[ So engrossed with racking her brain, trying to think of a place she hasn't tried to hide already, Aerith almost misses the sound of the shuffling footsteps, though the watery exhale the creature utters captures her attention instantly, making her blood run cold.

Transfixed and terrified, it's a good thing that Steve has the sense to tug at her arm and urge her into motion, it lets Aerith shake off some of the fear locking her feet to the floor while she listened to that ghastly sound. ]

Should we check the back? If there's a window maybe it leads onto an alley instead of the street?

[ Not that getting cornered in an alley is a good option, but maybe they'll be lucky enough that they'll find nothing worse than a few of those dogs.

The irony of the thought isn't lost on her, despite the panic. Aerith hates the way that the dogs have become a preferable alternative to anything, but she doesn't want to take her chances with the thing Steve says is looking for him.

Doubling down on the grip she keeps on her staff, Aerith uses it to gesture towards a row of narrow windows left boarded up after the town's change. ]

Over there?