So you've just been thrown out of your comfortable bed by what appears to be a series of small earthquakes followed by a roar in the distance. If you live in New York, Tokyo, or any other ocean side city, there is a chance you are experiencing a giant monster attack (If you do not live in an oceanside city, the chance of a giant monster attack is much smaller, however, it's best to assume the worst).
The first rule of thumb in a GMA (Giant Monster Attack) situation is never, under any circumstances, panic. The second rule of thumb is information is your best weapon. Thus your first stop should be to your window to asses the situation outside. Try to figure out the direction and distance of the initial attack, in all likely hood it was coming from the sea. Next is to determine the quickest path to get out of your building and out into the streets. The best way to handle this is the same way you would if your building was on fire.
Now that you're on the streets it's important to know what you are dealing with. Most giant monsters are freaks of nature, and so pinpointing various traits of them is difficult, but they generally have various attributes in common. So then, what is a giant monster? A giant monster is any form of Megafauna that is over 10 stories tall. They are often amphibious and arrive at large cities via the sea. However, as some monsters may be the byproduct of nuclear testing, they can also arrive via the desert. They are inexplicably drawn to large buildings and power lines, or anything else that has a high potential for massive amounts of destruction. Your best bet to survive a GMA is to simply be where the monster isn't. Avoid major power lines, gas lines, and buildings. Your main goal should be to get as far inland as possible, and always remember, it's better to move underground than over bridges. If trapped in New York City, the best course of action is to exit the city via the Lincoln Tunnel. Once you get your bearings and figure out the best way to get out of the city, start moving that way.
Moving in groups is always better, but small bands, about 3-8 people seem to be a good number. Make sure you have at least one person who's personality is duller than yours (Sometimes referred to as the supporting team member or second banana). If anything should happen in your trip, these people will generally go first, and as the saying goes, you don't have to outrun the giant monster, just the slowest person in your party. If you should come across any type of useful items, feel free to take them. Chances are the military has been called in by this point, and so you may come across some dropped weapons. If you can carry them, bring them, keep in mind the higher the firepower, the better, but anything less than a bazooka will have little to no effect on a giant monster, a bazooka will only act as a small nuisance.
Should you come across a sporting goods store, you've basically hit the jackpot. First, you should make your way to the camping section and secure a small backpack, not a hiking bag, but a day pack. Grab your standard survival gear, such as first aid, water bottle, high protein energy bars. Take the opportunity to grab some new clothes, I recommend a nice sturdy pair of cargo shorts, the more you can carry the better. Also, grab a color that will blend you into your surroundings. So if you are in a city (which is highly likely) grab muted grays or a stone color of some sort. You should replace your shirt with some form of hunting shirt that blocks your sent. To giant monsters, humans are small, and it may have a hard time seeing you, but don't let your large amounts of body odor give away your position. Also, feel free to cover yourself with a cover scent or scent neutralizer. They do sell a skunk cover sent, and if you get the chance, I would recommend using it.
Make sure you grab a flare of flare guns. These are extremely useful, they can signal other humans, but the can also serve as a distraction should you come face to face with a giant monster. Flashlights are also useful, especially if you plan on traveling underground. Your last and final stop should be the gun rack. Unless they have a .50 cal rifle, I suggest staying with a big game shotgun, such as a 10 gauge, 6 round shotgun loaded with 000 buck. If 000 buck isn't around, 00 should work as well. Everyone in your party should be armed. In the case they do have a large caliber rifle, I suggest the person with the most shooting experience carry it, if no one does, equip everyone with shotguns. Keep in mind, the shotgun should be used only as a last resort (IE, the monster is about to grab you) or should you come across smaller monster spawn.
Always remember, the best course of action will always be to run from a giant monster, never even think of shooting at it unless you are backed into a corner. If that is the case, aim for the eyes, chest, or anything else that is soft and near you. Grab some bikes and ride to the nearest subway. This is simple math, a 10 story tall monster will not fit in a subway. So if you are in a subway, the monster can't get you. Subway travel is not without risks though, as if the creature has spawned, or released parasites, they generally wind up in dark, dank, "scary places." Ride quickly but cautiously. If you see any sign of danger, return to the streets immediately and bike out of town via the open roads. If there are smaller organisms down there, the will pose more of a threat than one large organism that can be avoided. So remember, move quickly, but with caution and quietly. Only shoot at a giant monster as a last resort, and always move away from the monster's place of origin, but above all else get out of the city. And most importantly, never, ever, panic.
[Note: this originally was written for my old blog, wordsfromandy.com]