When I said I wanted to write, folks told me to “write what you know.” And then they said, "No, not like that."

Paralyzed by PTSD after a violent assault, Charlotte is a prisoner in her own home, haunted by her nemesis, a front door that she can't bring herself to open. Hounded by a family that values appearances over her well-being, she must navigate their callous judgments and her own crushing fear. Finding an unexpected parallel in the world around her, Charlotte must choose whether to succumb to the darkness or find a new way out.

Content Warning:

This is a short story about an agoraphobic with PTSD trying to go outside. Includes elements of recovery from severe trauma with a toxic family shown on screen. References to violence, rape, and assault are mentioned but not shown on screen.