As Chris stood there, he felt a strange connection to the beasts, as if a hidden language had been unlocked in his mind. The growls and snarls that had once been menacing now conveyed meaning, and he understood that the beasts were conversing with him.
His earlier shout, intended to warn the people inside the mall to escape, had somehow turned into the beasts' language, and he realized that he had inadvertently ordered them to stop. The words "Stop, don't move any closer" had tumbled out of his mind and into the beasts' comprehension, and they had obeyed without hesitation.
The beasts' sudden stillness was a testament to Chris's unspoken command, and he began to grasp the extent of his newfound abilities. As the realization dawned on him, Chris felt a strange sensation coursing through his body. The invisible restraints that had held him suspended in mid-air seemed to dissipate, and he felt his limbs relax, returning to their normal state.
