Insomnia · Paranormal Tales, Science Fiction, & Horror

Insomnia.

An inability to sleep; a state of agitated wakefulness, often as a result of troubling thoughts.

The word derives from the Latin roots in ("not") + somnus ("sleep"). Further back, the word has roots from the Proto-Indo-European, in the term swepnos, meaning "dream."

In somnia: engaged in the act of dreaming.

Somnus also refers, in the figurative sense, to death. The ancient Roman god of sleep shared that name; he was a son of Night and brother of Death.

To sleep, perchance to dream.

To dream, perhaps of dying.

All themes in this collection.

Includes the following titles:

The Grin - a classic nightmare story extracted straight from the deepest recesses of a man-child's troubled mind.

The Scenario Egg - an investment broker enjoys the spoils of his fast-paced lifestyle until failure, a beautiful woman, and an odd-looking device conspire to make him second guess what is good and right, and what is real and fantasy.

A Thing for Zombies - a dark satire about young love and the steps one might take to win another's affection.

Reached in Error - The lines between technology and the paranormal blur in this tale about a device that allows the living to communicate with the dead.

Raise the Dead - when a mysterious musician applies for an opening in Chris Stephens's high school band, strange things begin to happen, some of them wonderful, some of them horrifying.

The Sacrifices We Make - a child's abduction wakes a drowsy little town from a forgetful stupor.

The Promises We Keep - young lovers make a vow that they never in their wildest dreams ever expected to have to keep.

Approximately 85000 words.

Some material may not be appropriate for readers younger than 14.