” Ziti scoffed, turning his head to check in with Big Dino, though his confidence was waning.

“You couldn’t protect your own guys, hehehe.” the old man snickered.

“Ziti, let’s get moving.” Dino commanded.

“Thank you, sir. See you next month.” Ziti told the farmer.

“Unless you don’t come back either.” he laughed and attempted to slam the door, but ended up shoving it closed after it got stuck.

Ziti got back in the car and was quickly yanked out by Big Dino.

“We’re walking.”

“Right, boss.” Ziti straightened out his suit.

The car waited as Big Dino and Ziti walked down the dirt-covered road to the next farmhouse. The whole time, they looked over to the burnt farm, creeped out by the immaculate eggplants that still stood amongst the ash.

Further down the road, they reached the next house. Big Dino put his hand in front of Ziti. “This is how you squeeze, Ziti.” The triceratops mobster walked up the driveway and was greeted with the barrel of a shotgun.

“Move along now.”

Big Dino put very little effort into putting his hands up and grinned. “That’d do some real damage to Ziti over there. But me? Probably wouldn’t even feel it.”

The farmer lowered her weapon. “What’re you here for?”

“Considering the welcome we just got, we may be here for you.” Big Dino got closer and the farmer kept her gun close while backing up slowly. “A few guys dressed like that…” he pointed to Ziti. “...came through here recently.”

“Yeah. Paid ‘em just like everyone else.” she replied.

“Paid ‘em with cash? Or with lead?” Big Dino asked, trying not to be threatening, though her answer could have changed that.

“You think I killed your guys?” she asked. BD nodded and she continued, “If they haven’t come back, they’ll be on that farm.” she pointed to a farmhouse off in the distance, then smirked. “You don’t find ‘em there, come back and see me.”

“Why don’t you come with us, just to make sure nobody gets lost.” Big Dino slyly demanded, not wanting her to flee if she was, in fact, the culprit.

“We don’t go there. You can. We don’t.” she motioned to indicate none of the farmers ventured to that area.

“Alright. Well, stick around. Maybe we’ll speak again.” Big Dino put his cigar back in his mouth and smiled, walking back to Ziti.

They passed many houses with people peeking out of their windows behind curtains. At the home the farmer designated, they noticed the area was much darker, though it was mid-morning. There was a stench in the air. Big Dino ripped one of Ziti’s sleeves to cover his nose. The chill in the air put out his cigar before they stepped up to the front door.

Before Dino knocked, he got nervous as numerous screams rang out repeatedly. “You go.”

“O-okay, boss.” Ziti said, shaking.

Nothing responded to knocking or pounding on the door, so the boys went around back to the farm. The air got thick and visibility just walking there was not great.

“Where are we?” Big Dino asked Ziti, his tough guy accent fading from fear.

Ziti went to respond, but another voice came from the wind. “HELL.”

The boys huddled together and looked deeper into the farm. From the vapor in the air emerged a pumpkin the size of a basketball. It was carved like a jack-o-lantern, but with very specific features. They watched the mouth move as it spoke again.

“ZITI! BOSS!”

“Guzo!?” Big Dino shrieked.

“OH I’M SO GLAD YOU’RE-” the face was pulled backwards abruptly.

The thick air cleared to show Guzo-kin was attached to something larger, obscured by shadow and fog.

“Flee…join…it all ends the same.” a gloomy voice said. They both knew it came from the large thing in the center of the farm.

“Let’s flee.” Ziti suggested.

“BD don’t flee, Ziti…” the tough guy act was back in full force as imagining Guzo trapped in a pumpkin forever hurt Dino to his core. He felt he failed his top guy. “Let’s get our boy.”

Big Dino turned to see Ziti had already fled. His second up, the unshakeable Ziti, running in terror. “I gotta get new guys.” he sighed.

Through the thick fog, Dino got closer to the creature who took Guzo. He saw more pumpkins upon stems connected to a massive pumpkin monster. Many more pumpkins.

“Join.” the pumpkin moaned. All of a sudden, Big Dino felt as if he was being pulled towards the great pumpkin. He resisted physically, but the more he did, the stronger the pull on his soul.

Big Dino took out his pistol and blasted some of the stems, including Guzo’s, setting them all free. He watched the souls ascend from the pumpkins. Then he began to shoot at the main pumpkin, not even breaking the warped, thick skin.

Once Dino’s soul was fully disconnected from his body, the terrible pumpkin exclaimed, “HARVEST.”

Big Dino fell backwards onto the death and dirt below. He looked up at what he thought were his last moments, only to see Guzo’s spirit flying back down. His top guy took hold of the massive dinosaur soul flying into Harvest’s mouth and hauled it painfully back into Dino.

“Here, boss.” Guzo said. Dino watched him get caught into the pull of Harvest once again.

“Guzo!” Big Dino shouted.

“Go.” Guzo said calmly.

Big Dino honored his henchman’s wish, vowing to return one day. He charged on all fours out of the farm, down the road, past the lady farmer who chuckled seeing the mob boss scared out of his mind.

The boss ran all the way to the car and silently sat next to Ziti, lighting his cigar before deciding to just not smoke it right then.

“Yeah, Guzo’s gone.”

“Guzo’s gone.”