Ruse/never lose

***

“It seems we’re at an impasse,”

the blankets told the rats,

“I won’t free you

until you promise to let us out that door.”

“And we,” the rats squeaked, “can’t make a promise-spell to let you out that door

for as long as we are cursed.”

“And I just want out!” I shouted. “Without having my memories tampered.”

“And we want to go with her,” the blankets said.

“And force her to keep you with her forever

and be emotionally codependent with her,” the rats said.

“Gah, you are all awful,” I said,

and stomped back to my room

with the blankets

and demanded they teach me how to read

demon scrawl

and do spells without speaking

so I could

bust my own way out of there,

and sure,

I’d bring them along

when I left

but they were not

going to take advantage of me

like those rats

or any bullies

or my mother.

***