Night wrapped the woodland cottage in blue shadows. Nocti lifted the lantern, and its golden light spilled across the wooden floor.
A tiny glow slipped past the cottage window. “Wait!” whispered Nocti, hurrying after it as the floorboards creaked behind.
The door opened with a soft groan. Nocti stepped into the moonlit forest, where a bush made a tall, wobbly shape.
Leaves rustled. Nocti ducked behind the lantern while the bush wobbled again. Then the tiny glow bobbed away between the trees.
Nocti followed the glow beneath a broad oak tree. Fireflies blinked around the roots—blink, blink, blink.
One firefly landed on the lantern. Nocti jumped, and the lantern swung in a bright, wobbly circle.
Nocti lowered the lantern and listened. Crickets chirped, branches tapped, and an owl called from far away.
Moonlight spread across the clearing. The scary shapes became familiar trees, ferns, and sleepy bushes.
Nocti picked up the lantern and walked home. The tiny glow floated alongside the path, blinking once, then twice.
At the cottage, Nocti set the lantern beside the door and switched it off. Moonlight slipped through the window.
Nocti curled up by the window. Outside, one last firefly blinked in the dark.
Blink. The firefly vanished among the trees, while the cottage grew quiet beneath the moon.
