Shloka 3.45.18
सीतया लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम् — Sita urges Lakshmana to seek Rama (The crisis of the ‘distressed voice’)
कृतवैराश्च वैदेहि वयमेतैर्निशाचरैः।।3.45.18।।खरस्य निधनादेव जनस्थानवधं प्रति।
kṛtavairāśca vaidehi vayametairniśācaraiḥ. kharasya nidhanādeva janasthānavadhaṃ prati.
O Vaidehī, we have indeed incurred the enmity of these night-wandering demons due to the slaying of Khara and the destruction of Janasthāna.
O Vaidehi! since the killing of Khara and the residents of Janasthana we have developed enmity with the demons.
Lakshmana implies that the distress call heard (supposedly from Rama) is likely a deceptive illusion (Maya) created by the demons seeking revenge for the killing of Khara and the destruction of Janasthana, rather than a genuine cry for help.
The dilemma involves the conflict between immediate emotional response (Sita's fear for Rama) and logical deduction based on past actions (Lakshmana's awareness of the demons' vendetta). Lakshmana tries to uphold the duty of protection by not leaving her alone, while acknowledging the cause of the threat.