Insomnia

Another night of sleepless exhaustion.

I waited for the fatigue to consume me… but it never did. So I stared up at the ceiling, watching the shadows dance and wave down to me, performing so I didn’t have to look at nothing. As they moved, the howling outside grew louder, and the dancing sped up. In a frenzy of movement they twirled, leaped, and span like dancers swarming their stage. I was mesmerised, but apparently still not able to fall asleep.

Maybe if the night was quieter, it wouldn’t be so difficult.

But then if the night hadn’t had been so loud, I wouldn’t have heard the noises from downstairs.

I didn’t take too much notice of it at first – after all, it wasn’t a quite night – but after the distinctive sound of footsteps very much inside my house echoed through the hall, I was terrified. There was someone in my home.

Scanning the room for anything I could use to defend myself with my eyes landed on an old bat my father insisted I kept by my beside … in case I was every burgled.

I thought it was a stupid idea at the time.

How arrogant I was.

But now I didn’t hesitate to grasp the peeling rubber on the handle, feeling the weight of it in my hands. It was heavy. But not heavy enough that I wouldn’t be able to make a swing.

There was more noise from below. Cupboards opening and closing. Footsteps. Grunting.

With the reassuring bat resting on my shoulder, I slowly opened my bedroom door and peered down the hallway. I had only heard one … I think. I think there’s only one other person here. But I’m not sure. What if there were more? What if there’s one waiting for me?

I didn’t know. I wouldn’t know, not until I went downstairs to see for myself.

No lights were on when I began taking slow, steady steps down the stairs. One hand was wrapped around the bat, the other was tracing the wall as I went.

It was quiet now. But I knew they were still here.

I crept forward, trying desperately to ignore the pounding in my chest, the adrenaline surging me forward. I didn’t know what to expect. Maybe I should have called for the police? What if they’re armed? What if they kill me?

Well, that’s too late now.

I lifted the bat above my head and positioned myself to pounce. Taking a few deep breaths I jumped around the corner, swinging the bat over my head, ready to attack anyone who presented themselves whether they saw me coming or not.

I swung.

But there was nothing there.

All I saw was a man sitting in the corner of the room, eating a jar of Nutella. In the dark. With my spoon. But that was not my jaw of Nutella – I don’t have Nutella.

Upon seeing me, he lifted his head. A look of shock was on his face as his mouth dropped open.

“I can explain,” He lifted his hands in an awkward surrender.

I waited for him to continue, my knuckles aching as I gripped the bat with a strength I didn’t know I had. I stared at him. He started at me.

“Okay, I can’t explain.”

“That’s my spoon”

“Yes.”

“Why are you using my spoon?”

“I didn’t have one.”

“Why are you in my house!”

He put the spoon and the jar on the floor and pushed himself up to his feet.

“No! Don’t come any closer because I will hit you!”

“I know, you have a mean swing,”

His hands remained up as he stood by the kitchen sink.

“You didn’t answer my question,”

“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t be here but-“

“How did you get in?”

“The front door.”

“But it was locked.”

“I have a key.”

“How?”

“It’s a long story, but Sarah, I need you to know that- “

“How do you know my name?”

He froze. His mouth moved but no words came out. This was all too confusing. Maybe this was a dream.

Whatever this was, this approach obviously wasn’t working.

“Who are you?”

“I’m sorry Sarah, but if you don’t know me, then I really shouldn’t be here.”

He started muttering to himself as he pulled up his sleeve, looking down at a projection of light emitting from a … watch? I could only watch, open mouthed, as he kept muttering, sounding annoyed. Worried.

“Too early. Too early. Too early.”

“What’s too early?”

He looked up.

“I’m sorry Sarah, I need to go.” He stepped forward, too quickly for me to react, especially when he placed his hand on my jaw and kissed my forehead.

He walked past me and opened the front door.

“I guess I’ll see you soon Sarah. And I’m sorry again. Please know that I’m sorry … for everything.”

When he closed the door behind him, only then was I able to close my mouth. Without thinking I ran after him, opening the door only to be hit with the raging wind and rain, soaking my pyjama’s and sending a chill down my spine.

As the nights air howled with ferocity, I had no chance of finding him out here.

The stranger who left my house was gone forever.

Or at least that's what I thought.