Page 154 of Uprising

She’s shaking, curled up in a corner. Half the space has been trashed. Furniture is on its side. The clothes we bought her for the winter weather is in a pile on the floor, dumped.

She’s always been such a neat freak. She was always the tidy one growing up, putting everything in its place. Every teddy bear had their own spot. Even when she was a teenager she had all her makeup and jewellery organised in a way that was Instagram worthy.

But this room here, it looks like a train wreck. It looks like a disaster area.

“Sofia.” I murmur.

She doesn’t look up. She just stares blankly at the floor beyond her feet.

I don’t understand what’s brought this on. She seemed like she was doing okay. She seemed like she was being more herself, at least at meal times.

“Sofia.” I say loudly.

She blinks, looking up, like she’s only just realised we’re here in her space.

Her lip trembles, her eyes well. “What, what do you want?” She asks.

“You were screaming.” I say quietly. “We came to see if you’re alright.”

She stares back at me in confusion. “I wasn’t…” She gulps. “I can’t do this.”

“Do what?” I ask.

She gets up, her legs are shaking, and she using the window sill to prop herself up. “I want to go.”

“Go where?” I ask.

She throws her head back in frustration. “I told you. I told you from the start but you wouldn’t listen. This isn’t helping me. None of this is helping me.”

“But it is…” I begin only she cuts across me.

“I want to go.”

“No.” I snap.

She shakes her head, her arms are wrapped so tightly around herself. “Please Roman.”

“You belong here. With your family.” I state.

She draws herself up. Clenches her fists. “If you loved me then you would let me go.”

“It’s because I love you that I won’t.” I snap back.

“You’re keeping me like a prisoner.” She screams. “You’re forcing me to be here, to pretend, to…” She trails off as I step up to her, as I grab her arms and pull her into my chest.

“I’m trying to protect you.” I say.

“You can’t protect me from my own head.” She replies.

“We can get through this together Sofia, let me help you.”

“Let me go. Let me have space. Let me have freedom.”

My heart twists. The last thing I wanted was for her to feel like I was trapping her here. I wanted to help. I wanted to fix her but everything I’m doing is wrong.

“Let me go.” She says.

I meet Ben’s gaze expecting him to be backing me up, only he’s not. He’s nodding. Agreeing with Sofia.