What she wouldn't give for a Camera Obscura right now, no matter how scary and terrible the devices were. She put her hand to the dog's back in thanks. "I'll be alright, I can keep this up a little while longer," she assured the dog.

It was a lie, but it was a useful lie. A little, white one, it wouldn't hurt the boy or the dog.

She hoped.

Meanwhile, the monster stops for a moment, eyeing the spears of light. With the darkness changed, it's clear this might have been a man at some point, but with the awkwardly elongated limbs, and the too-long fingers, it's horrifying indeed. "Hide and seek?" it asks, and tilts its head to the side too far. It's lips spread too-wide across its face, showing a row to sharp teeth.

And then suddenly, it vanishes.