The small downtown was shrouded in an eerie silence, broken only by the distant hum of a streetlamp flickering. Sam and Kia leaned against the cold brick wall of an old bookstore, the moonlight casting long shadows across the pavement.

"Did you hear it?" Kia whispered, her eyes wide. "The lullaby?"

"It's just a myth," Sam scoffed, though his heart raced. "Come on, it's past midnight. Let's get home."

Kia shook her head, a smirk dancing on her lips. "You're scared, aren't you? What if it's real? What if the monster comes for us?"

"Ha! What's it going to do? Sing me to sleep?" He chuckled nervously, but the sound felt hollow.

Suddenly, a soft, melodic hum floated through the air, sending a chill down their spines. "Sam!" Kia gasped, gripping his arm. "That's it!"

"Shh!" he hissed, trying to sound brave. The melody twisted around them, pulling at their senses. "We need to go."

"Wait!" Kia stepped closer to the sound. "What if it's a trap?"

"Are you kidding? We can't just stand here!" Sam tugged her back. "We have to leave, now!"

As they turned to flee, the lullaby grew louder, echoing through the empty streets. "Run!" Sam shouted, adrenaline pumping. The night held its breath, and the monster waited.