The Insomnus

By Vihaan Sanket Gadkari

e thrashed and he wailed. Then he screamed then he begged. Mick hated sleeping. For him, it was boring, and he would much rather go out and play. Unlike his brother, Jack, who’s only wish was to remain asleep. On countless nights such as this, Jack (as the older sibling) oversaw Mick sleeping. And every time, Mick would throw a tantrum in defiance. “I don’t want to sleep!” he would shout. “You don’t have a choice.” Jack would respond. But this night went differently.

Mick helplessly started attempting to bribe and then blackmail his brother.

“I’ll give you my ice cream!”

“I don’t need it.”

“Okay, then I’ll tell mom about the vase you broke!”

“That was you.”

“What about the time you broke Dad’s favourite mug!”

“That was also- wait, that was me.”

“Aha!” Mick cried victoriously “Now you have to let me stay awake!”

Jack sighed and pulled back his hair. “What if I told you a story?” he asked. “I’m too old for bedtime stories.” Mick said. “But what if it’s a spooky story?” Jack stretched the “spooky” and wriggled his fingers while doing so. Jack knew that Mick could not resist spooky stories, they were his only weakness. “Okay.” Mick said cautiously “But it better be scary, or I’ll keep you awake all night!”

“So, it all begins with little boy, around your age, who was overly energetic and an insomniac. He would hardly sleep, and this is where he went wrong. You see, he was like a battery to Insomnus. And if you’re wondering who’s Insomnus, wonder no more. He comes in many forms, sometimes he comes as a wisp, sometimes he comes as someone close to you, sometimes he is your worst nightmare! But most of the times, he appears as blue-skinned old man. The man has a wrinkly face with only canines and fully black eyes. Insomnus uses the sleep you lost to fuel their power. And hyper kids like you, they are especially attracted to. He traps these kids in a trance known as “Inquietud,” or in English, a “coma”. There, Insomnus has full control over reality and time, and he will drain you of your energy for the rest of your life! And to the outside world, it looks like they’re just sleeping, but really, they are awake and alive. But the mind is drained of all energy. So, sleep now or Insomnus will get you!”

Mick shuddered after hearing the story. But Jack didn’t seem to mind. “Okay, time to bed.” Mick was so scared that he didn’t even protest, he just wanted to sleep so that Insomnus couldn’t get him. The next morning, Mick drowsily waltzed down the stairs and plopped onto the sofa. It was a Saturday, and his parents were out at the grocery store and Jack was doing homework. Mick smirked at the idea of it. He’d have the whole house (except his brothers’ room) to himself. He could play on his brothers PS5, he could have soda until his stomach hurt, he could eat all the cheese balls, and best of all, he could do all of them at once. But he didn’t want that. He felt tired, like he could barely move.

Just then, a blurry face slowly started appearing on the ceiling. It was the face of an old man with blue skin and black. The man let out a toothy grin, which revealed that he had only canines for teeth. I must be dreaming Mick thought. Suddenly, the face spoke, “Thy ignorant child, this not one of thou dream, for I am Insomnus!” The face’s voice sounded weird, as if both a man and a woman were speaking at the same time. “And now” the face said, “it is time for you to join countless others in inquieted!

”

That was when Mick ran. He ran into the kitchen with the face following close by. “Thy will never escape my wrath! Submit!” the face roared. Suddenly, the face stopped right in its tracks. He heard Jack coming downstairs. Jack came to the kitchen, grabbed a can of soda, and leisurely walked back to his room. Just then, Jack and Micks’ parents arrived. Mick went to his mother and hugged her, “Mommy, a sleep monster is chasing me.” He looked up to see her face but instead, he saw Insomnus! “Ahhhh! Get away from me!” Mick screamed. “Thy child, does thou have no idea that I am a God!” he bellowed.

Suddenly, Mick started levitating, Insomnus was putting him in Inquietud. Suddenly, a pen flew through Insomnus’s head. They dropped Mick turned around; it was Jack. “Ahh, you!” growled Insomnus. “Yes, me!” Jack shouted heroically. “What are you doing here?” Mick asked Jack. “Well, my ungrateful little brother, I was also used by Insomnus when I was little, but I overcome it! Now I’ll help you too!”

“Repeat after me ‘eb enog maerd retae sa ruoy!’” chanted Jack. “eb enog maerd retae sa ruoy!” repeated Mick. They both continued to chant while Insomnus screeched “NO! Don’t do this to me! I was a God! Please have mercy!” Soon, he turned into smoke and floated away. Mick and Jack cheered and danced around for quite a bit. Soon, Jack said “Well, we beat Insomnus, so no better celebration than a victory nap.” Mick was about to protest but then he remembered that his brother did just save his life, so he owed him one. Besides, Mick was feeling pretty sleepy too.

Mick woke up alone. He expected Jack to be sleeping next to him but apparently Jack woke up before him. Mick trotted down the stairs, sat on the dining table, and watched his mother as she cooked lunch. “I can’t believe we just beat a sleep demon, right?” Mick asked Jack, who was sitting right beside him. “I can’t believe it.” Jack took a pause “I can’t believe you are so dumb.” Jack snickered. Mick, confused, turned to Jack, only to see Insomnus. “Don’t you get it?” exclaimed Insomnus “it was a setup, just to get you in Inquietud and now, you’re on my turf!”

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By Vihaan Sanket Gadkari