Nori Navigates by Night-Light

Thunder made the hallway unfamiliar. Nori paused outside the laundry room, watching each flash redraw the furniture, until the small amber night-light near the floor blinked steadily back at her.

There was another light by the stairs and one beside the bedroom door. Nori followed them like stars. At the end of the trail she found the old dog awake on his blanket, pretending not to mind the storm.

Nori curled against his front paws. The thunder continued, but it had to cross two warm animals and a whole constellation of night-lights before it could feel frightening again.