Every night my 5yo stepdaughter pushed her plate away: “Sorry Mom, I’m not hungry.” My husband shrugged. But when he left for a trip, she whispered the chilling reason she never eats. My breath hitched, my hands shook violently, and I immediately locked all the doors, realizing we had to run…

save for the rhythmic clicking of the hallway clock. I was wiping down the granite countertops when the faint patter of bare feet startled me.

I spun around to find Lucía materializing in the doorway. She was clutching her mangled rabbit, her eyes impossibly wide and devoid of sleep.

“Insomnia, my love?” I asked softly, crouching to her eye level.

She continue reading …