"Carrots, just stay with me. Don't go anywhere, we need to stick together," Nick said sternly, clutching his M16 like a lifeline, determined not to let his fear show lest he scare Judy even more than she already was, if that was even possible.

"Don't... don't worry," Judy said, voice quivering with the terror that was coursing through her veins. Then she gulped. "Don't worry, Nick. I'm right behind you." And she was, if the vibrating vise-like grip on his tail was anything to go by. Vibrating because Judy was visibly shaking with fear. Fear of them.

(You decide who/what them means/is...)