SAFE & SOUND

My clothes are folded on the chair,

my favorite jacket's hanging there.

You even found the brand I like,

guess you were listening that night.

Coffee's warm, just how I drink it,

two sugars, little cream.

You remembered every stupid thing I never meant for you to keep.

There's flowers sitting by the door,

fresh sheets underneath my feet.

Everything I could ask for...

Except a way to leave.

You tell me, *"Baby,

don't be scared."* Like fear's a fever you can cure.

You stroke my head,

you kiss my cheek,

and whisper... *"You're safe here."*

Safe and sound, safe and sound,

that's what you keep calling it now.

Four walls dressed like paradise

don't make them any less a cage.

You hold me close,

you calm me down,

say nobody can reach me now.

Maybe that's the part

that scares me most...

You think I'm safe and sound.

Safe...

Safe... Safe... Then why am I shaking?

Asked you where you put my phone.

"You don't need it."

Asked you when I'm going home.

"You are home."

Asked if I could step outside.

You smiled like I was being cute.

"Not tonight." "It's dangerous."

Dangerous...

Compared to who?

You bring me dinner every night,

sit across from me and smile.

Talk about the things we'll do

when I've been here for a while.

You ask me if the room's too cold.

You ask me if I slept.

You ask me everything...

Except what I fucking want.

And that's the worst part,

isn't it?

I think you really care.

There's something almost gentle in the way you keep me here.

If you hated me,

I'd understand. But you look into my eyes like you've finally got

everything you ever wanted.

Safe and sound,

safe and sound, keep saying it until I drown.

Pretty words and pretty gifts won't make me forget what this is.

You hold me close,

I don't make, a sound.

I've learned what happens when I shout.

You call this love.

I call it something I'm terrified of.

So I smile.

I eat. I say thank you.

I let you sit beside me.

I don't pull away

when you reach for my hand.

You soften. Every time.

... Good. Maybe if I'm sweet enough,

you'll stop watching quite so close.

Maybe if I play along,

you'll forget to lock the door.

Maybe I'll tell you what you want.

Maybe I'll say, "I missed you." And watch your whole face light

up. ... God.

What are you turning me into?

You said you saved me.

Saved me from strangers.

Saved me from danger.

Saved me from everyone who might take me away.

But nobody was chasing me.

Nobody was hunting me.

Nobody was hurting me— **UNTIL YOU DECIDED I NEEDED SAVING.**

DON'T

TOUCH

ME!

SAFE AND SOUND?! LOOK AT ME NOW!

Is this what safe is supposed to look like?!

No windows open, no doors unlocked,

and you still swear you're doing this for love!

You want me close?

I'm close enough!

You want forever? I've had enough!

Don't call me darling,

don't calm me down,

don't tell me I'm,

SAFE AND SOUND!

You wanted me here.

Congratulations.

I'm here.

Now...

LET.

ME.

OUT.

... Footsteps outside the door.

A key turns.

And your voice says: "Baby?"

I wipe my face.

Fix my clothes.

Put the smile back on.

"I'm okay." ... "Come in."