Safe Space - Teja Rhae Watson

Five days to heal. A chance connection. And suppressed secrets that threaten it all.

Deep in the California wilderness, nestled among hot springs and forest trails, a secluded meditation retreat promises a group of LGBTQIA+ seekers the chance to feel truly safe. When Emris, a gender-queer dancer from LA, meets Alia, a trans-femme techie from SF, they share an electric attraction.

Navigating a packed schedule, and healing from a recent attack, Emris is troubled by a problematic roommate with seriously bad boundaries. As hidden motives, mysterious entities, and personal histories begin to surface, Fire River Refuge starts to feel more like a trap from which Emris and Alia must confront their darkest vulnerabilities, amid the intensity of their budding romance. Deep in a canyon, too isolated to call for help, they begin to fear that the safety of the sangha rests on their shoulders.

Under increasingly desperate circumstances, can Emris and Alia learn to trust themselves, each other, and the possibility of something new? Raw, intimate, and deeply human, SAFE SPACE explores queer identity, neurodivergence, desire, and the courage it takes to be ourselves.