Sophia lay in her bed, the room dimly lit by the soft glow of her nightlight. Her parents had said good night, but the house was so silent that she could hear her own heartbeat. She knew she needed to sleep, but worries danced in her mind.

As the clock ticked to 10 p.m., her eyes were wide open. She turned and tossed under her cozy blanket, missing the comforting sounds of her parents moving around the house.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and her parents peeked inside. Seeing Sophia's worried face, her dad smiled gently and approached her bed.

"Oh, my sweetheart, just take it easy," Dad said with a chuckle. "Squeeze my hand, and I will deliver courage and energy!"

Sophia felt a warm sensation as she clung to her dad's hand. A glimmer of bravery sparkled in her eyes. She then wrapped her arms around both her parents in a grateful hug.

The light switched off, and darkness enveloped the room. Outside, the wind whispered through the leaves, and distant car horns sounded like faraway echoes.

Sophia's heart raced as she sat up, her eyes darting around the room to ensure everything was normal. Moonbeams spilled through the window, casting shadows that danced on the walls.

One shadow looked strange, almost like a person standing still. Sophia froze, her breath caught in her throat, as she wondered who it could be.

Covering her mouth to muffle her gasp, Sophia leapt out of bed. Her small feet barely made a sound on the carpet as she hurried towards the safety of her parents' room.

With a bound, she jumped onto her parents' bed, feeling the familiar comfort of their presence. They woke with a start but quickly embraced Sophia, their love a shield against her fears.

Sophia's mom pointed out that the 'shadow' was just her coat on the chair—nothing to fear. Sophia laughed, feeling a bit silly but relieved.

Back in her own bed, Sophia felt braver than ever before. She closed her eyes, the warmth of her parents' love guiding her into a peaceful sleep.