Ricky tried very hard to be brave.
His bedroom looked normal in daylight: a blue blanket, a soccer poster, and a closet that only held sweaters. But at night, the same closet turned into a tall, silent shadow that seemed to breathe.
Ricky pulled his blanket up to his nose. "If I don't look, it can't look at me," he whispered.
From the windowsill came a tiny voice, calm as a library. "That rule is not in any spellbook I've ever read."
A small wizard sat there like he belonged on a bookmark—pointy hat, sparkly robe, and glasses so round they made his eyes look surprised. "I'm Pip. Night Wizard on duty."
Ricky blinked. "On duty… in my room?"
