Safe

    "Do you feel safe?"

    "Yes." It's a lie, of course, but it's what I'm supposed to say. The word no offends those who try. The word no is "looking for attention." The word no requires explanations that get thrown back as lies. The word no is not allowed.

    Thus the reason I say yes. It doesn't matter I'm being hurt daily. It doesn't matter I'm not getting help. It doesn't matter I can't escape my nightmares. It doesn't matter people brand me with false labels. It doesn't matter that I feel the opposite of safe.