My mother burst into the room after I'd released a blood-curdling scream. She appeared dishevelled and bleary-eyed when she flipped on the light.

'What is wrong with you?' she yelled. 'You'd think someone was killing you or something.' Then she slammed the door and went back to her room.

I remained still, staring at the door after she'd left. Her verbal assault swathed me in guilt. 

'But someone is killing me,' I whispered, 'every time I shut my eyes.'