Ella lay in her bed, blankets pulled tightly up to her chin. Her wide eyes darted from corner to corner, her heart pounding with each creak of the floorboards. "I don't like the dark," she whispered to herself, hoping the words would somehow make the shadows less menacing.

Ella's mother had tucked her in an hour ago, leaving the door ajar in case she needed anything. But the small sliver of light from the hallway did little to comfort her. "Maybe if I close my eyes, it will be morning sooner," she thought, squeezing her eyes shut.

Bell, a delicate fairy with wings that shimmered like stardust, hovered beside Ella's bed. Her presence brought with it a calmness that seemed to chase away the fears lurking in the shadows. "Hello, Ella," she said softly, her voice carrying the melody of a lullaby. Ella blinked, unsure if she was dreaming. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I am Bell, the nightlight fairy," she explained with a smile. "I watch over children who are afraid of the dark, showing them that there are wonders to be found in the night." Ella felt a tingle of excitement mixed with disbelief. "Wonders?" she repeated, curiosity seeping into her voice.

"The darkness can be a friend too," Bell said, her eyes twinkling like the stars. Ella watched in awe, her fear melting away as she saw the beauty hidden in the shadows. "I never knew," she murmured, a smile spreading across her face.

Ella felt a warmth in her heart, a bond with the night that she had never imagined. "Thank you, Bell," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I'll remember this." As Bell faded into the night, Ella snuggled into her blankets, feeling safe and sound. Her eyes fluttered closed, and for the first time, she drifted into a peaceful sleep, unafraid of the dark.