Start your story with someone saying “I can’t sleep.”

Posted in Dramatic on Nov 10, 2023

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✍️ 87 stories

“Canvas.” by Andrea Kersten

Submitted to Contest #224

Canvas. “I can’t sleep.” He whispers to himself underneath the soft covers of his bed. The neon lights from his alarm clock radiate a warm red tone against the dull shadows found in his room. 2:27 AM. Outside the window the city continues its emphatic atmosphere; the light sound of rain doesn’t interfere, as if it could run forever. Perhaps it could, it had never stopped and waited for him. Malcolm shuffles in his bed as his body slowly sits up. Exhaustion had made him ill, and the bags under his eyes hadn’t changed, just like the state ...

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“Ruminations in the Dark” by Laura Johnston

Submitted to Contest #224

I can’t sleep. I roll over in my bed, trying to find a comfortable position. It’s freezing in here. My legs become restless, so I climb out of bed as fast as my arthritic joints will let me, and limp into the hallway to turn up the heat. I flick the light switch, and nothing happens. The power is out, go figure. No wonder it’s so cold in here. I find my way into the dark living room and sit in my recliner, hastily covering myself with several blankets, and I slowly begin to warm up. I light the candle on my coffee table, and it allows just e...

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“A New Freedom” by Edward Roberts

Submitted to Contest #224

A New Freedom“I can’t sleep.” I said it out loud to myself. My partner was asleep in bed next to me and my kids were safe and sound in their slumbers as well. Why, then, did I feel so alone?I lived my whole life believing that no one on Earth felt as outcast, alone, afraid and discontent as me? I was terminally unique. This feeling of distinctiveness set me apart from everyone else. Living with a self-image that vacillated between narcissism and inferiority pushed me away from any meaningful relationship with family, friends and co-work...

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“Breaking Good Habits” by Walter Wright

Submitted to Contest #224

Anthony slouched over the edge of his bed, “Fuck this, I can’t sleep.” This night’s whirlwind of nostalgic memories and past embarrassments landed on one reflection question. “Could you ever make the perfect day? Will I be able to rest then?” he asked his nightstand of books and vitamins. Standing up, Anthony chugged a glass of water. He flipped on his desk lamp, igniting an amber blaze like that of a fire. Pacing in and out of the light, he planned on tomorrow — as though he hadn’t already done so several hours prior, possibly a...

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“Altar” by Angelina Cui

Submitted to Contest #224

“I can’t sleep.” Lange complained about 10,947 times. “Well I can’t read for 5 minutes straight without a five year old named Lange Wolfskin yapping at me but I’m keeping my damn mouth shut, aren’t I?” I snapped at her brother, annoyance clear in my eyes. “But this place is so… empty.” Lange said tearfully, looking around at the room they were at. “Don’t be silly!” I snapped, but in fact, the room was empty. Except for the huge, soundproof door and two bunk beds, and four kids sitting there. They weren’t alone, though. T...

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“Sick and Tired” by Nina Massingill

Submitted to Contest #224

“I can’t sleep.” I mumble. Yet again as the moon rises higher in the sky, I am wide awake. Nothing new really, just another sleepless night. Seems like after I was forced into this institute, I just can’t find any way to calm my mind. I mean there are other reasons but that is the easiest one to explain. My room was nice and has enough room to spread out and feel like home, but it wasn’t home. I was able to free roam as needed, so tonight I decided it would be nice to take a walk. I saw a few others in the main hall but for the most part we ...

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“I can't sleep” by Nancy Xiong

Submitted to Contest #224

I Can’t Sleep Here I am, sitting in my bed in the middle of the night thinking about my relationship. I was emotionally hurt but I couldn’t let go of the relationship. I know I was wrong but still, I want to push through. I was in so much darkness and wishing someone would understand my feelings. Crying silently looking at the beautiful moon hoping for someone to save me from all this mess I’m in. It was October 2017 when everything started. Right before Halloween 2017, suddenly, I felt heavy, unexplainable feelings. The type of feeli...

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“Dancing Fool” by Kathy Heim

Submitted to Contest #224

“I just can’t sleep,” Benny mumbled under his breath, resigning any further effort to try. Despite the Melatonin and Tylenol PM, he had slept in a restless state throughout the night, rolling to one side and then to the other, wrapping himself like a cocoon in the bedding. And now, early morning sunlight filtered through the slats in the east window, casting striped shadows, showering the room with particles of dust and cat dander. Horace lept on the bed, purring and searching for Benny’s nose, and finally finding it, licked him ...

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“I Can't Sleep” by Hannah Hurtado

Submitted to Contest #224

I can't sleep. In fact, I can't remember the last time I slept longer than an hour. Once I close my eyes, all I see and feel are waves lapping at my feet, the soft sand beneath my fingers. The night air leaves the sand cool to the touch, and the atmosphere seems stagnant, as if anticipating something. The sound of the crashing waves, and the occasional croon from a seagull fills my ears. My dream always starts out sweetly, like a fond memory from being a child, something to be treasured. The moonlight casts a glow on the water, I step in. ...

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“THE TALES OF FREYA: TWO TALES OF SLEEPLESS NIGHTS” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #224

TALE 1: SLEEPLESS NIGHT, HOME ALONE I can't sleep. I'm in a restless state of annoyance. Potions and remedies are not working. I've tried everything and yet my sleepless nights continue. The weather is cold, a new batch of snow has fallen. The whole of my village is fast asleep. What I wouldn't give to have a good night's sleep. I put my robe on and go downstairs. The fire is still blazing. I love my little home. It suits me just well.. My personality is all over my home. From the colorful walls, to the playful couch and dare I say my hand...

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“"The Quiet Steeps of Dreamland"” by Jen Boyle

Submitted to Contest #224

This story deals with death by road traffic accident "I can't sleep" she said to the cat. Her voice sounded hoarse, as if she might have been screaming in her sleep. Perhaps she had. The bedside clock, a present for her twenty first birthday from her mother, blinked steadily. 4.21 am. The cat, Dickens, surveyed her lazily through narrowed eyes. Yawning, he stretched and smoothly jumped to the floor with a thud. He padded out of the bedroom door, and headed towards the kitchen. Jenny swung her legs out and sat for a moment, anxiety ...

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“I can't sleep” by Bill Soest

Submitted to Contest #224

I should be asleep right now, but I can’t allow myself the luxury. My lack of rest for the last 48 hours has nothing to do with not being tired. I am absolutely exhausted and would give just about anything for even a few minutes to nod off. I can’t let myself fall asleep for even a second because I know they are close by now, and intent on silencing me forever. Their plan worked too well, and I am the collateral damage in the plan. I represent their worst nightmare come true and I am now nothing more than a thing which must be removed at all...

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“Hope” by Darlene Watson

Submitted to Contest #224

“I can’t sleep,” throwing the blanket off in a huff and staring at the ceiling, Clara whispers into the darkness, “you’ve got to be kidding me.” She reaches blindly for her phone that she’d left on the floor beside the thin mattress. Squinting at the sudden glare, she groans at the time, “Shit, 2:25 and I have so much to do in the morning and instead of sleeping I’m laying here…talking to myself apparently.” Clara swings her legs around and sits, resting her head on her bony knees she scrubs her hands through short messy hair. She stops to ...

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“Final Hours” by Daryn Schvimmer

Submitted to Contest #224

“I can’t sleep,” Miriam says, slipping onto the pull out couch, and bumping her head against my arm to get my attention. She gets me, at least, to notice her. Before this interruption, I’d been staring off at the crumbling motel walls. I’m the only one who’s supposed to be awake right now. Mrs. Forsythe told me to stay up until 3 AM tonight, as she was going to call between the hours of 1 and 3 in the morning, and needed me to be ready to anticipate the call. “There’s nothing better than a prepared employee, 213,” Mrs...

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“A Moment's Respite” by Gabrielle Charles

Submitted to Contest #224

'I can't sleep.' She breathes out a sigh as she drops her phone beside her, spreading out on the plush comforter of her queen-sized bed. The muffled TV makes for good background noise in the otherwise silent hotel room, and the muted golden glow of her desk lamp brings a bit of warmth into the space. The text was sent to her assistant – as well as closest friend, Stephen – who is staying in the room across from her own. She isn't really expecting to get a reply back, but at this point, she really has nothing to lose. She has to go ...

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Start your story with someone saying “I can’t sleep.”

Submissions are closed

✍️ 87 stories

“Canvas.” by Andrea Kersten

“Ruminations in the Dark” by Laura Johnston

“A New Freedom” by Edward Roberts

“Breaking Good Habits” by Walter Wright

“Altar” by Angelina Cui

“Sick and Tired” by Nina Massingill

“I can't sleep” by Nancy Xiong

“Dancing Fool” by Kathy Heim

“I Can't Sleep” by Hannah Hurtado

“THE TALES OF FREYA: TWO TALES OF SLEEPLESS NIGHTS” by Melinda Madrigal

“"The Quiet Steeps of Dreamland"” by Jen Boyle

“I can't sleep” by Bill Soest

“Hope” by Darlene Watson

“Final Hours” by Daryn Schvimmer

“A Moment's Respite” by Gabrielle Charles

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story before dawn. Your character has woken up early for a particular reason.

Write a story about two people living together who have opposing sleep cycles, and only cross paths at dawn and dusk.

Write a story about someone pulling an all nighter.

Write about someone who can’t sleep due to jet lag, and decides to set out and explore their new city at night instead.

Contest #224

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

285

Contest entries

135

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: