She shuffled under her covers. “Goodnight dad.”

“Goodnight, sweetie. Did you want me to check under your bed?”

The girl shook her head. Maybe a little too quickly. “No, that’s okay.”

Her father chuckled, kissed her on the forehead, and left her alone in the dark. For a full minute, the room remained quiet. Then a sigh came out from under the bed.

“Thank you.”

“My dad’s not that scary,” the child admonished. She scooted over to the edge of the bed, sticking her head over, beginning to peer as far as she could underneath. She could see a clawed hand, hair sticking up every which way.

“I beg to differ!”

“He’s my dad!”

Her protest caused the creature to sigh again. “I know, I know. But… give me a bit more time, okay? I’ll meet him soon.”

“Promise?” she asked them.

“Promise.”