Insomnia by Sarah Pinborough

There’s someone in the house. 

It’s not a complete thought, but something feral, more instinctive, and I sit up, suddenly awake, my heart racing. 

My skin has prickled. Something woke me. Not a dream. Something else. 

Emma can’t sleep. 

CHECK THE WINDOWS 

It’s been like this since her big 4-0 started getting closer. 

LOCK THE DOORS 

Her mother stopped sleeping just before her 40th birthday too. She went mad and did the unthinkable because of it. 

LOOK IN ON THE CHILDREN 

Is that what’s happening to Emma? 

WHY CAN’T SHE SLEEP?