"I'd like to open the floor to comments and questions at this time. Please be respectful, as there are members of our city council in attendance," said Tad Hubert. He gestured, "Jan?" Jan stood up. "I'd like to start by thanking Tad for organizing this community meeting. This rash of attacks by life-draining shadow monsters affects all of us." The crowd applauded politely. "My question is, what evidence do we have that installing UV lamps around town will have an effect? We know the shades don't attack during the day, but are we sure they'll help?"

"Thanks, Jan," Tad said. "The truth is, this isn't something anyone has a lot of data on. We aren't positive this will help, but there's some anecdotal evidence from a town in Iceland that sounds like it was dealing with something similar, and we need to start somewhere. Yes, you there."

"Orrell Mastson, hi. I'd like to hear more about the, um, Garret kid's encounter with the shades? It seemed like there was something we could learn from that."

"Well, Orrel, Isaac Garret's encounter after the school play last month was unique. Who can say whether any of it—biking home, dressed as a Roman, carrying a book of Shakespeare that he read from before the shade could touch him with its chill claws—had anything to do with the creature standing and watching instead of sucking out his life-sustaining warmth. But I think it is safe to say that no one wants to be part of the testing to see what it is that made the difference!" Tad looked around. "Ah, Caroline."

She stood. "I'm Caroline Turner, I live over on Purch Hill, the old Malborne place? Well, I've seen the shades gather there most nights, at the old playground at the top of the hill. There are more of them some nights and less others, I think it might have something to do with the phase of the moon. Um, I just wanted to share, in case that was useful. Thanks."

"Thank you, Caroline, every little bit helps. Oh, sure, Nathan, go ahead."

"Thanks, Tad. And I want to thank everyone who came here tonight, and especially the city council members who made the time to attend our little community meeting, and especially Tad for setting this all up." Applause followed. "So, I want to start by saying that I have a lot of respect for our city council. They work hard and take on a lot of responsibility here in Gerhart's Hollow. But the council is not necessarily on your side. You simply can't assume that. I sit in on every city council meeting, have for seventeen years, and they don't act like it's our interests they're supposed to be protecting. When the shadow things first appeared, they weren't talking about how to make them go away, they were talking about how to stop the series of complaints they were getting. You have to go to these meetings and keep them in line, people. I know they're boring, but if we don't go, who will? And they're boring on purpose. The city council makes them boring, talking about stuff that no one in their right mind wants to listen to—I don't want to listen to it—and putting off the interesting bits until the last few minutes. So you can't just sit back and let them do the work, assuming they're looking out for you. You have to participate. Thanks."

"That's a wonderful reminder, thank you Nathan. Um, you then."

"Right, so I'm wondering—oh, I'm Alan Philbren—I'm wondering if the city council is finally going to do something about the school bus routes. They're really inefficient as it is. It wastes gas, which we pay for in taxes, and it wastes time, so we have to pay more wages to the drivers—no offense to the drivers—and we have to get our kids up earlier. I've sent in suggestions, but—"

"Thank you, Alan, but this isn't the best time to talk about the bus routes. I will mention it next time I meet with the council, though."

"Can we talk about some sort of protection program? Some of us are being hounded by these shadow monsters. I haven't gotten a good night's sleep in a month!"

"Well, Aileen, we have recommended that anyone who feels uncomfortable go stay with relatives, but I haven't heard of anyone being singled out and hunted by the shades. Are you being singularly persecuted?"

"Yes! Everywhere I go, they're following me. I see them in mirrors, in reflections all over the place. I couldn't say for sure why they haven't drained me like the others, but I think it's on account of my body."

"Your body?"

"I think they want a little of what I got to give, you know?"

"Yes," Tad said, "I see. I'll bring up the idea of a protection program with the council. Now, we have Councilwoman Hamilton with us here today." Polite applause. "Would you like to add anything to the discussion?"

"Sure, Tad. First, thank you for gathering so many concerned citizens of our community together to discuss the issue before us. That makes it easier for us to corral you and keep you for when our shadowy masters grow hungry again." She looked around the silent room. "Ha ha, a joke. Just a little joke." No one laughed. "Okay, it wasn't a joke. Please line up in an orderly fashion, so no one has to die before the appointed time."