The demon scam

Merle whines and holds a hand to the bump on her head. "It hurts..." She stretches her arms to you and whimpers, so loudly the creature surely heard her...

And, just as you thought, you then hear silent footsteps heading your way. With widly beating heart, you put your hand over Merle's mouth to get her to shut up, but it's too late. Now you can hear it sniffing the air as it approaches, so it probably can pick up your scent as well...