The eye continued to watch them steadily. The alien no longer exuded fear and anxiety. Worse, now it gave off a feeling of defeat. It accepted that it would die here at the hands of these strangers. 

He didn't understand the small woman's words, of course, but he recognized the tone. Her gesture reminded him of someone trying to coax a scared cat out of hiding. Or, probably, his alien equivalent to a cat. There had to be one, right? 

But as silly as it may seem, it sort of worked. The alien blinking, then slowly moved to sit up. He was slow, weak, but he finally settled in an upright position. The blankets remained over his head, giving him the appearance of a dark ghost with two peircing eyes, clothed in bright flannel.