Out of the three of them, Ema was the one who noticed the creature last. Fortunately, Mr. Threepwood had already pulled her back (with a hook!) when it finally occurred to her that she needed to react. From what she could make out in the bits of light that hit it from their flashlights, this creature was more chimera than anything natural. It was just leftover bits from every horror monster she'd ever imagined. While terrified, Ema couldn't say she was especially surprised something this awful existed here. Not when taken with other evidence.

Mr. Javert stood his ground, engaging the creature with a sword. The whole scenario stung something familiar--an attack, a savior, a fight in the darkness where she can't help--but she did her best to swallow her panic. She wasn't fourteen. It wasn't going to end the same way it did last time.

Heeding the order, Ema moved a few paces behind Mr. Threepwood and made sure her hold on the kindling ax Mr. Javert gave her was firm. If it got too close to her, she could at least make an attempt to defend herself. "Be careful!"

It was obvious advice, but Ema was compelled to give it anyway.