The light from city streets filtered through the window, bathing the bedroom in a surreal glow.

His tired red eyes strained in the dim light to see the sleeping child. He wondered what it was like to sleep so peacefully and trust that there was nothing bad in the world, nothing lurking in shadowed corners. Would the monsters come for him too?

Gently stroking long fingers through his child’s soft, messy hair, he smiled to himself. The boy stirred and opened innocent eyes, blinking and trying to focus on what was looming over his bed.

The monster showed his teeth.