Leo pulled his quilt up to his nose. *Scratch-scratch* came from under the bed.
He squeezed his eyes shut and counted to three. The scratching stopped.
A soft blue glow pulsed from the nightlight. Leo peeked over the edge.
Shadows waved back. One mimicked his peek.
Leo gripped the bedframe until his knuckles turned white. A tiny shadow offered a glowing crumb.
He took it. It tasted like warm toast.
The shadows erupted into a silent dance party. Leo giggled.
Fear melted away. He joined in with a wiggle of his toes.
Leo snuggled down. The nightlight hummed a gentle lullaby.
The shadows stood guard like friendly sentinels at the foot of the bed.
He closed his eyes, smiling in the dark.
Safe and warm, Leo drifted off to dreamland.
