That night, Evelyne stood at her window, staring into the forest.
For the first time, she wasn't afraid.
Somewhere beyond the trees, he was out there, keeping the darkness at bay.
She took a deep breath. Then, with a voice barely above a whisper, she said, "Thank you."
For the first time, the shadow in the trees bowed his head.
And then, like a ghost, he disappeared into the night.