Thinking about the dream a little more, I feel like I had a little doubt in my mind that the figure was out to cause me harm. This doubt is probably why I couldn't get flames to appear. I didn't want to hurt it if it was just something out to frustrate me rather than harm me.

Mostly I felt angry and frustrated at the thing, the only time it was scary at all was when I saw it running toward me. In my dream I had a moment where I felt it was to blame for my losing focus and getting sidetracked during the "workshop" and book reading.