Sleepless Review Novels & Stories

I usually set my alarm for 7 am, then head out to help prepare Gavin's family breakfast. I opened my eyes wide as I realized that my bottom was in a lot of pain. I bit my lower lip, and my memory reflexively rewound. Last night wasn't a dream. Gavin's warm caress was still there. He really came for me and filled my night with warmth. It was not like before that I thought that what Gavin had done last night was a dream. But what if it was just a dream? I turned my head slowly to confirm who was sleeping beside me. For a moment, I rounded my eyes to stare at the man who was still asleep under the blanket with a shady face. I shook my head, unable to believe what the man was doing.

The beast howled and August sat up at last. “Dreams, damn them.” He reclined on his bedmat in the morning trying to make sense of it all. Within his tent amongst the encamped Ninth Roman Legion, August sucked his breath in fast. Head throbbing, sweat soaking his face, the big man clutched the sides of his head as the images swam fast within. He breathed deep once, then several times shallow.

“Riven, then. I’m Dr. Vex.” “Can I call you Octavia?” “No.” He smiled. “Worth a shot.” I pulled up his file on my computer. “Your intake form says you’ve had insomnia for twelve years. Tell me about that.” “What do you want to know?” “How many hours do you sleep per night?” “Three, maybe four. On a good night.” “And on a bad night?” “None.” I made a note. “You’ve tried medication?” “Everything. Sleeping pills, melatonin, CBD, meditation apps, weighted blankets. I’ve counted more sheep than a farmer.”

I hated feeling helpless, but I knew better than anyone that no one can fight our mental battles for us. Half an hour later, Ava’s screams had quieted, but I continued my vigil. It wasn’t like I could sleep. My insomnia meant I only slept two or three hours a night, though I often crashed for naps in the middle of the day when I could. I opened my laptop and was reviewing new business documents when my phone pinged. Josh: Yo, I’m bored. Guess I wasn’t the only person who couldn’t sleep tonight. Me: What do you want me to do about it?

Alice I barely sleep, and when I do, it is shallow and restless, filled with static voices and half heard threats that jerk me awake with my heart racing. Lately, I can only do my findings in the middle of the night or very early, that's if I don't want any pests, I am already on my feet, pulling on my boots and jacket, my mind locked on one thing. Proof. Real proof. Not theories, not gut feelings, not something Reign can brush off as stress or jealousy.

LILIAN POV “I have to confront Laurel. She needs to tell me everything I said to myself while walking back and forth in my bedroom. I experienced restless thoughts that spun endlessly around anxious patterns. I needed answers. No more silence. THREE HOURS LATER As I approached her room at a slow pace I whispered to myself "she could have woken up by now." My hand hesitated at the doorknob. I knocked softly. No response. The door was barely ajar when I took a quick look inside and saw her sleeping with her back to the entryway and blankets wrapped around her legs.

She knew she was tired because of the stress and lack of sleep caused by the past week's intense practices, so she decided to nap. Eight minutes later, she felt someone touch her waist. Her eyes flicked opened and her body tensed--ready for a fight. However, after a few blinks, she saw Jeremy grin at her as he snapped her belt. "We're getting ready to take off. They just loaded my drums." He hurried to his seat. Hae Mina closed her eyes and tried to drift to sleep again. She was more than a little annoyed that her fight or flight instinct still made her want to attack those who woke her up by touch. She shook the feeling and tried to sleep; however, she remained half-awake and could hear Jer

With that I fell into a deep slumber. I woke up with a pain in my neck,it wasn't easy sleeping on the bare floor. Also it seemed I had caught a cold, I sneezed and my eyes watered. I checked the time on my Watch..it was one of my most prized possession, it was given to me by Christine as a birthday gift. It was 6:30 AM. I quickly arranged myself, I was hungry as hell,but there was no way I could get anything to eat. The restaurant usually opens by 7:30AM, it would be a very long time but I have no choice.

I'm mentally exhausted, dear diary. I miss Campbell, I miss Ivy and Alicia, i muss my former school. I miss Lisa. Yes, Lisa was a big bully but I still miss her. I killed her, and I feel so bad about it. I wish I could have stopped the accident, I wished she had believed my dream and I wish I hadn't had any dream in the first place. I hate using inhalers but I'm getting used to it. I hate not having anyone to text, apart from mom and dad and granny. Diary, please keep me awake till morning, I really feel very sleepy..."

Curled in Colton’s arms in bed, my head laid on his chest as I listen to that steady rhythm of his heartbeat, I doze in and out of peaceful and contented slumber. Something keeps waking me when I start to fall deeply, and I can’t seem to put my finger on it. Like a dream or a feeling that’s just out of sight and seems to jump in to haul me back whenever my consciousness drifts away. An unease or a threatening nightmare maybe, it’s definitely a sense of unease and try as I might, I can’t seem to fall into blissful darkness for any length of time. It’s almost dawn and I have barely dozed for more than twenty-minute slots at a time. I’m frustrated and exhausted, yet I can’t seem to rest.