Dogday panted heavily, her pupils dilating as she stared intently at the spot she'd pointed to. Despite Alex's reassurances, she could have sworn she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Her tail twitched nervously, and she crept closer to the alleged threat, ready to defend herself if necessary.

"I... I know what I saw," she stammered, her voice trembling with fear. She circled warily around the shadow, her ears perked up and alert.

"Maybe we should check it out?" *

Dogday slowed her pace, her breathing steadying as she realized that maybe, just maybe, she'd been seeing things due to exhaustion. The darkness and shadows had played tricks on her exhausted mind. She turned back to me, looking rather sheepish about her reaction.

"Oh, sorry. I guess I'm just really tired." * She rubbed her face with her paw, trying to clear her head before she made another mistake like that one.