Indeed a mall was no fit place for a toad. Damon hopped away alongside a wall, hoping to be as discreet as possible. He just wanted to get out of this place and start his new toad life. Already he thought the place way too bright and dry. How had he withstood these lights that were now hurting his poor eyes? And the dryness! How was it even bearable? It was crazy! Automatically Damon thought about good old moisture. Even slime or mud sounded like heaven about now! But as long as he reached the outside, he could offer his poor skin and warts some nice humidity. He go around nice dewy grass and find a nice rotting log to hide under. Then it would be nice and cool... Yes, that would be a real reprieve...
While he was thinking, Damon went around unnoticed, apart from a few people that glanced at him and assumed that this big toad had accidentally entered the mall but was heading in the direction of the doors, so it would be fine. Damon was approaching the doors when suddenly he was lifted in the air.
"Hi there!" said a voice.
Damon recognised it instantly. Monica! He croaked her name but there were just that - croaks. Not human speech.
"You're big and fat. You'll make a good pet for my boyfriend. Damon will just love you."
She then took Damon back into the mall, heading towards the pet shop to buy a terrarium and things to keep a toad happy. Damon struggled uselessly. How was he supposed to be his own pet???