Prompt: Somniphobia

“Insomnia?” Julia laughed harshly and poked the fire with her tipstaff. She lifted her face to follow the sparks into the clear night sky. “No, I don’t have a hard time falling asleep.”

 

Bornen’s hands stilled from the wood carving he had been working on since they finished their shared supper of roasted duck and water chestnuts. He gave her a quizzical look. “Then why do you always take the first watch? And why do you not sleep when I spell you?”

 

Julia drew spirals in the dirt, considering what to answer. Whether to answer. They had been travelling companions for two weeks, since the merchant train headed west, and they were the only two continuing north. Despite her misgivings, Bornen had proven a good hunter, a good musician, and a gentleman. They rarely talked during the day, saving their strength for the journey into the mountains. At night, their conversation ranged far and wide, and Julia always deflected personal questions.

 

Perhaps she was tired. Lonely. Without looking at Bornen, she said again, “It’s not insomnia. I crave sleep, actually. But I fear it. Rather, I fear the dreams that come.”

 

“Dreams?” She heard the tone he tried to hide.

 

“My dreams come true,” she said simply.

 

They sat in silence for awhile.

 

“Ahhh,” breathed Bornen…

 

Music	Rachel Portman, Chocolat soundtrack
Time writing	25 minutes
February word count