He looks up. He had been bracing for the next impact by the monster, but it never came. All he saw in front of him was Sa-Sa, standing knee-deep in the water. The monster was no where in sight.

 “What-? How-?” he exclaims, “What did you do?” Sa-Sa says nothing, only staring at the dirty water. “…I didn’t do anything.” she finally says, “I only asked her to stop crying, and tell her that she’d be okay.”

 She turns around, and was now facing him. He saw that she was fighting back tears as she said, “She’s happier now. Still sad, but happy.” She gives him a weak smile as she begins to wade out of the water.

 “Come on,” she says when she catches up to him, “More of those-” She stops mid-sentence. I can’t call them monsters anymore… She realizes, Because if they’re like Ketu… Well, they’re not ‘Things’ either… “More of those- Um- “Shadows-” will be coming soon.” she says after a pause. He nods in agreement, takes her hand, and they begin their journey again.

 He looks down at the little girl walking beside him, silent tears rolling down her cheeks. “…You knew that girl?” he asks, curiosity overcoming his uncertainty of asking the question. “Yes.” she replies, almost immediately. Then, she adds, after a short pause, “… She was an old friend…” Besides the faint rumbling in the distance, silence befalls their journey yet again. 

 They at last find a road leading a way out of the beach. They follow it, not entirely sure if it would be safe, but it’s their only chance of finding a place to stay when night falls. In fact, what little sunlight that got through the murky, gray clouds, was starting to fade into the grasps of the horizon. “I’m both happy and sad.” she says, suddenly breaking the silence, “I’m sad because I couldn’t help her before, but I’m happy because I could help her now.” She looks at him, “Have you ever felt that way before? Being happy and sad?” He takes a moment to think. “…No,” he replies, shaking his head, “I don’t think I have.” “Mm.” she says, looking away again, “It’s a strange feeling.” “I’m sure it is.” he replies, not completely listening, because they had just began entering a city. Maybe a beautiful city once, but now, nothing but ruins that reek of rotting flesh.