The Torch Under the Pillow

Every night the child keeps a torch under the pillow, loaded and ready, because the dark is full of shapes that need checking. But tonight, at the worst possible moment, the batteries give one apologetic flicker and go out. The room holds its breath, and so does the child. Then, slowly, the dark begins to introduce itself: the moon draws a silver window on the floor, the hallway light hums its thin gold line under the door, the stars come out one polite point at a time, and the looming wardrobe shape turns out to be a dressing gown doing its best. By the time sleep arrives the torch is off duty for good. The dark was never empty; it was keeping the soft things safe.

Your child is the hero

• Their name is woven through the whole story
• The hero is drawn from a photo you upload, so it really looks like them
• Choose from 3 art styles
• Read the full story before it goes to print