"They're called Shades," Dorothea explained, though she barely believed it herself. "If it touches you, you become one of them."

"They can't go far from that statue," August added. "That's what keeps them alive." He shoved Sam aside and swung his blade, just as another one was leaping at her. It hissed and disappeared into the brush, skittering away beneath the leaves. The others were coming closer, gathering together, clicking and hissing. All they could see was a shudder of leaves and branches, hiding the creatures that crouched in the ditch by the road.

"We need a distraction," August hissed, flexing his fingers on the hilt.

"...Sam?" Dorothea breathed. She braced herself on Sam's shoulder, her ears filled with that horrible clicking and shifting of the bushes. "Scream. If you trust me, [i]scream loud[/i]."

August glanced back at them with wide eyes, but he didn't object. It was a terrible, terrible idea -- but it was the only idea they had.