Slowly--not quite matching their steps backwards--Sparks advances.

And barks. Where are you going? Pity they're not a monster now, or they'd have a chance at gleaning some meaning. Not that being impossible to understand stops him. Give up? Too scared?

He rears up, exaggeratedly boxing the air with his paws, taunting, before landing in a mock-playful bow.

He may be underestimating how hurt they are.