Brian says you can’t leave
By Lizzy Myers from California
“Brian says you can’t leave.”
“We can’t leave?”
“You can’t leave.”
“But we’re almost out of food.” says Rose as she spreads a thin, even layer of butter on her toast. Lilli furrows her eyebrows, a habit she has recently picked up.
“He says it’s not safe.” The birds chirp and the fountain tinkles softly. We sit in silence.
“This has become a real prison paradise,” I add. There is no response.
“I’m not going to be controlled by some invisible voice from above,” says Rose.
No one has seen Brian for at least three days. Except of course Lilli, who will periodically go upstairs for a few hours. When she comes back down she is either strained, with red eyes and blotchy cheeks, or she is freshly showered and singing. “This is not about him,” says Lilli. “it’s about our safety”.
