Emily stands. Slowly, she walks to the line of salt. She doesn't step over it. She kneels, blows gently, and breaks the barrier with her breath.
The only light is the blue-gray glow of a muted television playing an old home movie. A younger Emily, maybe ten, waves at the camera, laughing.
The younger girl on the TV stops laughing. She just stares out, as if seeing her future self through the lens. -Deeper- Emily Willis - Barrier -15.07.2021-
Present-day EMILY watches her younger self. She doesn't smile.
(beat) But the real barrier… the deeper one… that’s to keep you in. Emily stands
July 15th. I chose this day. Five years ago, I walked out of that house. Three years ago, I said the name "Emily" for the first time in a mirror and didn't flinch.
On the eve of a life-altering decision, Emily confronts the invisible wall she built between her past self and the person she is trying to become. She kneels, blows gently, and breaks the barrier
She looks at the letter on the chair. It’s from her mother. Unopened.
Between her and the TV lies a line of black salt on the floor. A barrier she drew herself.