"Oh, almost constantly," Huaisang says, not daring to look back. He's too careful to commit to his role, the necessity of blending in and seeming inoffensive in case any of the locals are watching. But her asking the question about the neighbors stalking them--rather than brushing it off as though it hadn't been odd at all--tells him that she's one of them, a new neighbor rather than a local. "It's the least of the dangers in this place. Playing along is required, and drawing attention is dangerous. Sometimes monsters and creatures stalk the night. Not too long ago there was an epidemic of snowmen, and inside were... people like Ethel. Smiles frozen permanently onto their faces."

His brow furrows with empathy and worry, hating the thought of even the robbies being murdered.