I slipped into my pajamas and smiled at the girl in the mirror. “Happy Birthday,” I whispered. It had been a good one.

And now I was exhausted. I crawled into bed and gazed at the ceiling.

There was a soft knock on the door. “Destiny?” My mother said in a loud whisper. She and Dad tip-toed into my room. “Good night, sweetheart,” they each kissed my cheek and smiled at me. “And happy birthday.”

With that, they left me to my own thoughts. I started to doze off, warm and comfortable under thick quilts. I let myself go completely limp…and then—

Crash!

I awoke with a start. Moonlight poured through the window opposite my bed. I hadn’t left that window open….

“Who’s there?” I called, tense with fear.

“It’s me,” a voice replied.