The Quiet Tenant

by Clémence Michallon

Rule number one of staying alive in the shed: He always wins. For five years, you have made sure of it.

Rule number three of staying alive outside the shed: If you have to be in his world, then you must be special. You must be the only one of you.

Rule number four of staying alive outside the shed: You don’t know.

I will tell the world my father loved me.

But did you love him?

me. I knew what it was like when someone you don’t know, someone you have never met, decides a part of you will forever belong to them.

So no, when you found me, it didn’t surprise me. Of course you found me. You had to happen to someone, and you happened to me.

Rule number five of staying alive outside the shed: He must need you at least as much as you need him.

He smells nice, too. You never expect evil to smell nice. What kind of devil wears cologne?

at the end of the day, if a man wants to kill you, he kills you. It’s not on you to convince him not to.

They will stop telling your story, until one day you’re the only one left to remember it.

Rule number ten of staying alive outside the shed: You can learn from him. You can plan things, too. —

Cecilia. I’m so sorry for what I’m about to do to you. I’m so sorry for what I’m about to do to your life.

The ultimate rule of staying alive: You run, because it is how you have always saved yourself.

I will tell myself that my father loved me.