[Heather's fear does very little to assuage L's own. In fact, it probably amplifies it. He clings to her when she slips, turning to watch the can's tumble... and then his heart gets caught in his throat when he sees what's pursuing them.

He feels numb. He knows that he should be panicking, but he is practically paralyzed. He forces his tongue to work.]

Heather, you can't carry me. It can't chase both of us at once. If you put me down and we split up, we can cut our losses...

[The message is coldly practical and pretty grim, essentially "if we stay together, both of us will probably get smashed. But if we split up, one of us just might live."]