A Nightly Visitor

From then on, Ember returned every single night. In through the window, straight to the fairy tale shelf, reading quietly until just before sunrise.

Ember always left before anyone woke, careful not to bend a single page.

Soon, Ember had read almost every book on the shelf — tales of brave knights, curious rabbits, and yes, even a few dragons.

“I never knew stories could feel like home,” Ember whispered one night.